Union minister Kiren Rijuju recently started an interesting Twitter chat on fitness. He did this by posting a 37-second workout video of colleague and former Olympic shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
Here, watch Rathore doing push-ups to the tune of ‘Eye of the Tiger’.
While doing duty we’ve no time for physical fitness. But my Olympian colleague @Ra_THORe manages some time & gives me a tough challenge👍 pic.twitter.com/ZKDAa2B96F
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) April 19, 2017
The tweet received a floor of praises, with sports minister Vijay Goel being one of the early commentators:
@KirenRijiju @Ra_THORe Our very own Rocky Balboa
— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) April 19, 2017
Rathore too reacted, and he in turn praised Rijuju’s fitness:
Ha ha ha…despite your hectic schedule, YOU are beyond competition AND are an inspiration. @KirenRijiju #IAmNewIndia 🇮🇳 https://t.co/iJ0gGHFEu1
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) April 19, 2017
This is when Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu stepped in, expressing how he wished he could be a “bit like them”:
Getting intimidated by the huge commitment of @Ra_THORe & @KirenRijiju for fitness&rigorous regime they follow.Wish 1 could do bit like them https://t.co/pWdHg7JyaQ
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) April 19, 2017
And soon, it became a mutual admiration club. Just read this exchange between Prabhu and Rijuju:
@sureshpprabhu ji, your fitness is at different level. @narendramodi ji’s expectations can be fulfilled by the endurance which you possess. https://t.co/A4zv8sBVVy
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) April 19, 2017
My dear friend @KirenRijiju you r an epitome of youthful energy drawn from Sun,rises first in India in your home state #ArunachalPradesh https://t.co/to2BIEFZF1
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) April 19, 2017
I take it as a compliment from one of the finest human being & most hard working Railway Minister India ever had. https://t.co/BR5JKyU0ss
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) April 19, 2017
Rathore replied too:
Sir @sureshpprabhu ji, we are happy and proud that YOU are keeping @RailMinIndia fit which is tougher anyday #IAmNewIndia https://t.co/DDDVLKqnzF
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) April 19, 2017
Rijuju took the conversation forward by posting a workout video of himself, and this time with a social message: say no to drugs:
Young friends, stay away frm drugs, be fit. Let’s build @narendramodi ji’s #NewIndia dream. I took out 30 mins frm work 2 respond @Ra_THORe pic.twitter.com/fkWQ8UdmRC
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) April 20, 2017
Going by past pictured, Rijiju and Rathore seem to workout together. Here’s one posted by Rijiju in October 2016:
Just managed little time to remain fit & healthy with first Indian Olympic Silver medalist & MoS for Information & Broadcasting @Ra_THORe ji pic.twitter.com/Um4e42WlIw
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) October 21, 2016
Rijuju himself often posts pictures of his workout on Twitter. Here’s one from November:
Besides intensive deliberations on security in DGs Conference at National Police Academy, we had Yoga session too. Also few minutes in gym. pic.twitter.com/IS6qVEfQq8
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) November 26, 2016
In the recent conversation, the ministers also generously engaged social media niceties. And it sure did impress many Twitter users who found the whole bromance inspirational:
@KirenRijiju @Ra_THORe Start of healthy India! Inspirational!No one would have ever thought of seeing our minister doing pushups India is surely changing for good
— Shveta S (@ShvetaSays) April 19, 2017
@KirenRijiju @narendramodi @Ra_THORe Very good message to young men & women of India As a citizen I’m Very happy you took time off ur busy schedule to take care of ur body
— Cheenu (@ksmkkbookscom) April 20, 2017
@Ra_THORe @sureshpprabhu @RailMinIndia love this open, public camaraderie of our ministers… Now if u could get Mr. Prabhu to do 20 pushups on vid by next month.. @KirenRijiju
— RD (@rd10393) April 20, 2017
@Ra_THORe @KirenRijiju This is so inspiring, SIr. I am sure this will motivate the next generation of leaders to prioritise health in the scheme of aspirations.
— Guru Prakash (@Guruprakash88) April 20, 2017