The idea of organising Raahgiri was to bring the people on one stage and sensitise them on Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP).
To encourage the citizens for casting their votes in the upcoming general elections, the Noida Authority on Sunday organized Raahgiri Day in Sector 7.
The idea of organising Raahgiri was to bring the people on one stage and sensitise them on Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP). Nearly, 10,000 residents participated in the event.
As Raahgiri is a street event which aims to help people reclaim their streets, accordingly, the 5-km stretch was banned for vehicles. Only walking people were allowed. Parents were allowed to bring their roller skates, skate boards and prams with their children.
Surbhi Shrivastava, a resident of Sector 52, who joined the event with her 6-year-old daughter said, “The trend of Raahgiri is taking its pace in Noida now. It carries a special purpose whenever it is organised. People must support it by joining in large number. This shows how close-knit people of the city are and stand together making it a developed city.”
Raahgiri as a concept is modeled after event named ‘Ciclovia’ in Bogota and was combined with a word ‘giri’ which promotes it as movement for reclaiming ‘raah’ which means path used by the pedestrians.
Meanwhile, people who joined the event, found it as an opportunity to make their weekend special by taking part in various activities including Zumba, Aerobics and Yoga etc. School children from several residential sectors chose the event to showcase their paintings and dancing.
“It was an audience from different age groups. The large gathering of people made the event successful and served its purpose. We have decided to organise next Raahgiri Day of Noida and will announce the dates soon,” Tyagi said.
Rajeev Tyagi, a senior official in Noida Authority who supervised the event, was of the view that the concept of Raahgiri would encourage people to reclaim street, making healthy habit and promoting sustainable transport. Also, it can help in generating awareness about road safety and making city space inclusive for all.
