New Delhi, Oct 5 (NationPress) The Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, spearheaded the 43rd edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle this morning, marking World Teachers’ Day at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the capital. This event was simultaneously celebrated across more than 10,500 locations nationwide.

With over 1,000 participants, including educators from all over Delhi, the event attracted athletes, fitness influencers, and enthusiastic youth. Notable athletes included Olympic medallist Abhishek Nain, a prominent member of the Indian hockey team, chess champion Tania Sachdev, emerging javelin star Sachin Yadav, and Rohtash Chaudhary, known as India’s Push-up Man. The event also showcased a lively nukkad natak dedicated to teachers, along with yoga sessions, skipping, fitness games, and children's participation zones.

During the event, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the initiative as a genuine nationwide movement. “Through this movement, lakhs of citizens across more than 10,500 locations are cycling every Sunday to enhance their fitness levels. It has transformed into a celebration of the Fit India vision articulated by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,” he stated.

“If every citizen commits just an hour to physical activity, Bharat will progress stronger, healthier, and more united towards the aspiration of Viksit Bharat. The participation of numerous teachers today sends a crucial message to students about maintaining life balance. Bicycling teaches us a vital life lesson: we can only advance when we keep our balance. This balance is the cornerstone of life, rooted in fitness,” he added.

Organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in partnership with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Yogasana Bharat, and MY Bharat, this cycling movement has taken a concrete position as one of India’s most impactful fitness campaigns. The event also saw the launch of the official anthem for Fit India Sundays on Cycle. The New Delhi event was conducted in collaboration with the Raahgiri Foundation and Fitspire, with the Rope Skipping activity led by Dr. Shikha Gupta.

Meanwhile, Rohtash Chaudhary, known as the “Pushup Man of India” and a Guinness World Record holder, informed Dr. Mandaviya of his upcoming attempt for another Guinness World Record for the Most Push-ups in one hour with a 60 lb pack, set for November 2, 2025, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

Abhishek Nain, who secured bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics with the Indian hockey team and triumphed at the Asia Cup in Rajgir, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative in New Delhi: “As athletes, fitness is our foundation. What I witness here is not merely people cycling, but India embracing a health-centric culture. It’s also inspiring to see the movement grow in recent months,” he noted.

Grandmaster (GM) Tania Sachdev, attending Sundays on Cycle for the second time, emotionally connected the movement to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. “I deeply appreciate our Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts—he is a fervent supporter of sports and has turned fitness into a societal movement. This initiative demonstrates how fitness can unite communities. Witnessing teachers, students, and athletes cycling together today was truly heartwarming.”

After 43 editions, the Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative has garnered massive participation from over 1,00,000 locations nationwide, engaging more than 12 lakh individuals. Activities were also organized on Sunday in venues such as SAI NCOE Guwahati, STC Rajnanagaon in Chhattisgarh, SAI STC Kokrajhar, SAI NSRC Lucknow, SAI STC Jabalpur, among others. Events are held from State and Union Territory capitals to Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), SAI Training Centres (STCs), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs), and Khelo India Centres (KICs).