The Fit India Carnival 2026 opened at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the national capital on Sunday, bringing together athletes, celebrities and hundreds of citizens to promote fitness and healthy living in the spirit of International Women’s Day.
The carnival, organised under the Fit India Movement, aims to encourage people to adopt physical activity as part of their daily routine through interactive events, sports demonstrations and community participation.
The event was inaugurated by Tokhan Sahu, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, while Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary, Sports, delivered a special address highlighting the importance of building a nationwide culture of fitness.
Sahu emphasised the need to transform fitness into a mass movement. “The Fit India Movement is about encouraging every citizen to adopt fitness as a daily habit. Initiatives like the Fit India Carnival bring communities together and inspire our youth to lead healthier and more active lives,” he said.
Rao stressed that fitness must become an integral part of everyday life. “The most important message is that fitness should be a part of our life every single day. All citizens should be aware of the importance of being fit. In this Fit India Carnival, we are advocating exactly this by having so many activities lined up for you here,” he said.
The opening day featured participation from several leading sportspersons, including Arjuna Award-winning para-athlete Simran Sharma, Olympian judoka Garima Chaudhary, heptathlon champion Nandini Agasara, fencing star Taniksha Khatri, and football internationals Ashalata Devi and Aditi Chauhan. Arjuna Award-winning chess player Tania Sachdev was also honoured for her contribution to Indian sport.
Actor and endurance athlete Milind Soman was felicitated as a Fit India Champion, along with runner Ankita Konwar. Actors Abhishek Bajaj and Ragini Dwivedi were also recognised as champions for promoting healthy lifestyles, while Tarun Khanna and Aishwarya Raj attended the event.
Soman also led an audience fitness challenge, encouraging participants to engage in simple exercises. “Fitness does not need complicated equipment or gyms. If you dedicate even half an hour every day to physical activity, you can transform your health and your life,” he said.
The opening ceremony included cultural performances and a Mallakhamb demonstration, highlighting India’s traditional sport combining strength, agility and flexibility. Participants also attended a cyber safety awareness workshop by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre and a self-defence demonstration by a women’s team from the Border Security Force.
The carnival venue features fitness stalls, cycling displays, health awareness booths and interactive activity zones, with experts offering guidance on nutrition, training and wellness.
Earlier in the day, the 64th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle, organised as a Pink Cyclothon, was held at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium to mark International Women’s Day and promote active living.
The carnival will continue with yoga sessions, group workouts, sports demonstrations and family fitness activities, while similar events are being organised at Sports Authority of India centres across the country to spread the message of “Fitness Ka Dose, Aadha Ghanta Roz.”
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