Padhoge Likhoge Banoge Nawab……

Translation:

Padhoge Likhoge Banoge Nawab; Jo Tum Kheloge Koodoge Toh Hoge Kharaab
“If You’ll study (read and write), then You’ll become a nobleman/respectable person; If You’ll play, then You’ll become spoilt”

I was wanting to post a ‘Look Out” notice for the person who wrote the above lines, until I realized they were written by a very respectable poet back in 50s and he is no more.

With all due respect to him, I am wondering how did these lines even come up? Nothing negates the positive impact of education in one’s lives, but what made him underestimate the importance of sports or playing? I hold these lines responsible for my low (almost negligible) exposure to sports in my growing up years and I will not be surprised if it holds true for many more. I grew up in a small district up North (which, by the way, now is a recognized industrial town) and only kids, I remember, opting for sports in school were the ones who did not like studying. Back at home also, the emphasis was on academics. And hence the trend of foundation years continued until I was 25 year old. If I could change one thing about my growing up years, it will be an active participation in sports. Both categories- individual or team sports bring in their own set of benefits to each and every one.

A study couple of years back suggested only 15% of children and youth meet the recommended standards for minimum fitness in India. (I am not even talking about sports participation- just the basic required fitness level for every kid).

Please add to the above number, damage done by less nutritious diet (read junk) and increased screen time. Let’s come together and take up collective efforts to bring up a fitter future generation. I can bet, kids will be thankful to you for life.

If you are reading this, I am keen to know

Have you been athletic all your life? If yes, it is very likely your kids have also opted for sports in school and are active otherwise. Maybe you manage to catch up over a game or two together every week as well.

I am more concerned about the remaining population though and that’s where my sense is we might find reasons why only 15% kids are meeting the requirements.

Adult Category 1: Does nothing about fitness, physical activities because :

• There is no time
• Too much travel (still? Ya no travel- but now there is WFH and chores)
• Don’t want to end up having an injury (I find this reason amusing. It is like not taking up a job, because what if I lose my job and I stop getting salary one day)
• Do not see any significant benefits of being active

It is said kids (even as little as a toddler) learn from the adults irrespective whether you are trying to teach or No. Are your kids active through the day or prefer lazing around- tab/screen/tv? Do they participate in school sports? If yes, then hats off to them

Adult Category 2: Fitness Journey started @ the age of 25 or later (no harm- it is never too late to adopt good habits). It is likely you joined a fitness/running group for one of these reasons:

• To meet new people
• Nice to run away from the house
• Wanted to lose weight.
• It was a fad when you joined, and then given the benefits- it got you addicted (#endorphins)
• Doctors/health demanded
• Mid life crisis
• Seemed like a good idea as (maybe) there was a nothing better to do at the age of 25, 35, 45, 55 (Yes there are people who I know started running at the age of 55 and they inspire you even more)
• Please add if any other 😊

I am in the above category and if you also are, I want to congratulate all of us to start with, because fitness is a part of our lifestyle now. We don’t enroll ourselves 30 days before New Years’ Eve or a fancy vacation or a family marriage. We realize the immense health benefits we get by just being active. Immunity, sleeping pattern, better gut health, energy levels, happy moods, muscle & bone strength, cardio health, mental alertness and more.

So many women I know complain about dip in their lower body strength as they near 40s. Did we take care enough of ourselves earlier? Let’s encourage our girls to be athletic as well. I have come across people, who in their 60s, have a realization how they wished to have taken care of their health better in the younger days

So, I genuinely hope all this rambling of mine above makes a good case for encouraging our kids to be active and athletic early on in life. Let’s not wait for them to be 25 to join a gym and realize these benefits themselves.

Set yourself as an example for them to follow. Trust me they will thank us for life.

Priyanka Chaturvedi