Why the Uproar of Laughter in the Early Morning?
Photo: Agamir Somoy
They are laughing. Loud, boisterous laughter. An uproar of laughter. When someone passes by, witnessing this scene, they too cannot help but smile with joy, not by just surprise.
In the port city of Chittagong, at CRB, DC Hill, Laldighi, and Batali Hill, this scene is utterly common. This laughter competition takes place almost every day.
This laughter gathering is neither a comedy show nor a film or drama performance. It is a unique morning health practice of various groups.
Every day, as the clock strikes 6 AM, people from various professions—doctors, teachers, bankers, businessmen—gather. Among them are energetic 23-year-olds, as well as seniors aged 80. Everyone wants to maintain good physical and mental health.
When asked why they laugh like this every morning, Robin Saha, a member of 'Yoga Prabhati', said, "Due to the demands of life and livelihood, we live with various anxieties and mental stress. Laughter is a wonderful natural medicine that keeps the mind cheerful and dispels all the fatigue of the day."
Whether it's CRB or Laldighi, all are surrounded by greenery. Thousands of people flock to this beautiful, pristine natural environment.
One of them is 70-year-old senior citizen Ranjan Rakshit. His life changed exactly 50 years ago after receiving a book titled 'Yogabale Rog-Arogya' (Disease and Cure through Yoga) as a gift from his elder brother. For five decades, daily walking and exercise have been an integral part of his life.
Ranjan said, "At this age, I have no diabetes or heart complications. Many people cite lack of time as an excuse not to walk, but there is no alternative to it for staying healthy."
Nirmal Dhar has been walking regularly with him for the past 10 years. He said, "On days I don't come for a walk, I feel as if I've lost something in life."
Organizations like 'Shatayu Angan' (Centenarian Courtyard) have also formed around these morning health hubs. The organization's president, 67-year-old Mohammad Rustam Ali, said, "Every day, over 100 people in our group gather here and engage in various physical exercises. Walking, laughing, and exercising have become a habit for me over the last 29 years."
Ashraf Uddin has relieved his old body aches by walking regularly for 5 years. Golam Kader has also chosen walking to keep fit rather than staying idle after his retirement.
This morning walk is aimed at refreshing the body and mind by dispelling the countless daily worries and mental stress. Medical science echoes the same sentiment.
Diabetologist Dr. Ishtiaq Aziz Khan said that when you laugh out loud, all the muscles from head to face become active. The lungs and heart similarly increase blood circulation, refreshing the body and mind.
