Health Minister Ma. Subramanian on Sunday, on Sunday inaugurated the ‘Steps to Happiness’ project launched in collaboration with Madras Medical College, Saveetha Medical College, Institute of Mental Health, Kilpauk and Glanis Institute of Medical & Allied Health Sciences, Madurai.
The project is to promote daily aerobic exercises to boost the happiness index of Tamil Nadu in tune with the government’s health walk initiative, which includes 8-km walking corridors in all districts.
The event was also attended by N. Ram, Director, The Hindu Group Publishing Private Ltd., J. Sangumani, Director of Medical Education, E. Theranirajan, Dean, Madras Medical College, J. Kumutha, dean,Saveetha Medical College, Madhu Purushothaman, chairman, Glanis Institute of Medical & Allied Health Sciences, Madurai, B. Nisha, Dean, Research at Saveetha Medical College and M. Malaiappan, Director of Institute of Mental Health, Kilpauk.
Dr Madhu Purushothaman explained, “Daily aerobic activities such as jogging, walking and running increase the levels of serum beta-endorphin and beta-lipotropin, leading to a sense of euphoria and happiness. This will result in high performance levels all throughout the day, which is why we have initiated this project.” The event saw around 250 participants running 6 kilometres, starting from the Health Walk Start Arch in Adyar and concluding at Besant Nagar beach.
The project also serves as a research study over the next 4 weeks, with a total of 570 study participants who will engage in 30 minutes of aerobic activity each day. At the start and end of the study, participants will also fill out the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire to track the shifts in their happiness level.
Published - March 31, 2025 12:30 am IST
