A lakeside glimpse of life

RK Saboo

I  GO to the Sukhna Lake every morning for a walk. I see it as not only a fitness activity, but also an interesting perspective on how people start their day. Life there starts at 5 am, even in winter. Those who dare to rise that early claim it to be the safest time and place, with armed soldiers in combat fatigue patrolling the stretch. Men and women of all ages, all sizes, single or couples, or in groups, can be seen walking and adjusting their speed. Some are lost in reverie, some walk with bullet-like rapidity. Serious health enthusiasts jog on the mud trail while a few prefer the shaded concrete path.

I meet a reverend Christian priest in white and a respected swamiji from Ramakrishna ashram in saffron — both colours symbolic of purity. I see the contrasting colours, and yet, the sense is the same, as are the spiritual pursuits.

People come in branded outfits or regular fitness garbs or dhotis or pyjamas with tattered canvas shoes, showing affluence or lack of it, modernity or modesty. But the objective is the same: working towards good health. 

Photography enthusiasts with sophisticated cameras capture the beautiful sunrise, flowers or migratory birds. Selfie addicts, too, are aplenty, and so are cellphone slaves. One can observe some animal lovers feeding stray dogs while some others carry a stick to ward them off. 

Yoga and pranayam practitioners are in action on the lawns; devotees are absorbed in their own world, sitting on the parapet; some are engrossed on the lake slopes, struck by Cupid. They all make a beautiful sight.  

One morning I was touched to see a young couple bring their elderly parent on a wheelchair for fresh air and rejuvenation. Then, there are children on roller skates. I see a dignified person with a flowing white beard skating flawlessly.  

I was bemused to see a young couple with their baby boy on the father’s shoulders. The proud father asks his son to say hello to me. As I move on, I think of the father identifying his little son. In some decades, he will be even more proud to be recognised as the father of his son, just as I am proud to be called the father of mine. 

It lifts my spirits to see people greeting one another with mutual goodwill and respect. I do the same. I specially enjoy greeting safai karamcharis working with dedication. My namaste gets rewarded by their very warm response. Harmony reigns. The serenity is enhanced by the piped devotional music.

It is a deep insight, a microcosm of life itself. Indeed, each step on our life’s pedometer counts how far we have moved. Another good reason for the morning walk is to enjoy human unity in diversity, a captivating ambience and to count my blessings — with more than eight decades behind me.