When we were younger, we didn’t have access to Xbox consoles and PlayStations. We played outdoors and enjoyed gully cricket, hide and seek and Goldspot. And for students who will be pursuing their Bachelor’s in Physical Education from Meerut, the good old days are set to return. Here’s how:
News18 reports that the Chaudhary Charan Singh University has introduced a new subject called ‘The Traditional Games of India’ under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Apart from volleyball, wrestling, swimming, cricket and basketball, these students will also be taught games like ‘gilli danda’, ‘kanche’ (marbles) and ‘stapoo’ (hopscotch).
#UttarPradesh: The Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU) in Meerut has decided to introduce games like 'gilli danda', marbles and 'stapoo' (hopscotch) for students pursuing their Bachelors in Physical Education from the new academic session. pic.twitter.com/EQatA33IgI
— IANS Tweets (@ians_india) June 10, 2021
K.K. Pandey, Assistant Professor at the Physical Education Department at CCSU, was quoted saying,
“This will provide recognition to games that we all loved as children but which are now getting lost. With the new subject, our students and future physical training instructors (PTIs) will be equipped to train school children in such games.”
He added,
“One of the games that will be taught in the course is called ‘kai danda’ which is generally played in west Uttar Pradesh and is known as ‘aam dali’ in Madhya Pradesh. It prompts children to climb a mango tree while one player chases and catches them. This game not only strengthens muscles in a child but also helps them to concentrate. Marbles also enhance focus while making a child do squats. We hope that the introduction of these games in CCSU will go a long way in their revival and practical application.”
Earlier, Lucknow University introduced the ‘Education for Happiness’ course in the M.Ed curriculum to teach students the real concept of happiness. What do you think of these new courses? Tell us.