The 65th edition of ‘Sundays on Cycle’, organised under the Fit India Movement, took place on Sunday at more than 5,000 locations across the country, drawing thousands of participants in a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting fitness, sustainable transport and community participation.
The main event was held at Connaught Place in New Delhi, where over 10,000 people joined cycling and fitness activities as part of the campaign.
More than 300 Fit India champions, ambassadors and dignitaries participated in the initiative, which saw events organised across India—from Kokrajhar in Assam to Badal in Punjab, and Alappuzha in Kerala. In Patna, Bihar Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh joined the cycling event and encouraged citizens to adopt healthier lifestyles.
In Assam, assistant commissioner Rima Trishna Haloi—who is also a mixed martial arts athlete and a karate black belt—participated in the event despite recovering from an injury she sustained earlier this year.
The programme in Delhi was organised in collaboration with the Raahgiri Foundation, marking the return of Raahgiri Day, a community-led initiative that encourages the use of public spaces by pedestrians and cyclists.
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People from various age-groups, ranging from children as young as three to senior citizens in their seventies, took part in several activities, including rope skipping, Zumba sessions, yoga and recreational games, before joining the cycling rally around Connaught Place.
The event was attended by Delhi’s Home Minister Ashish Sood, along with several sports personalities and fitness experts, including former Indian Air Force pilot Akshay Chopra.
“Initiatives such as Raahgiri Day and Sundays on Cycle are important steps towards building a healthier and safer Delhi. Encouraging people to walk, cycle and make greater use of public transport not only promotes road safety but also helps reduce air pollution and fosters a culture of sustainable mobility,” Sood said.
Sportsperson Neelam, a gold medallist at the Under-23 Asian Wrestling Championship, highlighted the importance of physical fitness for a productive life. "Taking care of one’s body is the most important duty of a human being. Only when the body is fit can a person accomplish anything,” she said.
Officials from the Sports Authority of India said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to integrate fitness into people’s daily routines across the country.
Mayank Srivastava, Deputy Director General of the organisation, said the campaign seeks to motivate citizens to adopt active lifestyles and utilise public spaces for health and recreation.
The programme also saw participation from agencies such as the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Commission for Air Quality Management, Delhi Traffic Police and New Delhi Municipal Council, which conducted awareness campaigns on road safety, cybercrime prevention and environmental conservation.
Organisers said the initiative demonstrated how community activities like cycling and walking can play a role in reducing pollution, easing traffic congestion and encouraging healthier lifestyles.
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