Odisha’s Sports and Youth Services Department organised a wonderful event called ‘Cycle on Sundays’ to promote public health and environmental protection.
The cycle rally started from the Gopabandhu Academy of Administration and covered Vaibhav Wellness Center Junction, Utkal Hospital, and Pandit Raghunath Murmu Park, before concluding back at the Vaibhav Wellness Center Junction.
A large number of enthusiastic participants joined the rally, including volunteers from the CRPF, CISF, NCC, ‘My Bharat’, and NSS. Members of the Odisha Cycling and Para Association, various local cycling clubs, local citizens, students of the Bhubaneswar Government College of Physical Education, and residents of sports hostels also took part. Participants thoroughly enjoyed cycling together for fitness and highly praised the government’s initiative.
The event was officially launched by Suryabanshi Suraj, Minister for Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services, and Odia Language, Literature & Culture, who attended as the chief guest. The campaign was flagged off by Minati Mohapatra, who is Odisha’s first female cyclist, alongside renowned Olympian Anuradha Biswal and Director of Sports Dr Yedula Vijay.
Congratulating everyone on the occasion, Minister Suraj said that this campaign, launched under the Central Government’s ‘Fit India Movement’, has gained great popularity across the country. He highlighted that Odisha has previously hosted events like the Heritage Marathon, the Fit India Carnival 2026 in Puri, and the Women’s Marathon for women empowerment. Today, the capital city, Bhubaneswar, successfully organised ‘Cycle on Sundays’.
The Minister stated that the main goal is to build a fit India, a fit Odisha, and a fit society, noting that this transformation must begin from within each individual. To stay healthy, he advised that everyone should dedicate some time daily to physical exercise.
The primary goal of this initiative is to promote physical fitness and pollution-free transport across the state. The Sports Department mentioned that this commendable effort will inspire city residents to adopt a healthy, eco-friendly lifestyle under the motto: ‘Pedal together and live a healthy life.’
Several key officials and sports icons attended the health and environmental awareness campaign to encourage the participants. Among the attendees from the Sports Department were Additional Secretaries Ashok Kumar Panda, Bijay Kumar Swain, Sudhakar Nayak, and Event Coordinator Dr. Biswa Mohan Jena. Famous athletes Anupama Swain and Loma Swain, along with inspirational para-athletes Kamalakanta Nayak, Suchitra Parida, and Sunil Pradhan, also joined the event and added to its success.
