Physical activities should be incorporated as a mandatory part of elementary school. The fact that physical exercises and sports are integral for physical and mental development of children is unfortunately not understood by most parents. People think that good grades are what’s most important and therefore physical training takes a backseat.

Insufficient open spaces and little exposure to the natural environment make children over-dependent on electronic devices which ultimately limit their growth. In urban areas, we barely see children running across the field wearing football or cricket gear, and yet we do nothing about it. This essentially points to our indifference and negligence regarding this issue.

It seems like we are failing to acknowledge the pivotal role outdoor activities can play on children’s development. The issue is not given importance even when parents choose schools for their children. Therefore, schools that do not have adequate open space or playgrounds continue to operate. The number of students who have access to playgrounds is negligible compared to those who don’t. Yet, no significant steps are taken by the concerned authorities to address this problem. How long will the government keep turning a blind eye to this issue?