Bhubaneswar, May 8: Raahgiri today gave people a platform to celebrate Mother's Day.
Braving the heat, youngsters came to the weekly event with their mothers to take part in various activities celebrating the day.
Members of Ama Kalakara Paribara performed on various songs dedicated to mothers. Popular singer Sourabh Nayak led the show crooning a number of old and new Hindi songs.
People's Cultural Centre organised special sessions for 100 mothers to make them feel special. From adorning their hand with mehendi to dressing them up in bright attires, a number of initiatives were taken to ensure they had a good time. They were also distributed with papaya saplings.
"In Odia, papaya is known as Amruta bhanda. The fruit has a lot of nutritional values. Amid the hectic schedules, mothers often forget to take care of themselves. So, the gift is kind of a reminder to the mothers to take care of themselves," said Mrutunjaya Behera, an engineering student.
Art Ya Craft also organised special art sessions where youngsters put on canvas their thoughts about their mothers.
Lipsa Priyadarshini, a 25-year-old social worker, had a special surprise for her mother. "Since my mom hardly goes out of the house, I brought her forcefully to Raahgiri. I had arranged for a cake and had asked my friend to get it there and we cut it. People around joined us and clapped along. She had never expected something like this and the glow on her face was awesome," said Lipsa.
A highlight of the event this week was "Raahnival" conducted by city-based organisation Bakul Foundation.
Students from various schools in the city took part in the procession as they marched from master Canteen Square to Ram Mandir Square donning colourful masks and placards promoting plantation initiatives.
Raahnival attracted many people from different walks of life, who became volunteers to mark International Day of Service. From storytelling to crafts making and promoting social service, the event aimed at generating awareness among the people on the spirit of volunteerism.
Huge cheers followed as a group of women from members of the group Dance WorkZ performed the "lavani" dance of Maharashtra. The performance of Rajeev Mohanty, a locking and popping dance artiste from KIST College, Bhubaneswar, also entertained the audience. Ritwik Abha Public Charitable Trust organised a mass Gita chanting session.
