Agarwaltimes - Happy Streets to raise a toast to woman power

The issue of women's safety is a never-ending debate. But, it's an issue that needs to be debated, talked about - over and over again - till all our streets, homes are safe for women, and especially girls. So, when International Women's Day coincides with the day for TOI's Happy Streets, it becomes an occasion to send out a string message even as Lucknow goes about enjoying a fun-filled Sunday morning.

The second Sunday of Happy Streets, that began in Lucknow last week, will have 'nukkad nataks' on gender discrimination and safety of women, top officers from UP Police's Mahila Samman Prakosth talking about how girls and women can protect themselves and their rights and a cartoonist doodling on these issues.

Last Sunday, when TOI had its first Happy Streets on Marine Drive, even a heavy downpour could not stop people from pouring in. Happy Streets is a way for citizens to reclaim streets that unruly traffic, bad maintenance and unsafe zones have taken away from us.

Right on the street, people did yoga, zumba dancing and aerobics. They rode bicycles and played football, volleyball and Frisbee as a stand-up comic act by Rajiv Thakur kept them laughing.

Most of this will be in store for those dropping in, along with a police zone that will teach people about the use of GPS to maintain traffic or crack a crime. One can get oneself clicked in the famous Titanic pose or as Raj and Simran, straight out of a scene from DDLJ.

Agarwaltimes