No women, no spry!

In the wake of the Bengaluru mass molestation fiasco on New Year’s eve, a bunch of enterprising folks have decided to shake hands with fitness – while spreading awareness about women’s safety in public spaces. IMC 5k, a thoughtful morning marathon will kick-start on the verdant lawns of Cubbon Park on at 6 am on February 11. We talk to city folk, who are stoked about
going the extra mile – quite literally.

“I’ve observed that a lot of women still perceive setting time aside for fitness as an option. The fact that the initiative propels you to take to fitness while promoting women’s safety is what gets my vote. The high you get from doing something of value for yourself and the society is what I’m looking forward to. And, the message I wish to convey through my participation is clear: release those endorphins as you take to the tracks to show you care about your women!” shares Susan Ann, a city-based freelance HR. Daunted by how city is on the brink of losing it’s ‘safe tag’, Usha Jones, another homemaker adds, “While as a community we’ve prayed for the welfare, we decided to zero in on an activity which won’t create an unrest or annoyance at any cost. The fact that a healthy activity can go a long way in spreading a message, which will revive Bengaluru’s ‘peaceful city’ tag is what inspires me to run. Considering the run is for women in public spaces, why not run in one of the city’s landmarks to alert without a fuss?”

While the idea has found takers by the hordes,  Samuel Thamburaj, one of the core members of the Indiranagar Methodist Church asserts the motto is to spread peace for the womenfolk. “Gnawing cases of women getting mauled are no longer a joke. As much as we were taken attack by some terrifying crime acts against women, the motto was to create awareness sans any fuss. Aggressive responses like protests and strikes create the noise, but it’s often only a select group which participates. We wanted to let people know that they can create an awareness while opting for an activity which benefits them and keeps their calm. Running is a pure fitness activity which is recommended for all ages, and we believe there are always positive ways of approaching a problem. This run was specially designed to re-instill faith among people and find solace in the fact that the city stands together for the safety of its women.”