Mandaviya leads Fit India cycling event anniversary

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday led the first anniversary celebrations of the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ initiative with more than 1,500 participants cycling along the Rock Beach promenade. Legendary India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and table tennis icon Sharath Kamal joined the ride, which saw participation from people across age groups and backgrounds, including school students, members of NaMo Cycling Clubs and students from Puducherry University.

According to the Sports Ministry, the Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative was conducted at over 700 districts in two lakh locations across the country, with more than 20 lakh people taking part over the course of the year. “When we started this initiative a year ago, it was organised at just five locations with about 500 participants.

Today, more than 10,000 locations across the country take part every Sunday, with over 10 lakh citizens joining regularly,” said Mandaviya, who flagged off the very first event in New Delhi a year back. Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry K. Kailashnathan, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, Legislative Assembly Speaker R. Selvam, and Puducherry Home Minister A. Namassivayam were also present at the event.

“Dr Mandaviya’s own village in Bhavnagar Gujarat, consists of 4000 people only. And everyone there commutes in a cycle, no other two-wheeler or four-wheelers. As citizens, we often don’t realise how small lifestyle changes can collectively make a big difference for the environment,  especially in terms of reducing the carbon footprint,” Kailashnathan said. Rangasamy, on the other hand, praised the Fit India Movement for promoting accessible fitness.

“Cycling is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stay healthy. Only when our body is fit can we achieve our goals in life. I truly appreciate the Prime Minister’s vision behind the entire Fit India movement,” he said. The landmark anniversary edition here turned into a fitness carnival with multiple fun games and activities like Zumba, carrom, chess, mallakhamb, silambam, yoga, rope skipping drawing large crowds.

The event was simultaneously held in more than 10,000 locations of the country, Sports Authority of India and Khelo India centres across Hazaribagh, Kargil, Patiala, Lucknow, Golaghat, Rajnandgaon in Chattisgarh, Hisar, Tinsukia, Visakhapatnam, Kashipur in Uttarakhand, and Cuttack. The celebrity gathering also included Arjuna Awardee archers Jyothi Surekha and Abhishek Verma from SAI Sonipat. The much-awaited Fit India Mobile App Carbon Credit Incentivization was also launched. Three cyclists who earned the highest carbon credits were felicitated during the event. Citizens can cycle and earn carbon credits, which can be redeemed later.

“From now on, every month, cyclists from every state and union territory will be mapped through the Fit India mobile app and the top three performers will be incentivised. This is to encourage and reward citizens for adopting cycling as a daily habit,” Mandaviya added. The Fit India Ambassadors and Influencers who have remained key and have championed the cause of Sundays on Cycle were also felicitated. “Being fit is not about training for medals alone, it is about building discipline and balance in everyday life.

Cycling is a simple habit, but when adopted collectively, it builds a healthier society and a stronger nation. I’m happy that union sports minister’s Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative has transformed fitness into a people’s movement, where families, youngsters and professionals participate with equal enthusiasm,” Sreejesh said. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, (front right) with Puducherry Home Minister Arumugam Namassivayam, (front left), leading a cycle rally in Puducherry.