A carnival of fitness unfolded at the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) campus on Sunday morning as the 56th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle transformed Bhopal into a living, breathing festival of movement, music and motivation. Long before the sun rose high, the campus came alive with flashing phone lights, clicking selfies, rhythmic music and cheers, as citizens gathered not just to cycle, but to celebrate fitness in a way the city had never seen before. Over 1,200 participants turned the MANIT campus into a vibrant hub of health, with music, movement and community spirit flowing through every corner. Zumba emerged as one of the biggest highlights, drawing crowds with its infectious beats, while rope skipping, yoga and interactive fitness activities ensured there was something for everyone.

The Fit India Sundays on Cycle event was graced by Madhya Pradesh’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vishvas Kailash Sarang, who flagged off the cycling rally alongside actress Payal Rohatgi and a distinguished line-up of athletes, including Olympian judoka Garima Choudhary. Deputy Director General, Sports Authority of India, IPS Mayank Srivastava and Regional Director, SAI RC & NCOE Bhopal Shri Abhishek Chauhan, were also present. From a breathtaking Mallakhamb performance by young artists who have taken part at the India’s Got Talent, coming in from the forests of Abujhmarh in Narayanpur district in Chhattisgarh, the event blended sport, culture and inspiration seamlessly. Energetic Zumba sessions set the tone, combat arts such as Kudo showcased discipline and power, while serene yoga demonstrations brought a message of peace and balance. Game zones buzzed with activity, children raced alongside parents, seniors joined stretching sessions, and students captured every moment on their phones, making the morning a visual spectacle.

“This kind of a fitness carnival-like program rarely happens in Bhopal,” said Rakesh Sharma, a local resident who participated with his family. “I came just to watch, but the energy pulled me in. Seeing so many people of all age groups moving together, dancing, cycling and smiling—it motivates you to change your lifestyle.”

Shri Vishvas Kailash Sarang echoed the mantra of 'Fit India, Hit India' given by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. "I congratulate the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India for giving out the nationwide message of fitness through this cycling movement," the Hon'ble Sports Minister of Madhya Pradesh, said. 

"Shri Narendra Modi ji has said that to keep the nation hit, we have to be fit. Positivity and hard work ensure physical and mental fitness. And we have to abide by it. The benefits of cycling are immense. Let's take into cycling every Sunday and keep the 4-wheelers at bay," he added.

Also present during the event were cricketer Aniket Umashankar Verma, junior hockey international Abdul Ahad, footballer Vishal Joon, canoe sprint athlete Jaspreet Singh, judokas Shraddha Kadubal Chopade, Yash Ganghas and young Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar awardee Yogita Mandavi. Their presence added sporting inspiration to an event that has steadily evolved into a people’s movement.the morning unfolded in a festive atmosphere with yoga demonstrations by Yogasana Bharat, high-energy Zumba sessions, rope skipping, Kudo and Mallakhamb demonstrations as well as interactive fitness activities running parallel to the cycling ride. Several journalists, fitness influencers, Fit India cycling champions and leading cycling clubs from Bhopal were also felicitated, recognising their role in spreading the message of fitness at the grassroots level.

Indian actress Payal Rohatgi mentioned the growing awareness on fitness will create more Olympians in the long run. "The Union Sports Ministry through the Fit India movement is creating enormous awareness for fitness and healthy lifestyle. This will ensure that we are moving towards being more Viksit and the vision of Viksit Bharat is getting closer," she said.

"If our population imbibes this healthy lifestyle, we will get more more sportspersons and Olympians in the long run. The fact that our Hon'ble Prime Minister tells his Ministerial team to ride cycle to promote the vision of fitness is something incredible we can learn and teach our children and the coming generations," Payal added.

Shri Mayank Srivastava felicitated actress Aishwarya Raj Bhakuni as well as Vishal Joon, Kenisha Shrivas, Wassup Bhopal- (Burhanuddin), Bhopal City Update- Shashank Shukla as Fit India Champions, along with Fit India influencers from the city including · Pramod Bhati, Dr. Priya Chittawar, Stuti Bhadoria and Prabhanshu Sharma. Star Cycling Clubs of Bhopal were also felicitated. fit India State Cycling Champions of Madhya Pradesh - Amit Das and Surya Narayan Singh, were also acknowledged, alongside senior journalists from the State including Himanshu Dwivedi, Praveen Dube, Rahul Naronha, Dr. Awadesh Mishra, and Brajesh Rajput.

MyBharat, Yogasana Bharat, Rope Skipping Federation of India, Lions Club, NSS, NYKS) remained the key partners of the event on Sunday in Bhopal. launched in December 2024 under the guidance of Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Fit India Sundays on Cycle has grown into a nationwide ‘jan andolan’, recording participation of over 22 lakh citizens across more than two lakh locations. The initiative aligns with the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Fitness Ka Dose, Aadha Ghanta Roz” and addresses twin national priorities of fighting obesity and promoting sustainable, low-carbon lifestyles.

With enthusiastic participation from students, youth organisations, athletes and citizens, the Bhopal edition once again showcased how cycling, combined with community-driven fitness activities, is becoming an accessible and enjoyable way for Indians to stay active while contributing to environmental well-being. FIT India Movement was launched on 29th August, 2019 by Honourable Prime Minister with a view to make fitness an integral part of our daily lives. The mission of the Movement is to bring about behavioural changes and move towards a more physically active lifestyle.

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