It is true that rapid urbanisation, with gated communities and apartments, has now resulted in less open space available for children to play and enjoy their time (‘Open Page’, “Those disappearing playgrounds,” Feb.1). I know of a situation where educational institutions have been instructed to have a playground but school managements find ways to get around this and avoid this inspection. I am sure that the rise of metabolic diseases among children due to physical inactivity will eventually jolt the authorities into action.
J.P. Reddy,Nalgonda, Telangana
It is unfortunate that a lack of open spaces and playgrounds has forced children in cities to stay indoors and remain glued to computers and other electronic gadgets. The current generation plays all outdoor games like cricket, football, tennis on computers! Physical play is the best way to refresh the mind and is what helps children maintain good health and concentrate on their studies. It is in play that children learn some of life’s most important lessons, like learning to lose but not to be a loser, and not letting success go to their heads nor failure to their hearts. It also involves leadership and team-building skills, all of which cannot be taught in a classroom.
T.S. Karthik,Chennai
