PM Narendra Modi has appealed to the nation to use cycles instead of any other means of transport for at least one day in order to save money, environment and as a step towards improving health.  

It is a common practice that people commute even to the nearest gym, garden or any other fitness centre through bike, car or scooter. Also, instead of staircase, elevators are used if the fitness centre is on the first floor and beyond. These things in fact throw light on the point that people are fitness freaks but are not at all concerned about environment. The rise in pollution through vehicles does not even cross their mind.

It is true that we save transit time because of these machines, but then the fact still remains that all these mechanisms are certainly adding to pollution, spoiling health and also disturbing economy. A number of foreign nations have adopted the policy of giving up vehicles for at least one day in a week and they either walk or use cycles on their way to work and back home. With the same concept in mind, PM Modi has appealed to the nation to have one “Cycle-day” for the betterment of all.

Inputs:

Satya Pandey- housewife

“We came to Udaipur last year because of my husband’s transfer here. After coming to Udaipur, I first learned to drive a car and then learnt cycling from a child in the neighbourhood. Since then I am using cycle for almost all outdoor work. My neighbours look at me with surprise. But the fact is that I don’t need an inspiration or excuse for my own fitness and am not ashamed of riding a bicycle.”

Rishabh Jain- Health and Fitness trainer

“Believe it or not, in the past few years, health and fitness centres have increased in both and small and big towns. People who come to these centres are basically victims of an unorganised life style. To inspire them for fitness, one day I simply decided to travel to Mount Abu by bicycle. That was the turning point of my life. I formed a cycle club along with a few of my friends. We perform our routine work requirements on cycle and also try to inspire others while travelling to tourist places.”

Madan Singh Rajpurohit – male nurse, health department

“Being in the health department for the last 24 years, I came to realise that people had reached a difficult point in life due to their unorganised way of living. They contact the health department when the situation goes beyond control for them. They spend lakhs of rupees on medication. This inspired me to make the people aware towards health. I also travelled to Jodhpur from Udaipur on cycle and then in 72 hours I reached Rajghat, Delhi from Shastri circle, Jodhpur. I followed all traffic rules and tried to make the people aware of the benefits of good health.

Source: Patrika