Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya flagged off the 58th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle in Karaikal, Puducherry, dedicating the event to National Voter's Day.
The minister interacted with and felicitated first-time voters, cycling alongside them to underline the link between fitness and civic responsibility.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mandaviya said:
"Our Honourable Prime Minister has given a clarion call to celebrate first-time voters and motivate them to cast their votes towards building a stronger Bharat. Today, I interacted with more than 100 first-time voters and was impressed by their interest in contributing towards a Viksit Bharat. Being the youngest democracy in the world, it is imperative that we harness the energy of the youth to make India a global superpower."
One of the most powerful moments of the 58th edition unfolded at the Attari Border in Amritsar, where Sundays on Cycle was celebrated alongside Central Armed Police Forces and young voters on the eve of Republic Day and National Voters' Day. Jawans, first-time voters, athletes and citizens rode together at the iconic Attari-Wagah stretch, symbolising a rare coming together of fitness, freedom and democratic duty.
Launched in December 2024, Fit India Sundays on Cycle has rapidly grown into one of the country's largest people-led fitness initiatives. In just over a year, it has brought together more than 25 lakh citizens across over two lakh locations, cutting across age groups, professions and regions. Dr Mandaviya also urged MY Bharat to lead efforts in spreading awareness about voting and democratic participation through the platform.
On the border, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha N. Khadse felicitated BSF officials and honoured first-time voters under the #MyBharatMyVote campaign, followed by a voters' pledge, a gesture that reinforced the twin values of national service and democratic participation.
The event also saw the presence of Olympian and two-time World Boxing Champion Nikhat Zareen, former India pacer Siddharth Kaul, actors Vivek Dahiya and Ragini Dwivedi, and singer Ashita Dutt, who interacted with participants and added momentum to the movement.
At 8:45 AM, over 800 cyclists pedalled out from the Attari Border, cheered on by spectators, as parallel fitness activities, including yoga and recreational games, added to the celebratory atmosphere.
The movement extended to academic spaces as well, with IIT Roorkee hosting the event for the first time, drawing participation from students, faculty and administrators.
In New Delhi's Vasant Kunj, the cycling drive witnessed strong participation from local residents, including first-time voters. National women's kabaddi player Ritu Sheoran highlighted the accessibility of cycling, saying,
"Cycling as an exercise can be done especially by women, who are often not encouraged by their families to take up sport or other fitness activities. It is easy and can be done for just 15 minutes a day to stay fit and agile."
Echoing the need for consistency, national kabaddi player Rohit Kumar added,
"Such programmes should be organised every week so that India remains fit and healthy."