The long-awaited dream of Bellandur residents materialised this Sunday as The Times of India's Happy Streets made its vibrant debut in the area. Marking the first edition of the year, the event transformed a stretch of road into a bustling community hub, attracting strong participation from residents of surrounding gated communities who eagerly embraced the traffic-free morning.
A Tapestry of Activities for All Ages
The event was a rich mosaic of ideas focusing on civic awareness, creativity, fitness, and sustainability. A significant draw was the Reclaim Constitution stall, where volunteers sparked meaningful conversations about the Indian Constitution and distributed copies of the Preamble to interested attendees. For those inclined towards arts, Prashree Arts hosted calming mandala art sessions, while Globalart Panathur curated creative activities that allowed children to explore colours and imagination.
Fitness enthusiasts had multiple avenues to explore. NeeRav Arts Village introduced participants to the traditional Indian fitness tool, the Mudgar, with instructors demonstrating its use. Cycling fans enjoyed test rides at the Jayant Probikes & Fitness stall, and Rocks Fitness displayed gym equipment, offering guidance to those looking to start a fitness routine.
Community Spirit and Sustainable Focus
The rhythmic beats of a traditional Kerala 'chenda melam' percussion performance infused a festive pulse into the venue, drawing crowds and creating a lively gathering point. Competitive spirit shone through in spontaneous tug-of-war matches and friendly board game competitions like carrom. Families were engaged with pet-friendly activities, and a life-sized snakes-and-ladders setup became a major attraction for children.
Sustainability took centre stage with WeKnewRenew's #ReturnToRepurpose collection drive. Residents were encouraged to bring used glass jars and bottles for repurposing, with the added incentive of winning vouchers, promoting eco-conscious choices within the community.
Residents Revel in the Community Vibe
The event, presented by Bhima Jewellers, received heartfelt appreciation from attendees. Rahul Chari, a resident of Adarsh Palm Retreat, shared that it was his first time at Happy Streets. "It was during my morning walk time with my Cinnamon. It's a rare thing to see: when traffic is stopped for a while, all neighbours come out," he said.
Ray Patil, enjoying the event with his daughter, noted, "This is our street, we know that every day the traffic is chaotic here. But today, we enjoyed being on our street." He appreciated awareness activities like Reclaim Constitution for educating children.
For Hema Ahuja, also from Adarsh Palm Retreat, the event was a nostalgic throwback to open-street events on MG Road decades ago. "These things are a must in society," she remarked. First-time visitor Anu Beri from Bellandur expressed joy at seeing the Constitution for the first time, drawing parallels to similar community events in London.
Ganesh AR from Yelahanka, who stumbled upon the event, felt Happy Streets facilitates meeting new people in a culturally diverse city like Bengaluru, providing a healthy start to the morning. Ramasubramanian S highlighted the event's role in bringing people together, stating that a few hours on a Sunday morning are good for getting to know each other.
With its energetic mix of stalls and community-driven activities, the inaugural Happy Streets in Bellandur successfully delivered a vibrant and unifying start to the year, leaving residents hopeful for more such events across the city.
