On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday emphasised that empowering women strengthens families and society, adding that greater participation of women in sports and fitness activities is vital for the nation’s progress.
Mandaviya took part in the Fit India Pink Cyclothon in Kolkata to celebrate the occasion, promoting women’s fitness and cycling. The initiative was organised under the Sunday on Cycle programme, which continues to draw enthusiastic participation from citizens and spread the message of fitness, sustainability, and community engagement.
~ On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports #MansukhMandaviya on Sunday emphasised that empowering women strengthens families and society, adding that greater participation of women in sports and fitness activities is vital for… pic.twitter.com/kloSkkwngZ
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Interacting with participants, the minister encouraged people to adopt cycling as a regular activity to stay fit while also contributing to a sustainable environment. He noted that such initiatives help cultivate a culture of fitness and a sense of collective responsibility among citizens.
Highlighting the importance of women’s participation in sports and public life, Mandaviya stressed that empowering women is key to building a stronger society. “When women are empowered, families and society prosper, contributing directly to nation-building,” he said. He also called for greater encouragement and opportunities for women and girls in sports and fitness, noting that inclusive participation strengthens communities and advances the country’s overall progress.
Among the prominent personalities who participated in the cyclothon were Olympian and Arjuna Award recipient Bombayla Devi Laishram, Avinash Kumar Gupta, Chief Commissioner of the Bharat Scouts and Guides in Kolkata, Piyali Basak, who has summited Mount Everest, Indian women’s football team goalkeeper Adrija Sarkhel, and Olympian Sushmita Singha Roy.
Launched in December 2024 by Mandaviya, Fit India Sundays on Cycle has grown into a major mass movement, with more than 25 million citizens participating across over 250,000 locations nationwide.
The initiative is part of the larger Fit India Movement launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 29, 2019, with the aim of making fitness a daily habit and encouraging behavioural change towards active lifestyles.
The weekly Fit India Sundays on Cycle programme is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India and partners, including the Cycling Federation of India, Mallakhamb Association of India, Kudo International Federation India, NaMo Cycling Club, Indian Rope Skipping Federation, MY Bharat, and Yogasana Bharat.
This week’s edition of the initiative was dedicated to women’s empowerment, aligning with the spirit of International Women’s Day.