When cyclists, skaters ruled the street

PANJIM: Avid walkers, cyclists and children on skates made the best of the Dayanand Bandodkar Marg on the entire Campal stretch on Sunday morning for a few hours during the No- Motorised Zone ( Nomozo) celebration that lasted from 9.30 am to 12 noon.

It was an initiative of Aamchi Panaji to educate people on the advantages of having no cars and buses on the road once in a while.

Volunteers of Aamchi Panaji wearing Nomozo T- shirts worked hand- in- hand with the police and other authorities to ensure the event went on without any problem.

Architect Talullah D’Silva, who conceptualized the idea, said the D B Marg was closed for traffic from 9.30 am to 12 noon. “ We sent our volunteers to assist the police in keeping traffic at bay on this road. We did this because many people were not aware of the closure. We managed to get the permission for the Nomozo only on Friday,” she mentioned.

The event saw artist Harshada Kerkar put up a work of art made out of natural material on the road at Campal near the Forest Department. Taleigao- based Bookworm Library organized a story- telling session.

The Nomozo gave a big boost to the Konkan Fruit Fest on its concluding day. A volunteer at the fest said the stalls received a good number of people on account of the Nomozo celebration.

Ward corporator Kabir Pinto Makhija said Nomozo was a good initiative in a long time. We need something like this happening more often, but it has to be advertised well, he observed.

Some of the citizens who participated in the event said it was difficult controlling their children who were cycling and skating. “ It was excitement and a sense of adventure to ride and skate on a street which otherwise is full of vehicles,” they stated.

A senior citizen remarked why do we need cars and buses on Sunday? “ They all can give their engine a rest and allow us to live,” he added.

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