CHANDIGARH: Dharam Pal, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator, UT, Chandigarh today launched the placemaking implementathon to commemorate Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav at New Park, Indra Colony, Sector 13, Manimajra, Chandigarh in the presence o. Ravi Kant Sharma, Mayor, Chandigarh.
The Adviser to Administrator was chief guest, Sh. Nitin Kumar Yadav, IAS, Home Secretary and Dr. Vijay Namdeorao Zade, IAS, Finance Seretary, UT, Chandigarh were Guests of Honour during the programme. Sh. Parveer Ranjan, IPS, DGP, Chandigarh, Sh. Mandeep Singh Brar, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Ms. Anindita Mitra, Commissioner, MCC, Sh. Arun Sood, President, BJP, Chandigarh, Sh. Mahesh Inder Singh Siddhu, Senior Deputy Mayor, Sh. Vinod Aggarwal, area Councillor, other councilors and senior officers of MCC were also present during the occasion.
While addressing the gathering the Adviser to Administrator said that Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements. He said that Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is an embodiment of all that is progressive about India’s socio-cultural, political and economic identity. The official journey of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” commenced on 12th March, 2021 and is a 75-week countdown to our 75th anniversary of Independence ending on 15th August, 2023.
He further said that Chandigarh is celebrating “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” from 28th September to 3rd October 2021 with various activities throughout the city. Under Placemaking Implementation where 22 cities of the country are participating to transform their underdeveloped areas, Chandigarh has envisaged to develop the New Park in Sector-13, Manimajra through continuous work spread over 75 hours, he added.
Sh. Ravi Kant Sharma, Mayor, Chandigarh said that it is proud to start the transformation of city spaces in Sector-13 Manimajra including placemaking of the new park. The efforts are to put together a light, quick and cheap intervention and anchor with events that educate and celebrate the spirit of freedom. Placemaking exercise is being undertaken as a multi-faceted approach to planning, design and management of public spaces, said the Mayor.
While sharing the developments to take place during the placemaking event, she elaborated that this new park in Pocket 8, Indira Colony will be an asset, and its potential will be realized with the intention of creating public spaces that promote people’s health, happiness and wellbeing. It will inspire people to reimaging and reinvent public spaces as the heart of every community, strengthening the connection between people and the places they share. The park will be divided into various zones, like the Art Zone, Fitness Zone, Elder Zone and Kids Zone.
She further said that various activities like yoga session, interactive games for children’s, live painting competition, kabaddi and tug of war, among others have been organized today and scheduled for next two days for public engagement on the site. Apart from this, a dedicated toilet block for the facilitation of the users of the park is under construction and will be handed over to the public on 30th September.
She said that a corner has been developed with herbal garden wherein various types of herbal plants are being planted which can be used by the local residents. The park has been revamped with newly painted gazibos, grills and pathways. The park has been dedicated to the citizens with newly installed open gym, gymnastic/exercising equipments and various types of swings for children. She said that with these interventions, we foresee inspiration for transformation of other such underdeveloped spaces in Chandigarh and make them sustainable.
During the day various citizen engagements and competitions were organized by conducting a very refreshing and power boosting session of Yoga, a Kabaddi Match (National and Circle Style) was also got conducted between the school boys. Sh. Dinesh Sharma Sangathan Mantri Punjab BJP was the Chief Guest of the event. The winner teams were Circle style-Govt. school, Sarangpur. There was a huge enthusiasm for the children response activities like lemon race, sack race, balloon inflation etc.
The show stopper event was the Tug of War match between the female councilors and female officials of MCC as well as between the male councilors and the male officials of MCC. Winners of both the events were the MCC officials teams.
In addition to that magic show was the crowd catcher event in the evening. Local residents of all age groups were present to enjoy the event in the main stage. Besides this painting competition was also organized during which 75 students have participated and the participants have been facilitated with certificate and mementos.