Bhubaneswar : Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, has ignited a nationwide movement urging India’s youth to embrace cycling as a route to fitness and a healthier, drug-free future. Leading the charge at Banaras Hindu University on July 20, Mandaviya’s call underlines the growing success of the Fit India ‘Sundays on Cycle’ campaign, now a fixture across thousands of Indian cities and towns.
A Nationwide Fitness Revolution
Launched in December 2024, ‘Sundays on Cycle’ began as an offshoot of the Fit India Cycling Drive and rapidly gained nationwide momentum. The initiative now mobilizes more than 50,000 participants weekly at over 5,000 locations, including schools, workplaces, and community centers. The most recent editions have seen active involvement from athletes, students, police personnel, and Resident Welfare Associations, demonstrating broad public support for the campaign.
Mandaviya’s Vision
At the Varanasi event, Mandaviya emphasized the dual mission of cycling—championing physical fitness while steering youth away from substance abuse. “When we put even one pedal in the cycle forward, we are making India a fitness powerhouse,” he declared, reflecting the campaign’s dedication to strengthen national health and resilience. The initiative also leverages the campaign’s slogan, “Fitness ki Dose, Aadha Ghanta Roz” (“A Dose of Fitness, Half an Hour Daily”), underscoring the importance of incorporating regular physical activity into daily life.
Expanding Impact and Community Participation
‘Sundays on Cycle’ is far more than a fitness drive; it is an avenue for community building. Each week’s events are flagged off from central locations—most recently from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium—drawing crowds who cycle iconic city routes. Participants register online and earn digital participation certificates, further encouraging engagement among students and the wider public.
Special editions, such as the campaign titled ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’, focus specifically on youth, targeting schools and colleges to amplify the message of a drug-free, empowered India.
Recognition and Road Ahead
The initiative has drawn praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has been highlighted in national addresses, including ‘Mann Ki Baat’, as a model for public health and youth engagement. Now an integral part of the Fit India Mission, the ‘Sundays on Cycle’ campaign will continue to ride forward every week, inspiring citizens to “pedal for progress” toward fitness and a brighter, addiction-free future.
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