The organisation, which is completely non-commercial and has around 71 branches in the state with 5,000 members, has also spread its wings in several other eastern states, including Assam, Tripura, Bihar and Orissa.

“We try to relieve people from stress in a scientific way. Under stress, a toxin gets produced in the body that can make a person ill. After doing laughing exercises, the toxin gets reduced,” said Swapan Kar, president, Laughing Academy of Eastern Region, while speaking on the 13th anniversary of the organisation.

Kar added that the exercises could help to minimise the risk of being affected with several life-threatening diseases, including heart diseases, high blood pressure and asthma. Moreover, it also reduces the risk of being affected with arthritis in old age.

“These exercises helped me a lot. I never feel stressed out after joining the club. We are like a family,” said Samar Mitra, a member of the academy.

The organisation has around 100 doctors and several trainers to guide the members.