Way to go, Raahgiri Day!

Descending on the usually busy Madhapur-Gachibowli stretch on Sunday, hundreds of citizens felt a new sense of freedom occupying it for most part of the morning. A week after the ‘Raahgiri’ day was launched, the crowd and the number of activities only swelled on this 1.2 km stretch. The presence of half a dozen well-bred horses along with their masters stole the show.

“I have never seen someone ride a horse in real life and watching it here was exciting,” said Vishal Kumar, a resident of Kondapur. “I want to take up this activity now.”

A significant number of children present at the venue added life to the event as they went about their activities. “I recently shifted from the United States and was searching for a place where I can teach my son skateboarding. Here I don’t have to worry at all about any vehicles and that is the best part,” said L. Niranjan, a techie. The ‘Raahgiri’ day is celebrated every Sunday on the road from Mind Space Park to Bio-diversity Park. The event is held from 6.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. during which the entry of motor vehicles are banned.

A word of appreciation was also reserved for the police department. “I was apprehensive before coming here since I felt there could be eve-teasers mixing with the crowd. I must appreciate the police officials as they were all over the place ensuring the smooth conduct of the event,” said Nina Raj, a HR professional.

Some of the activities in which people actively took part included aerobics, dance, cycling, running, ‘gully cricket’, kite flying and others.

The event is being organised by the TSIIC and Cyberabad Police along with some voluntary and social organisations. Positive over the response, the officials are planning to extend the programme to a few other stretches in the city soon.

Participants feel a new sense of freedom occupying stretches kept out of bounds for vehicles