Bhubaneswar, Feb. 14: The fifth edition of Raahgiri was all about sending across the message to people to keep the city clean.
With Bhubaneswar being adjudged one of the cleanest cities in the country by the Union urban development ministry, the municipal corporation initiated a cleanliness campaign today to ensure citizen participation in keeping the city spotless.
The officials collected a fine of Rs 700 from violators throwing waste on the streets and handed over rose bouquets to them.
"Fines were collected from three violators. Twenty-one others, who could not pay the fine, were presented with roses and requested not to litter," said Bhubaneswar mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.
After the event was over, all the participants joined hands with the civic officials to clean the road. Led by the mayor, members of various youth groups, school students and people from various other sections swept the street and collected garbage. The community cleaning initiative will continue in the future Raahgiri events as well.
However, despite the corporation's attempt, the route for Raahgiri could not be extended from Ram Mandir Square to Rupali Square owing to traffic issues.
Cyclists seemed a little upset with the decision. "I wish the initiative could be implemented. Cycling in the same area becomes a little monotonous, so, more space would have been better," said Siddhant Kumar, a college student.
A senior police official who did not want to be named said: "Tackling around 45,000 people becomes difficult on the present stretch. Now, if we extend the route, it will become even more difficult. We want to avoid any kind of untoward incident."
Around 50,000 people joined the celebrations today. For the youngsters, it was time to engage themselves in traditional Odia games such as puchi and game of marbles. The game show was organised by city-based organisation Humara Bachpan. Young girls and women enjoyed games of thia puchi, basa puchi, daudi dian and khapara dian.
"I played a game of puchi. My mother used to tell me about this game. It helps to enhance one's stamina, but I never got an opportunity to play," said Jamuna Singh, a 29-year-old bank employee.
Selfie counters were introduced this time at strategic locations. The counters with interesting backgrounds drew crowd in large numbers as people from all walks of life came forward to take snaps.
Smart city brand ambassador and popular actress Archita Sahu and actor Sabyasachi Mishra were also present to cheer the crowd.
"All of us should take a pledge to adopt a better lifestyle. Walking and cycling for a healthy living should be our motto," said Archita to her fans.
As the day coincided with Valentine's Day, love was in the air. People were seen greeting each other and a number of youths performing romantic songs on stage. A counter was set up where one could get customised love cards made.
Women from various backgrounds came together to perform on the One Billion Rising (OBR) dance anthem hosted by National Alliance for Women, Odisha. OBR is a global call to stop violence against women.
Housing and urban development minister Puspendra Singh Deo, culture and tourism minister Ashok Panda and MLA Priyadarshi Mishra were present at the event. BJD MP Tathagat Satpathy who was also present on the occasion requested people to think smart and keep the city clean.
Other activities such as roller-skating, hoopla, football, cricket, boxing aerobics and zumba were also organised. Awareness programmes on sensitisation of disability and environment issues were also hosted.
