Kolkata needs a fitness revolution, by actor Tota Roy Chowdhury.

My favourite place in the city for running is the Maidan. Everyone knows it’s called “the lungs of the city”. The wide open spaces and the greenery make it an ideal place for a run. It has a different atmosphere in the morning. Everyone is walking, running, jogging or doing their exercises. It has such a positive vibe. It feels like you are free to do you your thing without being judged. I also like Videocon School of Cricket in Salt Lake for my workouts. It’s convenient for me and I am lucky to get access to the grounds.

The political upheaval in the 70s did Kolkata a disservice that no one quite talks about. The intellectual movement and the culture of putting brains before brawn became preva- lent. But how did being intellectual become the opposite of being fit? Earlier, fitness was always a part of our lives. Playing football and other games or participating in wrestling was always a part of our routines. Be it Swami Vivekanada or Subhas Chandra Bose—they never prioritised the mind over the body. So much is written about Rabindranath Tagore’s poetry and art, but he was also a great advocate of keeping fit. He had tutors who trained him in lathi khela. He was one of the first people to bring Judo to Kolkata. Why is all that overlooked?

Walking or cycling was a preferred mode of transportation for Kolkatans. I am told that even Amartya Sen prefers to cycle around Shantiniketan when he comes to town. And yet, here we are, encouraging the next generation to take up academics like him but not his physical vigour. He’s over 70 years old and perhaps fitter than many half his age!

One reason for this is that life is busier now. Cities are getting more and more crowded. Pavements have shrunk to accommodate more cars. What we need is actually just the opposite. We need wider pavements so that Kolkatans are encouraged to walk distances instead of hopping into cabs or their cars. We need dedicated bicycle lanes so that cycling becomes part of our culture. It’s better for the environment and also for one’s health.

Tota Roy Chowdhury is an actor.

As told to Malini Banerjee