0
0
Over 1100 Locations Across India Join the Cycling Movement
New Delhi, December 22, 2024: Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, today inaugurated the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ initiative at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. The event is a continuation of the Fit India Cycling Drive launched earlier this week, aimed at promoting fitness and environmental sustainability across the nation.
The flag-off ceremony witnessed a vibrant gathering of over 500 cycling enthusiasts, including participants from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), athletes from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centers, young gymnasts, senior officials, and cycling clubs from the capital.
Among the prominent attendees was former WWE star Shanky Singh, known globally for his association with WWE champion Jinder Mahal. Singh expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “Wherever I go internationally, I will promote cycling. Being part of the Fit India Sundays on Cycle event gave me a unique energy. This is an excellent way to spread the message of fitness and sustainability.”
Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee table tennis player Mouma Das also joined the movement, flagging off the event at the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata.
Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the significance of cycling in building a healthier and more sustainable India. “Cycling is the need of the hour. A healthy individual contributes to a healthy society, which ultimately results in a healthy nation. The Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative has been embraced by over 1100 locations across the country, spreading the message of fitness and environmental consciousness,” he remarked.
The event highlighted the strong commitment of the CRPF and ITBP towards fitness. Director General of CRPF, Anish Dayal Singh, IPS, remarked, “CRPF remains committed to maintaining peak physical fitness. Cycling benefits both individual health and the environment. We are proud to support this initiative and spread its message nationwide.”
The initiative also received support from BYCS India Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cycling across the country. Dr. Bhairavi Joshi, CEO of BYCS India Foundation, noted, “Cycling offers a simple yet powerful solution to urban challenges. Through events like this and our Bicycle Mayors network, we aim to make cycling accessible in over 50 cities nationwide.”
The ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ initiative, organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and MY Bharat, aligns with the Fit India Movement launched in 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Events under this initiative are held simultaneously across SAI regional centers, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), and Khelo India Centres (KICs) nationwide, furthering the government’s vision of a fitter, healthier India.
Participants expressed their joy in being part of the initiative, celebrating its dual message of personal health and environmental conservation. With the growing momentum of the cycling movement, the initiative promises to inspire millions to embrace a more active and sustainable lifestyle.
