Varanasi Hosts 94th Fit India Sundays on Cycle; Mansukh Mandaviya Leads 5.5-km Rally for Drug-Free Youth

Santosh Debnath October 11, 2026 2 minutes read

Varanasi, October 11, 2026: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya led the 94th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle in Varanasi on Sunday, bringing together more than 500 cyclists and over 1,000 participants to promote fitness, healthy living and a drug-free society. Organised around the theme ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’, the event called upon young people to adopt healthier lifestyles and contribute to building a developed India.

The programme began at 6:00 AM at Namo Ghat with a meditation session led by Dr. Nivedita Shreyans, Director of Youth Affairs at the Heartfulness Institute, Kanha Shantivanam, Hyderabad. The session highlighted the importance of mental well-being alongside physical fitness. Participants also witnessed a Kathak performance and took part in an energetic Zumba session, combining cultural activities and exercise to encourage holistic health.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mandaviya urged young people to make physical fitness an integral part of their daily lives and stay away from substance abuse. The Minister, along with the participants, took the Nasha Mukt Bharat pledge, reaffirming their commitment to creating a drug-free society. Following the address, he led a 5.5-kilometre cycle rally from Namo Ghat to Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, spreading awareness about fitness and the importance of a drug-free future for the country’s youth.

The event also celebrated Indian sporting excellence by felicitating medal-winning athletes from the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Among those honoured were Prachi Chaudhary, bronze medallist in the women’s 400-metre event; Parul Chaudhary, who won bronze medals in the women’s 3,000-metre steeplechase and 5,000-metre events; Jay Kumar, a silver medallist in the mixed 4×400-metre relay and bronze medallist in the men’s 4×400-metre relay; and Raj Kumar Pal, a gold medallist as part of the Indian men’s hockey team.

The presence of these accomplished athletes served as an inspiration for young participants, highlighting the importance of discipline, perseverance and dedication in achieving success. Their participation also provided an opportunity for young people to connect with sporting role models and learn from their journeys.

The 94th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle reinforced the message that fitness is not merely an individual responsibility but a collective commitment. By bringing together athletes, young people and members of the community, the initiative aimed to encourage active lifestyles, discourage substance abuse and strengthen the vision of a healthier, stronger and drug-free India.