Dr Mansukh Mandaviya urges Indians to make cycling part of daily routine; 50,000-plus individuals pedal nationwide for good health as part of ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’

Cycling is a great exercise, it not only ensures good health and negates chances of any lifestyle diseases but is also a great solution to pollution and a tool for fighting obesity. I will request everyone to make it part of their daily routine. Today, it gives me immense pleasure that local communities across Bharat have taken up cycling as a fitness activity- Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sport

Rakesh Thapliyal

Rajkot/New Delhi: The Minister of Youth Affairs & Sportis Dr Mansukh Mandaviya urged citizens to make cycling a part of their daily routine during the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ initiative in Dhoraji, Rajkot (Gujarat).

Organised this week in partnership with Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) across 6000 locations in India, the 30th edition of ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ witnessed 50,000-plus individuals pedal for good health and a fight against obesity and pollution.

More than 3000 clubs across the nation, registered on the Fit India app under Namo Fit India Cycling Club, also took part in the initiative.

In Rajkot, Dr Mandaviya was joined by over 300 spirited MY Bharat volunteers from Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and National Service Scheme (NSS) along with energetic youth of Saraswati Vidya Mandir apart from RWAs and cycling clubs from nearby areas.

Speaking after completing his ride, the Union Sports Minister said: “Cycling is a great exercise, it not only ensures good health and negates chances of any lifestyle diseases but is also a great solution to pollution and a tool for fighting obesity. I will request everyone to make it part of their daily routine. Today, it gives me immense pleasure that local communities across Bharat have taken up cycling as a fitness activity.”

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The Delhi event also saw participants along with their families enjoying a host of fun activities including tennis-ball cricket, badminton, chess and carrom organised in partnership with the Raahgiri Foundation. Further, activities like Zumba, rope skipping and Yoga added to the energy of the atmosphere and only heightened the enthusiasm of the cyclists. The rope skipping activity was conducted by the group led by Dr Shikha Gupta.

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In Delhi, the event was organised at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in association with United Residents Joint Action of Delhi (URJA), who have entered into a permanent partnership with Fit India mission, for spreading the message of fitness and to make health and sports a mass movement for all citizens in Delhi NCR. Currently, more than 3000 RWAs are registered under URJA.

The Delhi event also saw participants along with their families enjoying a host of fun activities including tennis-ball cricket, badminton, chess and carrom organised in partnership with the Raahgiri Foundation. Further, activities like Zumba, rope skipping and Yoga added to the energy of the atmosphere and only heightened the enthusiasm of the cyclists. The rope skipping activity was conducted by the group led by Dr Shikha Gupta.

Mountaineer Narendra Kumar along with four wrestlers – Heena Ben, Sarika, Manisha and Neelam – cycled around the iconic India Gate and Vijay Chowk on Kartavya Path along with 500-plus individuals to spread the message of adopting an active lifestyle.

Manisha, who is a gold medallist at the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships last year, said that she had never experienced an event like this.

“When I reached the venue I saw people dancing and performing yoga. Looking at their happy faces gave me lot of positivity. Fitness is very important. If he/she is not fit, he/she will feel embarrassed, his/her confidence will plummet. Indulging in fitness activity is a must, as it will keep us healthy and eventually create a happy mind space,” Manisha said.

The ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), in collaboration with Yogasana Bharat, Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Bikes India and MY Bharat.

The event is organised simultaneously in capitals of all States and Union Territories besides SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), SAI Training Centres (STCs), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs) and Khelo India centres (KICs) across various age groups.