Laughter clubs turn into reality in virtual world

Kanpur (UP), May 5 (IANS) Laughter in the virtual world is now turning into reality with most of the 100-odd laughter clubs in Kanpur reviving their sessions through Skype and Zoom apps.

Sudesh Kumar Singh, an active member of the laughter club in Civil Lines area, said, “About 50 senior citizens in the area are members of our laughter club. We would meet every morning, exercise, exchange notes and then have a laughing session. For the past 40 days, this had stopped due to the lockdown. We have now revived our club and we hold our session through the mobile phone.”

Singh said the members complained that most of them were getting vulnerable to depression because everyone in the family was busy in their own work — son is working from home, his wife is busy cooking and children are involved in their online classes.

“We decided to revive our club and downloaded the apps. Some members had initial problems with the new technology, but now all of us have connected,” he said.

He said the members sing songs, narrate jokes, make parodies and discuss all issues except the pandemic. The members also laugh like they used to in the laughter club.

“We have made a conscious decision not to talk about corona,” said Singh.

Interestingly, the women in Swarup Nagar area have also started their own club.

Saraswati Agarwal, a senior citizen, said, “My brother-in-law told me that they have started their club through the mobile phone. I connected with my friend on WhatsApp and we also downloaded Zoom. Now we have also started our own laughter club. We laugh, exchange jokes and also recipes for dishes.”

Saraswati admitted that though it had been just five days since their ‘club’ became active, she was already feeling the difference.

“I am feeling more relaxed and my mind has become uncluttered. I actually look forward to the session which usually takes place in the forenoon,” she said.

According to medical experts, such laughter sessions will help senior citizens in remaining mentally fit.

“The elderly people are more susceptible to the virus and it is important for them to remain at home. Besides, laughing makes the lungs stronger and also improve the immune system,” said Dr Sunil Gupta, a homeopath.

–IANS

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