On Sunday morning, the Shihab Thangal Road in Panampilly Nagar in the city was closed to vehicular traffic and opened to fun. Hundreds of people, including children, youngsters and senior citizens, most of them in their jogging outfits, came out on to the stretch and relived memories of playing on roads.
The Fun O’ Road programme, organised by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), turned out to be a big hit as the road turned a playground of sorts, with residents engaging in games of chess, badminton, table tennis, basketball, football, snakes and ladders and taking part in skating and yoga.
A huge snake-and-ladder board on the road was a favourite among children who eagerly took to the game. Skaters and cyclists showed off their skills, while fitness enthusiasts engaged in yoga and badminton. A band played music from the footpath.
The programme was a throwback to an era when most people walked to work or walked back home on quiet roads. It highlighted the urgent need for environmental conservation and concern for fellow beings.
The Hindu was the official media partner of the event.
IOC Chief General Manager P.S. Mony declared the event open. P.T. Thomas, MLA, former MLA Dominic Presentation, Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman A.P.M Mohammed Hanish and national volleyball player Tom Joseph were present. Sportspersons from the IOC such as Olympian A. Radhika, grandmaster T.S. Ravi, and national players Aparna Balan, Markose Bristow and Jaseel P. Ismail interacted with the participants.
A talk on conservation of sparrows and water by Punnen Kurien, a scientist from the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences, Kottayam, highlighted the need for people to engage in serious nature conservation activities.
Around 1,500 saplings and seeds were distributed to the participants as part of IOC’s green initiative. A flash mob was organised by Canserve, a charitable society for and managed by cancer survivors.
