Vishakapatnam, 23 August (H.S.): Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said on Sunday that fitness is essential for building a healthy and prosperous society. He said that when individuals are fit, society remains healthy, and only a healthy society can build a prosperous nation.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse led the BRICS Friendship Cycling Event in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on Sunday. The event was organised as part of the 87th edition of ‘Fit India Sunday on Cycle’ on the sidelines of the BRICS Youth and Sports Ministers’ Meeting, which is being hosted by India.

Ministers and departmental heads from Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran and South Africa participated in the cycling event. The programme conveyed a message of friendship, cooperation and stronger mutual ties among BRICS countries. The theme of this week’s ‘Fit India Sunday on Cycle’ was ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’.

On the occasion, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said that young people across the country cycled at more than 18,000 locations under the ‘Fit India Sunday on Cycle’ initiative, spreading the message of fitness. He highlighted the multiple benefits of cycling, describing it as an excellent form of exercise that also helps reduce traffic congestion and contributes to lowering pollution.

Mandaviya further said that cycling helps conserve fuel and contributes to saving foreign exchange.

Dr. Mandaviya said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the goal of transforming India into a developed nation. “To fulfil this resolve, we should all keep ourselves fit by cycling every Sunday,” he said.

Over 1,000 participate in Delhi

A large-scale programme was organised at the iconic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. More than 1,000 people participated in fitness activities that began at 5:30 a.m. Participants took part in activities such as yoga, Zumba and skipping before cycling for five kilometres around India Gate.

Former Indian handball team captain and coach Naveen Poonia and Zumba and dance choreographer Shivika Ashwini attended the event as special guests.

A dedicated game zone featuring activities such as carrom, chess, badminton, tug-of-war and obstacle races was also set up for participants. People aged between five and 85 years enthusiastically took part in the activities.

Besides New Delhi, the 87th edition of ‘Fit India Sunday on Cycle’ was organised at various locations across the country. During the programme, participants also took the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ pledge, reaffirming their commitment to fighting substance abuse and promoting a healthy lifestyle among young people.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar