Mansukh Mandaviya leads ‘Sundays on Cycle’ with doctors and health professionals
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Labour and Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, led the latest edition of the nationwide fitness movement ‘Sundays on Cycle (SOC)’ in New Delhi, emphasizing the significance of preventive health and physical fitness among citizens, reports 24brussels.
This week’s initiative featured doctors and health professionals as special partners, highlighting their vital role in promoting preventive health and addressing lifestyle diseases, including obesity. Mandaviya praised the dedication of healthcare workers and urged them to guide citizens towards healthier lifestyles. “When a doctor speaks about health, people tend to follow it,” he stated, referencing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to combat obesity through fitness initiatives such as SOC.
The event attracted enthusiastic participation across multiple age groups, including World Para Athletics Championship (WPAC) medalists Praveen Kumar, Soman Rana, and Sailesh Kumar, who aimed to inspire the public to embrace an active lifestyle. The SOC event was organized in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Yogasana Bharat, and MY Bharat, and conducted in partnership with Raahgiri Foundation, Fitspire, and Red FM. In addition to cycling, participants engaged in Zumba, Rope Skipping led by Dr. Shikha Gupta, and Yogasana activities, creating a vibrant atmosphere for fitness.
Dr. Mandaviya noted the growing impact of Sundays on Cycle, stating, “Today, ‘Sundays on Cycle’ has been organised in more than 10,000 locations across India, where doctors have joined this initiative to fight obesity.” He underscored the importance of fitness as foundational to a strong nation, adding, “Cycling is one of the easiest forms of exercise, and anyone can take it up.” He encouraged individuals to support local products for their fitness needs.
Praveen Kumar emphasized the benefits of exercise in maintaining focus for personal achievements, while Sailesh Kumar commended the government initiative for enhancing public fitness. “Every person should dedicate at least one hour daily to fitness for both physical and mental wellness,” he remarked.
The ‘Sundays on Cycle’ initiative invites communities to engage in cycling and various fitness activities each Sunday, catering to participants of all ages. The involvement of medical professionals in today’s event reinforced the message that preventive health begins with proactive actions, marking fitness as essential to the pursuit of a healthier, more resilient India.
Across its 44 editions, the Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative has seen participation from over 1,00,000 locations nationwide, engaging more than 12.5 lakh individuals. Events were also held today at venues including SAI NCOE Guwahati, STC in Chhattisgarh, SAI STC Alleppey, SAI NSRC Kolkata, and SAI STC Dharamshala, among others. These activities are hosted at State and Union Territory capitals, 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).
