The Raahgiri Day, which was celebrated for the first time in the State capital with an aim to promote non-motorised transport (NMT) witnessed an overwhelming response with people from all walks of life participating in fun, games, cycling between Ram Mandir and Master Canteen Square along the Janpath on Sunday.
The movement of vehicles was restricted from 6:30 am to 10:30 am on the streets connecting Master Canteen Square to Ram Manidir Square during the celebration.
The event was organised jointly by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and the Tourism Department.
Many activities were held during the three-hour programme in the morning. The participants enjoyed activities like bicycling, yoga, jogging, road skating, badminton, football, cricket, free health checkup, painting, drawing, street play and cultural prgrammes including song and dance.
Students of several city-based schools also participated in the celebration.
Culture and Tourism Minister Ashok Panda, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Patsani, Commissioner of Police Dr RP Sharma, BMC Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena, Bhubaneswar MlAs Priyadarshi Mishra and Bijay Mohanty participated in the event and enjoyed cycling and playing cricket and football along the prescribed stretch of the road.
“The main aim behind the Raaghiri on Sundays is to create awareness about the environmental issues in the city. It is a noble initiative initiated by the city civic bodies,” said Chief Secretary Padhi, who also cycled and played cricket.
Commissioner of Police Dr Sharma said, “The weekly street event will certainly promote healthy living by encouraging an active lifestyle and highlighting the environmental issues and concerns.”