Hanol, 09 August (H.S.):

Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday led the 85th edition of Fit India Sunday on Cycle from Hanol in Gujarat, where young participants, members of MY Bharat and volunteers associated with the National Service Scheme (NSS) took a collective pledge to promote a drug-free India. The campaign carried the message, “Say yes to fitness, say no to drugs.”

Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports under the Fit India Movement, the initiative aimed to encourage young people to stay away from substance abuse and embrace fitness as a positive and healthy alternative for a better lifestyle.

Describing Sunday on Cycle as a people’s movement, Dr Mandaviya said, “I am happy that this initiative has grown into a major movement to take forward the Prime Minister’s Fit India Movement. Across the country, young people at more than 10,000 locations have delivered this message through cycling.”

Dr Mandaviya had launched Sunday on Cycle in December 2024. Since its inception, more than three million people across the country have participated in the campaign.

More than 1,000 participants take drug-free pledge in Delhi

The main Delhi programme was organised at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The key highlight was a collective ‘Drug-Free India’ pledge, with more than 1,000 participants committing themselves to a life free from substance abuse and pledging to encourage their families, friends and communities to adopt healthier lifestyles.

More than 1,000 people had reached the stadium by 5:30 am on Sunday. Participants took part in activities such as yoga and Zumba before embarking on a five-kilometre cycling ride around India Gate and Kartavya Path.

A dedicated games zone featuring carrom, chess, Ludo and badminton was also set up at the venue. Participants additionally took part in fitness activities such as tug-of-war and obstacle races.

Actor and model Siddharth Nigam, international squash player and junior national champion Gurveer Singh, Fit India Ambassador Narendra Kumar, and Fit India Champion and renowned Zumba instructor Meenal Pathak also participated in the event.

Siddharth Nigam urges people to choose fitness over substance abuse

After completing the cycling ride, actor and gymnast Siddharth Nigam said it was an inspiring experience to step out at 5 am and see people across Delhi cycling with such enthusiasm and energy.

He said the ‘Drug-Free India’ theme of Fit India Sunday on Cycle conveyed a strong message that people should replace harmful addictions with fitness, hard work and the pursuit of their goals. Drawing from his experience as a sportsperson, Nigam said gymnastics had taught him that discipline was the key to becoming a better person.

He urged people to stay away from drugs, cigarettes and alcohol, take care of their bodies and devote at least 30 minutes every day to fitness. He also reiterated the campaign’s message: “Fitness dose, 30 minutes every day.”

Gurveer Singh calls on youngsters to exercise for at least 30 minutes daily

International squash player Gurveer Singh described the Fit India and Drug-Free India initiatives as effective efforts to encourage young people to embrace fitness and stay away from substance abuse.

He urged everyone to devote at least 30 minutes every day to physical activity.

Singh also praised India’s performance at the Commonwealth Games, saying the country’s 39-medal haul was highly commendable and that the athletes had made the nation proud.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar