The ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ initiative was officially launched this morning by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.
This initiative follows the recent launch of the Fit India Cycling Drive, which has already garnered significant attention across the country.
Dr Mandaviya’s leadership in promoting fitness was evident as he flagged off the event, which saw over 500 riders participating, including members of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), young athletes from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and local cycling clubs from Delhi.
The event was further boosted by the presence of notable figures, including former WWE star Shanky Singh, who is known for his time as part of the tag team with former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal.
Singh’s participation in the event added to the star power and excitement, as he expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative. In addition to Singh, Table Tennis legend and Padma Shri recipient, Mouma Das, flagged off a similar event in Kolkata, marking the reach of this initiative across the nation.
Dr Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the broad impact of the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ initiative, noting that it was being held simultaneously in over 1,100 locations across India.
The cycling drive, which was launched earlier this week, has quickly become a symbol of health and fitness, encouraging citizens to embrace cycling as part of their daily lives.
He emphasised that a healthy individual contributes to a healthy society, which in turn creates a healthy nation, a vision central to the goal of a Viksit Bharat.
The event in New Delhi saw enthusiastic participation from various police forces, including the CRPF and ITBP. Both organisations expressed their support for the initiative, with officials stating that cycling not only contributes to individual health but also supports environmental sustainability.
Anish Dayal Singh, IPS, Director General of CRPF, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to peak physical fitness, explaining that maintaining fitness is vital for the force to effectively serve the nation. Singh also spoke about the environmental benefits of cycling, highlighting its role in reducing carbon footprints.
For Shanky Singh, the event was an opportunity to contribute to a cause greater than himself. Currently exploring opportunities in indie wrestling circuits globally, Singh pledged to promote cycling both offline and on social media, encouraging people worldwide to embrace the sport.
He shared that being part of the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ event brought him immense energy, and he hoped it would inspire more people to join the movement started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and supported by Dr Mandaviya.
The ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ initiative also received support from BYCS India Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to making India a cycling nation.
Dr Bhairavi Joshi, CEO of BYCS India Foundation, spoke about the organisation’s efforts to promote cycling as a solution to urban challenges. The foundation has been organising local events, both independently and in collaboration with local chapters of the Sports Authority of India, to advocate for cycling in over 50 cities across the country.
Dr Joshi stressed that cycling is not just a healthy activity but also a means to address some of the most pressing urban challenges, such as traffic congestion and pollution.
The initiative has been organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and MY Bharat.
It has received widespread participation from regional centres of the Sports Authority of India, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), and Khelo India Centres (KICs) across the country.
Through these efforts, the initiative aims to foster a cycling culture in India, one that encourages physical fitness, sustainability, and community involvement.
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