New Delhi | March 15, 2026 — Delhi’s Education and Sports Minister Ashish Sood participated as the Chief Guest in the “Sundays on Cycles” fitness event held at Connaught Place, Block E, under the Government of India’s Fit India Movement aimed at encouraging citizens to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from youth, children and women across the capital, spreading the message of fitness, active living and environmental protection. The event was organised with the support of the Sports Authority of India, the Raahgiri Foundation and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
Campaign Growing Into Nationwide Public Movement
Addressing the participants, Minister Ashish Sood said that the “Sundays on Cycles” initiative has the potential to evolve into a major public movement that encourages people to remain physically active while contributing to a cleaner environment.
He informed that under the Fit India Movement, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya launched the Fit India Cycling Drive in Delhi on December 17, 2024. Since then, the initiative has expanded into a nationwide campaign, with “Sundays on Cycles” events being organised regularly across the country.
According to the minister, the campaign has already been organised at more than 2.5 lakh locations nationwide, with approximately 2.7 million cyclists actively participating.
Cycling Promotes Health and Environmental Protection
The minister noted that the initiative was also mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 117th episode of “Mann Ki Baat.” In view of the Prime Minister’s call to combat obesity, he stressed the importance of making balanced physical activity an integral part of daily life.
He said the initiative is not only about personal fitness but also about improving Delhi’s environment. Promoting cycling instead of petrol-powered vehicles can significantly help reduce pollution and improve environmental conditions in the city.
Sood added that this event marked approximately the 68th edition of the initiative and encouraged more citizens to adopt cycling as a regular form of physical exercise.
He also stated that the government is considering developing cycling-friendly lanes and infrastructure in the future to enable safe and convenient use of bicycles.
Cyber Crime Awareness Campaign Conducted
During the programme, representatives from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) also conducted awareness activities on cybercrime.
Minister Sood urged citizens to remain vigilant against cyber fraud, noting that cybercriminals increasingly target both ordinary citizens and senior citizens. He encouraged people to learn about and use the I4C portal and awareness initiatives to protect themselves and their families.
Sportspersons Honoured at the Event
During the event, Minister Sood honoured several distinguished sportspersons and participants with mementos. Those recognised included Arjuna Awardee Antim Panghal, Asian Wrestling Championship gold medallist Neelam, U-20 World Champion Priya Malik, Indian Women’s Wrestling Team Head Coach Virender Dahiya, and Coach Bharti.
He also appreciated the role of the Raahgiri Foundation in successfully organising the event and acknowledged the efforts of its founder Sarika Pandey.
The minister appealed to Delhi residents to make “Sundays on Cycles” a regular part of their weekly routine and support the initiative in transforming it into a large-scale public movement for fitness and environmental sustainability.
