Elections are on everyone’s mind and the talk of the nation while parliamentarians are in the thick of their campaigns. This disturbs their routine schedule and to cope with the pressures of erratic timings of taking meals and sleep, which can take a toll on one’s health. Member of Parliament, Youth leader and candidate of BJP from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh Shri Anurag Singh Thakur in a chat with HealthLive editor Ekta, shared his poll campaign experiences. Some of the excerpts of the interview:
Q.Sir, now the poll campaign is nearing its climax, so kindly share your memorable experiences about your campaign schedule?
Coming from a hilly terrain with more than 5000 villages and 800 panchayats in my Parliamentary constituency, travelling takes most of the time. I try to cover close by areas on foot, ensuring walking being a part of my routine.
Q.What one thing keeps you energetic during the hectic back-to-back election campaign?
I am a commissioned officer in the Territorial Army and undergo annual training regime. I start my political programs at 8 am in the morning. Whenever I find time before that, depending on the travel distance, I follow my training regime.
Q.What is the kind of diet that you follow to keep you high on energy for your campaign trail?
With over 10 – 15 public meetings in a day, moving from one programme to another, sometimes makes the car a dining room. To ensure that me along with my staff travelling with me in the car remains active and energetic; I stock up fruits, dry fruits and roasted chana & jaggery.
Q. At the peak of summer, how do you keep your enthusiasm at peak form?
The biggest appetite for a politician is the warmth, love and support from people and I am fortunate to get that in a huge quantity. I am truly indebted to my people for the love and support they bestow me with that keeps me healthy, fit and active
Himachal Pradesh is traditionally and culturally a rich State and people are very warm and welcoming. I am often invited by locals for Himachali dham (traditional food of Himachal Pradesh). This way I am mostly eating home cooked food. Also, dham is eaten sitting on the floor and as per Ayurveda sitting on the floor and eating is as good as doing yoga at the same time.
