Reclaiming Streets, Revitalising Cities
WRI India served as knowledge partners for Raahgiri Day, a streets for all initiative, in New Delhi’s city centre
New Delhi: The Raahgiri Foundation, in partnership with WRI India, the New Delhi Municipal Council, and the New Delhi Police Department revived Raahgiri Day at Connaught Place on Sunday. This event will be held every Sunday for the next six months, affording people vehicle-free streets to walk, cycle, play, and engage with the community. Taj Hassan, Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, and Rashmi Singh, Secretary, NDMC, were chief guests.
Thats how we reclaim our streets! @SarikaPanda @amitbhatt4u @MaxHealthcare @htTweets @WRIIndia pic.twitter.com/5vEsr3w0fJ
— Raahgiri Day (@RaahgiriDay) May 26, 2019
"Road safety is a major concern and we want to spread awareness around that through this initiative," said Taj Hassan in his inaugural address to the crowds that gathered early on Sunday morning to participate in this streets for all initiative.
This is what #cannaughtplace look like on Sunday morning @RaahgiriDayDili
— Sarika Panda (@SarikaPanda) May 26, 2019
It's time to look towards Raahgiri 24x7 be pedestrinising the inner circle of #CP@amitbhatt4u @mfuloria @rajeshkalra @tajhassanips @connaughtplace1 @DelhiTrafficPol @tweetndmc @RaahgiriDay @dhidalgo65 pic.twitter.com/lhC8QrqeH5
Increasing motorisation has resulted in declining air quality, rise in road traffic crashes, and unhealthy lifestyles that bring with it a range of health issues, including obesity, and risk of respiratory illness and heart failure. Initiatives like Raahgiri Day aim to encourage non-motorised forms of transport, like walking and cycling, which can help contribute towards reversing this trend.
A day without vehicles. A day to reclaim the streets of #connaughtplace . Happy streets, happier people #streetsforall #RaahgiriDay @RaahgiriDay @DelhiPolice @htTweets @tweetndmc @MaxHealthcare @WRIIndia @WRICitiesIndia pic.twitter.com/zZss8I6at5
— Nishant Bhatnagar (@inishantb) May 26, 2019
At Connaught Place, motorised vehicles were restricted from entering the inner circle and all the radials from 6 am to 9 am, and the space was left open for people, creating an inclusive public space for young and old to engage with the community and participate in various activities like Zumba, cricket, dance, yoga, cycling, and others.
MaxHealthcare also partnered with Raahgiri Day to spread awareness around cancer. As part of their campaign, Nirdaar Hamesha, survivors of cancer and their families shared stories from their inspiring journeys to survival, or how they were currently battling with the disease.
Cancer Survivors of Max Institute of Cancer Care, Shalimar Bagh keeping the spirit of Nidarr Hamesha alive. #NidarrHameshaRaahgiri #Cancer #RaahgiriDay #Survivors #Fearless pic.twitter.com/67hATdaKFH
— Max Healthcare (@MaxHealthcare) May 26, 2019
Since its inception in 2013, Raahgiri Day has spread to over 70 cities across 19 states in India with different iterations of the streets for all concept. More than 13 million people have participated in these events, and there has been engagement with various city-level stakeholders like local municipal bodies, enforcement agencies, residential welfare associations, schools, businesses, non-profits, volunteer groups, and citizens. In many cities, Raahgiri Day has been used as a platform to spread awareness around women’s empowerment, child rights, health, and other social justice issues. For instance, in Lucknow, the development authority organised Raahgiri Day yesterday focused on women’s health, where there were free health check-ups, and programs around the importance of menstrual hygiene and self-defence.
Today LDA's Raahgiri Day was focused on Women's Health and Menstrual Hygeine. The day started with Yoga, Nukkad Nataks on the theme of Menstrual Hygeine & Importance of self defence. Free Health checkup were other highlights. Join us next on 9th June at 6:30 am. pic.twitter.com/8rQ7EkbOEu
— Lucknow D'Authority (@lda_vc) May 26, 2019
