NEW DELHI: For three hours, Chittaranjan (CR) Park closed its gates to modern-day facades and traffic, transforming it into a playground for children and a community centre for adults on Sunday, December 12.
The Raahgiri Foundation organised the event in collaboration with the Government of NCT of Delhi, under the ongoing ‘anti-pollution campaign’. Saurabh Bhardwaj, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Greater Kailash, Government of NCT of Delhi, and Atishi Marlena, MLA, Kalkaji, Government of NCT of Delhi, were also present at the campaign.
The event, though marketed as an anti-pollution campaign, resolves a much bigger issue. After the COVID-19 induced pandemic, community strengthening stagnated as people became comfortable in isolation. To know about the initiative, Urban Update spoke to Akash Basu, Content Development Consultant, Raahgiri Foundation.
Basu informed that the event was a huge success with a footfall of over 2000 people from all ages. “We had dance performances by 70-80 year-olds; nukkad nataks organised by middle age people; children singing and dancing; and elderly people singing holy music”, he added.
He informed that the main objective of foundation’s operations is ‘place-making’. He elaborated that it is important to involve the community in the decision-making process. This in turn will help in the creation of a people-centric city and the overall flourishment of community happiness. The closer society is, the happier they would be.
“This is our third event in Delhi under the Government of NCT of Delhi’s anti-pollution campaign. The reason, why it was a success, was that people were actively involved. Place-making is not just about urban design but about the people inhabiting the areas and making the place their own,” he stated.
The pandemic taught society how community strength is a key to sustainable existence. Raahgiri Foundation hopes to usher in sustainable mobility by making communities more active and promoting a healthy lifestyle.