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Mandaviya: Empowering Women in Sports Empowers Society at Pink Cyclothon

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya participated in the FIT India Pink Cyclothon in Kolkata on International Women's Day, linking women's empowerment to national progress. He emphasized that greater participation of women in sports and fitness strengthens families and society. The event is part of the nationwide 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' movement, launched in 2024, which has seen massive public engagement. The initiative, under the broader Fit India Movement, involves collaboration with various sports federations and aims to instill fitness as a daily habit.

Key Points: Sports Min Mandaviya at FIT India Pink Cyclothon for Women's Day

  • Promotes women's fitness for societal strength
  • Cycling as healthy, sustainable habit
  • Over 25 million citizens in Fit India Sundays
  • Initiative part of larger Fit India Movement
  • Weekly event involves multiple sports bodies
2 min read

'Empowering women is empowering society': Sports Min Mandaviya at FIT India Pink Cyclothon

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya promotes women's fitness & cycling, stating empowering women strengthens society and advances national progress.

"When women are empowered, families and society prosper, contributing directly to nation-building. - Mansukh Mandaviya"

Kolkata, March 8

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday said empowering women strengthens families and society, stressing that greater participation of women in sports and fitness activities is vital for the nation's progress.

Mandaviya participated in the FIT INDIA Pink Cyclothon in Kolkata to celebrate International Women's Day, promoting women's fitness and cycling. The nationwide Sunday on Cycle initiative continued to draw enthusiastic participation from citizens, reinforcing the message of fitness, sustainability, and community engagement.

Addressing participants, the minister encouraged people to adopt cycling as a simple yet impactful way to maintain a healthy lifestyle while contributing to a cleaner environment. He noted that such initiatives help cultivate a culture of fitness and collective responsibility among citizens.

Highlighting the importance of women's participation in sports and public life, Mandaviya emphasised that empowering women is empowering society. "When women are empowered, families and society prosper, contributing directly to nation-building," he asserted. The minister called for greater encouragement and opportunities for women and girls in sports and fitness activities, noting that inclusive participation strengthens communities and advances the nation's overall progress.

Bombayla Devi Laishram, Olympian and Arjuna Awardee; Avinash Kumar Gupta, Chief Commissioner, Bharat Scouts, Kolkata; Piyali Basak, Mount Everest Summiteer; Adrija Sarkhel, goalkeeper, Indian Women's Football Team and Smt. Sushmita Singha Roy - Olympian also participated in the Cyclothon.

Launched in December 2024 by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mandaviya, Fit India Sundays on Cycle has become a significant mass movement, with over 25 million citizens participating across more than 250,000 locations nationwide. Part of the larger Fit India Movement launched by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on August 29, 2019, the campaign seeks to make fitness a daily habit and motivate behavioural change towards active lifestyles.

The Fit India Sundays on Cycle is held weekly and organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India and partners such as the Cycling Federation of India, Mallakhamb Association, Kudo Association, NaMo Cycling Clubs, Indian Rope Skipping Federation, My Bharat, and Yogasana Bharat. This week's Fit India Sundays was dedicated to women's empowerment.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Absolutely true. When my sister started cycling for fitness, it changed her confidence completely. These programs are good, but we need to ensure they reach small towns and villages, not just metro cities. The real empowerment happens at the grassroots.
A
Avinash V
While the message is perfect, I hope the focus remains on creating lasting infrastructure and opportunities, not just one-day events. We need more women coaches, secure sporting facilities, and scholarships for girls in sports. That's real empowerment.
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Sarah B
As an expat in India, it's inspiring to see such large-scale community fitness movements. The combination of women's empowerment, environmental consciousness (cycling), and public health is a model other countries could learn from. Well done!
M
Meera T
Participation of Olympians like Bombayla Devi is key! It gives young girls real role models to look up to. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao should also include Beti Khelao (Save the daughter, educate the daughter, make the daughter play). 🚴‍♀️
K
Karthik V
25 million participants is a staggering number! Shows how the Fit India movement has captured the public's imagination. Hope the momentum continues and makes fitness a part of our national culture, for men and women alike.

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