HANOL, Gujarat, India — Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday led the 85th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle from Hanol in Gujarat, as the nationwide initiative carried the message of a drug-free India through cycling, fitness activities and a collective pledge against substance abuse.
- The 85th Fit India Sundays on Cycle edition adopted ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ as its central theme.
- Participants across the country took a collective pledge to stay away from substance abuse and promote healthier lifestyles.
- More than 10,000 locations participated in the cycling initiative, according to Mansukh Mandaviya.
- The Sundays on Cycle programme has attracted more than 30 lakh participants since its launch in December 2024.
Fit India Sundays on Cycle Takes Up Nasha Mukt Bharat Message
The nationwide campaign was conducted under the Fit India movement with the slogan “Say yes to fitness, Say NO to drugs.” The programme focused particularly on young people, encouraging them to use physical activity and fitness as positive alternatives to harmful addictions.
Participants at different locations joined cycling activities and took a pledge to remain away from substance abuse. The campaign also encouraged participants to extend the message to their families, friends and wider communities.
Mandaviya Highlights Growing Reach of Cycling Initiative
Addressing the event, Mandaviya described Sundays on Cycle as a mass movement that has developed into a major platform supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Fit India vision.
The Sports Minister said young people across more than 10,000 locations had participated in the cycling initiative and helped carry the message of fitness to communities across the country.
Launched by Mandaviya in December 2024, the initiative has so far drawn more than 30 lakh participants nationwide, according to the information provided by the ministry.
Delhi Event Brings More Than 1,000 Participants Together
In Delhi, the main programme was held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. More than 1,000 participants took the Nasha Mukt Bharat pledge, committing themselves to lives free from substance abuse while encouraging healthier choices among people around them.
The programme began early in the morning, with participants arriving at the stadium from around 5.30 am. Yoga, Zumba and other fitness activities formed part of the opening programme before participants moved on to the cycling activity.
Five-Kilometre Cycling Ride Held Around India Gate
Following the fitness activities, participants in the Delhi programme undertook a five-kilometre cycling ride around India Gate and Kartavya Path.
The event also featured activities beyond cycling. A dedicated game zone offered carrom, chess, ludo and badminton, while tug-of-war and an obstacle race added further physical challenges to the programme.
Sports Personalities Join Drug-Free India Campaign
Actor and model Siddharth Nigam, international squash player and junior national champion Gurveer Singh, IRS officer and Fit India Ambassador Narendra Kumar, and Fit India Champion and Zumba instructor Meenal Pathak were among the special guests at the Delhi event.
Nigam, who is also a gymnast, urged people to stay away from drugs, cigarettes and alcohol and dedicate at least 30 minutes every day to physical activity.
Drawing on his experience in gymnastics, Nigam said the discipline developed through the sport had helped shape him. He encouraged people to replace harmful addictions with a commitment to fitness and personal goals.
Gurveer Singh similarly urged young people to make physical activity part of their daily routines. He said initiatives such as Fit India and Nasha Mukt Bharat could help guide young people away from addictions and towards healthier lifestyles.
Nationwide Participation Across States and Union Territories
The cycling campaign was organised simultaneously across all States and Union Territories. Participation included Sports Authority of India Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence, SAI Training Centres, Khelo India State Centres of Excellence and Khelo India Centres.
Thousands of Namo Fit India Clubs, cycling groups, schools and colleges also joined the campaign, expanding its reach beyond dedicated sports facilities and into educational institutions and community-based fitness groups.
Fit India Initiative Links Fitness With Substance-Abuse Prevention
The latest edition placed physical activity at the centre of the Nasha Mukt Bharat message. Rather than limiting the campaign to a pledge, organisers used cycling, yoga, Zumba, games and other activities to encourage participants to adopt fitness as part of their everyday lives.
The nationwide format also allowed the same message to be delivered simultaneously through different networks, including sports centres, schools, colleges, cycling groups and Fit India clubs.
What Happens Next
The 85th edition adds another nationwide chapter to the Sundays on Cycle initiative, which has continued to expand since its launch in December 2024. The campaign’s latest edition combined cycling and other fitness activities with a public message against substance abuse.
The Fit India Sundays on Cycle programme is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India, Raahgiri Foundation and MY Bharat.
