Festivities begin: Elgin Road to turn 'Fun Street' on December 23

Kolkata: Elgin Road, which houses the famous residence of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, will turn to Fun Street on Sunday, December 23.

The Bhowanipore Sports Lover Association is busy making arrangements to host the event from 5 am till 8.30 am.

"The main objective of organising the event is to bring in people from all communities on Elgin Road and welcome Christmas and New Year 2019. India offers unity in diversity and our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee advocates religious harmony in the best possible way. This is our small step in delivering the message of harmony. This is the second year when we are holding such an event to welcome Christmas," Ashim Kumar Basu, chairman of the Club and councillor of

ward 70 said.

According to Basu, this will be completely family entertainment for one and all on Elgin Road on December 23. There will be a plethora of open-to-all events such as cycling, roller-skating and outdoor games like badminton, cricket, football

and basketball, where people can participate.

There will be a special zone for kids, karate and other forms of martial arts, DJ music and a selfie zone. "We have introduced chess and dart for the first time this year," a club member said.

The special attraction will be Zumba dance — only for women — which is a popular form of exercise to keep themselves fit. "We are laying special emphasis on delivering social messages and awareness on health and hygiene through this event.

There will be banners on keeping our city clean and green, awareness on precautionary measures for preventing mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, dumping garbage at designated bins. People can also fill up forms by pledging to donate his/her body after death,"

Basu said.

Elgin Road from the stretch of Lee Road crossing to Woodburn Road crossing will be the place for Fun Street.

"After Fun Street was organised for the first time last year, locals have urged me for holding such events on numerous occasions but this road is a very important stretch. Hence, I have again chosen a single day of three-and-half-hours for it," he said.