Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Leads First Anniversary Celebrations of Fit India Sundays on Cycle in Puducherry
Over 1,500 Participants Cycle at Rock Beach
New Delhi / Puducherry | December 21: Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya marked the historic first anniversary of Fit India Sundays on Cycle, transforming Rock Beach, Puducherry into a vibrant celebration of fitness, sustainability, and community participation.
Summing up the one-year journey, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya shared on X: “2 lakh+ locations, 20 lakh+ people. One Mission – Fit India. Celebrating 1 year of #SundaysOnCycle.”
Over 1,500 cyclists from all walks of life — including school students, NaMo Cycling Clubs, and Puducherry University students — turned the scenic coastline into a festival of fitness. Padma Bhushan and Khel Ratna awardees P. R. Sreejesh and Sharath Kamal rode alongside the youth, inspiring participants to embrace sports and an active lifestyle.
The anniversary edition evolved into a complete fitness carnival with activities such as Zumba, carrom, chess, mallakhamb, silambam, yoga, and rope skipping. Coinciding with World Meditation Day, the event echoed a powerful message: Fitness is Meditation in Motion.
The gathering was graced by Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Shri K. Kailashnathan, Chief Minister Shri N. Rangasamy, Legislative Assembly Speaker Shri R. Selvam, and Home Minister Shri A. Namassivayam, along with other distinguished officials.
Addressing the audience, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the initiative’s growth: “We started at just five locations with about 500 participants. Today, over 10,000 locations and 10 lakh citizens participate every Sunday. It has become a culture and a powerful solution against pollution and obesity, strongly supported by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.”
Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan called the initiative a timely message for society, citing how cycling-driven lifestyles can significantly reduce carbon footprints. Chief Minister N. Rangasamy praised cycling as one of the most accessible and effective fitness practices.
The celebration took place simultaneously across 10,000+ locations nationwide, led by Sports Authority of India and Khelo India centres. The event also featured Arjuna Awardee archers Jyothi Surekha and Abhishek Verma. NaMo Fit India Cycling Clubs and My Bharat volunteers played a crucial role in driving participation.
A major highlight was the launch of the Fit India Mobile App Carbon Credit Incentivization. Top carbon credit earners — Bharatbhai Parmar, Shashikant Veerkar, and Govind Singh — were felicitated. Citizens can now earn and redeem carbon credits by adopting cycling as a daily habit.
Fit India Ambassadors and Influencers including Nidhi Nigam, Aishwarya Raj, Dr. Shikha Gupta, Yukti Arya, mountaineer Divya Arul, and Tamil Nadu Cycling Champion Siva Senthil were also honoured.
Indian hockey legend P. R. Sreejesh summed up the spirit of the movement: “Cycling is a simple habit, but when adopted collectively, it builds discipline, balance, and a stronger nation. Fit India Sundays on Cycle has truly become a people’s movement.”
As cyclists were flagged off along the picturesque Puducherry coastline, the first anniversary sent out a clear message — Sundays on Cycle is no longer just an event, but a nationwide culture of fitness, sustainability, and unity.