New Delhi: The inner circle of Connaught Place came alive with energy, enthusiasm and community participation as Raahgiri Day, a car-free initiative launched by the Raahgiri Foundation, was organised in collaboration with Sundays on Cycle, a nationwide fitness and anti-obesity campaign of the ministry of youth affairs and sports and New Delhi Municipal Council early Sunday.The event transformed the iconic city space into a vibrant, people-centric public realm. Themed around the message “roads are beautiful when they belong to people”, the event brought together citizens of different age groups to enjoy a wide range of activities in a safe, lively environment.The programme featured cycling, badminton, cricket, yoga, zumba, fitness activities, folk dance, puppet shows, chalk art, games and a fitness zone, along with stalls and other interactive engagements. The activities provided an opportunity for children, youth, senior citizens and families to participate together and experience the benefits of active public spaces.Adding a musical dimension to the festivities, Euphoria Band enthralled young participants at the event with its energetic live performance at Central Park, CP. The band’s lively music created an electrifying atmosphere, with youngsters enthusiastically singing, dancing and enjoying the rhythmic performances.The event started with a cycle rally, which was flagged off by Delhi cabinet minister Ashish Sood, NDMC chairperson Manoj Kumar Dwivedi and special commissioner of Delhi Police (traffic) Ajay Chaudhary.Sood said Raahgiri provides citizens with an opportunity every Sunday to reclaim public spaces for walking, cycling and healthy community activities. “Delhi govt is making every effort to develop dedicated cycling tracks across the city.”“The enthusiastic participation in cycling, fitness and other activities by youth sent an inspiring message to the entire city to adopt healthier and more sustainable modes of mobility. It also demonstrates the power of youth in uniting Delhi against pollution,” said Dwivedi.Chaudhary said Raahgiri is an important platform to promote responsible road behaviour and create greater awareness about traffic safety among citizens. He said such initiatives also provide an opportunity for citizens to engage with public spaces while encouraging safer and more responsible use of roads.
