USE SPORTS AS A MEANS TO DEVELOP CHILD'S PERSONALITY

In the past three decades I have seen children coming to our camps with different purposes. Some of these goals are achieved while others aren't. Some of these children give up very quickly and retreat into their `routines'.

BUT THE ONES THAT STAY TILL THE END ARE THE REAL HEROES. They are able to transform their personality to a very great extent. These are the ones that do well in every sphere of their life for they have learnt the great lesson of PERSISTENCE & RESOLUTENESS.

For this one reason alone, children must be made to compulsorily attend SPORTS CAMPS during holidays.

ARE YOU VIOLATING THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE CHILDREN TO PLAY

THIS is an extract from DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD AS ADOPTED BY THE GENERALASSEMBLY OF U.N.O. India is a signatory to this historic document.

Principle 7

The child is entitled to receive education, which shall be free and compulsory, at least in the elementary stages. He shall be given an education which will promote his general culture and enable him, on a basis of equal opportunity, to develop his abilities, his individual judgement, and his sense of moral and social responsibility, and to become a useful member of society.

The best interests of the child shall be the guiding principle of those responsible for his education and guidance; that responsibility lies in the first place with his parents.

The child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation, which should be directed to the same purposes as education; society and the public authorities shall endeavour to promote the enjoyment of this right.

Read this as many times as you wish to - then go and stand in front of the mirror and ask yourself whether you are violating this fundamental right of your own child/student. I wish to repeat

The child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation, which should be directed to the same purposes as education; society and the public authorities shall endeavour to promote the enjoyment of this right.

THINK ABOUT IT BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP - now you cannot run away from your responsibility!

THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF THE CHILD TO PLAY IN SCHOOL

Sports has been treated as a curse for an educational institution. It disrupts the `academic normality' of the institution. No matter we are the POOREST NATION on the earth in matter of sports. Shamelessly the educational institutions are pursuing EDUCATION WITHOUT JOY [without proper sports education] because that is the demand of the parents. Demand and supply - like that of any business has reduced educational institutions into shops. This school business is becoming so profitable that every politician, doctor, lawyer, businessman etc has jumped on this bandwagon. A two bedroom house is enough to call it a school.

BUT THIS TRAMPLING OF THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF THE CHILD TO PLAY IN SCHOOL cannot be ignored any further. If you continue to trample this right by providing `cosmetic' PT periods which further destroy the `joy of games' - then know that you are perpetrating a heinous crime against this LITTLE HUMANITY.

I know what sports can give to children. It gives them ENDURANCE - DISCIPLINE - JOY.
Sadly these are the very things that are missing in our children. Let us work out a regime of games that give these three things - we are ready to collaborate. We are in line to be the most powerful nation in the world - shouldn't we be the BEST IN THE SPORTING WORLD TOO!

LET US BEGIN!

I WILL BE THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA

During basketball camps - I often invite children for theory classes. One of my favorite question is WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BECOME? And, of course, the usual answers are Engineer, Doctor, Teacher- some exceptions are like Police & Military etc. It is then I explain to them the power of focussing `early in their lives' to achieve their goals.

In one of the sessions I told them that THEY CAN EVEN BECOME PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA. Destinies are shaped by will power and nothing that they wish is impossible.

A few days later, while we were relaxing, after having conducted a basketball tournament - I turned to Madhushri and asked Madhu what do you want to be - pat came the answer I WILL BECOME THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA. This tiny girl said this - holding my gaze all the while - with a seriousness that was amazing. I have no doubt, she will become what she wants to be. This girl who sings IDHEY BHAVYA NAM BHARAT DESHA with a resonance that makes me hear this song again and again.

HOW MANY MORE PRIME MINSTER ASPRIANTS WILL I CREATE? Sumpoorna nurtures us as nothing else does. The battlelines are drawn up - the soldiers are ready - VICTORY IS ASSURED.