Age doesn’t matter: Young and old alike took part in the Happy Street celebration on East Veli Street in the city on Sunday. | Photo Credit: G_Moorthy more-in The East Veli Street edition of ‘Happy Street 2018’ conducted by the Corporation saw a crowd of more than 500 people, its largest turnout yet, on Sunday. Collector S. Natarajan and Corporation Commissioner S. Aneesh Sekhar interacted with the crowd and visited various stalls propagating cleanliness, organic farming and consumption of indigenous food products. Mr. Natarajan who attended his first Happy Street event in the city said that such events provided avenues for physical and mental well-being. Speaking about his plans for the city, the Collector said, “Madurai should take it upon itself to excel in education, conservation of water resources and cleanliness. I will help in all ways to clean up the banks of Vaigai river and ensure that the district stood first in all key areas,” he said. Mr. Sekhar said, “It is important to utilise urban spaces for relaxing activities. People are hooked to their mobile phones. Not many children step out of home to play and most of the schools do not have playgrounds at all. They function more like factories. We hope similar crowds gather at our future events,” he said. The Commissioner said those carrying plastic bags can exchange them for blue coloured cloth bags at a stall under an exercise that formed part of the Corporation’s ‘plastic-free Madurai’ initiative. As in the past editions, young and old people took part in Zumba, table tennis, badminton, skating, silambam and yoga. The Happy Street began at about 6.30 a.m. and went on till 10 a.m. and traffic was diverted away from the busy street. Drum beats and the street performances provided a carnival atmosphere.

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