New Delhi, August 9: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, led the 85th edition of ‘Fit India Sunday on Cycle’ from Hanol, Gujarat, on Sunday. This event focused on the theme of ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ (Drug-Free India) and promoted the message of ‘Say Yes to Fitness, Say No to Drugs.’
Organized under the ‘Fit India Movement’ by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, this initiative aims to engage Indian youth in the fight against substance abuse. Participants took a collective pledge to stay away from drugs and adopt a healthy, active lifestyle.
Describing ‘Sunday on Cycle’ as a people’s movement, Mandaviya expressed his delight that Prime Minister Modi’s initiative for the ‘Fit India Movement’ has evolved into a large campaign. “Over 10,000 locations across the country have seen youth spreading this message through cycling,” he stated.
Launched in December 2024 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ‘Sunday on Cycle’ has seen participation from over 3 million people nationwide. In New Delhi, the major event took place at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. A key highlight was the collective pledge for a ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat,’ where over 1,000 participants vowed to lead drug-free lives and inspire their families, friends, and communities towards healthier lifestyles.
Fitness activities commenced early Sunday morning. By 5:30 AM, more than a thousand citizens had arrived at the venue to participate in various fitness activities, including yoga and Zumba. Following this, participants cycled a 5-kilometer route around the iconic India Gate and Kartavya Path. A dedicated game zone was also set up at the venue, featuring activities like carrom, chess, ludo, badminton, tug-of-war, and obstacle races.
Special guests included Indian actor and model Siddharth Nigam, international squash player and World Junior Team bronze medalist Gurveer Singh, and IRS officer and Fit India ambassador Narendra Kumar. Fit India champion Meenal Pathak also attended the event.
After completing the cycling ride, Siddharth Nigam, known for his role in the film Dhoom 3, remarked, “Setting out at 5 AM and seeing so many people cycling with enthusiasm across Delhi was a fantastic experience. The ‘Fit India Sunday on Cycle’ event themed around ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ sends a strong message that we should embrace fitness, hard work, and passion for our goals instead of harmful substances. As an athlete, gymnastics has taught me that discipline is essential to becoming a better person. I urge everyone to stay away from drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol, take care of their bodies, and dedicate at least 30 minutes to fitness every day.”
Gurveer Singh praised the initiative, stating, “Fit India and Nasha Mukt Bharat are excellent initiatives to inspire youth towards fitness and keep them away from drugs. Everyone should allocate at least 30 minutes daily for physical activities.”
Discussing India’s performance in the Commonwealth Games, he added, “India’s achievement of 39 medals in the Commonwealth Games is commendable, and our athletes have brought glory to the nation.” The ‘Fit India Sunday on Cycle’ event is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Raahgiri Foundation, and Mera Bharat.
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