Suniel Shetty Leads Nationwide Fitness Drive with ‘Sundays on Cycle’ to Mark 8 Years of GST

Mumbai/Thiruvananthapuram/Delhi, May 18: As India celebrated eight years of Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Fit India Movement joined hands with CBIC-GST to turn this milestone into a mass fitness celebration with the “Sundays on Cycle” initiative. Bollywood actor and fitness advocate Suniel Shetty headlined the campaign in Mumbai, urging citizens to make health a daily habit.

“Wellness costs far less than illness,” Shetty said. “We shouldn’t treat fitness like a one-day event — true well-being comes from consistent effort, day after day.”

The event unfolded across the country at over 5,500 locations and has already engaged more than 3 lakh people since its inception in December 2024. From urban streets to sports centers, the nation embraced the initiative with enthusiasm.

In Thiruvananthapuram, three of India’s renowned athletes — Jisna Mathew (Rio 2016), M.P. Jabir (Tokyo 2020), and Anu Raghavan (Asian Games medalist) — flagged off the event. Joined by over 200 participants, the Olympians inspired the crowd with their presence and message of endurance.

Top Indian cyclists including Pooja Danole, Dhanyadha JP, Srimathi J, Rejiya Devi, and Niraimathi J led the ride, reinforcing the idea that fitness is a lifelong commitment, not a temporary sprint.

In New Delhi, chess met cardio as Grandmaster Tania Sachdev joined the cycling rally at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. Fresh off her gold at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, she highlighted how physical stamina enhances mental performance. “You don’t need fancy gyms for fitness — just discipline and the will to move,” she said.

The capital’s event also featured Zumba, rope skipping, and yoga — promoting both physical and mental well-being in a festive, community-driven setting.

Shashank Priya, Special Secretary and Member, CBIC GST, emphasised the broader goal: “Fitness isn’t just for athletes. It’s about preventing lifestyle diseases, cutting sugar intake, and building healthy food habits. This initiative is helping spread that message across India.”

Social media was abuzz with support from icons like Milind Soman, Shankar Mahadevan, Sania Mirza, Imtiaz Ali, Emraan Hashmi, John Abraham, and Dara Singh. “Let’s join our GST officers in pedalling towards better health,” urged Shankar Mahadevan. Milind Soman summed it up: “Fit Hum, Toh Fit India.”

With each passing Sunday, the Fit India Movement’s cycling campaign is reshaping how India connects with wellness — creating a healthier, more active nation, one ride at a time.