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Bhopal: Laughter of every kind could be heard as thousands guffawed their way through the streets of Bhopal on World Laughter Day on Sunday.
"Fast-paced lifestyle, coupled with stress, has eclipsed laughter from our landscape. Research has shown that a laugh - natural or artificial - can enhance longevity and boost health," said 70-year-old C.B. Chansoria, president of one of the city's laughter clubs.
Different styles
About 1,500 members from over 25 laughter clubs participated in the three-kilometre rally, which wound its way through various localities.
The laughing exercises they performed also included the deep breathing laugh, acidity laugh and dog laugh.
"Barking like a dog is a muscular exercise that eases stress and flattens the stomach," Chansoria said.
Chansoria went into depression 1997 after his wife's death. Perturbed by his declining health, his children introduced him to the Hasya Kendra (laughter club). Apart from becoming its president, he has now opened quite a few branches as well.
"When I saw people laughing at the Kendra, I thought it was foolish. But after 15 days I accepted the value of laughter and the resilience it brings into human constitution," he said.
"A healthy person should laugh at least 15 to 20 minutes daily. It increases oxygen intake in our body. It reduces tension and the person becomes mentally healthy," said psychiatrist Vinay Mishra.
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