Work it out with Indian dance
Apart from academics, co-curricular activities like sports, dance, music and debating are all are essential for shaping the character of students.
But UK Prime Minister, David Cameron’s latest comment that school students should spend more time on sports rather than Indian dance, has raised many eyebrows, as according to many, it appears to suggest that Indian dance is not an appropriate form of exercise for children.
Practitioners say that the highly energetic Indian dance, provides vigorous cardio-type exercise, often for students who find it difficult to get interested in sports. “Audience just assumes that ‘Indian dance’ merely involves moving your heads and hands. Infact, it can be just as energetic as exercise and involves a lot of sweating,” said Rahul (who goes by his first name), Delhi-based Bollywood dance choreographer.
In a television interview, Cameron was apparently critical of using
“Indian dance or whatever” as part of compulsory two-hour time slots for physical education in the UK schools. Educationist Ghazala Amin says, “For evolution of personality, dance is an essential activity. It instills discipline, hardwork and focus, just like any sports activity. It brings in grace and poise. There is no point in comparing sports and dance. Having said that, I don’t know if Cameron’s quote has been drawn out of context.”
Nina Sehgal, director, DPS Society points out, “I think Cameron just intended to put forth that students should concentrate on sports so as to create a strong sports culture. People have over-reacted as he used the term ‘Indian dance’.”
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