India to teach white people how to walk

AS the price of crude oil continues to jump upwards towards $150 a barrel, India has offered to teach Americans and Europeans how to walk on streets for distances longer than half a kilometer. Several enterprises offering training in walking have sprung up all over the country. With millions of western commuters in a state of panic, walking instructors from India are now preparing for a surge in demand for their services.

Ramdevi Sherpure, a walking consultant, born and brought up in Shevagram taluka, Latur, Maharashtra said: "I first learned to walk when my mother tugged me along with her to fetch water from the well 10 miles away from our jhopdi"

"Walking 20 miles a day carrying pots filled with water on my head has made me an expert in long-distance walking. I'm very keen to share my skills and teach underprivileged commuters from western countries how to use their legs for walking."

"Walking is relatively simple and much easier than driving. Also a lot less riskier. You start by first putting one foot in front of the other and then slowly increase the rate until you have reached a steady pace. You should then continue in this way until you arrive at your chosen destination. This is the key to successful walking." said Ramdevi, who has been hired by Chalte-Chalte Walking Solutions to train white people how to walk their way to work and back.

"If you feel tired, you may stop along the way for a cup of chai or vadapav, but remember: you will have to start walking again."

Mrs. Sherpure also has handy tips to offer to alleviate fatigue and boredom suffered while walking long distances. "Walking is quite similar to zen meditation and should be done with awareness, focus and concentration. When I used to walk for miles carrying water vessels on my head, I was so fearful of the water dropping that I would focus my complete attention on the vessel I was carrying and had no time to feel bored or tired."

Mr Ramarao Athavale, proprieter of Chalte Chalte Walking Solutions added: "In order to encourage and motivate whites to learn walking, we will be also teaching them about the multiple benefits of walking. Trainees would be taught how walking your way to work apart from being good for the environment and saving money on gas, can also help fight obesity, lead to better health and save more money which otherwise would be wasted on medical bills or gymnasium charges."

"We have produced a booklet with diagrams and an introduction to advanced walking. We will also release DVD's which will feature live demonstation of the art of walking by our expert walker Mrs. Ramdevi Sherpure."