Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse on Sunday, 25 May 2025, led the Special Commonwealth Games Edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati campus, bringing together athletes, students, cyclists, and citizens in a nationwide celebration of fitness and India's sporting ambitions ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2030 in Ahmedabad.

Event Overview

Organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Centre, Guwahati in collaboration with IIT Guwahati, the event marked the 75th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle nationwide. Held under the banner of #CWG2030InBharat, it served as a symbolic celebration of India's emergence as a global sporting host, with participation recorded across more than 8,000 locations throughout the country.

What Raksha Khadse Said

Addressing the gathering, Khadse underlined the importance of the Fit India Movement and the weekly cycling initiative. 'The 'Sundays on Cycle' event has been organised in Guwahati to celebrate the Commonwealth Games, as we all know that India is going to host them. Through the Ministry of Sports, the 'Sundays on Cycle' initiative is being organised across the country every Sunday. The Fit India Movement was launched by our respected Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji,' she said. She also praised the participation of youth and athletes despite challenging weather conditions and acknowledged the organisational efforts of IIT Guwahati and SAI teams.

Olympians, Cultural Showcases, and Competitions

The Guwahati edition featured a large cycling rally through the IIT campus, yoga sessions, cultural activities, and a special Thang-Ta martial arts performance — highlighting the sporting and cultural heritage of the Northeast. Olympian and Commonwealth Games medallist Jayanta Talukdar and Commonwealth Games medallist Sushila Devi Likmabam attended the event, interacting with participants and sharing their experiences of representing India internationally. A Commonwealth Games-themed exhibition showcased India's sporting achievements over the last decade, including progress under the Khelo India Mission and the expansion of sports infrastructure. Winners of a Commonwealth Games Open Quiz and drawing competition organised by SAI Guwahati were felicitated by Khadse and other dignitaries.

Broader Significance

Launched under the Fit India Movement, Sundays on Cycle has grown into one of India's largest community-driven fitness initiatives, promoting cycling and active lifestyles across age groups. This comes amid a broader push by the Centre to build a fitness-conscious citizenry and deepen grassroots sporting culture ahead of India's first Commonwealth Games hosting in Ahmedabad in 2030. Notably, the 75th-edition milestone signals the initiative's sustained momentum since its inception. With CWG 2030 on the horizon, events such as this are expected to intensify in frequency and scale across the country.