World Bicycle Day: Mandaviya urges youth to embrace cycling as events held across India

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, June 3 (IANS) Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday urged young people to make cycling a part of their daily lives, saying the habit promotes health, fitness and environmental sustainability, as World Bicycle Day was marked with cyclothons and awareness events across the country.

In a post on X, Mandaviya made a special appeal to the youth, encouraging them to adopt cycling beyond a one-day celebration.

In a video message, he said, “Cycling is not just an exercise for a day or a hobby; it reflects a healthy lifestyle. It helps keep us healthy and ensures both our mental and physical well-being. Cycling is also a sustainable option that supports environmental conservation. By adopting cycling as a habit, we can contribute to fuel conservation, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to save fuel.”

In Gujarat’s Rajkot, the Rajkot Cycle Club (RCC) organised a cycling event to promote fitness, healthy living and environmental awareness.

One participant shared how cycling helped him overcome personal challenges. “I have been cycling for the past seven years. I started cycling during a difficult period when I was struggling with depression after my father’s passing. I was deeply affected by the trauma, but then I met a group of cycling friends…” he said.

Another cyclist highlighted the benefits of cycling in daily life. “I have been cycling for the past 15 years… I keep my bicycle at my office and use it for short trips and small errands instead of a car…” he said.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah flagged off a cyclothon to mark the occasion.

J&K Sports Minister Satish Sharma said, “We have seen the last 30 years; no enemy would have seen what we have seen. We have faced many difficulties and a lot of hardships. One of the biggest issues that has emerged is drugs. Keeping this theme in mind, on World Bicycle Day, we have highlighted these challenges…”

Nasir Aslam, Advisor to the J&K Chief Minister, said, “This is a very good initiative. We are trying to promote sports activities and such events in Jammu and Kashmir. As you have seen, earlier a golf event was organised; before that we held a marathon, and now we are organising this cyclothon… This also helps in promoting tourism…”

Meanwhile, BYCS organised a World Bicycle Day event in Delhi’s Hauz Khas area, bringing together cycling advocates, health experts and enthusiasts.

BYCS India Foundation CEO, Bhairavi Joshi, said, “More than 55 cities are connected with us through Bicycle Mayors who are working for cycling advocacy…”

Jagdish Rajesh, Deputy Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research, said, “This Bicycle Day is a good initiative, and we have all gathered here for it….”

Bicycle Mayor Dilip Sabharwal added, “Today is World Bicycle Day. It is celebrated across the globe, and today we are celebrating it here in Delhi…”

The events highlighted cycling’s role in promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, sustainable mobility and environmental conservation, with participants and organisers alike calling for greater adoption of bicycles in everyday life.

–IANS

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Reacting to the development, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Lenin Mohanty on Tuesday said that while the announcement has been made, the modalities and procedures for its implementation are yet to be finalised.

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Siddaramaiah urges Centre to fix a date for caste census

Bengaluru, May 1 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while welcoming the Union government’s decision to conduct a caste census along with the population census, on Thursday, urged the centre to fix a date for the caste census immediately.

“To ensure social justice for the people of this country, the caste census must also involve socio-educational and economic data collection. There must be clarity from the Centre on when exactly the caste and population census would be conducted, reiterating that socio-economic surveys must accompany caste census efforts,” the Chief Minister said..

He emphasised that the existing 50 per cent ceiling on reservation must be relaxed and quotas should be fixed based on the population of respective communities.

He further highlighted that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, had also been pressing for a caste census along with a socio-economic survey and reiterated the Congress party’s stand that resources should be allocated based on population in order to ensure justice for all communities.

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Responding to a question about Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy praising the centre’s decision while criticising the state’s caste census survey, Siddaramaiah claimed that when C. Puttarangashetty was the Backward Classes Minister during the Congress-JD (S) coalition government headed by Kumaraswamy, a date had been fixed to submit the caste survey report, but he was intimidated with threats of suspension and the report was withheld.

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