"We are making India a fitness powerhouse": Mansukh Mandaviya leads Fit India Sundays on Cycle
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
NDTV
27 minutes ago
- NDTV
Sports Fraternity Condoles The Demise Of 1972 Olympic Medallist Vece Paes
The sports fraternity has mourned the passing of Dr. Vece Paes, an Olympic medallist and father of tennis legend Leander Paes, who died on Thursday at the age of 80. A prominent midfielder from the golden era of Indian hockey, Dr. Paes was a member of the Indian team that clinched the bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Dr. Paes, who served Indian sport with distinction both on and off the field, was suffering from an advanced stage of Parkinson's disease. He was admitted to Woodlands Hospital late on August 12 with multiorgan dysfunction due to lower respiratory tract & gastrointestinal tract infections. He had been under the Woodlands Home Care Service for the past ten months. Born in Goa in April, 1945, Dr Paes was exceptional in both sports and academics. Beyond his athletic achievements, he was also a doctor of sports medicine and served as president of the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club. Dr Paes started his medical practice at NRS Medical College and Woodlands Hospital in the 1960s. "Very saddened by the passing of former Indian player and Olympic bronze medalist Dr. Vece 'Doc' Paes. The hockey family is grateful for what he gave to our sport as a player and then as a sports physician. We extend our condolences to his family and friends, as well as Hockey India', said FIH president Tayyab Ikram. "Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Vece Paes, a great hockey player, Olympic medalist & true motivator for athletes like me. Father of 7-time Olympian & Atlanta 1996 bronze medalist Leander Paes. His legacy in Indian sports will live his soul rest in peace Om Shanti," said four-time Olympian Dhanraj Pillayi. Former India hockey team captain Viren Rasquinha, said, "Very sad to hear of the passing of Dr. Vece Paes. He was a midfielder with the team that won the bronze medal at 1972 Munich Olympics. An amazing Sports Physician, he was team doctor when I played at Athens 2004. Incredible human being. RIP Doc. Thank you for everything." Besides hockey, Paes showed his skills by playing divisional cricket, football, and rugby. His love for rugby led him to become the president of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002. "An Olympian, seasoned sports administrator & sports medicine pioneer, he brought passion, vision & dedication to every game he touched. His legacy will forever inspire us & Indian Sports," Rugby India mourned the demise of its 1st president. In football, Dr. Paes made invaluable contributions to sports medicine in India. He was Chairman of the AIFF Medical Commission from 2003 to 2006, during which he conceptualised comprehensive sports medicine programmes, sports medicine centres, training and accreditation of sports medicine teams, and propagated the Peak Performance Programme with the national teams (seniors, U19, U17 and U15), as well as various National Football League clubs. He later served as Chairman of the AIFF Medical Committee from 2017 to 2020. Former Indian cricket team all-rounder Yusuf Pathan shared on X, "Saddened to hear about the passing of Dr. Vece Paes, father of Leander Paes and the first doctor to win medals at both the Olympics and the World Cup. A great sportsperson and a wonderful human being. My heartfelt condolences to the family."
New Indian Express
30 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
A look at Venus Williams' tennis career and comeback. She's returning to the US Open at age 45
Venus Williams is back on the professional tennis tour at age 45 and will be returning to the U.S. Open next week for her first Grand Slam competition in two years. She received a wild-card entry for singles from the U.S. Tennis Association on Wednesday — she will be the oldest player in that event in New York since Renee Richards was 47 in 1981 — after earlier getting one for mixed doubles. Here is a look at the career of Williams, who owns seven Grand Slam titles in singles, 14 in women's doubles with her younger sister, Serena, and two in mixed doubles, plus a record five Olympic tennis medals: Venus Williams' pro tennis debut came in 1994 Williams, who was born in Lynwood, California, on June 17, 1980, played her first WTA tournament in Oakland in October 1994, at 14. In the first round, Williams faced Shaun Stafford, the 1988 NCAA singles champion, and won 6-3, 6-4. In the second round, Williams lost to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, who would retire with four Grand Slam trophies. The first Grand Slam event for Venus Williams was the 1997 French Open Her Grand Slam debut came at Roland-Garros in 1997, eliminating Naoko Sawamatsu in the first round and losing to Nathalie Tauziat in the second. Later that year, Williams played in the U.S. Open for the first time and reached the final before losing to Martina Hingis. The 1998 Australian Open featured the first Venus vs. Serena matchup Venus beat Serena — who is 15 months younger — in the second round of the 1998 Australian Open, the first of 31 meetings as pros. Serena went 19-12, 11-5 in Slam matches.
News18
37 minutes ago
- News18
'Very Surprising...': Australia Batting Star Sharpening Bowling For T20 World Cup In India
Last Updated: Glenn Maxwell is honing his spin-bowling for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, aiming to excel in powerplay overs on spinner-friendly pitches. With an eye on next year's T20 World Cup in the Indian subcontinent, charismatic Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is honing his spin-bowling skills to become more effective during the powerplay overs, as he might need to bowl with the new ball on spinner-friendly pitches. The 2026 T20 World Cup will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and if fully fit, the spin-bowling all-rounder is likely to be part of the Australian team as it aims to reclaim the trophy it last won in 2021. Maxwell has been a regular in the Indian Premier League, representing various teams, with his most successful stints being with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, where he has excelled as a powerful batter capable of making decisive impacts with the ball. Despite his bowling skills, Maxwell has bowled only five powerplay overs in total in the shortest format between the 2022 T20 World Cup and the ongoing home series against South Africa. However, the 36-year-old believes he could be useful in powerplay overs during the T20 World Cup as the new ball grips the subcontinent's wickets better. 'I think in the subcontinent you might be able to get a little bit more out of it (wicket) as a spinner early on," Maxwell told 'Especially that new ball, the hard seam, being able to grip on those dry surfaces. So it might be something we think about heading forward." He took two wickets in the second T20I against South Africa in Darwin, including that of skipper Aiden Markram in the fifth powerplay over. 'I love getting wickets. It's very surprising anytime I get anyone out. I'm there to do a job in the powerplay and I'm trying to execute that as well as I can," he said. Besides his bowling, Maxwell has been flexible in playing at any position based on the team's requirements. 'I've been a bit of the shuffler around the order, up and down. I'm filling holes at the moment. Even during the West Indies series, trying to combat Akeal Hosein (by) going up the top, this series (against South Africa) going a little bit lower, trying to manage that back end (of the innings). '(I'm) trying to play whatever role is needed for me in this side and just try and be as adaptable as possible," he added. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
