I have been a regular at my neighborhood joggers' park and the one near my parents' home when I visit Bangalore, and each visit cements my perception that they are a necessity, and we should all campaign for usable, clean parks in our neighborhoods. It not only is a focal point for neighborhood activities, but one for meeting of diverse minds and exposure to the varied pursuits of people. You see a gathering of senior citizens exercising or walking for health, or shooting the breeze about the latest political faux pax or cricket scores; a grandmother trying to keep up with her 4 year old grandson or another grandfather keeping a watchful eye as his precious granddaughter whizzes down the slide. A bunch of intense middle-aged housewives doing aerobics as part of their weight-management routine; another mixed group doing the Sudarshan Kriya; yet another guffawing their guts out as part of the laughing club. You catch snippets of conversations that deal with the latest transgression of the daughter in law; another espousing on how the wise Yudhistra would not learn from his mistakes and gambled all away - the lesson when you love something or someone with a passion, you lose your reason. If you are into people watching like I am, you quickly appreciate the diversity of your neighborhood beyond the monochromatic cross-section of your apartment complex or immediate neighbors, their passions and aspirations through what they do; the privacy available at home through the number of married lovers on the benches. If you have not visited the park around the corner, I urge you to do so. And if you don't have one, campaign with your neighbors to the local corporator to get one.
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