India celebrates World Bicycle Day, Mandaviya leads nationwide rally

The 25th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle, celebrated as Tiranga Cycling Rally, was successfully held across the nation Sunday morning. Highlighting a powerful blend of patriotism, fitness, and environmental awareness, more than 15000 cyclists from over 5000 locations joined in for a nationwide tribute to India’s armed forces. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya led over 1500 cyclists at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium in New Delhi, alongside Secretary Sports Hari Ranjan Rao, sports icons - Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt, cricketer Saba Karim, wrestler Sarita Mor, Bollywood actress Sharvari and the Indian cycling team.One of the major highlights of the event remained a full-fledged participation of cyclists from several regions of Jammu and Kashmir, including Jammu, Poonch, Kishtwar, Kulgam, Bandipora, Shopian, Baramulla, Budgam, Samba and more. These cycling drives were conducted by several Khelo India Centres (KICs), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs) and SAI Training Centres (STCs).
Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the deeper significance of this edition. “This Tiranga Rally is a salute to our jawans and their sacrifice. Fitness and patriotism go hand in hand,” the Minister said. The landmark edition saw the launch of key initiative –the Carbon Credit Feature on the Fit India mobile app, where cyclists can now track the carbon credits they save by cycling regularly. “One download of the app will make you a part of the Fit India movement,” Dr. Mandaviya added. “Your speed—from 7 to 34 kmph—and your distance will be recorded, and your carbon credits will be added.”
The Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative started in December 2024 with 150-odd cyclists and the participation figure has grown by leaps in a span of six months. Credit for this huge surge goes to partners such as the CISF, Indian Medical Association, Journalist Associations,  Teachers, Corporates and professionals from several other walks of life who have made this possible. In this edition, the special partners were Cycling Federation of India, Yogasana Bharat and Association of Indian Universities.
Several athletes pan-India also joined in to make the landmark 25th edition of Sundays of Cycle a grand success. Olympian and Arjuna Awardee Dipa Karmakar flagged off the rally in SAI Training Centre (STC) Agartala, while in SAI Sonepat, Deepika Kumari ( Padma Shri Awardee Archer), Purnima Mahato (Padma Shri Archery Coach), Arjuna Awardees Sumit Antil, Paralympics Double Gold Medallist and Asian Games Gold medallists Jyothi Surekha , Ojas Deotale, Aditi Gopichand Swami, Paralympians Sundar Gurjar and Pushpender took part. Renowned Indian Hockey player S.K Uthappa was also in attendance in SAI Bengaluru. Meanwhile, there was a big representation of All India Police force in SAI Rohtak.