Spreading the message ‘arogyam maha bhagyam’ (health is a big fortune), Walkers’ International founded in the city in 1986 by former Minister S. Alwar Das has now gone global.
With 1,250 clubs across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the active members of the voluntary organisation have networked with their acquaintances abroad and formed a few branches in Singapore, Dubai and the USA.
While in India it has a membership of over 12.5 lakh, it has about 500 overseas members. “Cutting across ages, we are determined to spread the word that walking is the best exercise to have a healthy life and keep stress at bay,” international president of WI P.R.N. Chandra Mouli told The Hindu.
The organisation is planning to open branches in Delhi, northeastern States and other areas to achieve pan India presence. It is also trying to penetrate in overseas areas by tying up with walkers’ bodies outside India. “We not only popularise walking but also hold health camps and develop walking tracks with funds mobilised by us or indulge in advocacy to convince urban bodies to construct walking tracks along public parks,” he said.
The general body of WI branches are held once a month. Coinciding with the meeting, health talks/camps are organised. The executive body meetings are also held once a month. Besides group discussions, it also conducts free medical check-up camps.
Health camps
Stating that ‘walking is the easiest way of physical exercise,’ Mr. Mouli said they were committed to help senior citizens by holding mega health camps and bring several doctors to offer them counselling. They also take part in clean and green drives and activities to improve amenities at old age homes.
International conference
Since the formation of Walkers’ Foundation Trust in 1995, WI has mobilised ₹2.35 crore from members and well-wishers and from the interest accrued on it takes up community service. Members willing to become Mahatma Gandhi Fellow like Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary, donate ₹10,000.
The next international conference of WI will be organised at Berhampur on December 14 and 15.