From scalpels to Salsa lessons

FARIDABAD: During the day they don their white coats and wield the stethoscope/scalpel to play the no-nonsense healer to the hilt, but every evening, this group of Faridabad doctors along with their spouses transforms into avid practitioners of Salsa.The effectiveness of the dance form in reducing both stressand weight has caused these professionals all of them at the peak of their busycareers to take to it with passion. So much so that 53-year-old gynaecologist DrAruna Kundu who introduced most of the group to the dance form actually learntSpanish to understand and emulate the nuances of the steps. Every evening, thegroup assembles either at Sector 9 or at Sector 17 to practice.Salsa may be a rage in the Capital but in Faridabad it is yet to gain popularity and access to lessons is usually limited to the elite or to the younger generation. Dancing couples normally consist of the husband and wife but swapping partners add to the fun quotient. Occasionally a few steps of bhangra are thrown in to make it even more lively.Salsa instructor Smriti Ladsaria says herstudents can be broadly divided into two age groups the older ones like themedicos who are usually accompanied by their spouses and the younger generationfor whom the sheer glamour of the dance form makes it an alluringproposition.The doctors meanwhile, leave behind their sternprofessional persona when pursuing Salsa and some are complete converts. "I havereserved the top floor of my bungalow exclusively for Salsa dancing. This meansthat I can go there any time to practise my steps,'' says 55-year-old surgeonDr. Narinder Ghai.According to Dr. Archana Goyal, just an hour ofdaily practice has made a world of difference to her appearance and herconfidence levels too. "I have got back my slim figure,'' she saysproudly.If some of the doctor dancers are to be believed, weightloss and stress relief apart, the perks associated with Salsa include anincrease in professional practice too. Paediatrician Dr Rajan Kalra, who runs achildren's nursing home in Sector-15 says he actually started getting morepatients after he joined the Salsa class.