New Delhi, August 31(HS): The nation witnessed an unparalleled celebration of fitness and indigenous pride as Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya led the grand finale of the three-day National Sports Day 2025 at the iconic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. Marking the 120th birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, this year’s festivities transcended traditional commemorations, evolving into India’s largest-ever fitness movement with over 30 crore citizens participating nationwide.
Dr. Mandaviya inaugurated the Fit India Sundays on Cycle, a flagship initiative promoting cycling as a sustainable, healthy lifestyle choice rooted in India’s rich heritage. Describing the movement as one that connects Indians to their soil, promotes sustainability and embodies the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, he urged citizens to embrace indigenous fitness methods in the spirit of Garv se Swadeshi, making fitness an expression of national pride and self-reliance.
The three-day Jan-Andolan of sports witnessed activity in over 10,000 locations across 700 districts, featuring playground games, conclaves, cycling rallies, and indigenous sports competitions. Prominent sports figures, parliamentarians, and thousands of citizens pedaled collectively, echoing the call for a stronger, healthier Bharat. Parallel events from Haryana to Telangana, including a special ride in Mumbai’s Borivali National Park with dignitaries and celebrities who emphasized fitness awareness, demonstrated the campaign’s extensive reach.
Highlighting the event, Dr. Mandaviya said, Cycling is not just about exercise, it is about reconnecting with our roots. Simple and sustainable practices like this reflect our ethos of self-reliance. The spirit of Garv se Swadeshi must inspire us to embrace indigenous ways of staying fit and strong, while building a healthier and more confident Bharat.
The initiative also received moving endorsements from athletes and personalities like Trupti Murgunde and Jackie Shroff, who underscored the importance of fitness among youth. The celebrations included early morning zumba, yoga, fitness games, and honored young mountaineers embarking on Everest expeditions, making the day a vibrant tribute to Major Dhyan Chand and India’s evolving sporting culture.
In total, over 3,000 Fit India Clubs for Cycling participated, with extensive coordination by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Cycling Federation of India, and partners, reaching over seven lakh individuals in 40,000+ locations. The event reasserted fitness as a mass movement aligned with India’s vision for a sustainable, fit, and self-reliant future, truly making National Sports Day 2025 a historic milestone in the nation’s sporting legacy.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
