MDSU, Meerut and Indian Army Organise Grand Joint 51 km Cycling Rally and Tree Plantation Drive Under International Yoga Week 2026

MDSU, Meerut and Indian Army Organise Grand Joint 51 km Cycling Rally and Tree Plantation Drive Under International Yoga Week 2026

As part of International Yoga Week 2026 (15–21 June 2026), Major Dhyan Chand Sports University (MDSU), Meerut, in collaboration with the Indian Army, organised a grand 51-kilometre Joint Cycling Rally and Tree Plantation Drive on 20 June 2026 to promote health awareness, sports participation, environmental sustainability, and community engagement.

The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from officers and personnel of the Indian Army, university officials, faculty members, staff, students, cyclists, and sports enthusiasts. The event served as a powerful platform to spread the message of fitness, healthy living, environmental conservation, and collective social responsibility.

The joint cycling rally commenced early in the morning from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology (SVPUAT), Meerut. Following participant registration and reporting, the rally was formally flagged off at 5:30 a.m. The 51-kilometre route concluded at the Major Dhyan Chand Sports University campus at Salawa, Meerut. Throughout the journey, participants promoted awareness about healthy lifestyles, physical fitness, yoga, sports participation, environmental protection, and nation-building.

The rally reached the university campus at approximately 7:00 a.m., after which a Tree Plantation Drive was organised at 7:15 a.m. Participants planted saplings, symbolising the strong connection between personal health and environmental sustainability while reinforcing the importance of ecological responsibility.

The programme was one of the flagship activities organised by the university during International Yoga Week 2026. It reflected the university’s vision of presenting yoga not merely as a one-day celebration but as a holistic way of life that promotes physical well-being, mental balance, discipline, environmental responsibility, and social harmony.

A major highlight of the event was the active participation of the Indian Army, whose presence added dignity, discipline, and inspiration to the programme. The participation of Army officers and personnel motivated students and young athletes to embrace the values of leadership, perseverance, teamwork, patriotism, and selfless service.

The Indian Army delegation included Brigadier Vikram Batra, Commandant, Military Hospital; Lieutenant Colonel Rakesh Dalal, Company Commander; Lieutenant Colonel Varun Chaudhary, Dental Officer; along with five other Army personnel representing different ranks.

The university fraternity expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Army for its valuable cooperation and enthusiastic participation. This collaborative initiative between MDSU and the Indian Army transformed the event into a celebration of fitness, sportsmanship, environmental responsibility, and national pride.

The programme was led by Maj Gen Deep Ahlawat (Retd.), Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Major Dhyan Chand Sports University. Under his visionary leadership, the university continues to organise innovative programmes promoting sports, health, education, and community development.

The event was attended by Shri Sunil Kumar Jha, Registrar; Prof. Satyant Kumar, Dean (Academics); Dr. Poonam Bhandari; Prof. Yogesh Kumar; Dr. Soniya Rana; Dr. Farha Hashmi; Shri Shivansh Pal; and several other members of the university fraternity, all of whom actively participated in the programme.

The successful execution of the event was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the university’s faculty members, officers, staff, volunteers, and students. Route coordination, participant management, safety arrangements, refreshments, tree plantation activities, and all other logistical aspects were efficiently managed through excellent teamwork and meticulous planning.

A special contribution to the success of the programme came from Shri Sachin Pawar, owner of Pro Bicycle and a renowned national cyclist. He generously sponsored the bicycles used during the rally, enabling a larger number of participants to join the event. He also inspired students and athletes to adopt cycling as a healthy, environmentally friendly, and sustainable lifestyle.

Addressing the gathering, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Maj Gen Deep Ahlawat (Retd.) stated that yoga is far more than physical exercise; it is a complete way of life that nurtures physical health, mental resilience, discipline, harmony, and social responsibility. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to continuously organising innovative and impactful programmes that promote sports, yoga, health awareness, environmental conservation, and community participation.

The Joint Cycling Rally and Tree Plantation Drive received an overwhelmingly positive response from participants and emerged as an excellent example of how academic institutions, the armed forces, and society can work together to strengthen public health, environmental conservation, sports culture, and nation-building.

As Uttar Pradesh’s first and only Sports University, Major Dhyan Chand Sports University remains committed to strengthening the state’s sporting ecosystem. The university is a landmark initiative of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, inspired by the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath, with the objective of promoting sporting excellence and youth development. Through initiatives such as cycling rallies, yoga awareness programmes, tree plantation drives, community engagement activities, and sports promotion campaigns, the university continues to work towards the holistic development of youth, talent identification, capacity building, and the expansion of sports culture. Such programmes significantly contribute to the national missions of Fit India, Khelo India, and Viksit Bharat 2047, further establishing Major Dhyan Chand Sports University as a leading centre for sports education, athlete development, and nation-building.