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Mahima Choudhary, a prominent player in India's women's hockey team, has expressed her support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Sundays on Cycle' initiative, which is part of the Fit India Movement. She noted that it is heartening to witness a significant public engagement in fitness activities. Choudhary remarked, "It feels wonderful. As athletes, we regularly engage in such activities, but seeing everyday people participating every Sunday is truly uplifting."

Promoting Fitness in Training

Choudhary emphasized that fitness activities are also encouraged in training facilities, stating, "We practice this at our SAI [Sports Authority of India]. It appears that we are progressively aligning with the vision of Fit India, as proposed by Prime Minister Modi."

Advice for Young Aspirants

The hockey player highlighted the significance of discipline and planning for aspiring athletes. She advised, "First, establish a goal for yourself. Then, identify the necessary steps to achieve it." Choudhary further stressed the importance of health in attaining success, saying, "The fundamental step is to prioritize our health. Only by being fit can we accomplish our goals. Health is paramount."

Growing Popularity of the Initiative

Amitesh Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and CEO of the India Semiconductor Mission, recently noted the increasing popularity of the 'Sundays on Cycle' initiative. He stated that it signifies a rising public consciousness regarding health and fitness. Sinha explained, "The Fit India Movement, initiated by PM Modi in 2019, has seen the 'Sundays on Cycle' event become a popular part of this initiative since 2024." He emphasized the need for ongoing commitment, saying, "This indicates that we are becoming more health-conscious... We should maintain this awareness not just on Sundays but throughout the week."

Introducing Technology to Fitness

Sinha also mentioned a new aspect of the campaign, revealing that MeitY has collaborated with the initiative to incorporate technology-driven solutions. He stated, "This year, the Ministry of Electronics and IT has partnered with us to launch 'AI for fitness.'"

Overview of the Initiative

For those unfamiliar, Fit India Sundays on Cycle is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in partnership with various organizations, including the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and the Indian Rope Skipping Federation. The cycling initiative takes place simultaneously across all States and Union Territories, including SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), SAI Training Centres (STCs), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs), and Khelo India Centres (KICs). Launched in December 2024 by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, Fit India Sundays on Cycle has evolved into a significant public movement, with over 2.8 million participants recorded across more than 263,000 locations nationwide since its inception.