What Happened at the 25th 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' Event Honoring Armed Forces and World Bicycle Day?

New Delhi, June 1 (NationPress) The 25th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle, known as the Tiranga Cycling Rally, took place successfully throughout the country on Sunday morning. This event showcased a remarkable combination of patriotism, fitness, and environmental consciousness, with over 15,000 cyclists from more than 5,000 locations participating in a nationwide homage to India's armed forces.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, led a group of over 1,500 cyclists at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium in New Delhi, joined by Secretary (Sports) Ranjan Rao, and sports personalities like Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt, cricketer Saba Karim, wrestler Sarita Mor, actress Sharvari, and the Indian cycling team.

A significant highlight was the full participation from various areas in Jammu and Kashmir, including Jammu, Poonch, Kishtwar, Kulgam, Bandipora, Shopian, Baramulla, Budgam, and Samba. These cycling events were organized by numerous Khelo India Centres (KICs), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs), and SAI Training Centres (STCs).

In honoring the armed forces, particularly following the recent successful Operation Sindoor, Mandaviya underscored the profound meaning of this edition. “This Tiranga Rally is a tribute to our soldiers and their sacrifices. Fitness and patriotism are interconnected,” he stated.

This landmark edition introduced two significant initiatives: the Fit India Newsletter and the Carbon Credit Feature on the Fit India mobile app, which allows cyclists to monitor the carbon credits they save by cycling regularly. “By downloading the app, you join the Fit India movement. Your speed, ranging from 7 to 34 km/h, and distance will be recorded, and your carbon credits will accumulate,” Mandaviya elaborated.

The newly launched Fit India Newsletter will act as a monthly digest, offering inspiring stories along with updates and training tips from various fitness influencers.

Actress Sharvari, recognized as an emerging star credited for films like Munjiya and Maharaja, received the title of ‘Young Fit India Icon’ from Mandaviya during the event. “This movement is monumental, and it's an honor to be a Fit India Icon. Cycling brings back memories of summer breaks when we would rent bicycles and explore,” she shared.

“This cycle rally holds even greater significance for me as it honors our brave soldiers. We can sleep peacefully at night due to their sacrifices, and it is my profound honor to pay tribute to their bravery through this Tiranga Rally,” she added.

Olympic champion and wrestling icon Yogeshwar Dutt labeled the initiative as ‘a movement that connects national health with national pride’. He remarked, “A healthy populace means a healthy nation. Participation is across the board—from young children to senior citizens. That’s the strength of this campaign.”

Numerous athletes from across the nation also contributed to making the 25th edition of Sundays on Cycle a resounding success. Olympian and Arjuna Awardee Dipa Karmakar launched the rally at the SAI Training Centre (STC) in Agartala, while in SAI Sonepat, Deepika Kumari (Padma Shri Awardee Archer), Purnima Mahato (Padma Shri Archery Coach), Arjuna Awardees Sumit Antil, Paralympics double gold medallist, and Asian Games gold medallists Jyothi Surekha, Ojas Deotale, Aditi Gopichand Swami, along with Paralympians Sundar Gurjar and Pushpender participated. Renowned Indian hockey player S.K Uthappa also attended the event in SAI Bengaluru. Additionally, the All India Police force was significantly represented in SAI Rohtak.

Sports Minister of Uttarakhand, Rekha Arya, and Sports Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Girish Yadav, participated in respective events in Uttarakhand and Varanasi. Former cricketer and sports administrator Saba Karim commended the inclusiveness of the initiative. “This is a fantastic initiative by SAI. Cycling keeps us fit and our environment clean. I used to cycle to school myself. It requires no maintenance and creates no pollution—a perfect tool for health and the environment,” he remarked.

Wrestler Sarita Mor also expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I feel privileged to be part of this initiative initiated by PM Shri Narendra Modi. Cycling is integral to my training regimen. Today, during this rally, we also honor our courageous soldiers of Operation Sindoor. It is because of their sacrifices that we continue to live securely.”