Wondrous Workouts, Enjoyable Exercises

ZUMBA, A DANCE FORM created in Colombia, being taught to a multinational group by an expat Japanese instructor in Gurgaon, through Bollywood film music: what better example of fusing fitness with fun in the age of globalisation!

- KIRAN KARNIK

"Health is wealth" is an aphorism picked up widely and early in life. Yet, as a society, health is on our radar and in our minds only in times of sickness. This is reflected in the sorry state of the health facilities, including public hospitals, and the very low priority accorded to this by Central and state governments. Little wonder that the country's health indices are dismal, below those of most neighbours, and often as low as much-poorer countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Will Viksit Bharat be a Fit Bharat? Fitness is only now widely seen as important. Though yoga has increasing practitioners, a regular workout is, for many, a new addition to their daily schedule. The transition from a morning walk to jogging has been slow in coming - constrained, in part, by the lack of facilities, requiring joggers to risk limb and life by running on the roads.

Covid restrictions, though, boosted walking, jogging, and cycling, thanks to cleaner air, little traffic, and the desire to get out of home.