Bhubaneswar: The Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha, organised a cycling rally under the “Cycle on Sundays” initiative in Bhubaneswar on Sunday to promote public health awareness and encourage eco-friendly transport.
The rally began from the Gopabandhu Academy of Administration and passed through Vaibhav Wellness Center Junction, Utkal Hospital, and Pandit Raghunath Murmu Park before concluding at Vaibhav Wellness Center Junction.
The event witnessed large participation from various organisations and groups, including personnel from CRPF, CISF, NCC, ‘My Bharat’, and NSS. Members of the Odisha Cycling and Para Association, local cycling clubs, students of the Bhubaneswar Government College of Physical Education, residents of sports hostels, and citizens also joined the initiative.
The programme was inaugurated by Minister for Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services, and Odia Language, Literature & Culture Suryabanshi Suraj, who attended as the chief guest. The rally was flagged off by Odisha’s first female cyclist Minati Mohapatra, along with Olympian Anuradha Biswal and Director of Sports Yedula Vijay.
Speaking on the occasion, Suraj said the initiative, launched under the Government of India’s Fit India Movement, has been gaining popularity across the country. He said Odisha has previously hosted events such as the Heritage Marathon, Fit India Carnival 2026 in Puri, and the Women’s Marathon aimed at women’s empowerment.
The minister stressed the importance of fitness in daily life, stating that building a “fit India, fit Odisha, and fit society” must begin at the individual level through regular physical activity.
According to the Sports Department, the objective of the initiative is to promote physical fitness and encourage pollution-free, sustainable transport practices across the state. The campaign aims to inspire citizens to adopt a healthier and environmentally friendly lifestyle under the slogan “Pedal together and live a healthy life.”
Several senior officials from the Sports Department, including Additional Secretaries Ashok Kumar Panda, Bijay Kumar Swain, Sudhakar Nayak, and Event Coordinator Biswa Mohan Jena, were present. Noted athletes Anupama Swain and Loma Swain, along with para-athletes Kamalakanta Nayak, Suchitra Parida, and Sunil Pradhan, also participated in the event.
