When the undead raised their voice

The undead are usually spoken of only in motion pictures or in books. Sighting one in Mumbai is impossible because, well, they do not exist. What seems like an even more obtuse idea is a bunch of zombies taking to the streets for a cause.

Students dressed as zombies left Wilson College to take a short walk at Girgaum Chowpatty to spread awareness on food shortage. The walk was organised by a student body at the college called Help Our People Elevate (HOPE). Pic/Shadab Khanu00a0

However, on Saturday, students from over 15 south Mumbai colleges made their way to Wilson College to spread awareness on food shortage and wastage. The youth took to the streets at 5 pm, and attracted quite a few stares and glares as the walked by Girgaon Chowpatty.

The ‘Zombie walk', as it is commonly known abroad, was the first of its kind in India. For the walk, Wilson College had associated with Vivekananda Youth Forum, an NGO based in Andheri.

Lyncia Noronha, a BMS student at Wilson College, said, "We chose to conduct a zombie walk because zombies are creatures who are always hungry." The college chose to campaign against wastage of food since many parts of the country face severe food shortage.

Naman Kava, a BMS Student of Hinduja College said, "We strongly felt about hunger and food shortage. Through the walk, we wanted to spread awareness on these social ills. There are many people in the country who are starving, but, on the other hand, there are people who get excess food but waste it."

The college had taken the necessary permissions from Gamdevi Police station to prevent snags. Last year, when the college tried to create awareness regarding the girl child through a flash mob on the beach, they were stopped by the police due to lack of permissions.

Police officers from the Gamdevi Police Station were present to regulate traffic and keep the crowd under control. When the ‘zombies' walked past them, they seemed just as flabbergasted as the people on the street.

A senior officer present at the scene said, "It is good that the youth are taking up various causes and creating awareness. But I hope the participants know why they have dressed up the way they have and what message they are trying to spread. Otherwise, it is a pointless exercise. Wastage of food is rampant, and we can make a difference only by changing ourselves. u00a0