Retiree walkers group in Keralam's Kollam promotes fitness, helps the poor

At 6.30 am every day, a group of retirees in Kundara in Kollam district lace up their walking shoes and set out on a five-kilometre trek. For the 45 members of this team, named 'Straight Walkers,' staying fit is only one part of the mission. The collective has turned its morning routine into an opportunity to build companionship, serve the community and support disadvantaged families and children in need of medical care.

Formed on May 23, 2023, by members of the Mammood Sathyan Memorial Club, Straight Walkers brings together retirees from government service, the private sector and business. Retired police sub-inspectors M H Nisar and S Krishnakumar, retired KSEB sub-engineers Muraleedharan Pillai and Omanakuttan, Mohan Pillai, who runs an Akshaya Centre at Mammood, Maliyekkal Mohanan and retired railway officer Satheesh were among those who took the initiative.

The response was much bigger than the organisers had anticipated. They had expected around 20 club members to sign up for the morning walks, but 40 turned up. The collective has since grown to around 45 members.

Fitness first
Aged between 60 and 73, the members come from different caste, religious and political backgrounds, but share a common commitment to staying active and supporting one another. For them, the collective is as much about mental well-being, companionship and mutual support as it is about physical fitness. Around 18 members regularly turn up for the morning walks.

Walking the extra mile
The group's activities extend well beyond its daily walks. Members participate in anti-drug campaigns and health awareness programmes organised by the Excise Department, police and other government and private institutions. They are also associated with Malayala Manorama's Hridayasparsham programme and take part in marathons organised across the state.

Through its Swanthanasparsham initiative, the collective reaches out to financially disadvantaged families, particularly those with children with physical disabilities, offering assistance that includes support for medical treatment.

One such effort has been particularly rewarding for the members. The group is fully funding the treatment of a four-year-old girl from Vellimon who suffers from a rare disease. Once bedridden, the child has made encouraging progress with physiotherapy and can now stand on her own. Her improvement has brought immense joy to the members, who have closely followed her recovery.

The collective also ensures that its members and their families stay connected beyond its service activities. They get together to celebrate Onam, Ramzan and Christmas and organise an annual excursion with their families.

Discipline is non-negotiable
The group's camaraderie goes hand in hand with a strict routine. Except on Sundays, members are expected to assemble at Mammood Park at 6.30 am sharp. They start with a round of warm-up exercises before setting out on their five-kilometre walk. The route takes them past the Varattuchira temple and along the parallel railway road to Keralapuram Junction.

Attendance is taken seriously, too. Anyone unable to join the walk must inform the group in advance. Members also adhere to a dress code, wearing uniforms in different colours from Monday to Saturday and alternating between white and black caps each day. The cap routine was introduced as an exercise to improve memory power. The group has even attached a penalty to its dress code: anyone who turns up without the prescribed uniform or cap has to pay a fine of ₹100.