Happy Streets returns in Bengaluru with joyous vibes & community spirit

Bengaluru: A delightful Sunday morning unfolded in south Bengaluru as Happy Streets returned, this time to Konanakunte Road, transforming the ordinary thoroughfare into a vehicle-free zone filled with activity, laughter, and community engagement. The Times of India initiative, presented by Bhima Jewellers, was organised from 7am to 10am, offering residents a rare opportunity to reclaim public space in a meaningful way.
The programme began with a tranquil yoga session under the gentle morning sun by Sarvebhavantu Sukinah Yoga, attracting early risers seeking a peaceful start to their day. This serene atmosphere soon evolved into an energetic Zumba workout led by instructor Manoranjini Karunagaran, who said: "Zumba is a fun-filled fitness workout for all age groups and helps improve overall health. This Sunday, I mainly focused on making everyone move and have a joyous workout session."
ALERT, an NGO focused on emergency response and first aid training, trained people — mainly teenagers and adults — on CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and life-saving techniques.
Children particularly revelled in the freedom of the car-free streets, skating, and cycling with abandon. Many younger attendees gathered for storytelling sessions and tried their hands at pottery-making, feeling the cool clay between their fingers.
The Decathlon sports arena proved to be a focal point of interest, offering archery, badminton, skateboarding, mini-golf, mini-basketball and scootering. Families participated together, with parents joining their children in friendly competitions and teenagers demonstrating impressive skills, creating a genuine intergenerational experience. Adding to the festive atmosphere, Bhima's lucky draw attracted queues of hopeful participants.
The Garden City Students Band provided a melodious finale with a live performance that created a warm, harmonious ambience. The three-hour event accomplished more than mere entertainment — it fostered connection, celebrated community spirit, and demonstrated the potential of Bengaluru's public spaces when filled with collective joy rather than traffic.
PARTICIPANTS REACT
It's great that Happy Streets finally came closer to our area. I came with my daughter to see how it was, and I want to bring my entire family next time. My daughter enjoyed all the activities. It's always special when events like these give us a break from routine, bring families together, and spark joy among kids and parents alike
— Ravi Hodlur | IT employee from Konankunte
Happy Streets uplifts people and makes them feel happy. There's a lot to see and learn, with different activities going on, it's more than just people having fun. This is my first time trying pottery, and I enjoyed making something with my hands. It's a great initiative, and I'm glad I made it here
— Sreekanth CV | private firm employee from Mallasandra
This was our first time at Happy Streets, and honestly, we had no regrets waking up early. We could play games and try different activities like golf and scooter rides without having to pay. That's something you don't find often. I think it's a great idea to reclaim public spaces, especially in a city like Bengaluru, where open areas are getting rare. I'd love to come again if it's nearby
— Mohith Sharma | UG student from Konanakunte
We saw the event listed in the Times of India and decided to check it out since it was happening close to where we stay. My daughter Amelia enjoyed herself, especially at the tattoo stall. It was a refreshing change from our usual routine, and honestly, something like this is rare in Bengaluru
— Sharanya Naiar | IT employee from Bannerghatta Road
My niece turns one on May 11, but she's the reason we're here today! We woke up to such an energetic vibe outside, and stepped out just to see what it was. But we got sucked in. I particularly liked the pottery and CPR awareness zones — it's a good initiative because many people panic in emergencies. I work in films, and even though we finished late last night, I'm glad we made it out
— Jayanth, with niece Kruthi (Happy Streets was held right outside their house)