Getting Beaten

Exercises in progress

Now that the so-called ‘Chinese exercises’ have been integrated into our regular regimen, it turns out that the total duration of our daily routine in the Garden has gone up to an hour. We start on the dot of seven with 15 minutes of full-throated laughter, followed by 20 to 25 minutes of free-hand exercises. Then comes another round of laughter of 10 minutes duration and finally, the ‘Chinese exercises’ lasting 15 full minutes. Thereafter, at 8:00 a.m., some members move away to join the Yoga Group in the China Hut.
Of all these, what seems to be gaining maximum popularity is what has come to be known as the ‘maar peet’ round of the Chinese exercises. There are many among us who land in the Garden specifically to join the human train (see photo of January 18 post) only to end up being beaten black and blue on their backs.

Angad Singh shows how it is to be done

These brave, self-confessed masochists include Siba Prasad Maitra, Yusuf Rassiwala, Pushpa Gupta, Mohar Singh and Dilip Babani, among others.
According to them, if it were not for this mindless maar-peet they would scarcely have a reason to drop by in the Garden.

Swati Punjabi: Smiling Assassin

“It leaves you hugely refreshed,” reiterates Maitra. After all, how (and where) else do you get to be whacked mercilessly 36 + 36 times on your back every morning? The idea though is to activate the blocked energy nodes as well as improve blood flow on the most unreachable part of your body, i.e. the back.
A fallout of this atrocity is that certain individuals have acquired the reputation of being super 'hard hitters'. Ved Prakash Grover is one. He starts slow, but progressively builds up momentum till his pummeling and hammering becomes unbearable. Yusuf R is another, but the impact of his blows is uniform -- rapid, forceful and unapologetic. Kiran Prakash is no less vigorous and relentless and Mohar Singh is totally indiscriminate -- a real sadist.
But the ultimate is Swati Punjabi, who virtually declares war on the back that faces her in the line-up. She jumps and thumps, wallops, punches, slaps, batters, bombards... like there's no tomorrow. If she could, she’d possibly climb piggy-back on her poor victim. She verily deserves to be crowned ‘Queen of Hitters’.
Kiran Prakash:
Queen of Hitters or Maar-Peet ki Rani, whatever she likes, Swati Punjabi deserves to be one.
Lt Col Angad Singh:
Everyone enjoys the so-called maar peet and no one feels hurt. Many of our colleagues are senior citizens and need to remain fit and active - both mentally and physically. These exercises serve both the purposes and are a preventive measure in keeping the dreaded Alzheimer away. One should follow the tit bits and enjoy them.
Swati Punjabi:
I like my new name - Queen of Hitters. Maar Peet ki Rani!
Kiran Prakash adds:
Swati, we are honoured. We will further be delighted if you choose one of the titles so that we can formally crown you.