Community project: Citizens organise health awareness walk

Members of the Bohra community aim to promote a healthy lifestyle through physical activities

KARACHI: A proper diet, exercise and adequate amounts of sleep are part of what keeps a human being healthy. In order to promote a healthy lifestyle, a walk was arranged on Sunday by the Dawoodi Bohra community to stress the importance of healthy activities.

"I feel proud to be part of this rally. One must appreciate the Bohra community for their social services, and others must also follow them," said Muttahida Qaumi Movement MNA Rehan Hashmi at the event.

The walk began and ended at the Al-Jamea-Tus-Saifiyah ground by way of the KDA roundabout in North Nazimabad. The participants, which included women and children, carried placards with them, bearing slogans promoting a healthy lifestyle. The posters displayed health hazards, such as those from the consumption of gutka, smoking and junk food, as well as radiation from mobile phones.

"I prefer to play with my friends in the park instead of playing computer games," said Hatim, a child participant of the walk. Ishaq Bhai, a senior member of the community, said, "We are focusing more and more on physical activities because we don't want our youngsters to choose gutka and cigarettes instead of sports".

Dr Yousuf Bindarwala said that it is really important for us to take our health seriously. He added that walks and other physical activities should be a priority and efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle must be adopted by the larger public.

"Though this is not a new idea, games should be introduced and places for them must be identified. Parks and grounds should be made lively for our children," said Dr Noman Qamri, another participant.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st,  2016.