What maketh a human?

So, it is yet another run, my personal competitive run #35 since I took the plunge into my first run in 2009. This time, it is the Adidas King of the Road 16.8km run—my third time participating. 

As I ran past the immense monolithic man-made structures in the middle of the affluent and less affluent parts of the suburb, I realised that nothing about the race had changed. The aspirant runners, with their 'gaya muthusamy' way of dressing in branded gear and laden with gadgets—heart monitors, sweat headbands, logo-flashing fluorescent compression suits, Gel Kinsei (the Bentley of running shoes), and so on— etcetera. Even the loud-mouthed hooligans with nonsensical shouts and catcalls at the 15 km mark were present this time. However, this time, they had their stereophonic bass, pounding with high trebles and high fidelity systems, to match their rowdy act!

Also in a saree

So there was nothing new; it was just the same old, same old. As I was running and thinking about what to write regarding the run, it occurred to me. Why not write about the attire of some of the participants, I wondered?

Some dress to impress, some wish to, but cannot due to certain social and cultural restrictions. Others flaunt regardless (because they can and want to), while some modify their clothing to bypass the law, aiming to be acceptable and to cover taboo zones.

In Saree

Like they say, sarees are worn by people like Mother Theresa and by sex workers in the most remote areas of India. What difference does it make — modesty versus alluring inner desires? It is the combined act of carrying oneself and speech that completes the whole package, is it not? 

So, I chuckle to myself and ask why all the effort to colour code, enhance the contours, and leave nothing to the imagination, only to let it all go to waste? Just a thought while I continue the run...