City sets date for Rio carnival

The New Delhi Municipal will set the Olympics mood in the capital before the event starts in Rio de Janeiro on August 5 with a Rio Carnival here.

In the build-up to programme, the council in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India has arranged a 5-km run on July 31. Around 1,000 children from NDMC schools will take part.

“We are expecting around 20,000 people. There will be 500 girls and 500 boys from NDMC schools taking part in the event. The council has made arrangements for mobile toilets so that people are not inconvenienced. This is to set the tone for fitness before the Rio Olympics starts,” said an NDMC official.

The carnival will be celebrated from August 1 to 21. The event will be inaugurated at Central Park on Monday with street food festival, photo exhibition with images and cut-outs of popular sportspersons.

“The event will be called Rio Olympic Buzz for People’s Connect. Connaught Place being the heart of the city, the event will draw people from across the city. Central Park will be abuzz with all sorts of activities during this period. Both children and adults can come out and enjoy the food festival, look around at the photo exhibition,” said the official.

The council is also setting up three LED screens in three of its nodal areas so that people can gather and watch the Olympics. The screens will be set up at Central Park, Khan Market and India Gate which can accommodate a large number of people.

“Huge LED screens are being put up at these three places so that the Olympics mood thrives in the city. People can come to these nodal areas and watch the Olympics events in big groups from August 5-21. This will set a celebratory tone,” said the official.