Manoj Shakuntalan, 24, is a Tamil Nadu state medalist in karate. He started learning karate at the age of five from his father and brother, both of whom are national medalists. From Madurai, Manoj now teaches over 30 students in the age group of 4 to 40. He says martial arts have taught him self-confidence, discipline and instilled in him a sense of competition. Doing it every day – even during lockdown – keeps him fit and gives him energy, boosts his stamina and calms his mind. , Photo Credit: Ashok R
Finally, there is some good news from the pandemic: many Indians between the ages of 20 and 25, who have seen COVID-19 in their young-adulthood, have middle-aged health knowledge, picked up from their parents, various Taken from media types. Everyone we spoke to had internalized words like immunity and vaccine, through months spent in physical isolation, watching the rising death toll, and listening to doctors who gradually became social media influencers.
They are also aware of the dark side of the digital age, where people are surrendering eating habits to food delivery apps and the dynamism of technology. Here, five people answer the question: What does health really mean to you? In a tone somewhat grim from the abandonment of the youth, they talk of tough academic schedules and new jobs, traffic and air pollution, but admit that life is full of hope, if they can make the choice of saints generations later. There are those who were not there before them.
“Health is physical fitness and how my stomach feels”
Agnibho Das, 21, from Mumbai, Maharashtra came to Delhi-NCR in 2021 after the first wave of the pandemic. He is a third year student at Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida.
Agnibho Das, 21, SNU Delhi | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“When I first stepped out of Delhi airport, and even now when I walk into Delhi, I am out of breath. But my campus is clean and green,” says Mr. Das, who takes out two-and-a-half hours every day for physical activity. “I run or cycle, go to the gym, or play a game of soccer or basketball because my goal is to be physically fit.” She’s also self-conscious: “I order junk food when I’m taking exams or loaded with project work, but it bothers me, and I’m trying to cut down on it. ” He admits that it’s easier being at home with parents bringing him up on a healthy lifestyle. Now, he tries to be self-disciplined, but sometimes falls prey to unverified health claims. “I drink warm water with lemon and honey in the morning because I heard a dietician on television saying that it acts as an immunity booster,” he says.
Read also: Pandemic youth mental health toll unprecedented, data show
“I cook my own food”
Confident Manih, 23, from Meghalaya’s Mawlong Nongtluh village, moved to Shillong two years ago for a job at a dental clinic. He now works the night shift in a drugstore.
Confident Manih from Shillong. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Mr. Manih knows how lucky he is to work in a pollution-free city, especially when he barely has time to take care of himself. “Earlier when I was in my village, I used to enjoy brisk walking on my daily rounds and was particular about eating my meals on time,” he says, adding that night shifts make him a bit of a struggle. “My mother constantly worries about me, so I have started cooking my own food to avoid eating unhealthy food from outside. When you are living away from your family, the importance of health dominates you. I can’t afford to get sick. He buys organic and goes for medical check-ups from time to time. “Although I don’t exercise much anymore, I understand that eating right, staying active and taking possible preventive measures can keep me relatively free of illness. My health depends on how responsible I am with my well-being. Yes, he says.
“Physical and mental happiness is important”
Anjali Vaghela, 23, from Rajkot, Gujarat, who works from home for a Bangalore-based cyber security firm, lives with her parents.
Anjali Vaghela, 23, Rajkot, Gujarat | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Ms. Vaghela succumbed to Covid in the second phase. “It took me two months to recover and I started having trouble breathing,” she says. Inspired by the experience, she began exercising regularly, and focused more on nutrition, eating sprouts, salads, Ate nuts, homemade pulses. Now that she is better, she wakes up at 6 a.m. and swims for an hour, punctuates her day with yoga, to incorporate movement, and goes for a 4 km walk every evening. “It’s both challenging and satisfying,” she says, adding that her focus is on losing fat, not weight. She also inspires her parents to stay healthy. “I read a lot about health because health consciousness is an important driver of good health,” she says.
I follow what my parents say and do what makes me happy.
Purvi Gandhi, 21, is a final year B.Com student at the International Institute of Professional Studies, Indore. She lives with her parents.
Poorvi Gandhi, 21, IIPS, Indore, MP | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“It’s ironic that Indore is great for both street food and gym!” says Ms. Gandhi. his friend Jim; She snacks on junk food after class, and doesn’t carry a load of guilt because she’s not going to go to the gym. At home, “My mother controls my diet, and I don’t care about what she gives me. My father encourages me to Surya Namaskar daily,” she says. They go for regular walks as a family, and when she gets time, she’ll follow a Zumba class on YouTube. She feels, “The goal of living relatively free from illness is To be free and to be happy.”
youth lyrics
In late 2019, the Center for Catalyzing Change came out with a report called YouthBall, which took into account over 1 lakh voices from across India in the age group of 10 to 24 years.
The survey found that adolescents and youth had a “broad understanding of health, which goes beyond illness, disease, and treatment.” He saw it as an extension of factors such as education, job opportunities, environment and socio-economic conditions.
Respondents demanded “better information and techniques on the management of menstrual pain”, better information on related issues such as sex, sexuality and contraception; Improved information and services on substance abuse and non-communicable diseases, including the importance of physical activity and exercise.