Ahmedabad, May 24 (IANS) Thousands of young cyclists gathered at the Sabarmati Riverfront Event Centre in Ahmedabad on Sunday for a large-scale cycling event organised to mark Commonwealth Games Day and the 75th edition of ‘Fit India: Sundays on Cycle’, with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stating that citizens’ fitness was essential to achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’.

The event began at 6 a.m. and saw participation from thousands of residents, particularly young people from Ahmedabad. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, actor and Fit India icon Ayushmann Khurrana, Olympic medallist Gagan Narang and Olympic Association representative Ajay Patel were among those present.

Addressing the gathering, Mandaviya said the occasion was significant as it marked both Commonwealth Games Day and the 75th edition of the cycling initiative.

“Today is the 75th edition of ‘Sunday on Cycle’ and also ‘Commonwealth Day’. It is a matter of pride for all of us that Gujarat is going to host the Commonwealth Games in the year 2030,” he said.

Linking the campaign to the Prime Minister’s broader development vision, the minister said, “It is essential for every citizen of the country to remain fit in order to realise the dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

Mandaviya outlined what he described as the three major benefits of cycling. “Cycling is the world’s best exercise to keep the body fit,” he said.

He added that increased bicycle use could help address pollution and reduce fuel consumption for short-distance travel.

“Using bicycles for nearby places gives momentum to the Prime Minister’s ‘Save Oil Campaign’, resulting in economic savings in the country’s fuel consumption,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the turnout reflected growing public engagement with fitness initiatives.

In a light-hearted remark, he said, “A Gujarati person will stay awake the whole night for work, but waking up early in the morning for fitness is a major challenge for him.”

Referring to the large turnout, he added that the participation of Ahmedabad’s youth was “truly commendable”.

Sanghavi said the Fit India initiative should not be viewed as a political or government-driven exercise. “The Fit India movement is not a government or political programme, but a people’s movement aimed at bringing positive change in everyone’s lives,” he said.

Ayushmann Khurrana said sports beyond cricket also required encouragement and wider public support.

He expressed hope that fitness initiatives being conducted under the Prime Minister’s guidance would inspire children and young people to one day win medals for India at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Olympic shooter Gagan Narang also joined the cycling event alongside thousands of participants.

–IANS

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