Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the growing popularity of the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ initiative, saying such activities are encouraging more people, especially the youth, to adopt healthier lifestyles. He made the remarks during the 128th episode of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ initiative is a weekly event which reinforces PM Modi’s vision of “Fitness Ka Dose, Adha Ghanta Roz” and “Fight Against Obesity”.
“There are many competitions that are gaining popularity. Many people are coming together to participate in programs like Fit India Sundays on Cycle. These are all ways to promote fitness,” the Prime Minister said.
Coincidentally, the 51st edition of the nationwide cycling drive was successfully conducted this Sunday, with Athens 2004 Olympic silver-medallist and Rajasthan Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore leading the event in Jaipur.
Rathore praised the Prime Minister’s consistent emphasis on health, saying, “There are very few Prime Ministers in the world who give so many clarion calls on health and well-being. Shri Narendra Modi ji has time and again spoken about Fit India.” He added that the initiative has encouraged people to adopt fitness activities such as yoga, cycling, and running. Around 1,000 children participated in the Jaipur event.
This week’s edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle also saw journalists from different parts of the country joining the rally.
On the sidelines of the ongoing Khelo India University Games in Rajasthan, a special Fit India Zone at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium. It includes a Fitness Challenge Zone, a Cycling Zone, and physical and mental fitness assessments by Abhinav Bindra Target Performance.
Launched in December 2024 under the guidance of Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the Sundays on Cycle initiative has grown into a weekly community-driven movement. According to the Ministry, over 4,000 NaMo Fit India Cycling Clubs and lakhs of citizens now participate regularly.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) also holds cycling events every Sunday across its training centres, including those in Assam, Punjab, Manipur, Ladakh, and various Khelo India Centres and National Centres of Excellence.