MARCH 17:The Fit India Sundays on Cycle event witnessed massive participation across the country, with Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya leading the charge at the iconic Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad today. Organized by SAI Gandhinagar, the event saw around 650 cyclists, including members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Gujarat, Ahmedabad Medical Association, and MPs Hasmukhbhai Patel and Dineshbhai Makwana. The event was flagged off by Paralympian athlete Bhavana Choudhary.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya in his address expressed his enthusiasm about the growing movement of “Sunday on Cycle” event. Dr. Mandaviya mentioned that the Fit India movement is progressing across the country, with “Sunday on Cycle” gradually becoming a cultural phenomenon. He highlighted that today’s event happened at over 5,000 locations, with doctors actively joining in to promote the message of a fit and obesity-free India.
Dr. Mandaviya mentioned that cycling should be encouraged as a part of daily life, whether for commuting to work or for simple tasks like grocery shopping. He also emphasized the importance of cycling for physical fitness, environmental protection, and reducing pollution.
He highlighted how cycling is a key tool in the fight against obesity, a movement initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and mentioned that cycling could potentially be linked to carbon credit schemes in the future.
He encouraged doctors to prescribe cycling as a means of maintaining health, urging the medical community to motivate patients to adopt cycling as part of their lifestyle. Dr. Mandaviya reiterated that “A healthy citizen builds a healthy society, and a healthy society can build a prosperous nation.”, and achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 requires the nation to stay fit, with cycling playing a crucial role in this transformation.
Meanwhile, in the national capital, the Fit India movement received a boost with Guinness World Record holder Rohtash Chaudhary, famously known as the “Push-up Man of India,” inspiring participants at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium. Rohtash, who holds the record for the most push-ups (one leg raised carrying a 27.2 kg pack) in one hour, joined 500 cycling enthusiasts including doctors of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), school and college students, members of Yogasana Bharat and corporate professionals in the cycling event.
Since its launch in December 2024 by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative has reached over 4,500 locations across the country. The event is simultaneously held nationwide at SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), and Khelo India Centres (KICs), reinforcing the government’s commitment to promoting fitness and an active lifestyle among citizens.
