Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya pedalled alongside citizens and panchayat sarpanches in Delhi on Sunday morning as the chief guest at the 35th edition of the Fit India Sundays cycling event.
File Photo: IANS
Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya pedalled alongside citizens and panchayat sarpanches in Delhi on Sunday morning as the chief guest at the 35th edition of the Fit India Sundays cycling event.
Flagged off from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the ride is part of a nationwide movement launched in December 2024 that has grown into a weekly fitness phenomenon. According to the ministry, more than 2.5 lakh gram panchayats across India were invited to join this week’s rally.
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Before the flag-off, Mandaviya spoke about cycling’s dual benefits for personal health and the environment, calling it “Pollution ka Solution.”
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He noted that the Fit India Mission has grown into a major movement through ‘Sundays on Cycle’, with panchayat representatives from over 50,000 villages taking part and spreading the message of fitness in their communities. He urged citizens to adopt cycling wholeheartedly, not just on Sundays, but as a part of daily life, to make it a popular mode of transport while spreading the message of Fit India.
Three-time Olympian and Arjuna Award-winning rifle shooter Sanjeev Rajput joined as the special guest in the national capital. “Cycling is the best option for those who cannot run because of cervical issues. Cycling also builds a strong mind–body connection. The energy today is truly contagious; it makes me want to join every Sunday,” Rajput, who is also the coach of the junior national rifle team, said.
He added that there is a dedicated 6-7 km track at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, which is used by shooting campers for their daily cycling routine.
Village heads from Haryana cycled alongside the Sports Minister, wearing a colourful turban and displaying the national flag on their ride. The event also featured a range of physical activities—yoga, Zumba, rope skipping, and badminton—catering to diverse sporting interests. To engage children, board games such as carrom, chess, and ludo were also organised.
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