Little Oasis

Yusuf Rassiwala surveys the new location after the exercises

We have created our own ‘little oasis’ in the shade of a tree where we exercise these days. This is the only patch of green in the whole Garden, baked brown by the scorching sun and a merciless heat wave sweeping across the city.
Today Shekhawat and Qadir Banu went about clearing the patch of dried twigs and sticks which prevent people from walking around bare feet. Earlier, four benches under the tree, which had been in disuse for months, were dusted clean for those who wanted to take a breather any time.
“The place looks more like a picnic spot now,” observed Yusuf Rassiwala, who was feeling the effects of shifting to a new location for the exercises (ref post of April 20) for the first time today. Pressures of work had kept him from the Garden all these days.
The shift of location was initiated on an experimental basis, partly as an alternative to the China Hut. Continuing to exercise at our old spot had become a health hazard due to direct exposure to the sun.
Yet there are some not too happy about exercising under a tree. For one, they feel deprived of Vitamin D from the harsh sun’s rays. Khatoon Baig, for another, is petrified about bird droppings landing on her head. And she does not even want to discuss this!
For these people, there is always the option of positioning themselves beyond the tree shade.

Karun Sharma:
How about a break of five minutes during the exercises? We may continue to exercise for the same duration as before. Otherwise, reverting to that level would become difficult.