Cycling drive held for paramilitary forces

Personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Sunday joined Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya for the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’.

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Over 500 riders, including those from the CRPF and ITBP, Sports Authority of India campers and young gymnasts from the IG Stadium, senior officials and various cycling clubs in the national capital took part in the event.

Mandaviya said the initiative was being held simultaneously at over 1,100 locations in India. “Cycling is the need today as the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ needs healthy individuals, who in turn can make a healthy society and consequently a healthy nation. The benefits of cycling also uphold the message of the Fit India movement, which was launched by PM Narendra Modi in 2019,” the Sports Minister said.

Aimed at enhancing physical and mental health of individuals, the cycling initiative for the central paramilitary forces was organised at a time when cases of suicide and fratricide have been regularly reported from within the forces.

CRPF DG Anish Dayal said, “The CRPF remains committed to maintaining peak physical fitness.” He further said that cycling is good for an individual’s health and the environment and they are excited to be a part of the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ campaign, spreading the message of fitness and sustainability.

Earlier this month, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai had revealed through a written reply in Rajya Sabha that 144 suicides were reported in CAPF, NSG and AR in 2020, 157 in 2021, 138 in 2022, 157 in 2023 and 134 in 2024, accounting for 730 cases in five years.

Reducing stress

• The initiative was organised at a time when cases of suicide and fratricide have been regularly reported from within the forces
• Over 700 personnel of the CAPF, National Security Guards and Assam Rifles have died by suicide in the last five years, while 55,555 have resigned or taken voluntary retirement