Dr. Mandaviya Launches the 'Fit India Cycling Initiative'
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New Delhi, Dec 17 (NationPress) Around 500 cycling enthusiasts gathered in Delhi for a 3-km cycling ride on Tuesday, traveling from the National Stadium to Raisina Hills and back, to promote cycling as a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation. The initiative was launched by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.
During the launch of the ‘Fit India Cycling Drive’ at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Dr. Mandaviya remarked, “We must turn the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat into reality as we approach the centenary of our Independence in 2047, and it is crucial that we evolve into a healthy and fit nation.”
The event witnessed the presence of Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse, MP Tejasvi Surya, and celebrated athletes like Simran Sharma, who won bronze at the Paris Paralympics, Nitu Ghanghas, who bagged gold at the Commonwealth Games 2022, and Preeti Pawar, a bronze medallist at the Asian Games 2022.
Emphasizing the significance of cycling, the Minister stated, “We have initiated this program as ‘Fit India Cycling Tuesdays’, but for the convenience of cycling aficionados, it will now take place on Sundays, named ‘Sundays on Cycle’.”
“Individuals including doctors, journalists, teachers, corporate professionals, and youth will participate in an hour-long cycling journey on Sundays, not just in New Delhi but across various regions of the country. Cycling significantly aids the environment; it is a solution to pollution and fosters sustainability,” he asserted.
Today’s event transpired simultaneously in over 1,000 locations nationwide, organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ Fit India movement, in partnership with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), MY Bharat, and several sports authorities.
The cycling activities took place concurrently at various Sports Authority of India regional centers, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), and Khelo India Centres (KICs) throughout the country.
According to a statement, the events attracted participation from over 50,000 individuals.
This nationwide cycling initiative also saw participation from renowned athletes like Sumit Antil, a two-time Paralympics gold medallist in NCOE Rohtak, Navdeep, a gold medallist from the Paris Paralympics at NCOE Gandhinagar, Rani Rampal, the former captain of the Indian women’s hockey team, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, an Olympian shot putter, and Annu Rani, a javelin thrower in Patiala.
