Fitness enthusiasts, students flock to Happy Streets

NOIDA: Fitness enthusiasts and school students in large numbers joined the Happy Streets programme outside the GIP mall on Sunday morning. The first edition of the programme launched by the Noida Authority and city police and presented by the Times of India, concluded on Sunday. The organisers said that the second edition will be rolled out in August.
The Sunday gathering was bigger and better.People took part in sports activities like cycling, Zumba dance, Bollywood dance, football, cricket, kickboxing, etc. Students from Delhi Public School Noida Sector 30 and Millennium School Sector 41 also joined the programme.
Arshya Singh, a student of class 12 in DPS Noida, said that the Happy Streets promotes healthy lifestyle. “This programme promotes cycling and non-motorized vehicles. People should use environment friendly vehicles,” she said. The students also presented a play and demonstrated various aspects of environment protection. Armaan Brar, another student, said that this was the second time he joined the programme. “This is extremely good as a large number of people come together for morning exercise. This will check health problems and specially obsession which is common in today’s lifestyle,” he said.
Kamini Bhasin, principal DPS Noida, said that health and fitness are crucial for an individual’s overall development. “We encourage students for sports activities, Yoga and meditation. We are always open for such initiatives,” she said.
Garima Gupta, another participant, said that the programme offers the gathering to enjoy pleasant weather and fresh air coupled with sporting events. “The Happy Streets has really made Noida residents happy. I would love to come again,” she said.
The students of Millennium School Sector 41 also presented a play on consumer awareness. Rudraksh, a student of class 12, said that the students demonstrated that the consumers should be aware of what they buy and consume. “This is very important for people to stay healthy if they eat healthy food. “We informed people on the theme – Jago Grahak Jago,” he said.
The Happy Streets was launched on 20th March in Noida to bring about a positive change in the society with an aim to promote healthy and stress-free living. It also aimed to provide citizens with the opportunity to reclaim their streets, connect with their community. The first edition of the programme came to an end after six weeks.
Decathlon, a partner to the Happy Streets initiative, said that the people’s response has been phenomenal. Vikas Gupta, sports adviser Decathlon, said that the company extended logistic support and sporting infrastructures for the people to work out in the programme. “We consistently received good response as people cycled, and play soccer, badminton, tennis and cricket, etc. We would like to associate again for the next round of programme,” he said.