Go for crafts & games at Equal Streets

The prospect of an empty street means different things to each Mumbaikar. For Andheri resident Jagdish Mulay, it meant being able to play badminton with his granddaughter Shriya. For Rachita and Amrita, it’s the opportunity to do Zumba and then cycle, without motorists edging them off the road. And in the case of eight-year-old Qasim, it means being able to just lie down on the road and gaze up at the sky after a round of skating.
That is the goal of Equal Streets, brought to Mumbai by NGOs, think tanks, citizens' associations and cycling groups, and supported by the Mumbai police, BMC and The Times of India. Citizens are urged to re-imagine their roads as open-air dance classes, yoga studios and arts and crafts hubs. The initiative involves closing a 6.5km Bandra-Santacruz stretch to motorized vehicles from 7 to 11am every Sunday.
On the roster today are yoga, painting sessions, cycling, net football, pickle ball, as well as Zumba. With Republic Day on Monday, Beyond Horizon learning hub has organized a special crafts, games and “brain gym” session for kids. There is also an injury prevention workshop for cyclists, which will involve a demonstration on essentials like stretching exercises, set up by Prakruti Sports Science and Physiotherapy Clinic.
Footfalls are growing with each Sunday of Equal Streets. Nearly 50,000 Mumbaikars attended the last edition, almost four times the number from the first Sunday. Last week, there were people huddled around instructors teaching simple games and crafts like Origami. Children trooped in with parents to create artworks out of readymade cutouts of sceneries. Several visitors headed to Yasmin Shroff to learn how to use old newspapers to make a belt that will envelope the entire body.
“I’ve been for five Sundays so far,” said Manasvi Shah who cycles here with her mum, Mukta. The duo is among the earliest to grab cycles available for rent at various points on the stretch. While they were used to spending Sundays at home, lazing around, the Goregaon residents say Equal Streets has been a great opportunity to get some exercise and even take part in impromptu drum circles. “We hope this soon moves to other parts of Mumbai,” says Manasvi. “Goregaon is waiting!”