Fitness crisis: 95% students not physically active, reveals KAMS study
Bengaluru: A staggering 95% of school students are not engaging in physical activities, even during scheduled Physical Training (PT) periods, according to a recent study by the Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS).
The findings, cited by The New Indian Express on Saturday, raise serious concerns about the deteriorating health and fitness levels among school children in the state.
The study was conducted following a sharp increase in health issues reported among students, including fatigue, low blood pressure, and early symptoms of cardiac-related conditions. Based on years of observations across schools, KAMS attributes these issues to a growing sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and a disturbing lack of physical engagement both at home and in school.
“Structured opportunities for exercise and cultural involvement are being ignored by students, with many showing complete disinterest in physical or extracurricular engagement. Alarmingly, this withdrawal is often enabled by parents, who routinely seek exemptions from PT classes, citing vague complaints such as body pain or fatigue,” a release by KAMS stated.
KAMS General Secretary Shashi Kumar, during school visits, has personally observed the lack of participation. “Even during my school visits, I ask teachers to check how many students do any physical activity, be it jogging, exercise, or yoga. In most schools, you won’t find even 1 to 2 percent of students doing it regularly,” TNIE quoted Shashi Kumar, General Secretary, KAMS, as saying.
The association emphasised that this trend is not limited to the school environment but is deeply rooted in home settings. Poor nutritional choices, especially high consumption of processed and junk food, coupled with the lack of participation in household responsibility and excessive screen time, are contributing to reduced stamina and deteriorating physical health.
KAMS also raised alarm over the health of female students, who are increasingly displaying symptoms of anemia, low endurance, and other signs of malnutrition and inactivity. While some attribute these issues to post-COVID conditions or environmental changes, the association opined that most are lifestyle-related and preventable.
Stay fit, Grow strong: KAMS' four-point action plan
To address this growing concern, KAMS has proposed the following steps:
* Parents must take responsibility for ensuring daily physical activity at home
* Schools should accept exemptions from PT only on medical grounds
* Health education must begin at home
* Screen time and food habits should be actively monitored and corrected
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
