24 April,2016 09:37 AM IST | | Maleeva Rebello
With a two-day community event that commenced yesterday, the suburb close to Dharavi now has its own locality festival
The historic Sion Fort sported a festive look - with balloons, banners and volunteers dressed in white - as it became the venue for a carnival. On Saturday, a two-day cultural celebration called Sion Carnival was organised by New Hope Foundation, a Sion-based NGO.
A local resident tries out a zip-line at the foot of the Sion fort at a community event. Pic/Ajinkya Sawant
Nikunj Shah, the NGO's organising member, said, "This carnival is a platform for Sion to come together and celebrate its culture. The disadvantaged - special children, widows and senior citizens - are mingling here with Sion's elite."
A Swamy, founder and president of New Hope Foundation, said, "We have been cleaning the fort for around a week. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has partnered with us for events. There is an exhibition by the ASI on Mumbai's monuments." The ASI said that rules of maintaining the fort are being followed, and only non-profit events were allowed in the space. Manish Rai, assistant archaeologist at ASI said, "Through our exhibition, we want people to appreciate the history of Mumbai and help us conserve our monuments." Money collected from the stalls, rappelling, Burma Bridge and other events will be sent to drought-affected areas in Marathwada. On Sunday, there will also be a blood donation camp.
