The Government of Andhra Pradesh has launched ‘Happy Sunday’, a community-led movement for urban happiness and neighborhood engagement across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the state to promote citizen participation and strengthen neighborhood ties.
Orders were issued through GO Rt. No. 157 of the Department of Municipal Administration and City Development (MA&UD) on 12/02/2026.
The initiative seeks to improve emotional well-being, encourage physically active lifestyles and promote social cohesion by activating public spaces such as streets and parks for community interaction.
Resident welfare associations, housing associations and local community groups will lead voluntary non-commercial activities, while ULBs will act only as intermediaries by providing permits, basic logistical support and security coordination.
Programs will generally be organized on the second and fourth Sunday of every month for two to three hours during the early morning hours. Activities can include wellness sessions, sports, cultural events, environmental events and educational circles to ensure inclusive participation across age groups.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the initiative is in line with the vision of building people-first cities that will strengthen social relationships alongside infrastructure.
In a press release, MA&UD Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar emphasized that the movement depends on active community leadership. Minister for MA&UD Ponguru Narayana described it as a new chapter in participatory urban governance.
The program will be launched nationwide from February 22, 2026.
Published – 12 Feb 2026 20:58 IST