The 26th Raahgiri in the capital city was held on Sunday with the theme of the World Population Day which falls on July 11.
The Health and Family Welfare Department organised a street play on birth control and population stabilisation to educate the public on small and smart family. The street play was a crowd puller. The play also gave some health tips to the audience.
Welcoming the monsoon, the Art Ya Craft opened a special selfie counter and the participants were seen taking selfie with monsoon theme.
City people also got a chance to interact with RTI activists. They clarified their doubts on Right to Information Act (RTE) and got to know about various rules and process of the Act at the RTI Clinic in the Raahgiri venue. The RTI counter has been guiding the citizens since last three weeks with the motto of transparency in governance through the RTI.
The Rhythm Dance Group, the Dev Dance Group and the Vignaz Group rocked on the stage of Raahgiri with their music and dance. The Ama Kalakar team was appreciated by the music lovers for their heart touching Odia songs.
The People’s Cultural Center (PECUC) created awareness on child welfare with save- the-children message. A number of children enjoyed activity games in the PECUC counter. The members of the PECUC organised programmes on the theme, ‘Care for Change’. They pledged to make a child-friendly city.
Khordha Collector Niranjan Sahu, senior bureaucrat Pradeep Kumar Biswal, Sweta Mishra and Ranjan Mohanty were present as guests in the PECUC counter and distributed saplings.
The Swabhiman, a leading NGO, brought the notice of the participants on various issues related to differently abled persons. They created awareness on physically challenged persons and their rights.
Special health check-up counters were opened for the participants by voluntary organisations.
Mumbai-based film maker Abhinash Nanda said, “I would start an international-level ad-film making educational institute in the city to train young minds so that Odia students can excel in the field in future.”
As it was raining, people were seen playing in the rain. Considering the cool monsoon climate, the Raahgiri event continued till 9.30 am instead of 9.00 am.