Health is the greatest gift

By Prabhath Atapattu

It is an eye-catching pleasant scene especially in the dawn and dusk along the route leads from the Environment Authority to the Army Headquarters Battaramulla; the young and old citizens of Sri Lanka clad in sports attire jogging and engaging in physical exercises for a healthy physique. 

Blooming the concept of the contemporary leaders of the country to build a healthy nation, Army maintained jogging path under the shade of indigenous herbal trees is open for the people from all strata’s. People far from the area and close by, have made it a part and partial of their daily routine to come with their family members for recreations. 

The surrounded paddy fields; once an area of unattended breeding ground for mosquitoes and serpents have become a treasure trove of cultivation for paddy and minor crops by the untiring efforts of dedicated soldiers under the guidance of professionals.

The canals and water streams around the areas have become operational and a home for amphibians and fresh water fishes. The whole area has become topsy-turvy. The prominence has been given to the natural environment.

This mega task, ‘Thuru Mithuru Nawa Ratak,’ was implemented in line with the policy statement of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ‘Saubhagye Dekma’ – Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour for the use of citizens irrespective of their social backgrounds.

‘Thuru Mithuru Nawa Ratak’ was carried out under a few phases. Initially planting of saplings both sides of the road which leads to the Army Headquarters got under way and simultaneously a 12-acre abandoned paddy land adjacent to the Army Headquarters was brought under plough. Construction of the 2.6 long jogging path around the paddy land was the next step. 

A well planned sequence of construction work on the instruction of General Shavendra Siva to build an outdoor mega gymnasium with a children’s park became a reality very short time. Presently, people of all ages are benefited from the modern spots utilities. There are three zones for physical training with accessories in a pleasant panoramic view. 

The Government’s environment-friendly green project concept for urban forests, green paths, green roofs and agro- forestry systems for a healthy nation is empowered by the Army. A few of the users of the walking path commented with a spontaneous over flow of genuine feelings of their heart about the revolutionary change of their surrounding and facilities provided by the defenders of the nation.

A few personnel who were present at the leisure area were interviewed and their comments inspired those who honestly engaged in this task. A lady teacher who has come to walking track admired what she enjoys: “I am Mishra Khan. I am living in Colpetty. I came to visit my sister and she drives me to walk and that’s why I’m here today. I think that Army is doing a fantastic job. Place here is lovely. I think everyone is very health conscious. This is really great initiative. The atmosphere is wonderful and everyone is getting maximum use of this. To be very honest they have done a very fantastic job and specially the Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva.” 

She added: “Because of him we can update what is happening in the country and I think we are one of the very few countries in the world that has been able to handle COVID-19 pandemic well and I think he is in the forefront. As a citizen I highly appreciate that.”

Miracle of transforming barren and marshy lands into a farming land with beautiful ponds for the pleasure and use of the general public is a result of adhering to the motto of ‘Nothing is impossible’ concept of the military leadership. Empowering the Government policy of aforestation and beautification of the country’s urban and semi urban areas with modern facilities to fulfil the requirement of the people, Sri Lanka Army under its ‘Thuru Mithuru Nawa Ratak’ program implemented a series of development projects covering the whole country.

Another gentleman of Battaramulla walking along the jogging path with his spouse and two children expressed his views regarding the facilities enjoyed by them voluntarily.

“I am an executive officer in a Government department. I am actually busy round the clock with my official work. This is actually a dream for me to use this walking path and sports equipment in an excellent friendly environment. I highly appreciate the service of physical training instructors deployed in the area, especially free of charge. I thank General Shavendra Silva and to the Army for his initiative to make all these things available for us. I usefully come to the walking track with my family. I highly appreciate the president’s effort of building a healthy nation.” 

Commenting further he said: “By the way, I am a frequent traveller. I have seen hundreds of jogging tracks in various places. I think this is the best place. Because I think this walking track and the environment is excellent.”

Health, be it mental or physical is the prerequisite for living a good and fruitful life. A buoyant health together with a strong mind brings happiness, pleasure and contentment. Keeping it in mind the contemporary society is highly concerned in maintaining the good health. A healthy nation is always a blessing for a country; its development, existence and wellbeing of themselves. 

Realising it as a most important fact, the Government gives a pride of place to uplift the health condition of its nation. The Government has commenced a number of projects providing most of the infrastructure to the people since education and health are both long term investments.

Infrastructure such as jogging paths with facilities, gymnasiums, equipment and the service of the qualified physical training instructors for the general public, in spite of the expenses, can be considered as a genuine effort taken on behalf of the people. 

Blooming the expectations of the nation, people of this country are fortunate enough to tread on to the threshold of a bright future.

The Sri Lanka Army has extended its fullest support and an enormous strength to the Government to materialise the future goals.

The people of this country have been enjoying the freedom with their family members under a secured environment. It is apparent that any time of the day, they can have pleasure with utmost freedom with their family members in an area of well secured atmosphere. They have understood the reality and have lined up with the county’s leadership and its counterparts.  Sri Lanka Army keeping its ultimate vision on the national security in priority has committed to contribute the government plan of aforestation drive in urban and semi urban areas to build green cities. Beautification of cities while providing infrastructures to the people to enjoy in a safe environment has flourished now. 

The Army, Defenders of the Nation, has already started planting of 100,000 saplings all over the country in order to increase the forest density and beatify the cities under its mega aforestation drive.

A dream of being a citizen of this pearl of the Indian Ocean enjoying the freedom, security blended with pleasure in a peaceful prosperous country has come true. Parents with their children, young and old, can be seen moving in groups and alone with utmost feeling of safe in the leisure area. Now they have a confidence of their safety. Flashback of the memories in the past; though still green in the minds of the people, will fade away with the dawn of new era.