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For Madurai residents, streets are a happy place to be in
The Madurai Corporation launched the ‘Happy Street’ initiative for the first time on Sunday. Residents of Anna Nagar main road in Madurai had a lot of fun and an enjoyable three hours on the main thoroughfare.
![For Madurai residents, streets are a happy place to be in For Madurai residents, streets are a happy place to be in](https://dtnext-prod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/imported/import/Images/Article/201704030744485608_For-Madurai-residents-streets-are-a-happy-place-to-be-in_SECVPF.gif)
Madurai
Called ‘Car Free Sunday’, the event was conducted on the lines of Chennai and Coimbatore corporations. During the three-hour programme which began as early as 6 am, the 80-feet Anna Nagar main road extending from Ambiga Theater to Golcha complex was free of vehicles.
A number of events were organised as part of the initiative and people from all walks of life participated. The 500 metre stretch was divided into various zones for various activities.
Right in the middle of the road a stage was setup for conducting dance programmes and other activities. The sides of the roads were divided into two for various purposes. On one side of the road, zones were earmarked for different games.
Specific areas were set up for football, carrom, chess, skipping, Table Tennis, cricket, Badminton and Basketball.
On the other side events such as aerobics, yoga, skating, silambam and folk dances were performed. People also took out their pets for a peaceful walk. Various music bands had setup raised platforms at various points. The songs that were rendered by the live orchestra were the choice of the visitors.
The best part was the volunteering service taken up by people of all ages. They assisted the public and the Madurai Corporation instil discipline into the entire programme.
The initiative evoked a good response and large number of residents participated enthusiastically in the events. Renuka Devi, a resident of Anna Nagar, said that it was a whole new experience for them and they had never walked so freely on Anna Nagar main road on a Sunday morning.
It was loved by children of the area too. They had enjoyed themselves on the roads playing and taking part of whatever activity they could. “Such events should be arranged frequently as children do not have proper space to enjoy in a crowded city such as Madurai,” said Renuka Devi.
Monica, a college student, said that she had participated in almost all the events and it really took the tension off students like her. “We never expected that the initiative would be so fun-filled. I thank the Corporation for the initiative and hope it would be held every week on this road,” she said.
Polio drops administered
The Corporation spread social awareness message during the initiative. Corporation Commissioner, Sandeep Naduri, administered polio drops for children. Banners carrying awareness slogans on solid waste management were also put up. Collector, K Veera Raghav Rao, unveiled the new logo of ‘Madurai, where antiquity reveals in modernity’.
New experiment will add to sense of belonging, says MLA
‘Happy Street’ is a new experiment for Madurai and it will add to the sense of belonging in a community said Madurai Central MLA, PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan.
Speaking to DTNext, he claimed that it is a good beginning for a city like Madurai. “I have witnessed several ‘Car Free Sundays’ in foreign countries. During the events neighbours of the same apartment who have never communicated with each other would get an opportunity to interact and have a get together. Similarly, I am sure this initiative in Madurai would bring the people locality closer to each other,” said Thiagarajan. “I am sure this would build a spirit among the community and a sense togetherness.”
However, Thiagarajan was sore that he was not invited for the event. “I came on my own. Elected representatives should be invited as it would be an opportunity for us to come close to people and understand their needs. The bureaucracy should not hijack the events,” he informed.
Madurai Collector, K Veera Raghav Rao, who was the special guest appreciated the efforts of Madurai Corporation in organising the event. He went on to say that events such as these would help reduce pollution and would turn the city clean if not green.
“I can see that youngsters are participating with zeal in the activities. I wish more number of people take part and benefit out of this exercise,” said the Collector.
Madurai Corporation Commissioner, Sandeep Nanduri, who inaugurated the event, said that the event would make people to spend time in the open. The tagline of the initiative ‘Vandi Varaadhu Vandhu Vilayadu’ was so apt. Apart from youth, it also attracted residents and people from all walks of life to enjoy the event, pointed out Nanduri.
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