More than 1,500 cyclists from all walks of life turned the scenic coastline into a festival of fitness, reflecting the growing popularity of cycling and the rising public engagement with the Fit India Movement.
From a Modest Start to a Nationwide Movement
Sharing his reflections on social media, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya summed up the journey of the initiative, noting that Sundays on Cycle now spans over two lakh locations and has engaged more than 20 lakh people across the country. What began a year ago at just five locations with around 500 participants has today grown into a regular Sunday activity at over 10,000 locations nationwide.
Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister said the initiative has transformed into a passion and a culture, offering a powerful solution to issues such as obesity and pollution. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for helping turn fitness into a national mission.
Star Athletes Inspire the Youth
The Puducherry event saw Padma Bhushan and Khel Ratna awardees P R Sreejesh and Sharath Kamal cycling alongside young participants, adding inspiration and star power to the celebrations. Their presence reinforced the message that fitness is not limited to professional athletes but is essential for everyone.
Several other eminent sportspersons, including Arjuna Awardee archers Jyothi Surekha and Abhishek Verma, also joined the celebrations, motivating participants to adopt cycling as a regular habit.
A Complete Fitness Carnival
The anniversary edition in Puducherry went beyond cycling, transforming the venue into a complete fitness carnival. Activities such as Zumba, yoga, rope skipping, mallakhamb, silambam, carrom and chess engaged participants of all age groups.
Coinciding with World Meditation Day on December 21, the event delivered a powerful message that fitness is meditation in motion, blending physical activity with mental well-being.
Leadership and Local Support
The event was graced by Puducherry Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan, Chief Minister N Rangasamy, Legislative Assembly Speaker R Selvam and Home Minister A Namassivayam, along with senior officials. Their presence underscored strong institutional support for the Fit India Movement.
The Lieutenant Governor described the initiative as a timely message for society, highlighting how small lifestyle changes like cycling can collectively reduce carbon footprints and improve environmental health.
Launch of Carbon Credit Incentives
A major highlight of the morning was the launch of the Fit India Mobile App’s carbon credit incentivisation feature. The initiative allows citizens to earn carbon credits by cycling, which can later be redeemed, encouraging sustainable daily habits.
Three cyclists — Bharatbhai Parmar, Shashikant Veerkar and Govind Singh — were felicitated for earning the highest carbon credits. Dr Mandaviya announced that top cyclists from every State and Union Territory will be identified and rewarded every month.
Nationwide Celebrations Across India
The anniversary celebrations were held simultaneously at more than 10,000 locations across India, including Sports Authority of India and Khelo India centres in cities such as Hazaribagh, Kargil, Patiala, Lucknow, Visakhapatnam and Cuttack. Banks across the country partnered in organising the events.
NaMo Fit India Cycling Clubs and My Bharat volunteers played a key role in mobilising citizens, strengthening the grassroots reach of the campaign.
A Movement, Not Just an Event
Indian hockey legend P R Sreejesh summed up the spirit of the initiative by saying that fitness is about discipline and balance in everyday life. Cycling, he noted, may be simple, but when adopted collectively, it builds a healthier society and a stronger nation.
As cyclists were flagged off along the picturesque Puducherry coastline, the first anniversary sent out a clear message: Fit India Sundays on Cycle has evolved into a nationwide culture driving fitness, sustainability and community bonding.
