Govt. launches ‘Happy Sunday’ to foster neighbourhood bonds

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has launched ‘Happy Sunday’, a community-led urban happiness and neighbourhood engagement movement, across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the State, aiming to promote citizen participation and strengthen neighbourhood bonds.

Orders were issued through G.O. Rt. No. 157 of the Municipal Administration & Urban Development (MA&UD) Department on February 12, 2026.

The initiative seeks to enhance emotional well-being, encourage physically active lifestyles, and foster social cohesion by activating public spaces such as streets and parks for community interaction.

Resident Welfare Associations, apartment associations and local community groups will lead the voluntary, non-commercial activities, while ULBs will act only as facilitators by providing permissions, basic logistical support and safety coordination.

Programmes will generally be organised on the second and fourth Sundays of every month for two to three hours during early mornings. Activities may include wellness sessions, sports, cultural events, environmental drives and learning circles, ensuring inclusive participation across age groups.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the initiative aligns with the vision of building people-first cities that strengthen social relationships alongside infrastructure.

MA&UD Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar, in a press release, emphasised that the movement depended on active community leadership. Minister for MA&UD Ponguru Narayana described it as a new chapter in participatory urban governance.

The programme will commence State-wide from February 22, 2026.