As part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ (AKAM) celebrations, Smart Cities Mission of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is launching two unique national level challenges between 1st to 26th January 2022, vis. “Freedom 2 Walk & Cycle Challenge for City Leaders”, and “Inter- City Freedom 2 Walk & Cycle Challenge for Citizens”. The challenges aim to build on the successful nationwide campaign titled "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav- Freedom 2 Walk & Cycle” that was held between October 1-3, 2021. During this event, 100 Smart Cities had actively hosted over 220+ events, to promote walking and cycling. The events ranged from activities to empower women & children to walk, run and cycle, to bring more pedestrians and cyclists to the streets, testing temporary interventions and more.
The events being hosted by cities under AKAM will build on the momentum of the earlier event, with the intent to develop long-term behavioral change in citizens towards taking up walking and cycling and to make city leaders as walking and cycling champions in each city. 75 cities have registered so far for the Inter-City Citizen’s Challenge. 65 cities and 232 leaders comprising Commissioners, Additional/Joint/Deputy Commissioner, Smart City CEOs and Key SPV Officials have signed up so far for the City Leaders campaign.
During the 3 weeks running up to 26 January, 2022, the participants will be required to track their walk, run & cycle activities daily and the best performing cities will be awarded at the end of the challenge. Citizens interested to join the Freedom 2 Walk & Cycle Inter-City Challenge can register for their respective city through the https://www.allforsport.in/challenges or through the registration links shared by the official social media handle of the city ULBs.
“I have started cycling more often to work and for recreation over the last couple of years. Not only have I become more physically and mentally fit, it has given me a different perspective towards looking at the city and its needs. Cycling is a humble yet, very powerful tool that can transform the cities we live in. I urge all city leaders to experience their cities through walk and cycle and become champions who inspire others”
Kunal Kumar, Joint Secretary, Smart Cities Mission, MoHUA
About Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements. This Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Modi’s vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat.