Happy Streets kicks off with a big bang

PUNE: The new season of Happy Streets started with a bang in

Pune Camp

on Sunday with residents not just from the cantonment neighbourhood but also from adjoining areas in eastern and other parts of the city reached MG road to enjoy the event. Over 10,000 people had a gala day at the event.
“I have come all the way from Wakad for the event. I decided to check out the activities after I read about Happy Streets in the newspaper. It was fun to be here and I am happy about my decision to spend some time out on the streets,“ said Manas Saigal, an system engineer with an IT firm.

Vikas Singh Singraur, who travelled all the way from Hinjewadi to reach MG road, said, “It's not usual for my friends and I to wake up early on a Sunday morning but a friend told me about the event so I decided to get out and breathe some fresh air. It turned out to be a remarkable experience.“

Commissioner of Police Rashmi Shukla, Chief of staff at the Southern Command Lt Gen Raymond Noronha, Lt Gen Prithvi Singh, president of

Pune Cantonment Board

(PCB) Brig A K Tyagi, chief executive officer of PCB D N Yadav and Col

Sunil Bhonsle

were present at the event.

“Public participation has made this event a success. Happy Streets should become a permanent feature in the cantonment area,“ said Brig Tyagi.

Shukla added that the event has helped gather people together, “More such programmes should be conducted. We are going to have more of it,“ she said.

“Happy Streets is one of the most awaited events of the year.People from all religions, caste, creed and social class come to enjoy the fresh winter mornings and engage in community building activities and fitness. This year will be more fun-filled and engaging with activities for all age groups,“ said Aditya Javdekar, managing director of event sponsor Javadekar Developers.

An army band proved to be key attraction for visitors, “We have played at several events over the past many years. Most events are, however, related to defence institutes. Playing on the city's streets, before the common people, was a very different experience,“ shared Subedar Umesh Upale, coordinator of the army band.

The band played different tunes including General Tappy , Jai Janam Bhoomi, Hundred Piper, Senani, Mili Juli along with the popular tune Sare Jahan Se Achcha.

Another key attraction at the event was the horse riding activity for children. Horses trained at the Army Riding Club were brought in to ferry kids along MG road and give them a taste of horse riding.“The children really enjoyed the horse riding event. It was very nice to see their smiling faces during their ferry rides,“ sa id Sepoy Raut Bhosale, who conducted the session. Those looking to shake a leg joined in the dance, Zumba and Bokwa sessions. There were sessions on yoga and meditation. Badminton courts and football arenas were chalked out for the athle tic kinds, while rent-free cycles were also made available.

Pugmarks, a group of adventure enthusiasts had or ganized games that are usually conducted at outdoor camps.“We gave participants handson training which would help them if they ever decide to go camping. They could try their hands at pitching of tents or play games like Drunken Trials,“ said Sanjyot Dharane, a member of the group.

Others enjoyed the time they got to spend with their family members. “I had heard about these events when they were organized elsewhere. I have come here with my entire family . The children have thoro ughly enjoyed themselves during the painting sessions,“ said Manish Kothari, a businessman.

Conducted in conjunction with the Pune Cantonment Board, Happy Streets is organized by The Times of India and Maharashtra Times in association with the Pune Municipal Corporation, Pune Police and Pune Traffic Police and is powered by Vilas Javdekar Developers.


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