Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

An idea to keep women hale and hearty

Sindhu Vijayakumar

The ground will have a throw ball court and a shuttle badminton court to begin with.

SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT: An all-women playground at Nungambakkam. — Photo: M. Srinath

CHENNAI: Nungambakkam will soon have a playground exclusively for women. Developed on seven grounds, the project is the brainchild of ward 108 councillor Shyamala. The land, part of the girls' middle school (now closed), has remained unused for several decades.

It is getting a facelift now. A compound wall has been built and floor-levelling done. It will be formally inaugurated in about a month after the construction of a rest room and toilet.

Area for children

The ground will have a throw ball court and a shuttle badminton court to begin with. A separate play area with slides and swings is being developed for children. The playground is opposite Jyothi textiles near Independence Day Park and admission is strictly for women. Children up to 10 years are allowed.

An athlete and a State player in junior basketball, Shyamala says, "the idea is to provide the women with some recreational facility in the neighbourhood."

Playing games makes one refresh her memory and will help in keeping fit.

"While I was going through a census report on the increasing heart attack rates among women, I thought of preventing obesity, high cholesterol and blood pressure among women than treating them after its occurrence. I think this will provide them an opportunity not only to enjoy playing but to reduce health problems also," she says. The idea appeals to many residents. "Our women will have a safe place to spend evenings doing things that are close to their heart," says Selvakumar, a resident.

"After marriage I never had a chance to play shuttle. But once the court is ready, I can play a game or two while my son plays," says Jayanthi, a housewife.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

Results are out, students wait for ranking
Rogue bus mows down woman on Anna Salai
NTC to hand over two mills to Pondicherry Government
An idea to keep women hale and hearty
Quality symbol introduced for purity of silk products
Gone with the wind
New Vice-Chancellor for Tamil University
Adikesavan's son surrenders in court
MBA applications to be issued from May 30
Clinton to visit resource centre
Around the City
In Chennai Today

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu