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Correspondent

23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Deadly Commute

Mumbai has always taken pride in its local trains, which have been celebrated as the city’s lifeline. It has long been a democratic institution that carries millionaires and labourers alike, and a symbol of the resilience that Mumbaikars so often boast about. The brutal murder of a 22-year-old passenger inside a moving local has exposed a darker reality. The city’s most cherished public service is no longer merely overcrowded and uncomfortable but is becoming steadily unsafe. The victim,...

Deadly Commute

Mumbai has always taken pride in its local trains, which have been celebrated as the city’s lifeline. It has long been a democratic institution that carries millionaires and labourers alike, and a symbol of the resilience that Mumbaikars so often boast about. The brutal murder of a 22-year-old passenger inside a moving local has exposed a darker reality. The city’s most cherished public service is no longer merely overcrowded and uncomfortable but is becoming steadily unsafe. The victim, travelling in a first-class compartment of a Churchgate-Nallasopara fast local, became embroiled in an argument over whether the train door should be kept open during heavy rain. The disagreement escalated into fatal violence after the accused pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the abdomen. As blood pooled on the floor of the compartment, passengers merely stood there watched in horror. A video of the aftermath showed the alleged killer walking away with the weapon in hand without anybody stopping him. For years, a rough but effective social order prevailed in the Mumbai local train. While commuters may have jostled for space and exchanged harsh words, there remained an unwritten code of conduct for keeping outright criminality at bay. Mumbai’s trains have long been dangerous in one sense. Every year, hundreds die while crossing tracks, hanging from footboards or falling from overcrowded coaches. But passengers rarely feared being murdered inside the compartment itself. S Even more troubling was the reaction of those present. The footage suggests that dozens of passengers chose self-preservation over intervention. While few citizens would willingly confront an armed attacker, the images nonetheless reveal a growing atomisation of urban life. Millions travel together every day, but increasingly as strangers who feel no responsibility towards one another. Mumbai’s famed collective spirit has now become a slogan repeated only after disasters rather than a reality visible in everyday life. The authorities, too, have questions to answer. How did an individual carrying a knife manage to board and travel through one of the busiest suburban rail networks in the world? Why does visible security remain so sparse despite years of promises about surveillance, modernisation and passenger safety? The Railways have invested heavily in technology, announcements and infrastructure upgrades. Yet commuters continue to encounter inadequate policing and an absence of deterrence. The larger concern is cultural. Across India’s cities, there is evidence of rising public aggression. Minor disagreements increasingly escalate into violence. Road-rage incidents, neighbourhood disputes and social-media-fuelled confrontations frequently end in bloodshed. Patience, compromise and restraint appear to be in retreat. Mumbai likes to imagine itself as different from the rest of India. The local train murder suggests otherwise. A city is judged not by its skyline but by the safety of its ordinary spaces. When passengers can no longer assume that they will return home alive from a routine train journey, something fundamental has gone wrong.

Monsoon Fitness: Simple Ways to Stay Active and Healthy

The monsoon may limit outdoor activities, but it should never become a reason to stop moving.

The arrival of the monsoon brings relief from the scorching heat, fills our surroundings with greenery, and creates a refreshing atmosphere. However, along with the pleasant weather comes a common challenge—our regular physical activities often take a back seat. Morning walks, outdoor sports, cycling, and jogging become difficult due to wet roads, traffic, and unpredictable showers.


Many people use the rainy season as an excuse to become less active. Unfortunately, reduced physical activity can lead to weight gain, lower energy levels, weaker immunity, and a decline in overall fitness. The good news is that staying fit during the monsoon is not only possible but also enjoyable if we make a few simple adjustments.

 

Active Kids

Children need at least an hour of physical activity daily to support healthy growth and development. When outdoor play is restricted, parents can help children remain active through indoor dance sessions, skipping rope in a safe area, yoga for flexibility and balance, home-based fitness challenges or obstacle courses, and other movement-based activities that reduce reliance on screens. These activities help improve strength, coordination, and concentration while keeping children engaged.


Students and young professionals often become less active during the rainy season as outdoor activities and commuting routines are disrupted. However, maintaining regular physical activity is essential for both physical and mental well-being. They can stay fit by following online workout videos, practising bodyweight strength-training exercises, participating in Zumba, aerobics or dance workouts, choosing stairs instead of elevators whenever possible, and incorporating regular stretching breaks during long hours of study or work. Even 30 to 45 minutes of exercise each day can significantly improve fitness levels, boost mood and enhance overall health.


Healthy Adults

For many adults, busy schedules combined with rainy weather can make regular exercise seem challenging. However, maintaining consistency is more important than engaging in high-intensity workouts. Simple activities such as brisk walking in covered areas, home-based workouts, yoga and Surya Namaskar, resistance band exercises, and even household tasks like mopping, cleaning and gardening can help keep the body active. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week to support overall health, improve fitness and reduce the risk of lifestyle-related diseases.


Eat Smart

Maintaining fitness during the monsoon is not only about staying physically active; nutrition plays an equally important role. It is important to stay hydrated even when you do not feel thirsty, as cooler weather can mask the body's fluid needs. A balanced diet that includes seasonal fruits and vegetables, along with protein-rich foods such as sprouts, lentils, eggs and paneer, can help support overall health and immunity. At the same time, limiting the consumption of fried snacks and sugary beverages can prevent unnecessary calorie intake and digestive discomfort. Warm soups and herbal teas can provide comfort while also helping to strengthen the body's natural defences during the rainy season.


Staying healthy does not require a gym membership or ideal weather conditions. A daily commitment of just 30 minutes of physical activity can improve physical fitness, enhance mental well-being and boost immunity. While the monsoon may restrict outdoor activities, it should never become a reason to stop moving. Small, consistent lifestyle choices can make a significant difference to long-term health.


This monsoon, let the rain refresh your spirit—not your excuses. Stay active, stay healthy, and make fitness a part of your daily routine, whatever the weather.


(The writer is an educator based in Thane. Views personal.)

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