Armchair Walking – A Bystander prescription

 
                             

                                               
Walking is an exercise - in necessity or to maintain physical well being. Those involved in this form of activity would have never imagined the hidden danger – physical harm. Yet somehow they manage to adjust to the realities – to continue walking.

Bystander knew Mr Stride since childhood days. This front row observation has resulted in characterizing the man and his walk. Mr Stride developed the habit of walking as a routine, almost five decades ago, and continues even today. In the initial days and up to his teens, it was to save a few paise (lucky one to have seen those coins) to augment his pocket money.

Really it was these paise coins which constituted his fund as the practice of giving pocket money, for day today needs,was not an in-thing. He employed a simple modus operandi, walk part of the distance to be travelled and then board a bus, such that his destination fell between one ticketing stage to another, to save 3 or 5 paise. Wait! In those days even the amount of 3 paise could get you something.

He once told Bystander that in this way, by skipping & stage hopping, he could save money for an occasional cinema or a visit to an eatery. His face glowed, elated having achieved an economical miracle, enhancing purchasing capacity.

He has done well in these years – benefitting health and considerable well saved money. But Bystander detected a small disturbance in the mind of Mr Stride. It took him nearly 3 days and 3 or 4 chance meetings in super markets, bank premises and courier offices. Strange it may appear but possible in real life.

A breeze of nostalgia did its best to uncork the emotions, between bosom friends trying to make up for the years on non-contact.

Bystander surmised that Mr Stride’s was worried about safety. But was sure that was not regarding wealth ; Mr Stride did not attach too much importance on this count as he still maintained a frugal nature –habits die hard. But it concerned more about safety of his well being – during the walks.

During the ensuing discussion with Strider, Bystander understood that for the compulsive walker, the roads are becoming dangerous day by day hence the fear for personal safety. It has been his experience too and after sessions of thought, he had formulated a set of safety rules for such compulsive or compelled walker.

Bystander, not a one to pass an opportunity to share his wisdom,decided to proclaim his set of rules, to a willing audience.

You can wear a helmet with miner’s lamp and this will help you to safely walk during early mornings and after sunset. At least you can switch the head light on to warn mobikes, auto & tempo-walahs. They don’t come with lights blazing.

Better fit turning indicators, on front & back of your shoulders. This gadget works 24 hours a day. You can warn the riders & walkers that you intend to turn left or right! Many times, pedestrians themselves would get in to your path, blocking it or colliding with you!

It would be nice to have a parking light and a red light, in a convenient location on your back. Better make your status known for whoever cares to notice and act. Why to forgo the satisfaction of letting others know – you are still for a brief period (parking) or for a while (stop signal)

As an improvement to the turning indicators, hang a gadget, at chest or abdomen level, having LT, RTarrows and a straight arrow.

Like cricketers, wear an arm and shim guard to avoid glancing hits from mobike riders, showing the skills of weavers.

Forget not your feet – wear armoured shoes, avoid toe-crushing at zebra crossings and signal jumpers. You can encounter with them at any given signal and af any given time of the day!

Mr Strider heard through all the suggestions – they appeared logical and at the same time highly impractical. Having known Bystander for long, Strider wondered within himself – has he ever given a practical solution!



Not wishing to hurt Bystander in any way, he politely said, “With all these gadgets on my person, I would look like a robot. Where is the pleasure in walking? Simply I can sit at home, is it not?”

This was not the last on the matter. Bystander had a ready final say – “Take up armchair walking. It is safe by all means!”