While you may think it is yet another local boys’ fitness club work, it is actually a unique practice venue titled ‘Sadak Se Sarhad Tak’ (From the Road to the Border) for aspiring soldiers who gather here to tone their bodies while they prepare for selection in the armed forces.
In absence of any such economical sporting facility, this isolated road near Nandanvan township turns into an open gym cum track for the young men to flex their muscles.
The group of youngsters has been active for around eight years now and has also seen good results of their untiring efforts. While 30 youths from this assembly got selected for various branches of the armed and paramilitary forces including Indian Army, Assam Rifles, BSF and ITBP, another 10 got selected for Gujarat police.
“After practising for a few years with the group, I got a job last year. A circle run from end to end of the road completes a 2.5km stretch and we run multiple circles to improve our fitness,” 23-year-old Suraj Pawar, a constable in BSF told TOI.
The son of an auto-rickshaw driver, Suraj could not afford a coaching institute or a gymnasium.
After the first few selections, the group’s activities became well known in parts of the city attracting many more to join the ‘roadies’. The group installed pull-up bars and parallel bars on the side of the road by collecting contributions of small amounts from the members.
“I have been preparing for the armed forces since I was in Class X. Later, I met Dipak, Nilesh and Rahul and we started practising on this isolated stretch. Today, all four of us have been recruited,” said Bhatu Patil (25), son of a weaving unit labourer, who joined general duty with Assam Rifles.
“I met other aspirants during the tests and learnt about this group and joined it. Around 150 youths come here regularly for fitness training. Those who have been recruited in the forces come here on their leaves to train us,” said Mahesh Indve (31), a postman.
Samadhan Patil (20), a diploma engineer, said, “I practice three hours in the evening and one hour in the morning. This road has been my only training arena.”