‘A Healthy Body Is the Foundation of Strong Leadership’: Mandaviya

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Labour and Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, on Sunday underscored the importance of physical fitness in leadership, saying that a healthy body is the foundation of strong leadership, as he led the 56th edition of Fit India’s flagship initiative, Sundays on Cycle, in the national capital.

More than 1,000 people, including 500 young delegates participating in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, joined the cycling rally in Delhi, braving the early morning winter chill. The rally was led by Dr. Mandaviya and saw the participation of sports icons including tennis legend Leander Paes, badminton stalwart Pullela Gopichand and emerging international wrestler Shivani Pawar.

Addressing participants, Dr. Mandaviya said cycling offers powerful lessons in leadership, teaching when to accelerate, when to slow down and how to maintain balance in life. He added that community-driven fitness movements like Sundays on Cycle play a crucial role in building a healthier and more resilient nation.

The 56th edition of Sundays on Cycle was held simultaneously at over 15,000 locations across the country. In Bhopal, a mega event was organised and flagged off by Madhya Pradesh Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vishvas Kailash Sarang, along with actress Payal Rohatgi and several eminent athletes, including Olympian judoka Garima Choudhary.

Badminton coach Pullela Gopichand praised the initiative, saying it was inspiring to see a Union Minister leading the fitness movement from the front. He emphasised the need for people to reconnect with outdoor activities and nature in an age dominated by digital entertainment. Echoing similar views, Leander Paes highlighted the importance of community participation in achieving both physical and mental fitness, calling the nationwide scale of the initiative phenomenal.

The morning fitness festival also featured Zumba sessions, yoga, and vibrant Mallakhamb and rope-skipping performances. Fit India Ambassadors Timsy Bector and Divya Ahuja shared winter fitness tips, stressing the importance of regular exercise and simple warm-ups, even at home.

In Bhopal, Shri Sarang reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call of ‘Fit India, Hit India’ and lauded the nationwide cycling movement for spreading awareness about healthy lifestyles. Actress Payal Rohatgi said initiatives like Sundays on Cycle would help nurture a fitter population and produce more sportspersons in the future.

With participation from citizens, athletes and young leaders, the 56th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle reinforced the message that physical fitness is integral to leadership and nation-building, and remains a key pillar of the Viksit Bharat vision.