Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Smt. Raksha Khadse led a BRICS Friendship Cycling Event in Visakhapatnam on August 23. The event formed part of the 87th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle.
The cycling event took place alongside the BRICS Youth & Sports Ministers’ Meeting hosted by India. Ministers and Heads of Departments from Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the UAE, Iran and South Africa also joined the event.
Their participation highlighted the spirit of friendship and cooperation among BRICS nations. At the same time, the event promoted fitness and healthy lifestyles through cycling.
The theme for this week’s Fit India Sundays on Cycle was ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’.
Mandaviya Highlights Benefits of Cycling
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said the Fit India Movement, envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, continues to expand across the country.
He said young people took part in Fit India Sundays on Cycle at more than 18,000 locations across India. The large participation, he noted, reflects the growing reach of the fitness campaign.
Dr. Mandaviya also highlighted several benefits of cycling. According to him, cycling offers a simple way to exercise while also helping address traffic congestion and reduce pollution.
In addition, cycling can help save fuel and conserve foreign exchange. Therefore, he encouraged people to make fitness a regular part of their lives.
The Union Minister said fitness is important for building a healthy and prosperous society. He explained that a fit individual contributes to a healthy society, while a healthy society can support a prosperous nation.
He also urged people to cycle every Sunday as part of the effort to build a developed India.
BRICS Dignitaries Appreciate Nationwide Campaign
The visiting BRICS dignitaries appreciated the scale of the Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative. They also congratulated Dr. Mandaviya for taking the cycling movement to communities across India.
Their participation added an international dimension to the weekly fitness campaign. Moreover, the event connected the message of healthy living with cooperation among BRICS countries.
The 87th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle was not limited to Visakhapatnam. Events took place across the country, including in New Delhi, Leh, Kargil and Port Blair.
Participants also took the Nasha Mukt Bharat pledge. Through the pledge, they reaffirmed their commitment to combating substance abuse and promoting healthy lifestyles among young people.
Over 1,000 Join Delhi Fitness Event
New Delhi hosted a major event at the iconic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. More than 1,000 citizens took part in fitness activities that began at 5:30 AM.
The programme included yoga, zumba and rope skipping. After these activities, participants joined a 5-kilometre cycling ride around India Gate.
Former Indian Handball team captain and coach Naveen Punia and zumba and dance choreographer Shivika Ashvine also attended the event as special guests.
Organisers also created a dedicated game zone for participants. The zone included carrom, chess, badminton, tug of war and an obstacle race.
The activities welcomed people from different age groups. Participants ranged from 5 to 85 years of age, adding a wider community focus to the event.
Fit India Sundays on Cycle Reaches Communities
Fit India Sundays on Cycle is an initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports under the Fit India Movement. The ministry organises the programme with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Raahgiri Foundation and MY Bharat.
The cycling drive takes place at the same time across States and Union Territories. It also reaches several sports and training facilities operated under the Sports Authority of India and Khelo India programmes.
These locations include SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence, SAI Training Centres, Khelo India State Centres of Excellence and Khelo India Centres.
The nationwide format allows people in different parts of India to participate in the weekly cycling movement. At the same time, events such as the BRICS Friendship Cycling Event give the campaign a broader platform.
The Visakhapatnam event brought together Indian ministers, international delegates and young participants around a shared message of fitness. Furthermore, the participation of BRICS representatives underlined the role of sport in encouraging friendship and cooperation.
With more than 18,000 locations participating in this edition, Fit India Sundays on Cycle continues to promote cycling as an accessible form of exercise. The initiative also links fitness with cleaner mobility, healthier communities and the wider goal of building a developed India.
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