Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, led the 44th edition of the nationwide fitness movement ‘Sundays on Cycle (SOC)’ in New Delhi today, with a special focus on the role of doctors and health professionals in promoting preventive healthcare and fitness.
Emphasizing the crucial role of medical professionals, Dr. Mandaviya said, “When a doctor speaks about health, people listen. Your voice can guide the nation in the fight against obesity and lifestyle diseases. I thank all health professionals for joining this movement and helping build a fit and Viksit Bharat.”
The event featured enthusiastic participation from citizens of all ages, joined by World Para Athletics Championship medalists Praveen Kumar, Soman Rana, and Sailesh Kumar, who inspired attendees with their stories and called on Indians to prioritize daily fitness.
Organized in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India, Yogasana Bharat, MY Bharat, and supported locally by Raahgiri Foundation, Fitspire, and Red FM, the Delhi edition also included Zumba, rope skipping, Yogasana, and other activities suitable for all age groups.
Highlighting the scale of the initiative, Dr. Mandaviya shared that SOC was held in over 10,000 locations across India today, including rural and remote areas. Over the course of its 44 editions, the campaign has mobilized more than 12.5 lakh participants from over 1,00,000 venues, making it one of the largest grassroots fitness movements in the country.
The Minister also urged people to adopt Swadeshi products for sports and fitness and reiterated that “a healthy body and a healthy mind are the foundation of a strong nation.”
Athlete Praveen Kumar remarked, “Focus and consistency in fitness is key to achieving anything in life.” Sailesh Kumar added, “Every citizen should dedicate at least an hour daily to fitness – for both body and mind.”
The inclusion of doctors and health professionals in this edition underscored the government’s message that preventive health begins with everyday actions, and initiatives like SOC are key to realizing the vision of a fit, healthy, and resilient India by 2047.
