Two Legs And Few Miles

Away from home, away from home, away from home, ...... a hundred miles.....This song (one which we used to hum in childhood) gets some strange feeling. We could associate with it. For walking had been so attached with us during our childhood. Walk to the school, walk to the playground, walk a good distance to get groceries and walk around the lake. Taking a solitary walk around the college area... The song used to get connected with us...

As years passed by, walking did not leave. Though provided with delightful facilities walk never eluded. Walk and ponder. Ponder and walk. Walk long distances .Sometimes a silent walk. Sometimes a walk with a bunch of friends. Sometimes fast paced steps. Sometimes lazy, dragging steps. Walking remained. 

Sometimes I wonder how a lazy walk from school to home, made me learn so many things. Though had a bicycle (preferred walking) . Would take a lift till halfway where my friend and I would part ways and before parting ways a ten minute of conversation. After that a walk for 10 to 15 mins thinking the moves I would make while playing soccer or cricket or basketball in evening or think of what scoldings or praise might be in store when I reach home. Or thinking about people, about peers , teachers , unknown faces and many a things. That plain time of me and only me made me learn so many things. 

I have heard some British schools , have gone back to the concept of walk to school campaign . Perhaps the small step can bring that social interaction back. No doubt would reduce the obesity and dullness amongst kids. Having said that , people I find are very skeptical leaving there child alone in streets. I remember the scene in Taare Zameen Pe, where Ishaan goes walking to the streets and when he shares it with his elder brother, Yohan he is shocked . He feels what if he was kidnapped. What if he met an accident ?

No doubt cant get away with the fact that streets are not safe any more. But a child can be made socially aware. Sometimes I find kids around me so lazy and their response to stimuli is real bad. They dont want to go out as television , a.c . , internet and playstations comfort them more. Well even if they learn to walk in park, the distance from home to park will be covered in cars. Not that they are to be blamed for that. Indian cities hardly are left with decent walking space. There is hardly footpath meant for walkers. A man in street is looked down upon. And there is nothing done to encourage walking. Walking to office is a dream which can never be thought of in cities or metros for the cost of staying near office would be huge and hardly affordable. 

Walking is one of the methods of sustainable development. For that giving space to the walkers wont be a favor but that is our right. A walk on the streets of Daryaganj is chaotic messy and tiring but a walk around DLF might give yu a lonely feeling. I would prefer walking around Daryaganj where i learn so much colors of people and be there in crowds. It solely depends how one wants to walk but lets do it again and again.