The Fit India movement took a significant stride towards a healthier and greener India with the launch of ‘Fit India Cycling Drive’ this morning at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The event was flagged off by Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, in the presence of Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Hon’ble MP Shri Tejasvi Surya, as well as elite athletes, including Paris Paralympics bronze medallist, Simran Sharma, Commonwealth Games 2022 gold medallist, Nitu Ghanghas and Asian Games 2022 bronze medallist, Preeti Pawar.

Close to 500 cycling enthusiasts joined in for the 3 kilometres ride from the National stadium to Raisina Hills and back, aimed to promote cycling as a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation.

Reiterating the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Dr Mandaviya said, “We have to bring the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat a reality when we celebrate 100 years of independence in 2047 and it is pertinent, we become a full-fledged healthy and fit nation.”

Highlighting the importance of cycling, he added, “We have launched this event as ‘Fit India Cycling Tuesdays’ but for the convenience of cycling enthusiasts, this will now be conducted on Sundays and now be called ‘Sundays on Cycle’. Doctors, journalists, teachers, corporate professionals and youth will join for an hour-long cycling ride on Sundays, not only in New Delhi but at different parts of the country. Cycling gives a big boost to the environment, it is the solution to pollution and also contributes to sustainability.”

Today’s event, held simultaneously in over 1000 locations across the nation, was organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ Fit India movement, in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), MY Bharat, and various sports authorities. The cycling events were held simultaneously across Sports Authority of India regional centres, National centres of excellence (NCOEs) as well as the Khelo India centres (KICs) across the country, saw a participation of more than 50,000 people.

The nationwide cycling drive was joined by well-known athletes including two-time Paralympics gold medallist Sumit Antil in NCOE Rohtak, Paris Paralympics gold medallist Navdeep in NCOE Gandhinagar, former Indian women’s team hockey captain Rani Rampal, Olympian shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor and javelin thrower Annu Rani in NSNIS Patiala.

The launch event saw the presence of youth as well as senior citizens. Commenting on the wide participation, 2023 World Championships gold medalist Nitu Ghanghas said, “This is a major platform for both young and old to stay fit and will also contribute in keeping India pollution-free. I was interacting with Hon’ble Sports Minister during the ride and I felt inspired with what he is doing for sports in the country.”

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Himanshu Pathak