Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya led the nationwide 80th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle today from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. This edition was organised in collaboration with Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, celebrating the 100 years of spiritual leader Sri Sathya Sai.
The National Capital saw over 9,000 individuals participate in a community run and ride, apart from Zumba and Yoga sessions. Elsewhere, the cycling drive was organised in association with Art of Living, Heartfulness and Isha Foundation. A dedicated Game Zone featuring life-sized chess and ludo, along with carrom, table tennis, futsal and badminton, was also set up to engage children.
Reinforcing the vision of Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a Viksit Bharat in 2047, Dr Mandaviya said, “For any country to be counted as a developed nation, the health of its citizens is essential, I would urge all Indians to set aside at least one hour from their mobile screens and dedicate that time to their personal health by engaging in sports activities”.
Addressing the gathering, The Union Minister further said, "One out of 4 persons in India is overweight which makes fitness essential for all citizens”. The community fitness ride began with Vedic invocations and lamp lighting by Dr Mandaviya along with Nimish Gulabrai Pandya, All India President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Shri Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary (Sports), Deepti Mukherjee, Secretary (Corporate Affairs) and other dignitaries.
This was followed by a public pledge of Nasha Mukt Bharat before the community fitness ride began. Speaking on the occasion, Pandya said, "Fit India's motto is to make every Indian citizen fit and healthy while Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation's motto is to love all, serve all.
This coming together of both institutions is an excellent amalgamation”. Noted actor Naseer Abdullah also attended the event and appreciated the initiative. Started in December 2024 by Dr Mandaviya, Fit India Sundays on Cycle has grown into a mass movement encouraging citizens of all age groups to dedicate "fitness ki dose, aadha ghanta roz" (dedicate 30 minutes every day to become fit).
Till now, more than 30 lakh people have participated in the event at thousands of locations across the country. The event is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Yogasana Bharat, Raahgiri Foundation and MY Bharat.
The cycling drive is conducted simultaneously across all States and Union Territories, including SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), SAI Training Centres (STCs), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs) and Khelo India Centres (KICs).