"We are making India a fitness powerhouse": Mansukh Mandaviya leads Fit India Sundays on Cycle
New Delhi [India], June 22 (ANI): The Fit India Sundays on Cycle event rolled out in full force at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday in the presence of Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya.
Organised in collaboration with Yogasana Bharat nationwide, the event in the national capital saw an inspiring lineup of athletes and celebrities, including actress and newly inducted Fit India Ambassador Mia Maelzer, Olympian racewalker Priyanka Goswami, former Indian women's hockey captain Rani Rampal, taekwondo champion Rodali Barua, and Indian actress Madhurima Tuli, who is also a Fit India icon.
The cycling event came on the heels of the International Yoga Day, which was celebrated on June 21.
Addressing mediapersons, Mandaviya said, 'This Sunday's cycling is even more special. Yesterday, yoga events were held across 6,000+ locations nationwide, and over one crore people participated across 10 lakh+ venues.
'Under Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision, Fit India has become a movement. When we put even one pedal in the cycle forward, we are making India a fitness powerhouse. From yoga yesterday, to cycling today, and Olympic Day tomorrow--this fitness revolution is connecting every Indian,' Mandaviya said as per a SAI press release.
The Fit India Sundays on Cycle event saw a 5000-strong capacity in Pandharpur, Maharashtra; the event was graced by Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse. A total of 90 cycling clubs took part in the rally.
'The Pandharpur Fit India Sundays on Cycle symbolises Hon'ble Prime Minister's message of 'Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi aur Fitness Bhi',' mentioned Khadse.
Actress Mia Maelzer, meanwhile, expressed excitement on attending the event in New Delhi. '
There's nothing more fulfilling than doing something meaningful for my country. When I cycled today, I felt like flying-- it was a total butterfly moment! It's not just about staying fit, it's also an answer to climate change, especially for Delhi. I'm grateful to the Hon'ble Prime Minister and the Sports Minister for giving such a strong push to youth fitness and engagement,' the actress admitted.
Olympian Priyanka Goswami echoed the message, saying, 'We must strive to keep our bodies active. Whether it's urban or rural India, we all have to take PM Modi's message of 'Fitness ki dose, aadha ghanta roz' seriously. Cycling brings back the joy of movement--it keeps the legs strong and boosts health.'
Former Indian hockey captain Rani Rampal emphasised the role of such campaigns in shaping India's youth.
'Initiatives like Fit India Sundays on Cycle engage young people and spread awareness about discipline and fitness. Cycling is not just transport; it's a lifestyle change. Whenever you travel, try to use a cycle--you inspire others by example,' she expressed.
Rodali Barua, speaking as a youth role model and taekwondo athlete, connected the movement with India's Olympic ambitions.
'The 2036 Olympic vision by our Hon'ble PM is a powerful goal for every athlete. Sundays on Cycle is a great initiative, especially for working professionals who struggle for time on weekdays. It keeps us healthy, mindful, and focused,' Rodali Barua said.
Started by Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Mansukh Mandaviya in December 2024, the 'FIT India Sundays on Cycle' movement has been organised in more than 10,500 locations across the country till now with the participation of more than 3.75 lakh individuals. These cycling drives are conducted by several Khelo India Centres (KICs), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs), SAI Training Centres (STCs), Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAAs), Regional Centres (RCs), as well as various National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) across the country. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Ayush Shetty stuns Yang to claim first BWF title, ends India's title wait, 16-year-old Tanvi Sharma shines with runner-up finish
Ayush Shetty clinched his first BWF World Tour title at the US Open Super 300, defeating Brian Yang in straight games and ending India's title drought this season. The 20-year-old Indian shuttler won 21-18, 21-13 in 47 minutes. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Final showdown: Shetty vs Yang Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tanvi Sharma finishes runner-up in women's final Ayush Shetty won his maiden BWF World Tour title on Sunday after defeating Canada's Brian Yang in straight games in the men's singles final of the US Open Super 300. The 20-year-old Indian shuttler won 21-18, 21-13 in 47 minutes, ending India's title drought on the BWF World Tour this a bronze medallist at the 2023 junior world championships, had earlier upset top seed Chou Tien Chen in the semifinals. He had also beaten Yang twice earlier this year, at the Malaysia and Taipei match started with both players locked at 6-6 before Shetty pulled away with a series of winners to lead 11-6 at the break. Yang fought back to level at 16-16, but Shetty regained control and took the first game with a jump the second game, Shetty raced to a 7-2 lead. Yang closed the gap briefly, but Shetty maintained the upper hand with solid defence and precise variations. Leading 17-12, he wrapped up the match with a cross-court punch and a powerful had earlier finished runner-up at the 2023 Odisha Masters Super 100, 2023 Bahrain International, and 2024 Dutch the women's singles final, 16-year-old Tanvi Sharma lost to top seed Beiwen Zhang of the United States in three games. Playing her first World Tour final, Sharma went down 11-21, 21-16, 10-21 in 46 took control early in the opening game, leading 11-5 and closing it without much resistance. Sharma bounced back in the second game with an aggressive start, taking a 4-0 lead and holding off Zhang's rallies to take the Zhang dominated the decider, moving to an 11-4 advantage at the interval and closing out the match to win the title.
Indian Express
35 minutes ago
- Indian Express
IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Five players who can make an impact at Edgbaston
IND vs ENG: India will take on England in the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Wednesday. The visitors have lost the first Test in Leeds and will look to level the series. The conditions at this venue will be different from what has been witnessed at Leeds. The Indian Express looks at the five players who need to make an impact to improve their side's chances of winning the game. The young Mumbai opener, since making his debut in the West Indies in 2023, has risen rapidly and become one of the key components in the Indian batting order. Once again it is the responsibility is on his shoulders to see off the shine of the new ball intially and also to provide that sucker punch from time to time unsettling the lines and lenghts of the England bowlers. While T20 has not been Pant's strongest suit, as soon as the ball's colour turns red, Pant unleashes the potential he is known for. The vice-captain of the side on his third England tour is amongst the senior batters in the side, and the unpredictability in his innings construction can put off any bowling attack, as England found out in Leeds when the left-hander scored two centuries in two innings. With Jasprit Bumrah likely to miss out on the game, as reported by this paper earlier, Siraj becomes the spearhead of the attack. Although he did have a poor game in the first Test on his day, he can run through the opposition when he has something to work with on the pitch and finds his rhythm. For Indian bowling to do well, Siraj has to bowl well. The English talisman has scored 920 runs at the venue at an average of 70.71. He is the top scorer on this ground. Although he missed out in the first innings at Headingly on a flat deck, he did score a timely half-century to help England get over the line, supporting Ben Duckett's ton. With Bumrah likely to miss out on the game, India needs to come up with a method to keep Root quiet on a ground where he has a habit of churning runs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It might have been a while since Archer has played a game in red-ball, but he still can be quite lethal when he gets it right, and like Bumrah, can make things happen when there is not much help. However, he will be able to adjust to the rhythms of bowling 20 overs a day and keep the pace up through all his spells can only be known once he steps onto the field.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Sanjay Manjrekar Slams Shubman Gill's Captaincy After India's Headingley Test Loss, Compares Him To Virat Kohli
India's five-wicket loss to England in the opening Test at Headingley has reignited conversations about leadership style and tactical boldness in red-ball cricket. As debutant captain Shubman Gill grapples with the weight of expectations, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar's comparison between Gill and Virat Kohli has added a new layer of intrigue ahead of the second Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham. After England chased down a daunting target of 371 on Day 5, critics were quick to question Gill's overly defensive tactics, especially in bowling-friendly, overcast conditions. Speaking on Star Sports, Sanjay Manjrekar minced no words: 'They pre-empted England's approach and had a far too defensive field. I hate to bring Kohli into it, but you can imagine Virat in that situation – he would've gone for wickets.' The field placements—often with boundary riders from the get-go—left many puzzled. With clouds overhead and the new ball in hand, India's pace attack seemed neutered by Gill's conservatism. England capitalized, scoring at a brisk pace in both innings (4.61 and 4.54 runs per over), exposing the gap between intent and execution in India's defensive field strategy. Manjrekar: Kohli Would've Attacked, Even if Risky In contrasting styles, Manjrekar highlighted Kohli's tendency to seize the moment, irrespective of the outcome. 'Kohli would've shown the opposition that he's trying to get them out. Gill is not that kind of personality, nor that kind of captain,' said Manjrekar, while acknowledging that it may be 'unfair' to pit a seasoned leader against a young debutant. Shubman Gill's Bright Start With the Bat Overshadowed by Tactical Lapses Ironically, while his leadership invited criticism, Gill the batsman showed class and composure in the first innings, scoring a sublime 147 off 227 balls. The knock placed him among the rare elite—only the fifth Indian to score a Test century on captaincy debut. However, a quick-fire dismissal for just 8 in the second innings and lack of field authority left his debut as captain bittersweet. The young skipper must now wear dual hats—lead with the bat and inspire with tactics—as India aim to square the series. Edgbaston Awaits: Can Gill Script History Where India Never Has? The second Test at Edgbaston, beginning July 2, poses a formidable challenge. India have never won a Test at the venue, losing seven of eight matches played there. The historic ground, known for pace and bounce, has been a graveyard for Indian teams of the past. For Gill, the pressure to bounce back is immense—not just to answer critics like Manjrekar, but to cement his place as a capable long-term Test leader. India's selection and strategy will be closely scrutinized, especially how they use their fast-bowling resources in Birmingham. Veteran spinner R Ashwin also weighed in post-Leeds, suggesting that Shardul Thakur should've bowled more in the first 40 overs. These miscalculations, coupled with England's Bazball-inspired aggression, exposed India's reactive mindset.
