The four-day Kohima Street Carnival began in Kohima on Wednesday with an array of events targeting all groups of the citizenry.
The carnival will cover events such as Fitness Reloaded zumba and taekwondo, painting competition, botanical extravaganza (flower exhibition and sale), street food festival, musical fair (busking), blood donation camp, cyclothon and walkathon, open street children carnival and street health clinic for senior citizens’ blood pressure and weight measurement.
The carnival is being organised by the Kohima Smart City, in collaboration with the Task Force for Music and Arts, Kohima Municipal Council, other government agencies, local music and fitness institutes and citizen-based organizations, along New NST to Razhu Point in Kohima.
On the first day of the carnival on Wednesday, street piano festival and street solo dance competition were held at Old NST Parking.
Launching the event, adviser to urban development and municipal affairs Dr N Nicky Kire said the smart cities have been advised to undertake a 75-hour urban transformation implementing event with the objective of reimagining public spaces in their cities and impacting the citizens.
Kire said Kohima has been performing well in many areas under the smart cities programme.
He called upon every individual to come forward and participate in the changes taking place to set a good example to the rest of the cities in the country.
Kire congratulated the officers and staff of Kohima smart city for their tireless efforts in bringing about the transformations in the city.
Kohima Smart City Development Limited joint CEO Avelu Ruho said the physical place-making transformation has been intended to be lighter, quicker and cost-effective public space tactical intervention that would be implemented in a trial mode before making it a permanent sustainable solution for the future.
This will be done with the support of many stakeholders and citizens in both planning and execution of projects, she stated.
Saying that after completion of the place making within 75 hours, Ruho said the cities have been advised to organise public events, keeping in mind Covid appropriate behaviour.
She expressed hope that the celebration will pave the way for positive changes in urban planning and in the mindset and attitude of every citizen that will result in carrying out healthy and happy spaces not only in public spaces but also in every nook and corner of the city.