Objectives of the Fit Avinashilingam Movement
1. To integrate regular physical activity into daily life and promote holistic physical, mental, and emotional well-being among students, staff, alumni, and retired teachers.
2. To align University wellness initiatives with the national Fit India Movement and UGC-recommended health frameworks.
3. To implement inclusive, sustainable fitness programmes adaptable to diverse age groups, abilities, and life stages.
4. To foster a lifelong culture of fitness, discipline, self-care, and work–life balance, thereby enhancing quality of life, community engagement, and productivity across the Avinashilingam fraternity.
Need and Significance
With the increasing prevalence of sedentary lifestyles among college and working women, health issues such as dysmenorrhea, irregular menstrual cycles, heavy bleeding, PCOS/PCOD, overweight, and obesity have become common. Studies report that 75% of young women experience menstrual-related problems, largely influenced by physical inactivity (Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 2018), and the Lancet projects that nearly 60% of Indian adults will be inactive by 2030. In line with the Fit India Movement (2022), which recommends at least one hour of daily physical activity, hence there is a pressing need for universities to initiate a variety of structured fitness and wellness programmes such as yoga, aerobics, dance, walking clubs, martial arts, and lifestyle education. Implementing these programmes within the university setting can effectively address present-day lifestyle challenges, improve hormonal and metabolic health, reduce menstrual discomfort, and foster a culture of lifelong fitness among women.
The Fit Avinashilingam Movement is significant in the present context as it:
Supports the Government of India’s vision of a fit and healthy nation.
Addresses increasing concerns related to sedentary lifestyle, stress, and lifestyle disorders among AIHSHEW.
Strengthens the University’s role in promoting preventive health care and wellness education.
Enhances institutional visibility at the national level through Fit India registration and reporting.
Contributes to UGC, NAAC, and AQAR requirements related to student support and staff welfare.