The Fit India Sundays on Cycle event saw massive participation nationwide, with Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya leading the charge in Ahmedabad. The event, held at the Sabarmati Riverfront, aimed to encourage cycling as a daily fitness activity.
Cycling for Fitness and a Cleaner Environment
Organised by SAI Gandhinagar, the event in Ahmedabad drew around 650 cyclists, including doctors from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Gujarat and Ahmedabad Medical Association, as well as MPs Hasmukhbhai Patel and Dineshbhai Makwana. The event was flagged off by Paralympian Bhavana Choudhary.
Dr Mandaviya stressed that cycling should become a daily habit for fitness, environmental benefits, and reducing pollution. He also highlighted the link between cycling and fighting obesity, a key concern for India’s health.
Nationwide Participation in Fit India Movement
The event was not limited to Ahmedabad. Over 5,000 locations across India hosted similar cycling events, with doctors leading the way in many cities. The initiative continues to gain traction, gradually becoming a nationwide fitness movement.In Delhi, Guinness World Record holder Rohtash Chaudhary, known as the “Push-up Man of India”, joined the event at Major Dhyanchand National Stadium. Chaudhary, who holds the record for most push-ups with one leg raised carrying a 27.2 kg pack in one hour, encouraged participants to cycle beyond just Sundays. He pointed out that India ranks third globally in obesity, urging citizens to prioritise healthover unhealthy lifestyles.
Doctors and Fitness Experts Promote Cycling
The IMA hosted cycling events in 25 cities, reinforcing the importance of fitness in preventing lifestyle diseases. Dr Piyush Jain, Finance Secretary of IMA, highlighted the need for regular exercise, calling cycling a full-body workout that also improves mental health.
Since its launch in December 2024 by Dr Mandaviya, Fit India Sundays on Cycle has expanded to 4,500+ locations nationwide, with events held at SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), and Khelo India Centres (KICs).
The initiative aims to build a fitter, healthier India, promoting cycling as a key habit in achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047.
