Patnaites reclaim street, turn it into a hub for fun & fitness

Patna: S K Puri Park became a hub of energy and excitement as residents of all ages gathered for ‘Happy Streets', an initiative by TOI, on Sunday morning. The event turned the street into a car-free zone, allowing locals to revel in recreational activities in a safe and open environment.
The morning buzzed with an array of sports, fitness sessions and engaging games that nurtured community spirit and a healthier lifestyle. Enthusiastic participants immersed themselves in zumba, yoga, aerobics and dance sessions, keeping the energy levels high. Traditional games such as tug of war, snakes and ladders and skipping rope added a nostalgic touch while sports lovers took to the streets for football, cricket and badminton matches.
A dedicated kids' zone kept the young ones entertained with activities like hit the target and hula hoop challenges. The talent zone provided an open stage for residents to showcase their hidden skills. Children delighted in skating and cycling on the traffic-free roads, embracing the rare freedom of open streets. The atmosphere was further lifted by the rhythmic beats of a live band performance by students of Litera Valley School, which struck just the right chord with the crowd.
Senior citizens were not left behind as they enjoyed morning walks, light exercises and free health consultations from experts. Health awareness campaigns complemented the fitness activities, reinforcing the message of well-being. Residents captured their joyful moments at designated selfie points, making memories to cherish.
Puneet Agarwal, a private-sector professional, found the event thoroughly invigorating. "I usually take a morning walk at the nearby park. But when I saw the large gathering at Happy Streets and heard the music, I could not stop myself. I participated in exercising events and pedalled a cycle for 15 minutes. My day was really exciting because of this event," he said.
For 11-year-old Aman Kumar, the event was his first attempt at skating and it ignited his desire to master the sport. He also enjoyed cycling alongside his elder sister. Six-year-old Priyam, meanwhile, had a delightful time playing snakes and ladders with her mother and taking joyrides on a manual toy car and seesaw.
The event was organised in association with the state govt's revenue and land reforms department. Educational institutions such as the Himalaya Group of Institutions and Grassroots Global Play School also lent their support. Corporate sponsors, including Patna Dairy Project, SBI, LIC and Ujjivan Small Finance Bank strengthened the event's reach and impact.
Zumba sessions by Yours Gym and yoga demonstrations by Yoga Sparsh were a major hit among fitness enthusiasts. Sri Chand Cycle provided cycling facilities while the Youth Sports Welfare Foundation conducted skating sessions. Slum Warrior showcased martial arts expertise and Pranik Healing offered alternative healing therapies.
The revenue and land reforms department's street play, ‘Chali Sarkar, Janata Ke Dwar, Aapki Jamin, Aapke Naam', was a huge hit.