Bhubaneswar: The second Raahgiri, Sunday, bore a nationalistic spirit as hundreds joined the event tricolour in hand. The stretch of road between Master Canteen and Ram Mandir was utilised for the event.
Young kids were the focus of this edition of Raahgiri as was intended by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and Bhubaneswar Development Authority — the organisers of the event.
Games and activities, including martial arts displays, magic shows, rock music performances, aerobics, skating and art shows, dance and street plays besides demonstration of environment-friendly vehicles drew children out in droves.
Abhishek Sahu, an 8-year-old from Ravenshaw Public School, Cuttack, mesmerised the crowd with a 30-minute performance on the drums.
Several music bands from educational intuitions such as KIIT University and Sai International School also drew large crowds.
Book reading and storytelling sessions were also held at the venue by the Bakul Foundation. The foundation had rolled book carts down to the venue.
Humara Bachpan, another city-based organisation, pitched tortoise shaped tents to attract children.
“Our aim is to make roads children- and family-friendly by keeping vehicles off pre-designated routes,” BMC commissioner Krishan Kumar said and added that Raahgiri will be conducted every Sunday.
Activities aside, Raahgiri also offered children gastronomic delights. Food stalls set up by Orissa Tourism Development Corporation were a
big draw.
Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena and Deputy Mayor K Shanti were among the dignitaries who participated.
BMC volunteers let cycles for use of participants on submission of identity cards.
“The same procedure will be followed in future to avoid theft of cycles,” a senior BMC official said.
