While at the gym

Pic courtesy Google
The other day at the gym there I was eyes glued to the treadmill timer, praying for my five minute run to come to an end before I ran out of breath and this gentleman on the machine next to me says, "So you're all Marwaris, na?"
"Whaaaat?" panted I.. my hand going to the speed button involuntarily to slow down, "Sorry?"
"Your group.. you're all Marwaris, isn't it?'
"Mmmm.." mumbled I wondering "Am I in a group?" I'd never really given it a thought.

Over this past year the gym has become a happy place for me. I look forward to going there each morning. I love the workouts and Yes, I do like the company too. The 'group' the gentleman was referring to is a bunch of women ranging in ages from 18 to 65 including college girls, housewives, some working women, a doctor and a few grandmums thrown in for good measure. I don't think we have anything at all in common other than that we all share our achievements and enjoy our workouts. Even there, we have totally different levels, different targets even different concepts of a 'good' workout.

What bugged me was this idea of bracketing people just because they seem to be getting along.. pretty annoying.. what's worse - based on region/religion... please that's so unnecessary.

When I was working in Mumbai we had another girl from my hometown in the office and everyone assumed I'd be best pals with her. However it was my hostel 'gang' who I gelled with best.. who were from the other end of the country, not that it would have mattered.

And so dear gentleman-at-the-gym.. No we're not Marwaris but that's not the point. There really is more to each one of us than belonging to a region and there are other things that bind people rather than region/caste/religion.

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