REALITY STATUS OF KIDS

REALITY STATUS OF KIDS

My heart just sank when I saw this piece of news In Times of India, a week ago.  It was about the survey on kids between the age of seven and seventeen." One out of two kids unfit for sports in Maharashtra" it said. I felt all my dreams got shattered. After the Olympic games, I was just thinking that the authorities take sports seriously in these four years and make it big in next Olympics. Survey is giving altogether a different picture. I see this news as very depressing one. As it is we (the government is not able to handle lifetime partners like diabetes, blood pressure and heart diseases of 25-40 age group) now there are additional contribution  by the kids to make our country a perfect unhealthy or a sick country. Where is this leading to?  Obesity, low endurance power, low anaerobic capacity, poor flexibility levels and body mass index has  shattered dreams of millions of people in building a healthy nation by 2020.

The survey reveals that kids of metros fared badly compared to non metro kids .Contrary to assumptions that metro cities have more facilities and opportunities, non metro city kids are still able to pull along. Whom do we blame? ourselves? lifestyle? or stress? or economic status?

Our previous generation had time for everything including fitness aspects. Seldom were the cases of death due to prolonged injuries. There were stories about some senior members(both ladies and gents) doing their exercises till the last day of death. They consulted their only family physician in worst cases. Our generation, though not as hard working as our previous generations, definitely try to live a illness free life. We envy our elders who had fairly  a good health and try to follow their footsteps to some extent. We take all precautions seriously, check our diet and go for regular exercises. Even then, royal diseases embraces us. 

What will be the state of kids of future generation?  Apart from going to school and corresponding tuition classes, they go to various other places. The schedule of kids are set for months together. They compulsorily visit  obesity clubs, juvenile diabetic forums, counseling centers and so on.

 Kids are driven around the city to save time and security point of view. Parents try to make all ends meet by giving time and literally live for kids. The results are not coming in favour of good health of kids. Something is seriously going wrong somewhere. There is an urgent need to fix this issue at the earliest.

Will it help if sports and health aspects of kids are taken as a subject equivalent to, english  mathematics, or science in schools? Can schools and government  build confidence among children and their parents about opportunities of jobs if they choose sports as career?

As parents,  can we go for a work out with kids? Most of us do go for workouts . Can we make them do their work without depending on servants(I dare say that) Can we ask for their helping hand in kitchen and garden(if we have one)? Will restriction on junk food help? Can we have family sports hero like we have family physician? Can we hide remote of TV for a month? Can we ask our milk vendor to take leave for a month and ask our kids to take the responsibility?

I think, we as parents of future generation give hints to  our  kids to know that sports career is short lived especially in India. That is the stark truth in present scenario. Clear messages are sent that sports is seriously  not for our family but may be for our neighbors.  We Indirectly try to divert the attention of kids(if they have any inclination)towards some fields like IAS and IPS. We encourage them to choose white collared job which requires only brain to work hard and not the body. Without wasting much time  kids are enrolled  in respective classes with a strict warning  that they better study hard without any distraction(including sports) to secure seats in top ten colleges.

Other side of the coin is equally true. Do we find clinics, specialists an physiotherapy centers  for injuries during sports easily in India? If at all we find such facilities can we afford huge medical bills without any insurance coverage? keeping all these things in the mind, time tested paths to make a living is a safer option  for our future generation. The very thought of one out two kids unfit for sports haunts me beyond a limit. They seem to have accepted to the failure before even getting in to field. This is a sad and shocking truth. I hope some miracle happens and  sports takes coveted position in Indian society someday. I wait for that day.

Mrs. Srilakshmi Swamy                                                               

YOU ARE RIGHT…. BUT
I am not wrong. I must have said this umpteen number of times to myself. More so, when I had valid reason that I was right. Why did I not say that when I was right? What stopped me from putting my view across? I guess there must be millions of people thinking like me. It is  like if I say the glass is half full, it is half empty according to somebody. I thought of calling it TS (typical syndrome) after a lot of pondering on this subject.
Many a times, I notice this TS happening with some of the junior officers. As the boss/head is making his point in a raised voice, (not always) other hapless and helpless juniors keep telling themselves - you are right, but I… Only difference is that the boss is not able to hear. Even when there is an argument or a simple conversation between two good friends, (one or may be both) seem to be saying you are right, but… to oneself. What holds one back from saying that he/she is also right at that moment differs from person to person and also on  situation?
Honestly, at one point of time we all must have gone through this phase of muttering to ourselves that we are right. In fact, we are screaming internally thinking that the other person can read our mind. Just that voice is not heard loudly. Very funny it seems! I could figure out a few possible reasons.
1. May be, some of us are of subdued nature. We want to give an impression to the boss that he/she is super brainy. His/her thinking or  judgment can never go wrong. He/she is the best to work with. (No doubt boss is very good and right most of the time but not always.)
2. A simple conversation between two friends exhibits this syndrome. Sometimes it depends on the nature of a person. If one is very authoritative and does not want to accept NO from anybody, you do not have a choice but a mere surrender to her attitude and say you are right.
3. We get to see this syndrome when it comes to talking to elderly persons in the family. Their experience and struggle episodes are revealed in such a way that one tends to say ‘yes, you are right’ to them rather than asking them to come out of set pattern of their programmed thoughts. (of course, they are not wrong always, but..all new things are not bad) We think we are respecting them by not arguing and not hurting sentiments . 4. At times, it is a spontaneous ‘yes, you are right’ when your career /character report (CR) is being
written by seniors. You do not care how right he is at that moment. You are more worried about your career. It is simple ‘yes boss’ for everything.
5. You do not want put your ideas across when you sense an elaborate display of anger. You play a safe game and succumb at that moment TS. We get to see this in public areas, traffic signals, and so on.
6. Classic examples come up when some new proposals are shown to of politicians for a developed nation. Such proposals are out right rejected with or without any reasons. Such situations compel  you to say “you are right, but this proposal is not wrong”. This could be due to shear lack of trust and ego issues on the part of politicians. Instances keep piling up in our daily life. We probably end the day with a deep sigh and telling oneself that I did try putting my point across but I was over powered.
All is not lost. You do not lose heart. It is just a matter of time. The day is not far when we say loudly “ yes,
I am also right”

SRILAKSHMI SWAMY

JUNE- MAGICAL MONTH

June is the most happening month according to me. It is month which brings family more closer. Everyone seems to be happy for some for something or the other. There is feeling of carefree in each and every human being, (At least I see it in Nagpur) Definitely there has to a reason for me to say  this as Nagpur in considered as burning oven  of Maharashtra.  Barring this heat, it is celebration everywhere. Tiny tots are allowed to sleep for longer hours by super hyper moms. There is no scolding, no looking at the clock and not even so worried if the kid has had her quota of food or not.  There is absolutely no botheration of going to schools. Love from mom and dad is at the peak for these tiny tweets. This is nothing but celebration.(There is no festival  in june but celebration is in full swing.)Slightly older students have got their results. Faired very well in the exams and they are spreading their wings in to know what they really like to do in future.   Hobby classes, summer camps, swimming sessions take care of that aspect. There is celebration again to do some shopping for stationery, accessories and attire to suit the need. There is freshness everywhere. A visit to nearest shopping mall for school uniform, books and shoes follow later in the month but this is mandatory.

It is a pleasant sight to see small group of teenagers cycling in the morning hours. They ride as though the road belongs to them. Such is the level of ecstasy. They ride  all the way to the some fixed destination and laze around till they get a call from home. Sky is the limit to their talks. They fill the atmosphere with so much of love that passer by feels jealous that he/she crossed this beautiful stage too fast.  Never ending giggles, screaming at high decibels, bullying each other and making up for it with an ice gola is nothing but a celebration. Hot samosas and jalebis  from Raju bhiyas’s shop is perfect for breakfast. (This is apart from what they are going to have at home later on) They are in their own world and so natural. This is the best part of their life. This is real celebration according to me.

Entrance exams, results, career options, counseling, right decision are the packages we get to see among 15-18 category  kids. There is a lot of movement. Sometimes parents are after their kids to do what they feel is the best and councilors just feel the opposite is right for the kid .Carefree birds of yester years are asked to choose between two or three options. There is much of chaos, confusion and waiting period. Everything is in the house is kept on hold till the kids get fitted at the right place of the jigsaws puzzle of life.  There is a big sigh of relief and the celebration begins in full swing. Visit to temples, family parties, booking brand new two wheelers and so on. New school/college, new friends, new places at times and a feeling of Yeh! I did it! make it more of a celebration than mundane jobs. There is so much excitement and so much is happening that it is no less than a wedding celebration. Long distance call on advisory board,( uncles, aunts and friends)finding a local guardian for the loving kid, advises by one and all, dos and don’ts  (totally free)keep pouring in like never before. In such situations, even Silence becomes a part of celebration.  Bonding gets stronger between family members. Shopping is done as per the list from college and keeping in view the weather of that place. Every item is carefully selected so that kid feels at home even after going to that far off destination!! Money takes a back seat (after fulfilling basic requirements) and emotions play havoc. It is time for the kids to leave the nest. Moms get busy in the kitchen trying to make all possible dishes for the STAR. They sob silently and spend sleepless nights. All of a sudden dads come home early than usual time just to spend few precious moments with kids. Siblings are ready to share anything with elder ones.( Previously, battles were fought if younger one touched even the pillow elder sis.)

This is a true celebration according to me as there is discovery of real self and real family. There is so much of love, innocence, respect and happiness everywhere. June can be coined as a month of celebration!!!

IDEAL VENUE

My friend was looking for a decent venue for her daughter's wedding. I happened to be with her in her search mission. We looked at so many wedding halls meant for the very purpose. We could not feel good about those halls. There was nothing wrong about them but did not suit our requirements. One last chance we said, let's take a look at city hotels. They might help us solve our problems. The manager at the front desk was kind enough to take us for a tour round the hotel. We gave him our requirements and list of functions to be held along with their religious significance. We told him the theme of wedding and a bit about our guests. Yes, yes and yes was the answer we got. We both looked at each other and smiled with a big sigh of relief.

On our way back, I was just thinking about both venues. On one hand we had a proper wedding hall especially designed for that purpose. On the other hand, we had this hotel not exactly meant for wedding but still they were ready to take care of all requirements. I was confused. How is this possible?  Why is the wedding hall not working for my friend I thought. With this thought ringing in my mind, I switched on the TV. Just clicking a few channels I got my answer.

One channel was showing yoga being performed on the terrace of an unfinished building with lots of steel rods, bricks and cements bags. Second channel was showing food being prepared at sea beach. Third channel was making an album in a dilapidated fort. They all had one thing in common. They were on  a look out for a different mood, atmosphere, more flexible spaces  and  hundred percent return for the money. Grand success of the function depends mainly on the venue. It starts with an inspection from approach road till the last detail in the venue. 

Every small detail matter a lot. Hosts worry about parking as they do not want their guests to walk a mile to reach venue. Apparently hotels provide this facility to some extent compared to wedding halls. Demands like small rooms, fairly big rooms and large halls can be possible in hotels without much hassle. Another important thing is to look after guests; Hosts prefer one to one attention when it comes to guests. Generating that kind of manpower is almost impossible in case of wedding halls.

Some hosts prefer stage  for wedding at the end of the hall and some prefer right in the center of the hall. Hotels turn out to be better option when it comes to DJ party which is a must in the present trend of marriages. Continuous functions like haldi and  mehandi demand open lawns and semi open areas for the function to take place in the most elegant way. Decoration for each function as per the theme gets changed without any hick ups if they are held in hotels.

In the process of looking for a change, we are directly or indirectly guided towards being with nature-the most soothing effect any one can ask for. There is a great demand for venues like lush green lawns, serene atmosphere by the side of swimming pool, or even a done up haveli like structure. They are considered as ideal location for any wedding or even any party for that matter. This cannot be offered by wedding halls. Guests and host go back home completely satisfied.

 In search of nature, the sunrise, the sunset, the palm trees,  the beaches, we do not mind sharing unfinished terrace with cement, steel and bricks as long as we have direct contact with sky. Food cooked in open tastes better. It feels good to prepare food in such environment.  Music albums make a new record.  Whatever is the function, with nature around you the feel good factor is at its peak.

Mrs. Srilakshmi Swamy

                                 

                                                                                       

IDEAL VENUE

My friend was looking for a decent venue for her daughter's wedding. I happened to be with her in her search mission. We looked at so many wedding halls meant for the very purpose. We could not feel good about those halls. There was nothing wrong about them but did not suit our requirements. One last chance we said, let's take a look at city hotels. They might help us solve our problems. The manager at the front desk was kind enough to take us for a tour round the hotel. We gave him our requirements and list of functions to be held along with their religious significance. We told him the theme of wedding and a bit about our guests. Yes, yes and yes was the answer we got. We both looked at each other and smiled with a big sigh of relief.

On our way back, I was just thinking about both venues. On one hand we had a proper wedding hall especially designed for that purpose. On the other hand, we had this hotel not exactly meant for wedding but still they were ready to take care of all requirements. I was confused. How is this possible?  Why is the wedding hall not working for my friend I thought. With this thought ringing in my mind, I switched on the TV. Just clicking a few channels I got my answer.

One channel was showing yoga being performed on the terrace of an unfinished building with lots of steel rods, bricks and cements bags. Second channel was showing food being prepared at sea beach. Third channel was making an album in a dilapidated fort. They all had one thing in common. They were on  a look out for a different mood, atmosphere, more flexible spaces  and  hundred percent return for the money. Grand success of the function depends mainly on the venue. It starts with an inspection from approach road till the last detail in the venue. 

Every small detail matter a lot. Hosts worry about parking as they do not want their guests to walk a mile to reach venue. Apparently hotels provide this facility to some extent compared to wedding halls. Demands like small rooms, fairly big rooms and large halls can be possible in hotels without much hassle. Another important thing is to look after guests; Hosts prefer one to one attention when it comes to guests. Generating that kind of manpower is almost impossible in case of wedding halls.

Some hosts prefer stage  for wedding at the end of the hall and some prefer right in the center of the hall. Hotels turn out to be better option when it comes to DJ party which is a must in the present trend of marriages. Continuous functions like haldi and  mehandi demand open lawns and semi open areas for the function to take place in the most elegant way. Decoration for each function as per the theme gets changed without any hick ups if they are held in hotels.

In the process of looking for a change, we are directly or indirectly guided towards being with nature-the most soothing effect any one can ask for. There is a great demand for venues like lush green lawns, serene atmosphere by the side of swimming pool, or even a done up haveli like structure. They are considered as ideal location for any wedding or even any party for that matter. This cannot be offered by wedding halls. Guests and host go back home completely satisfied.

 In search of nature, the sunrise, the sunset, the palm trees,  the beaches, we do not mind sharing unfinished terrace with cement, steel and bricks as long as we have direct contact with sky. Food cooked in open tastes better. It feels good to prepare food in such environment.  Music albums make a new record.  Whatever is the function, with nature around you the feel good factor is at its peak.

Mrs. Srilakshmi Swamy

                                 

                                                                                       

wow factor

!!WOW!!- FACTOR

Saroj, my friend called out her teenage daughter Amrita, to go for an evening walk in the park nearby their house. In no time there were at least eight questions by the little one. Amrita wanted to know whether there was any WOW FACTOR!! in the park. Saroj was little surprised about the kid’s expectation. Why should one try to look for a wow factor everywhere that too in a park!!  She took a pause and was thinking for logical answers to fit wow factor. Amrita was quick enough to give an explanation for the same. Ma, everybody in today’s times especially my generation look for a wow! factor. It has become an important entity in our life. Infact, you taught me to look for it. There has to be a WOW factor everywhere. It need not be of the level of 5 star hotels. It can range from a visit to a zoo, a fashion show, shopping mall or even a Sunday buffet. Dear Saroj was totally confused and wondered about the clarity in the demand of her daughter. She was eager to meet me to share her new found WF(wow factor) We were debating for a long time about the importance of WF in our life. Very interesting things came out by the end of our discussion.

WF influence people in many ways. Looking back, even I look for WF in my daily routine. A slight change in daily life with pleasant surprises here and there adds wings to life even if it a for a temporary phase. I am sure one can dance for a few moments if he/she gets to hear good morning from their own family members once in a while. The same family members say good morning at least twenty times to their friends/bosses/colleagues within an hour of their getting up.

Wow factor automatically pops up when you are told to just chill and not do a single job for the day. A well dressed salad and soup served to you when you are lazing in the lawn has to be followed by WF either to the God or the family member who wanted you to feel good.

I embark on WF when there is a change of place, environment, people and their attitude (for good)new discoveries and quality time given by my friends to me. There is a WF if I am successful in reading doctor’s handwritten (sorry doctors!, not all are bad) prescription and get the right medicine from pharmacy!! You must have sighed with WF when you saw politicians and VIPs reaching venue at right time.

Nature, the ultimate healer facilitates so much for WF. It is just that we take something for granted. Sunrise and sunset from any hill station or a seafront has to send the signal of WF.  Seasons, Colours, music, sweet talks, genuine care, mission to make a difference in somebody’s life register WF as one of the key factor which keep us going.

Simple surprise gifts or parties call for WF elevates the existence of an individual. It feels more wanted, respected and loved.  Generation of today is taught to look for this factor. I agree with saroj’s daughter. She said it aloud. I guess we keep it ourselves and grumble.

I see WF as two sides of a coin. One to creat WF to somebody whom we care. Other, to receive it in the same spirit. Natural attitude and smile(both are free of cost)of my neighbors, colleagues, people who matter to me and do not really matter to me make me feel that I can bank on this world for it is full of WF. More I see WF, more is sense it makes to life. I see the same life through a different frame.  The second one is to receive. This is nothing less than a magical tonic which can bring about drastic changes in our regular mindset.  Finally, it is just one simple and sensible action that brings about WOW factor in every deed that we do. I can bring a rainbow in my life at my will. WOW is my latest asset. How’s that!!

sau putravathi bhava!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 SAU PUTRAVATHI BHAVA

 That day was a special day for Namita and her daughter Nisha. It was Nisha’s first day in the college. Both were exited. They did a bit of shopping for her first day.  Only difference was that it was Nisha’s  first day of teaching. Namita was all exited that her little daughter was going to teach in the college. She was eagerly waiting for her daughter.

Nisha comes back home and makes just one statement. Ma! I got 25 kids today. They are going to give me 75 more kids with in a week’s time. SoI am targeted to get  100 kids altogether.  Namilta is puzzeled. R..Are.. you sure you went to the r..right college?  Did I hear that you get 100 k..kids altogether. Namita was expecting a very different experience like her interaction with students, teachers, lively atmosphere and the feel at the canteen -heart of campus from her daughter.  Pouring coffee from the kettle, Nisha confirmed that whatever she said was absolutely correct. She is yet to explore the canteen part as a teacher. Nisha told her mom that college atmosphere has undergone a sea change.  There was a long pause.

 I guess they both remembered that one small incidence over which they talked for hours together. Namita and Nisha, like any other mom and daughter used to have bitter argument about the famous blessing “Sau Putravathi Bhava”. They used to ponder over the blessing and it’s actual possibility. Today , this little girl Nisha who is in twenties is already  blessed with 25 kids, that too on the first of college and 75 to be added very soon.

There is nothing funny about it. These days every teaching faculty is blessed with at least 100 kids. They are directly responsible for the kid’s(college student) welfare.  A teacher requires to play multiple roll for each kid. Apart from teaching, she /he is supposed to know each kid, their social status, about their family background etc. Teacher keeps a record of her kids especially the medical one(which is on a high scale) She has to track their record outside college campus, adjust to the mood swings and set right broken relationship (if any)

It is well appreciated if teacher can give extra time outside the college campus also. Teacher is supposed to play the role of a liaison office between the student and their parents as well as between the student and management. Every month the teacher sends the reports of her students to the parents as well as management.

Coming to the point of ‘Sau Putravathi bhava’ meaning may you be blessed with hundred children, we can relate the blessing to be more apt for teachers in today’s scenario. Only difference is that they are blessed with boys and girls if it a co.ed. college an d only girls if the college is only for women.  A teacher spends an average of 8 to 10 hours on the allotted students. Concern about those kids is always the first priority. They are entertained at home also (some times with their parents) Their birthdays are important dates in a teachre’s calendar. I wonder in what way they are different from a teacher’s own children?

Namita and Nisha were so engrossed in the pause that they had be shaken to bring them back to our world. They were seeing new dimension of age old blessing. You need to treat all kids like your own. You need to understand their point of view like you try to understand your own children.  Think the best for them. Do not feel bad when they do not say bye to you at the time of leaving college. You did your best to make a good citizen and that is the beauty of a mother or rather a teacher.

Mrs. Srilakshmi swamy