Transitioning from walking to running is something I often have to do, especially when I encounter people who paid money to buy one of my books. Even otherwise, it’s quite a common phenomenon. There are various occasions when walking turns into running. In Calcutta, this happens whenever someone tries to catch a bus. You walk slowly towards it as it slows down, thinking, hopefully, that this time it will stop. But then it begins to speed up again, and you realise you were wrong. You break into a sprint. The thin young man hanging from the door reaches out his hand. You start sprinting and reach out your own. After that, it’s a question of fluid movement and split-second timing.
A variation of this is when you start running to catch a tram. A tram is the slowest form of transport known to man. The only thing it can overtake is two fat men in a hand-rickshaw. It’s the ideal form of transport when reaching somewhere on time is not an issue, which is why Calcutta is the only city in the country which has them. Catching a tram involves a brisk walk, followed by a short run, and a quick hop, which gets you on a vehicle that will move far more slowly than you. It’s an art form. Genuine experts can do this wearing a dhoti, while continuing to read Anandabazar Patrika .
Apart from catching transport, why else would someone switch from walking to running? It’s a good idea if you find yourself too close to a policeman. The Indian Penal Code Of 1860 is a rich and detailed document, listing a wide variety of crimes that the natives of that time were prone to commit. It empowers policemen to arrest you for pretty much anything, including not loving the Government, giving lifts to strangers, and, my personal favourite, ‘looking like a Maoist’. Common sense dictates that when you see a policeman, you should start running.
For middle-aged men, younger women can be a reason to run. One of my middle-aged friends starting dating a girl much younger than him. She was either a yoga instructor or a supermodel. His life used to be so different. He used to enjoy gulab jamuns and Deen Dayal parathas . He wasn’t fat, but he was lightly curved. Sometimes, he went for leisurely strolls in the park. Now, he runs regularly. He looks slightly haggard, but he’s very ripped. I meet him often in the Deer Park, which is near our house. The Deer Park itself is full of people who have recently started running. You can tell because they perspire a lot and their running shoes are new. They stop frequently. Their expressions convey deep misery. The only thing that keeps them going is the thought of the extra aloo paratha they will have, as a reward for all the hard work. On the whole, even though running may provide some benefits, it’s probably better to walk. You have less excuse to eat aloo parathas , and you get more time to enjoy the view.
In the writer’s most recent novel, Murder With Bengali Characteristics , most of the characters are fit, but it is never explained how they achieve this
