Fit India Sundays on Cycle Celebrates India’s CWG 2030 Hosting Rights and Honours Private Security Guards

Varanasi — The 52nd edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle was held across more than 10,000 locations nationwide, with the main celebration taking place in the culturally rich city of Varanasi. The event highlighted India’s major achievement of securing the hosting rights for the Commonwealth Games 2030, blending fitness, culture, and patriotism.

This edition placed a special spotlight on private security guards, recognising their role in keeping society safe. The initiative has previously partnered with diverse professional groups such as doctors, lawyers, nutritionists, and government employees, making it a truly inclusive, community-driven fitness movement.

Led by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, the movement is nearing its first anniversary on December 21 in Puducherry. “In just one year, Fit India Sundays on Cycle has expanded to over 10,000 locations, connecting more than 1 lakh people every week—from athletes and artists to everyday citizens,” said the Minister.

He added, “Today’s grand event at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is also a celebration of India securing the 2030 Commonwealth Games. For the first time, eminent cultural personalities have joined the event in Varanasi. Private security guards, who work endlessly for public safety, are participating alongside athletes who strengthen India’s sports culture.”

The BHU event turned the streets of Kashi into a lively display of health, unity, and India’s growing reputation in sports. Over 1,000 people—including students, athletes, cultural icons, and security personnel—participated. The morning also featured activities like Zumba, yoga, rope skipping, and, of course, cycling.

The gathering included prominent cultural and administrative figures such as
• Daya Shankar Mishra – Minister of State, UP
• Pandit Sajan Mishra – Padma Bhushan awardee, Banaras Gharana vocalist
• Sanju Sahai – Renowned tabla artist
• Vishambhar Nath Mishra – Mahant, Sankat Mochan Temple
• Shashi Bhushan Tripathi (Guddu Maharaj) – Pradhan Archak, Kashi Vishwanath Temple

India’s top athletes—including boxer Amit Panghal, weightlifter Sunil Singh, and wrestler Pooja Sihag—were also present.

Daya Shankar Mishra expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for turning fitness into a mass movement through Fit India. “This initiative reflects the spirit of a healthy and empowered New India,” he said.

Padma Bhushan Pandit Sajan Mishra highlighted the significance of India hosting CWG 2030. “This is a proud moment for the nation. Cycling and fitness must be encouraged continuously.”

Mahant Vishambhar Nath Mishra added, “Such activities should take place regularly. A healthy society leads to a healthy nation. Before the Commonwealth Games 2030, fitness must become a collective priority.”

CWG 2022 gold medallist Amit Panghal said, “Hosting the Commonwealth Games again after 2010 is a huge opportunity. Fitness initiatives like Sundays on Cycle will inspire the youth to pursue sports.”

Wrestler Pooja Sihag, a bronze medallist at CWG 2022, shared, “My sports journey began after watching the 2010 CWG. Hosting the 2030 Games will inspire the next generation and even support India’s path toward hosting the Olympics.” She also acknowledged the strong backing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Sports Authority of India.

Beyond Varanasi, thousands of events took place across India today. Over 4,000 NaMo Fit India Cycling Clubs and lakhs of citizens turned the initiative into a vast, community-led fitness effort.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) contributed significantly by hosting activities at various SAI Training Centres across states including Assam, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Manipur, Ladakh, and many others. Khelo India Centres and 23 SAI National Centres of Excellence also participated.

NaMo Cycling Clubs in Rajasthan’s Bikaner and Jaipur held large-scale events, with Union Minister Arjun Meghwal joining the SoC ride in Bikaner.

In the coming weeks, the mega Sundays on Cycle events will be hosted in Goa, Puducherry, and Kolkata.

With inputs from IANS