While the growing concern for health is seen everywhere today, the historic Morabadi ground of the city has become a hub for health and fitness freaks with people cycling, walking, running, jogging,practising yoga and meditation is a common sight. “Every morning, walking and exercising here is a perfect start to the day and seeing people who share the same enthusiasm for health and fitness is a motivation in itself,” said Sangeeta, a 35-year-old who is a regular morning walker.
The various parks around the ground, including Nilambar-Pithambar park popularly known as the ‘Oxygen park’ and Mahatma Gandhi park facilitates the fitness enthusiasts with fresh and clean spaces, open gyms, acupressure tracks and open grounds. The Chartered Bicycle Service with nearly five stations in and around Morabadi has further added to the booming of ‘Health-culture’ with its cost effective and easily accessible offering.
Amidst all this there is another major attraction, an Ayurvedic Juice stall opposite to the Indian Red Cross Society. The speciality of the stall lies in the variety of options and the rare Ayurvedic mixes it offers. “These juices are extracted from plants and herbs that are scientifically proven to cure ailments. Diabetes, Indigestion, Blood pressure, Thyroid and weight gain are the most common complaints of the customers,” claimed Sanjay Kumar Singh, the owner of the stall who has been in the business of Ayurvedic juices for over 15 years and has been individually practising it in Morhabadi for over 2 years.
The various choices include Aloe Vera juice for digestion and immunity building, ‘Neem- Chiraita’ and Insulin leaf juice for diabetes, ‘Kachnar’ for Ulcers and Thyroid and Wheat grass juice as antioxidants which are the most in demand out of all the twenty-five varieties offered. Generally priced around Rs 20 per glass, some of the seasonal variants like Jamun and Amla juices cost more and are available for a limited period of time. The raw materials are mostly sourced from Birsa Agriculture University in Kanke, while some of them are home-grown.
“It really brings a difference when taken regularly and the fact that it is completely natural with no side effects makes it even more preferable,” told Sarita, a diabetic patient who experienced a significant fall in her sugar levels after regular consumption of the juice. The therapeutic effects of these juices are not only for cure but also as a preventive measure to keep the body system in check.There are a limited number of such stalls in the city, mainly in Morhabadi, Khelgaon, Harmu Chowk and Ranchi Club. The shift to natural and ayurvedic means in fitness and healthcare sector is one of the prime reasons for itsgrowing demand.