Mobility means Freedom and Empowerment
Watched the movie, The Skater Girl on Netflix yesterday. Wonderful movie. Kudos to Manjari Makijani and the entire team who made the movie and while doing so, have constructed a world-class “Desert Dolphin Skate Park” for the benefit of the children there.
Many takeaways.
- Mobility empowers
- Sports cuts across many barriers
- We can do good, without losing out on the wealth
Mobility means freedom and empowerment. We may realise the essence of this statement, only maybe when we fall sick, might forget it quickly too. In the larger perspective, especially with women in our Country, mobility increases their potential, capabilities and outreach.
This movie had invoked my memories of working for a similar cause over 12 years ago.
While at TI Cycles of India, I had been lucky to anchor many Bi-Cycling Promotion Programs. The Girl-Child-Mobility Program, was an important one.
The modus operandi is very simple. Provide about 15~20 bicycles to the school for use during the PT period. Groups of three girls will take one cycle each, while one practices riding, the other two would support from the sides. Thus, within a few short sessions, the girl-child learns bicycling. Logistics & maintenance shall be arranged by TICI through the local distribution network. The first program began at Belgaum, in Bensons School launched by the benign Mr N L Narendra Babu, MLA and has been a great success with the school, students, teachers and parents alike.
On similar lines, I observe Decathlon – the sports shop, developing Sporting as a community, while retailing all sports gear at affordable prices. The best part is the Retail comes with massive infrastructure, to play the sport and buy the experience.
The Skater Girl, can be an inspiration to all such “Players” and at large the community to think-together for betterment of the social fabric, by promoting sports and games big way.
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