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Bengaluru: Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya on Sunday launched a new fitness training programme for senior citizens, aimed at promoting strength, mobility, and overall wellness among the elderly. The initiative kicked off with its first session at Brindavan Park, Padmanabhanagar, where several senior citizens participated in guided fitness routines.

The programme seeks to introduce structured strength training, physiotherapy, and nutrition sessions designed specifically for older adults. According to Surya, the initiative will soon be expanded to other parks across Bengaluru South, encouraging more citizens to adopt an active lifestyle and age with health and confidence.

Focus on building strength and mobility

Sharing a video of the event on X (formerly Twitter), Surya highlighted the importance of muscle strength in maintaining independence as people age.

The programme includes basic resistance training, guided stretches, breathing exercises, and nutrition awareness sessions led by fitness experts and physiotherapists. It also aims to educate senior citizens about preventive healthcare, an area often neglected in traditional community health initiatives.

A holistic approach to senior wellness

The MP’s office stated that the initiative has been developed with inputs from physiotherapists, nutritionists, and geriatric fitness professionals to ensure a safe and structured training model. Sessions will cover:

• Strength and flexibility exercises for joint health and mobility.
• Physiotherapy support to address pain, posture, and balance issues.
• Nutritional guidance for bone health, energy, and disease prevention.

The programme will be conducted in phases across multiple parks in Bengaluru South, including JP Nagar, Banashankari, and Uttarahalli, depending on public response. Registration for upcoming sessions can be done through Surya’s constituency office or local resident welfare associations.

Public response and feedback

The initiative has received mixed reactions online, with many applauding the move as a step toward proactive healthcare for the elderly. Supporters called it a model initiative that could be replicated across the country.

However, some Bengaluru residents criticised the MP for prioritising fitness events over pressing civic concerns such as road maintenance, traffic congestion, and metro expansion.

Despite the criticism, the initiative has drawn appreciation from health professionals who see it as a preventive measure to reduce the burden on hospitals and improve the quality of life for the elderly.

Promoting preventive healthcare

Experts have long argued that preventive healthcare is crucial in a rapidly ageing nation like India, where senior citizens account for nearly 10% of the population. The programme aligns with the government’s broader health initiatives that promote fitness, early intervention, and lifestyle modification.

A senior physiotherapist associated with the programme said, “Maintaining muscle strength and flexibility is essential for seniors. These structured sessions will help prevent falls, improve posture, and enable them to perform daily tasks independently.”

Expansion plans underway

According to Tejasvi Surya’s office, the programme will be scaled up in a phased manner to reach more parks and senior citizen associations across Bengaluru South. The goal is to establish weekly group sessions, combining physical exercise with wellness education and community interaction.

The sessions are expected to be free of cost and open to all senior citizens above 60 years of age. Organisers also plan to introduce periodic health screenings and mental wellness workshops in collaboration with local healthcare providers.

A step toward healthy ageing

The initiative marks one of the first constituency-level public fitness programmes for the elderly in Bengaluru. It underscores the growing recognition of the need for active ageing programmes amid rising lifestyle- ailments and sedentary habits among senior citizens.

If successfully implemented, the initiative could serve as a blueprint for community-based preventive healthcare models across urban India.