Mumbai, Feb 16 The flagship event of the Fit India Movement ‘Sunday on Cycle’ was held at the historic Gateway of India this morning with an aim to create awareness among people to adopt a fit and healthy lifestyle through cycling, while also promoting solutions to pollution.
The cycle yatra was flagged off from the Gateway of India, with over 500 cyclists from across the country, including various cycling clubs and individual fitness enthusiasts, which passed through the picturesque Marine Drive and culminated at Girgaum Chowpatty.
The cycle yatra was led by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who launched the Sunday on Cycle campaign in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a fit nation and his recent call to fight the problem of obesity, especially among the urban youth.
So, apart from cycling for good health, the main message of this week’s Sunday on Cycle was #FightObesity.
Mandaviya was joined by other eminent Mumbaikars including globally renowned health expert Dr Mickey Mehta, designer, social activist and fitness enthusiast Shaina NC, Sanjay Bhatia, IAS, UPA- Lokayukta, Maharashtra and Heartfulness Meditation trainer Krishna Prakash, IPS, ADG, Mumbai and the first IPS officer to complete the Ironman Triathlon Mayank Shrivastava, IPS, Deputy Director General, Sports Authority of India and Pandurang Chate, Regional Director, SAI, Mumbai, Bhavani Naik Joshi, CEO, BYCS India Foundation and rising actress Aishwarya Raj Bhakuni, SAI athletes and members of the Cycling Club of Mumbai.
Speaking at the event, the Sports Minister said, “Our Prime Minister’s dream of a developed India can only be realised when the citizens of the country are fit, as fit people can contribute far more to nation building. This initiative of Sunday on Cycle is an effort to propagate the importance of living a fit life as well as contribute to the environment by using a mode of transport with zero carbon footprint. I urge everyone, especially the youth, to use cycles whenever possible. This will not only keep them healthy but will also improve the overall health of our environment.”
A cycling event was also organised at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, in which more than 170 riders, including 2024 Senior Asian Wrestling Championship bronze medallist and 2025 National Games gold medallist Shivani Pawar, participated. Apart from this, representatives from Decathlon, Cult Fit, Sports Authority of India, National Sports Science and Research Centre and wellness coaches from Yogasana Bharat also participated.
Fit India ambassador and IRS officer Narender Yadav was also part of the cycling event held at the Khel Complex in Sector 12, Faridabad. Over 150 cyclists, including athletes from Patanjali Yoga Sansthan and over 20 yoga instructors took part in it.
