Happy Streets Initiative Transforms Chembur Road into Vibrant Community Hub
The popular Happy Streets event, held on Sunday, January 25, successfully transformed St Sebastian School Road near Chandak Highscape City in Chembur into a bustling, vehicle-free public space. This innovative initiative by The Times of India aims to reclaim urban streets for fitness activities, artistic expression, and meaningful community interaction, encouraging residents to step outdoors and connect beyond their daily routines.
Celebrity Guest Advocates for Regular Vehicle-Free Days
Actor Rithvik Dhanjani, who served as the celebrity guest for the event, actively interacted with participants and expressed strong appreciation for the initiative's spirit. Rithvik emphasized, "Such initiatives should be organised more frequently, with one Sunday each month dedicated as a no-vehicle day. Happy Streets represents a breath of fresh air and clearly demonstrates the immense value of shared public spaces in strengthening community bonds."
The actor further elaborated, "Happy Streets is a lovely initiative that powerfully shows the potential of community spaces. I'm genuinely happy to witness people coming out in such large numbers and making the best use of their Sundays through these engaging activities."
Lively Morning Atmosphere with Diverse Activities
The event attracted participants across all age groups, creating an exceptionally lively morning atmosphere throughout the transformed street. Residents and visitors enthusiastically engaged in numerous activities including:
- Energetic Zumba sessions
- Interactive XOXO games
- Traditional snake and ladders
- Cultural lezim performances by children
- Creative hand painting and pottery workshops
- Colorful chalk drawings directly on the streets
- Basketball games
- Live singing performances
Community Members Share Their Experiences
Swati Kolekar, a 39-year-old participant who attended the event with friends for the first time, shared her perspective: "It's such a fun and positive vibe. Doing something like this in the morning feels incredibly refreshing. I would definitely love to come again. We truly need more streets like these — full of positive energy and community spirit. We had a wonderful time participating in the Zumba sessions."
Puja Mehta, a 16-year-old resident from the area, added her experience: "I came here initially with my friends, but I ended up making new friends through the various activities. I thoroughly enjoyed all the offerings, especially the pottery workshop which allowed for creative expression."
The Happy Streets initiative continues to demonstrate how temporary vehicle-free zones can significantly enhance urban living by fostering community connections, promoting physical activity, and providing creative outlets for residents of all ages.
