Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar emphasises the need for a structured regimen to reap demographic dividend
Union Minister for Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar on Monday released a physical health and fitness profile card for more than 12 lakh students studying in 1,168 Kendriya Vidyalayas all over the country and abroad and emphasised the role of healthy students for a fit India and the need for a 60-minute outdoor play hour.
Inaugurating the “Swasth Bachche Swasth Bharat” programme of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan at KV NAD, Aluva (Kochi), the Minister unveiled a campaign logo and called for sincere participation of parents, teachers and students in transforming the objectives of education into “Sabko Shiksha, Achchi Shiksha.”
The KVS already launched this programme on a pilot basis in the Patna and Chandigarh regions during the last academic session. looking at the positive results, it decided to implement this programme in all branches of the country and abroad.
The Minister inaugurated an exhibition which showcased physical activities focussing on the development of endurance, stamina, speed and muscular strength besides presentation of yoga. The Minister was accompanied by the Commissioner KVS, Santosh Kumar Mall (IAS), Rear Admiral R.J. Nadkarni VSM, Chief of Naval Command, HQ, Southern Naval Command, Kochi, District Collector- Ernakulam, Mohd. Y. Safirulla K. (IAS) and U.N. Khaware, Additional Commissioner (Acad.), KVS HQ, New Delhi.
Mr Javadekar further came down on fast food saying it was creating “fast fat” in youngsters. He wished that the programme launched in the festive New Year season of Onam would bring about tremendous results in Kendriya Vidyalayas in particular and in other government schools of the country in general.
KVS Commissioner Santosh Kumar Mall, while welcoming the august gathering, highlighted the major objectives of this ambitious programme. He said activities under this programme were selected to measure various components of physical fitness of all the students in the age group of five to eight years and nine to 19 years. The inclusive design of health and fitness card also addresses the needs of Divyang children. He further said that the assessment of physical fitness of children has been made comprehensively with a balanced emphasis on diet, personal hygiene, clean environment, suggested daily routine and yoga for peace and harmony.