Health is weath!! Granddad's best blessing....

 

While sitting in the lawns of the British School in Delhi for an admission for my son in early 2011, I had an unique opportunity to chat with my healthy and hearty dad ('granddad'). 

Granddad's  perspectives on education were contrarian; his priority was to seek a school where developing health (over formal education and grades) and life skills was a priority. He just wanted the school to ensure that until age 18 his grandson develops a very strong, healthy body and an happy mind thus grades and formal education wasn't a priority!  He wanted his grandson to engage in sports activities - play hard, develop team spirit, and sportsmanship !

Granddad firmly believed that the school needs to  progressively educate his grandson with his physical and mental development - the bare minimum education that provides him the general knowledge, the ethical and moral values. At 18, his grandson can easily choose a career of his choice and excel in his long life journey!  The healthy life will also ensure that his grandson will never falter in his life; even if he does then his skills, sportsmanship, attitude, work ethics and good health will help him turn the corner.

Granddad recognised the uniqueness that his grand son will develop will be the critical, life skills, the work ethics, the focus and determination, the sporting and team spirit, the positive attitude, relentlessness ability to learn and unlearn, being risk-taker and entrepreneurial, ethical and moral, caring and a team player.

This eventful discussion raises a few important question on education, health and life:
-Is it worth to be overly focused on formal education than health and sports education starting from age 2 with focus on a career choice related education starting at 18 ? Is our society in a mad race to mass produce A graders ? 
 
-How many billion $ are spent on health related disease, some of which start at infancy,  and preventive insurance premiums ? The stress developing on the health system is un-imaginable ?


-How many live with chronic diseases related to sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy food habits ?


-How many live with mental stress and challenges ? What is the burn out span in years; are people able to cope up with burn outs and start afresh with alternative skills?


-Should office culture mandate active participation in at-least one sport for the employee?

An early investment in good and healthy body is a life-long investment. Catching up on education, a good career, and money can be easily achieved with a healthy body. Without a healthy body, education, career and money isn’t useful.  Investment in a healthy body remains is lifelong; education and career can only last a few years!  A sports driven education also encourages a healthy life, sportsmanship, team play and leadership skills which cannot be learned at the corporate office. All these skills are very good for the society as it promotes healthy living and all round well being! 

I cannot deny that that the best blessing that the grand dad, his parents or teachers could give to their sons, daughter and students is a 'healthy life and happy mind'.

Dear Dad, thank you very much for the blessings!


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