Strap: From cycling to culture, Dehradun hosts a grand celebration of health at
the 61st Fit India Sundays on Cycle, other venues join in with yoga, zumba and rope skipping as warm up to cycling
Olympians, international medallists and Fit India champions come together to motivate citizens across the country
In Dehradun Former Governor of Maharashtra and ex-Chief Minister, Uttarakhand, Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari says youth should learn from PM Narendra Modi’s work schedule
Nupur Sheoran, Yogita Bali, Vishesh Bhriguvanshi lead star-studded Fit India cycling spectacle in Dehradun; In Delhi Arjuna Awardee Shakshi Punia and MMA fighter Pawan Mann cycle with cycling enthusiasts
Dehradun/Delhi, Feb 15, 2026: From Capital city Delhi, to the serene sights of Dehradun and touching almost all districts across the nation, fitness enthusiasts joined the 61st edition of the Fit India Sundays on Cycle (SOC) in nearly 1000 locations. FIT India Movement was launched on 29th August, 2019 by Honourable Prime Minister with a view to make fitness an integral part of our daily lives. The mission of the Movement is to bring about behavioural changes and move towards a more physically active lifestyle. Last year Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya conceptualised the Fit India Sundays on Cycle with an effort to include cycling as a way of fitness and to address two important issues – to fight obesity and to find a solution to the growing pollution.
In the last one year the programme has touched the deepest corners of the country, becoming a People’s Movement, one that is driven by the people, with the Fit India Mission of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports acting as a catalyst. This week was no different either as thousands came out to cycle on streets across the country.
In Delhi, the popular Sunday event was moved out from the centre of the city to Najafgarh, home to one of India’s most iconic cricketers, Virendra Sehwag, to expand its reach and include more fitness enthusiasts. In Najafgarh, there was palpable excitement as locals gathered early in the morning to witness a first-of-its-kind community fitness programme. As 55-year-old Ratan Mittal registered for his cycle he said, “Initiatives like these motivate people of all age groups to step out together. This is not just a fitness movement, it is also a community bonding exercise. My son has come with me, I don’t remember the last time we cycled together. This is a wonderful experience.”
Motivating people like Mittal and other locals were Arjuna Awardee kabaddi player Shakshi Punia, MMA fighter and Fit India Champion Pawan Mann, Fit India Champion Timsy Bector and Fit India Ambassador Shivam Gahlot. Bector, a regular at SOCs said moving the event out beyond central Delhi is a great step to create more awareness for the need to stay fit. Shakshi Punia added, “We are delighted to be here. I didn’t expect common citizens to show so much interest in a fitness event. Fitness is indeed the most important aspect of our lives and when we do that as a community we motivate each other and it becomes more enjoyable.”
Pawan Mann added, “I think SOC is the largest community fitness movement in the world that happens every Sunday. I thank our Honourable Prime Minister for envisioning the Fit India Movement and our Union Sports Minister for thinking of SOC as a nationwide concept.”
Parallely, the nodal event of the 61st SOC took place in Dehradun. Nestled amid the misty hills and winter sunshine of Uttarakhand, Dehradun witnessed a vibrant celebration of fitness, culture and community spirit as the 61st edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle unfolded at the historic Parade Ground on Sunday morning. Over 1000 cyclists rolled out against the backdrop of misty hills, towering sal trees and crisp mountain air; the Doon Valley’s Parade Ground here transformed into a vibrant arena of movement, music and motivation, offering the city a grand spectacle that blended natural beauty with a powerful message of healthy living.
From seasoned cyclists to first-time riders, school students to senior citizens, the event saw enthusiastic participation cutting across age groups and backgrounds. As bicycles glided through tree-lined stretches, participants paused to soak in the scenic charm that makes Dehradun one of India’s most picturesque cities. “I cycle regularly, but riding today felt special. The weather, the crowd and the energy made it feel like a festival of fitness,” said Ankit Rawat, a local IT professional, moments after completing the rally.
Senior dignitaries joined the occasion in Dehradun on Sunday February 15, including Hon’ble Former Governor of Maharashtra & Former Chief Minister, Uttarakhand, Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Sh. Khajan Das, Hon’ble Vidayak, along with senior officials from the Sports Authority of India and the state administration, underscoring strong institutional support for the movement.
Indian boxing’s rising heavyweight force Nupur Sheoran, former India women’s hockey goalkeeper and coach Yogita Bali, national triple jump champion Niharika Vashisht, and accomplished fencer Rishika Khajuria added further sporting gravitas to the morning, interacting with participants and reinforcing the message that fitness is a lifelong pursuit. Indian mountaineer Tashi Malik, a recipient of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, also was present and she highlighted the importance of endurance and discipline.
Olympian race walker Manish Singh Rawat, a proud son of Uttarakhand, also joined the celebrations alongside Arjuna Awardee basketball icon Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, whose career spanning nearly two decades continues to motivate young athletes across the country.
The presence of Fit India influencers and community role models added another layer of inspiration. From endurance enthusiasts like the ‘Two Fit To Quit’ duo Tara and Sushila to fitness advocates including Shanky Singh, Pratibha Thapliyal, Damini Chopra, and Vikram Jadav, the event celebrated diverse pathways to health and resilience.
Shri Koshiyari, who is 83 years old, spoke about the need for youth to stay fit. “Whether you are a sportsman or not, you should have a sportsman spirit. We should never give this up. In every field, we should display this,” he said. Referencing the fitness mantra given by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he added, “Our Hon’ble PM works 20 hours a day himself. It shows that if we have the determination and fitness, being fit is not impossible at all. We want every youth to remain fit. Let’s use all of the seven days for cycling.”
Colleges and Universities were the special partners for this edition of the Fit India Sundays on Cycle. A multiple-time World Boxing Cup gold medallist and World Championships silver medallist, Nupur Sheoran said, “I wasn’t expecting so many people to turn out this morning and it is really so amazing. I was having flashbacks of my childhood when I was cycling along with the group. It was a really exciting ride!”
Beyond cycling, the Parade Ground buzzed with energy as multiple activity zones came alive simultaneously. Participants warmed up with yoga sessions conducted by Yogasana Bharat, followed by high-energy Zumba workouts that kept the momentum going even for those not riding cycles. Rope skipping, Mallakhamb demonstrations, tug of war competitions, Kūdō martial arts showcases and interactive game zones ensured that fitness was accessible, inclusive and engaging for all age groups.
As the rally concluded at the Parade Ground, the smiles, selfies and shared stories reflected the deeper impact of the initiative. The Dehradun edition once again underlined how Fit India Sundays on Cycle has evolved into more than just a weekly event—it has become a people’s movement that celebrates health, community bonding and the joy of movement.
