CHILDREN, WHERE HAVE YOU LOST YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY?
FROM SAMPATH’S DESK:
CHILDREN,
WHERE HAVE YOU LOST YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY?
Children,
where have you lost your physical activity?
How
come you shun the natural proclivity?
Which
is dampening your spirit to maintain agility?
What
made you shrink this daily festivity?
When
did you fall into the cavity of inactivity?
Why
do you subscribe to negativity?
The
sorts of Kabaddi - Kho-kho -
Kancha/Lakhoti/Goli;
Nondi
(Hopscotch) - Gilli Danda/Lippa – Latoo – Tug of war;
The
Hide and seek/Kannamoochchi/Chhupam Chhupai;
Dog
and the Bone - Aankh Micholi – Vish Amrit – Posham Pa, et al.
How
can one forget these?
Traditional
physical games instill and strengthen problem-solving attitude;
The
hands-legs-eyes-brain coordination reaches a high altitude;
Making
the kids more disciplined;
Keeping
them more planned, refined, and fine-tuned!
They
give us connectivity;
And
also comparability and compatibility;
To
construct a bridge of mutual exchangeability or interchangeability;
All
that goes to bolster our ability, parity, and affinity!
Again,
they help you remain connected with nature and our culture;
Physically
playing offers you experience and experiment in a joint venture;
Consolidating
your physical stamina and structure, they improve the mental texture;
Painting
a cozy and rosy picture!
Mobile
phone for young students is not an unmixed blessing;
Overuse
is fraught with ill effects to grapple with in case of Laxman Rekha crossing;
Indiscreet
mobile viewing may be damaging;
Here
comes the role of parental lock running!
Children, take stock of the pros and cons;
Avoid
overdependence on computer-like devices and mobile phones;
Children being curious creatures, you may fall into the trap of some bad media stuff
loathsomeness;
Avoid
the resultant sleep disruptions and other medical issues that may spoil your
real happiness!
Use
the device judiciously and gainfully to come out with flying colours!
Is it necessary to explain the benefits of physical games on the body and mind?
There are
obviously no alternatives to find;
Especially of this
kind!
Is it wise to turn a blind?
And why then to lag behind?
Bend and be bound
to make amend;
All before insalubrious things start to grind;
Now, I think, there is absolutely no need to remind!
(R.SAMPATH)
28/3/2023
Superb article. Wonderfully brought out of how children have forgotten physical activity and also how not proper handling of mobile is fraught with dangers.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem which you have written in Mono Rhyme Scheme. Going back to school days, I quickly remember the most famous and favourite one by Shakespeare:-
ReplyDelete“All that glisters is not gold,
Often you have heard that told;
Many a man his life hath sold
But my outside to behold:
In your poem “Children, Where Have you Lost your Physical Activity”, you have used emotional prosody to express your deepest feeling for children.
I think the best line was “Children being curious creatures, you may fall into the trap of some bad media stuff loathsomeness;”
I think Children are curious creatures by birth. Hence, we talk about "Curious George " or "Curiosity killed the Cat", " Curiosity is the Engine of Achievement " and a host of such sayings.
Regardless of whether the children are in the parks playing physical games or behind the screens learning valuable lessons as they are growing. It's our wish they balance both i.e., physical and mental growth
Lack of physical activity will lead to obtuseness of mind and senses and frivolity and stupor. In a way, it’s a vicious circle. Children will use their mobile phones and laptops 'ad infinitum ad nauseam'. Like you rightly said, kids should learn to use Technology more efficaciously.
While reading we feel you are alone with your incomprehensible sadness but the structure of your poem tries to counteract your solitude.
Thanks for your lovely poem.
Kamala Subramanian
31.3.23