Personalities of the park

Senior men greeting each other with arms outstretched at park | Photo Credit: triloks Of late, I have been visiting a nearby public park, to add some physical activity in my otherwise sedentary corporate lifestyle. Juxtaposed against the bustling hours of the city, mornings in the park unfold with a quiet rhythm. The air is unhurried, serene and pleasant. It is one of the places where I allow my mind to rest. No podcasts, no urge to multitask — for a brief while it’s simply me and the park. Over time, I have found myself drawn to the people who inhabit this shared space. Here are a few personalities that stayed with me.The DJs: armed with smartphones, these self-appointed DJs curate the park’s unofficial soundtrack. Golden tracks from the 1980s and 1990s reverberate across the eight-shaped walking track. Their audience is an ever changing procession of walkers and joggers who take little to no interest in free music, but the conviction with which the music is played is admirable.The laughing club: for this band of old friends, everyday is a reunion disguised as exercise. Their morning walk is an excuse to exchange jokes, reminiscing youthful escapades and the occasional reminder that they are, in fact, supposed to be working out. Just when the park settles into its familiar calm, an unexpected burst of laughter erupts, when they could be found seated in a circle, faithfully performing laughter therapy with the solemnity of a sacred ritual. Whether or not it burns calories is debatable, but it certainly lifts spirits.Couch potatoes: these accidental athletes are apparently escorted out of their homes seeking good health. Clad in athleisure, they dutifully start the timer for a rigorous session of doomscrolling, punctuated by an occasional chuckle at a reel, frequent yawns and a few absent-minded stretches.Enthusiastic retirees: whether driven by determination or an extrinsic push to bypass the pharmacy, they show up everyday with zeal. No piece of equipment in the park escapes their attention. The air walker, waist twister and cross trainer all put through their paces before they conclude their ritual with a generous sip of coconut water by the park. Spot a bewildered newcomer, they instinctively transform themselves into fitness gurus, dispensing generous advice whether solicited or not.The young romantics: rare presence in an otherwise senior citizen inhabitation, these couples choose the quietest spots where they could be spotted giggling, nudging, and at the same time, conducting a routine security check for not running into a familiar face. In a city where privacy comes at a premium, the park quietly lends them a little of its own!Political shenangians: they are the park’s very own news channel broadcasting their digital diet from the day before. From Trump’s tweets to the fluctuations of the stock market, they leave no stone unturned. A few rounds of jogging, and you could leave with political analysis, investment strategies and perhaps a novel business idea.‘Leave me alone’ parents: they are the overwhelmed parents trying to find solace. The moment their tiny tots find a playmate, the mission is accomplished — as they indulge in their quietme-time. For them the park is a free day-care arrangement.The reel-fluencers: for them, the park is an outdoor film studio. Interrupt their frame, you might earn a disapproving glare. By the time they have perfected a ten-second reel, you have probably completed an entire lap.Couple therapy: these are the veteran couples who religiously begin their mornings with a leisurely walk. More often than not, the husband strides forward, while the wife somehow keeps up with his pace and conversation. Their walks are paused onlyfor an occasional video call from their grandchildren.The athletes: Quiet, focused and fiercely determined, for them the park is an open air training ground. Every sprint, stretch and drill is executed with purpose. Conversation for them is just another distraction. Nevertheless, these personalities are what make my mornings engaging.lubnazulfikar@gmail.com Published - August 31, 2026 06:36 pm IST