BHUBANESWAR: More than 40,000 people of the City gathered at the one-km stretch between Station square and Ram Mandir to assert their rights over the road by jogging, riding bicycles and participating in various activities.
The fifth edition of Raahgiri Day focused on love for a healthy lifestyle and cleanliness. The civic authorities launched a cleanliness campaign among the participants and collected a fine of `700 from three violators. Around 20 others, who failed to pay the fine, were given roses by volunteers and pledged not to pollute their surroundings further.
Selfie counters, which were introduced this time at strategic locations so that people can take their selfies, were big crowd pullers as people from all walks of life came forward to take pictures with interesting backgrounds.
BJD MP Tathagata Satpathy addressed people during the launch of the event and requested one and all to come up with smart ways for disposal of solid waste. Smart City brand ambassador and popular actress Archita Sahoo and actor Sabyasachi Mishra were also seen during early hours cheering the crowd. Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena requested all participants to take part in the community cleaning activity after the event and also took a lead role in implementing the programme.
National Alliance for Women, Odisha Chapter organised a song and dance programme as part of One Billion Rising (OBR) campaign. The OBR is a global call to stop violence against women and create a safer world for them. The call for the OBR campaign was given first by well-known feminist activist, playwright and actor Eve Ensler on February 14, 2012.
Wildies, a group working for conservation of wildlife, also attracted more than 200 visitors as they organised a quiz among participants to know the names of various birds in our surroundings.