Mumbai: Uber cool Milind Soman heats up Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav

Fitness icon runner and Ironman Milind Soman will mark the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign in Somanesquestyle The longdistance runner marathoner and ultrarunner known for his barefoot running announced the second edition of the Unity Run at a virtual conference late on Monday morningMiles to goSoman will embark on a solo run from Jhansi Fort Uttar Pradesh on August 15 and end on August 22 at Delhirsquos Red Fort The distance he is going to run is 450 km The Unity Run part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav will see the Shivaji Park native cross four statesmdashMadhya Pradesh Uttar Pradesh Haryana and Delhi The start and finish point are history hotspots of course but there are major stopovers at places of interest like the Gwalior Fort and Taj Mahal at AgraThe first edition of the Unity Run last year featured Soman running from Mumbai to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia Gujarat This year Soman said ldquoI am looking at the Unity Run with double enthusiasm as India completes 75 years of Independence The Unity Run 2022 is a tribute to the 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people culture and achievementsrdquoHis messageAt the conference Soman said while the message was Har Ghar Tiranga officially his personal message was lsquohar ghar svaasthyarsquo health for every household ldquoThis means it is up to every individual to do something for physical fitness The onus is on us let us not expect the government hospitals or doctors to be solely responsible for our health Do what you can and keep fitrdquo said SomanInternational eyeSoman called attention to Indiarsquos rousing Commonwealth Games performance and the podium finishes at an international level as he said ldquoFor years we heard that we just do not have the genes to compete and win at international level At other times we heard the climate was not conducive to hard training Today we are witnessing the talent and how amazing these athletes arerdquoIn continuation of taking the onus of your fitness theme Soman stated ldquoConsider it your duty to keep yourself fit Walking yoga swimminghellip practise anything You do not need fancy equipment Look at me I run barefoot and sometimes if I have to I may put on a pair of open sandalsrdquo Soman lifted his leg from behind a desk to illustrate his point as his online audience laughed Talking about the run Soman said he will aim to notch at least 5253 km every day for eight days on his journeyHis food for the lsquosolersquo pun intended will be motivation ldquoSeveral people are also expected to join me for support for some parts of the run though this is primarily solordquo said Soman Food for the body for Soman is ldquodalkhichdi with seasonal local vegetables I am not a fussy eaterrdquo Soman who belies his 56 years because of his fitness said ldquoI have 40yearolds come up to me and say they cannot run as they are old You can start running at any agerdquoOn Ranveer SinghIn the interactive session Soman was asked a question about Ranveer Singhrsquos nude photoshoot since he too had posed nude along with former model Madhu Sapre At that time both top models had posed with a python and it was an advertisement for a shoe brand ldquoThere was a case and it went on for 14 years There has been an FIR in Ranveer Singhrsquos case too and that is why I ask you this questionrdquo asked the journalist ldquoIs it right to file a caserdquoSoman answered ldquoIn India there will always be some people who agree to something and others who do not In this country everybody has the right to file a case it is within the law When there is space for debate and dissension even if that is against me then that is a robust democracy and I am proud of thatrdquo