Fit India Sundays on Cycle Promotes Drug-Free Youth and Fitness in Surat

The 89th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle was held at Sardar Patel Chowk on Varachha Road in Surat on Sunday, with more than 3,000 schoolchildren, fitness enthusiasts and elderly participants taking part in the cycling and fitness activities.

The event was organised under the theme 'Nasha Muktha Yuva Bharat Abhiyan', focusing on the importance of keeping India's youth away from drugs while promoting fitness and healthy lifestyles.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, who participated in the event, underlined the connection between a healthy youth population and India's development goals.

"A developed country by 2047 is not possible without a healthy citizenry, and a healthy citizenry is impossible without a healthy youth, and cycling is a great method of becoming healthy," Mandaviya said.

He also highlighted the broader social role of the initiative, noting that Fit India Sundays on Cycle is organised around a different social theme each week.

"Fit India Sundays on Cycle is conducted as per a social theme every week, that way its appeal is spreading to all sections of society," he said.

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also attended the programme and said the initiative had helped bring people across the country together through fitness.

"From Jammu & Kashmir to Kanyakumari, wherever Dr Mandaviya may be, he makes it a point to cycle on Sundays. Today his initiative Fit India Sundays on Cycle has spread across the nation, it has united the nation in a quest for fitness," Sanghavi said.

Several prominent sportspersons attended the event, including Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awardee and table tennis player Achanta Sharath Kamal, Arjuna Awardee wrestler Sarita Mor, U-23 World Championships silver medallist Shivani Pawar and India international table tennis player Harmeet Desai. Gujarati actor Jay Thadeshwar was also present.

Mandaviya administered an anti-drug oath to participants during the programme.

Desai said the large participation of young people was encouraging.

"It is good to see so many people, especially young school kids turn up in big numbers at this event and also enjoy the process. This means that the message of the event is reaching the intended audience, I hope this movement continues to grow strong," he said.

Fitness experts and Fit India ambassadors also participated. The programme began with Zumba and physical training conducted by Fit India champion Urvi Parwani, followed by a cycling ride from Sardar Patel Chowk to Sarthana Nature Park, around five kilometres away.

The event also featured cricket, tug of war, badminton, box ludo, chess and carrom.

Launched by Mandaviya in December 2024, Fit India Sundays on Cycle is organised by the Sports Authority of India and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India and other sporting and fitness organisations. The initiative is conducted simultaneously across states and Union Territories, including SAI centres and Khelo India facilities.