The Hindu : Front Page : They walk, talk and joke

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 24, 2005

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They walk, talk and joke

Anasuya Menon

Set up eight years ago, the group now has 220 members from all age groups.

Coimbatore: They meet every morning. They walk, talk, and often share a joke or two. Meet this jolly group of walkers who get together on the grounds of the Coimbatore Institute of Technology.

It may have been a chance encounter at first. But, once they came across each other everyday at the same place, they decided to form an association.

Thus was born the Hope Walkers Association.

Set up eight years ago, the group now has 220 members from all age groups. It springs into action when any of its members face a difficult situation.

Database

"We have a database of our members which has all the details including the blood groups. So even arranging for blood donation is not difficult," says R. Jagadeesan, vice-president of the Association and Corporate Administrator of Lakshmi Card Clothing Company.

Awareness programmes

They often organise health awareness programmes, inviting doctors to give lectures.

The group is also socially active, visiting orphanages and homes for the abandoned to donate clothes and groceries. Now, they have established strong friendship among themselves.

For most of them, a tiring morning walk has been converted to a pleasurable tête-à-tête with friends.

Says Dr. R. Rajagopal, president: "Through this, we aim to spread the message of health, friendship and unity."

Says Mr. Jagadeesan: "Many of us do not like walking alone. It feels great to have people with whom you could have a good conversation while walking."

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