Union Minister Kiren Rijiju is one of the fittest Indian politicians, and he often shares videos of himself working out and taking up various fitness challenges on social media. In an April 2025 interview with ANI, the minister talked about how he stays fit and the secret to staying healthy with busy work schedules.
In the interview, the Union Minister was asked how he manages to stay physically active and fit despite his irregular schedule and busy hours. Sharing that it becomes difficult, he stated, “I am a very adventurous man. I always keep myself busy, either mentally or physically.”
“Mentally, of course, I am in a responsible position, so I have to keep myself engaged with my duties towards the people – responsibilities, meeting my people, doing work – this will keep happening,” he added.
However, amid all the duties, physical fitness becomes a challenge for Rijiju. He stressed that without physical fitness, one cannot achieve mental fitness, and everything is based on one's physique. Therefore, he makes a point of staying physically active whenever he travels.
“In the process, I get to encounter different things which become a learning point for me, and then it helps in settling and balancing my mental fitness,” he added.
Moreover, when the minister travels, he requests his team to clear his schedule from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. During this time, he walks, swims, or even goes for a jog. “If there is no place, then I will do some stretching in my room. Whenever I get time, if I get a yoga instructor, I may also do yoga,” he added.
The union minister further explained, “This is a regulated thing – not regulated in the timely manner, but regulated in my approach. It can be morning, evening, or night, but I have to do it. This physical activity puts me in a much better mental position to carry out my job: to think, understand, and deliver.”
When asked if he wakes up early in the morning to stay physically and mentally active, the minister replied, “Waking up early in the morning is totally dependent on my schedule. Because sometimes my flight is at 4:00, then I have to get up at 2:00. If my flight is at 6:00, I have to get up at 4:00. These are dependent on the schedule.”
Krishna Priya Pallavi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience, covering health, fashion, pop culture, travel, wellness, entertainment, festivals, mental health, art, decor, fitness, and sex and relationships. She is an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. Her strong academic foundation informs her analytical and detail-oriented approach to storytelling, helping her uncover stories where none seem to exist. Before joining Hindustan Times, Pallavi worked with some of India’s leading media organisations. She spent close to three years at India Today, where she honed her newsroom skills and developed a sharp editorial sensibility. She also worked for over a year and a half at Vagabomb, ScoopWhoop’s feminist digital platform, where she explored stories through a gender-sensitive, socially aware lens. Pallavi has a deep interest in global fashion trends and international fashion seasons, and enjoys interviewing celebrities and tracking pop culture movements—interests that frequently translate into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Alongside lifestyle and entertainment, she has a keen eye for impactful health and wellness journalism, regularly interacting with doctors, designers, and digital content creators to bring nuance and credibility to her work. Born and raised in Haryana, Pallavi remains deeply connected to her ancestral roots in Odisha. Her ability to spot fresh angles brings curiosity and depth to stories she pursues. When not chasing deadlines, she enjoys spending time with her dog, planning her next vacation, reading, running new trails, and discovering new destinations.Read More
