#LetsWalk, an initiative to promote health and fitness

An invitation to participate in a beach walk to promote health is honestly something I never saw myself agree to doing. #LetsWalk - Beach Walk, the initiative "your health in your hands" to promote health and fitness got me out of bed on September 2nd, that too on a Sunday; the day I refuse to get up early.  I landed up at Juhu Beach and found myself  enjoying a great morning at the beach and even more so because I found myself screaming out in joy. Everywhere I turned, I found a friend was there too and that was truly uplifting and awesome. 

The walk was organised by Moushumi Pal founder of Woodpecker Media, a consulting company catering to conceptualised events, transformational digital marketing strategies and creative brand design and Dr. Bhavi Mody, a postgraduate with over two decades of clinical experience in providing Holistic Healing and Founder and Director at Vrudhi Holistic Health Care. The event had a participation of over 150 health enthusiasts, started with a round of Yoga (me and yoga. Wow! I did that too), was followed by a 2 km walk on the beach. Fun childhood games such as tug-of-war, passing the parcel and thumbs-up that we have all played as children were a part of the event to bring back that magic into their lives.

I love to interview people and talk to them about their initiatives. so it was obvious that I found myself interviewing these wonderful ladies live on face book. Talking to me about the initiative, Moushumi said "We want to touch lives. We want inclusion. What Dr. Bhavi Mody advocates is making things very simple to follow, like eat less, sleep less, breathe well, things we forget in mundane routine of today's life styles we have. Then gradually I started thinking how can we make it more engaging and that's is why we thought of organising the first walk. We wanted everyone from all walks of life to come out in the fresh air. We want to do it at different locations now. First one was a nature walk and this our second one which is the beach walk."

Dr. Bhavi Mody adds, "This initiative is to help you stress on little changes that you can get into your everyday life to make your life more healthy. Mission #StayHealthyStayHappy is what we believe in. We started out in December last year. As Moushumi mentioned, the first walk that happened was a nature walk at Sanjay Gandhi National Park and today we are on the beach. Next who knows where. Maybe the mountains".

The first walk organised by them was on June 3, 2018. It was an educational 2 km walk around Borivali National Park and I must admit  even though I was invited to that one too, I was just too lazy to get out of bed. What I missed was an opportunity to learn about various species of flora and fauna along with the environmentalists there and more importantly an opportunity to click loads of photos (which is my passion).  I am never missing another walk ever again for sure.

At the end of the walk the participants were given refreshments and goody bags. Each one of us had been given a T-shirt too before the walk.  Eminent power women such as Pinky Rajgharhia (Mrs Universe Business lady 2017, Mrs Asia 2017, Mrs Fitness 2016, Social Activist), Gehna Mehra (Writer & Entrepreneur), Nabomita Mazumdar (Businesswoman  and Speaker for Future of Work, HR, Startup, Women and Business, Social media and Technology), Nidhika Bahl (Celebrity Life Coach), Savneet Kaur  (Vice Chair,  ALL) and Daulatbi Khan (Acid Survivors Saahas Foundation) participated in the walk to support the initiative.

I must admit that I am not much of a health freak,  but the walk did not help me to realise the value of being outdoors. I realised that morning, that I had also bonded and shared so much more with my friends there and even though I could not walk for long (I have painful knees, you see), it was lovely to be out breathing in the fresh air. A big thank you to Moushumi for inviting me to join and cheers to you and your team mates, Ridhi Doshi and Sonu Bajaj for a well organised event.  

I can happily say that the event was not just  #LetsWalk but a lovely #FriendshipWalk for me and that I am looking forward to the next one too.

Connect on FB page for joining the next walk: 

www.facebook.com/groups/vrudhihwc

Tolerance, Intolerance and Me

Tolerance ..... Intolerance...a never ending debate. So what is tolerance?It is just the willingness to tolerate those opinions or behavior that one just does not like or agree with. Do I have a right to talk about tolerance and intolerance when I myself first am unable to tolerate a lot of things and can’t tolerate some in my own home and surroundings forget as far as the things happening in the country….and yes it does disturb me when things happen in the country but let me just share my thoughts.

There is a long personal list of likes and dislikes or as we call it tolerance and intolerance now….I can’t tolerate the attitude of the women who claim we Andherites can’t travel in a Virar local.  I made the cardinal sin of getting into one and standing near the door and at Dadar became the target of intolerance.  I was threatened that Andheri would not be by destination and she promised to take me to Virar.  I don’t know what part of me rose to the occasion but all I did was say “No problem at all, take me to Virar. I will come home with you have a cup of tea and take a train back”...and the laughter that filled the air defused the situation. Not only was I patted on the back but respectfully allowed to get off at my destination……small mercies….

I can't tolerate the sound of the pigeon on my window each morning (need an air gun badly)....I can't tolerate hypocrites and discrimination....people wasting their precious time and talent......grumblers....the double parking in my Lokhandwala Complex (but who cares...and yes I tried ..but rule says if driver in car - can't be towed)....and hey am I not tolerating the sometimes utterly stupid things people in my life do... wet blankets are wet blankets no matter what.....and I even have actors, films I like and dislike ...So if I say I don’t like an actor, I am allowed to say so na without being bashed or pulled up for it!  I have been waiting for that actor to stop spreading his arms out to the sky leaning over to one side or going hmmm mmmmmm while my intolerance screams out Sholay ka famous dialogue "yeh haath mujhe de de thakur".  Everyone has a tolerance level within then, and well that’s just how much I can take from him. This is just one simple immediate thing that upsets me and aggravates me so what can I say about things larger than life that are happening? Yes, I can't tolerate a lot of things happening in my neighborhood, my workplace and of course our country too...

Do we really live in a society that allows us to do what we want our way and express our opinions freely. There are norms and guidelines that need to be followed at home, workplace, etc. much to my like or dislike.  Take the simple example above about the actor and I can tell you that I lost many a friends on that one joking comment. There are so many voices out there vehemently expressing their views and saying how can you say such a thing when the whole world swears by his talent. But hey, it is just that one thing I can’t tolerate. Did I say I don’t like all of his work or that all of his films don’t work for me? Matter closed and here starts my pent up intolerance and given one little opportunity I become the first vocal voice in that intolerance movement.  That according to me is just what is happening around us.  People who are unable to express their views freely and made to shut up are the ones that look for opportunities to express when an opportunity appears. The burst of pent up emotions and thoughts then flow faster than the largest river of India.  

Issues that can change the face of the earth, our surroundings and are for our good definitely need to be supported. Movements that don’t allow me to eat what I want, wear what I want, speak the way I want (so long as it is sensible) are not to be tolerated because they are our fundamental rights. Aren’t they? Then it becomes my choice to live with it or protest. We are a democracy and in a country with so many different cultures and so many different languages that it is quite impossible for all of us to walk the same path.

What is this about “how dare you criticize the country that has given you so much?” So am I just supposed to take everything that makes me uncomfortable sitting down. Rather a silly thought because everything in life is based on an individual thought or a personal experience and that is something that matters a lot.  It has nothing to do with what others feel but just if this experience or thought matches the mob, then need I say more. I have a right to my view and it is up to the other to accept or disregard it. On the other hand, I am of the strong opinion that people in power; people whose words matter, people who are looked up to have to be extra careful with their words. Of course, they have the right to feel hurt and angry but somewhere along the line, I feel, that is way past for them, as they now shoulder the responsibility of being mentors, and idols to many and every word they say matters.

Changes and improvements are necessary. I can't tolerate a lot of things happening in our country too. I just heard that Delhi plans to allow cars to ply on roads based on their numbers - odd and even- and on particular days only. Is that the solution of traffic control? Good thought but what if I have an emergency, what if I am going to work daily by car. Please don’t say car pool, as no one’s working hours match with another and people don’t have time to wait for one another after all everyone has to get home to children, etc.  How is it going to help? The smart ones will find a way around it. Stupid me also will buy one car with odd and one with even number. Problem solved or increased? So now if this is enforced in my city will I accept it? Will I grumble? Will I be tolerant or intolerant? I need to think seriously about it.

Fitness...living it king-size

I have always wondered what the future will hold for if I continue living the life the way you do. Things are not the same anymore, right from the way people behave with each other, towards nature, the food chain, even the air we breathe. As for me I am just a few years, if not a few minutes, from disaster. I have thrown away the key and closed my eyes to worrying if I will live through the next day. Why? Simple I am living life king size each day!!

All around me people are pumping away their physical self and even their diet is causing the food chain to worry about their own existence. There are of course others who just lack the drive, ahem a bit like me, not really caring when a film star turned size 0 or 6 packs. Mujhe kya karna hai..as if Karan Johar or Abbas Mastaan or Sohail Khan are  waiting around the corner to sign me on with Amitabh Bachchan…(kaash!!!)..

Anyways, it may seem a bit silly to most as to why I don’t care as all around us the war cry of “staying healthy and fit” rings. Pray, why ? for what? After all its just this one life na…Char din ki zindagani...and besides these days I am singing “Teri hai zameen, tera aasma..tu joh chahe toh hame rakhe..tu chahe toh hame mare…..so is worrying going to help…Yeah yeah, I know if I take care of myself then I can live a healthy life and maybe live longer and not suffer…..is anyone out there giving me a guarantee??? No na, so then why can’t I believe that if you have the will to live, the will to be happy, the will to do good for others then the body is healthier than any of those you put posters up in your room.. Can I then counsel others to make their life more fulfilling? Is this the question also ringing in your mind, then it’s time for  Ma Hira  to guide you? Hey who said I have to practice what I preach. Preaching is an art and not many can do that remember. I can always preach but not practice. So lets take this one step at time. Taking the first step is always the toughest and giving up? That’s easy. So do I exercise..yes..I went for Shaimak Davar classes for over 14 years and enjoyed every class..made new friends…loose weight?  Nahin re..that did not happen at all. Naturally because I was in the highest of spirits and happy…So  do I jog? Of course, each day 5 miles...in my dreams of course!!!!..Forget about how many minutes of exercise people tell you that you need and just fit in as much as you can into your day. It’s your body and your heart and no matter how you get it, whether by just sweeping the house or watching television, aarey believe me, any physical activity will help de-stress, burn those unwanted calories, and will definitely make the heart race like a big drum…pant pant pant….…Sleep well because it’s proven that that lack of sleep increases hunger pangs and trigger overeating. On the other hand, leave the eating of nutritious meals once in a while with the family over fun conversations about each other’s boring boring daily routines. Okay that does it..enough about the healthy lifestyle gyaan… Let me share what makes me tick and stay upbeat and content. Its finding happiness in achievements of others, it’s all about laughter, positivity and being there for my dear ones be it friend or family always in whatever they want to do. I am happy when my husband sings on stage, I am happy when my friends come with me to encourage him, I am happy when a friend gets a big role in a film or serial, I am happy when someone achieves something they wished for. Even thought I am still struggling with starting a second innings and no one is helping!!! hmmmm! So be it. The key to good health is simple..finding happiness in every little moment of your life..Most importantly, whenever with friends, don’t be afraid to laugh out loud. Who cares if those sitting on the tables around you give you the “you manner less people” look.  Obviously they have not yet learnt to laugh or live life or don’t have mad friends like I do.  Hastu ha,lifestylesr daam..khushiyan ya gam.. Remember the saying “two men looked out of the prison window. One saw mud the other saw stars”.  So if you are already doing that..yeah and more power to you! If not, then why wait? Spread the smiles and watch them come back right at you!! Death will come but once. Life is a breeze..blow along!!

 

 

I DRIVE..AND I AM A WOMAN ..............

When a friend mentioned to me the other day that he can’t stand women drivers, it got me thinking.  A few years ago, very rarely would the male counterpart allow women to touch their precious cars. It was clearly a defined honour to sit next to them while they drove.  I remember my dad landing in hospital with a stroke. Mom said he would never drive our  car again.  I always loved that old Morris car of ours with its leafy green colour, black cute fenders, and brown seat covers. I remember the number too MRZ 1660. For so many years, I had begged dad’s permission to drive the car and now I was actually being told to learn driving.  Twenty days later I was a certified driver and proudly walked into the hospital and stuck the licence under dad’s nose.  Two days later, dad was back behind the wheel, driving an angry me.  One day he relented and early morning we drove out to an unused road, with me on the wheel and continuous grilling on which gear to use and when to brake by  of course ,dad. That did it, I was not going to ask dad for the car anymore, and who was happier? naturally him. The licence lay in my cupboard for years, my first and last ambition seething in my heart, a car of my own. One day, many years after marriage, we bought our first car.  I was queen at last of my dream and refused to let my husband drive me around as he grumbled many a years away.

I had proved all the men in my life wrong, I was good and real good.  I was the safest person to have on the road. Never mind that at times, I use hand signals instead of using the indicators, drove at a tortoise pace occasionally, admired the scenery on the way, decided dinner menus in my head, causing blood pressure to drivers behind me always, never looking left or right.  So what if I was always singing whilst driving or enjoying the rain pouring in. And did I talk to myself, of course I did that too!! 

But no one ever knew the real me. No way, for if the road was empty then I would speed faster than any race driver.  I sing louder than ever, maneuvering like a maniac, raise a fist at cab drivers, never understanding why they cruise in the middle of the road always. And what can I say about the male counterpart talking into their mobiles, flicking their locks, admiring their faces in the rear mirror until they spot me, a woman driver behind.  Well! Then suddenly it’s a clash of titans, for suddenly the male counterpart breaks out of his slumber, drops his mobile, drops a few four letter words, steps on the gas and whizzes past content on having outdone “the woman”.   It’s another thing that as soon as he slumbers again, I have zipped past a shocked face never to be caught again on the wrong foot. 

Besides who said speed and control belongs to the males?  Women have known to conquer space and rule the world – then who dare question us the Jhansi Ki Ranis, on the road. We just let them be happy, because that very same insufferable out there will have to go come home at the end of the day to bow to the real master, the women in their homes..