I have no idea as to why every time the word ‘immunity’ is brought up, we only associate it with health? Do we not want our country to be immune of corruption and poverty? Of caste-ism and communal-differences? Of disparate opportunities?
I wish, that for all the ailments of the society (or at least, for the major ones), we had a Dabur Chyawanprash of sorts to take care of them, but alas!
So what is the way out that I propose to make India fairly immune?
Travel.
No, I am not advocating travel because I write a travel-blog. No. In fact, the word ‘immunity’ and the tunnel-vision-approach that people have towards it, has forced me to bring this up. Why should there be immunity only against health-issues? Why not other social, environmental and psychological issues?
Why travel?
Let your kid learn to travel at an early age. Let him see that there exist people much, much less fortunate than him. He’ll learn to be thankful and giving. That is immunity against arrogance.
Let him travel and stay at home-stays extended by people from all walks of life. Let him explore the life with different culture, food, religion and financial status. It will humble him for life. That’s immunity against a gamut of negativity that we carry as baggage.
Let him go to snow-covered peaks, for easy-level trekking holidays. This would expose him to the extremities of the weather and teach him that life r-a-r-e-l-y goes by a plan (because in trekking, it rarely does). But even when it doesn’t, one doesn’t cease living.
Let him look at Taj Mahal and wonder how it took 20 years to build the wonderment, and it still stands the test of the time. That, Rome was not built in a day. That is immunity against impatience, one of the biggest vice the younger lot has. Actually, I think travelling can fix anything and everything. 😀
I am from a small town, like most the India. I have noticed the difference in the way my classmates who had travelled well in the growing-up years have handled their life, vis-a-vis the ones who didn’t. Or the ones who, because of circumstances, could not travel like I could because of my father’s transferable job. It makes you tenacious like no other activity on the planet. Trust me on that.
Let him travel and figure out that, the day his career bumps into unexpected recession, he has to view it as an opportunity to study further. Or catch-up on life. Or take a break to volunteer-travel to a totally new country. That is character-building and immunity against a lot many things.
If I sum it up in a nut-shell, travel is the Dabur Chyawanprash of the growing years! 😀
#ImmuneIndia
[This blogpost is an entry to the ‘An Immune India’ contest by Dabur Chyawanprash, at Indiblogger.in ]
An interesting take on traveling and how it can enrich our children. All the best for the contest.
You would love what I have to say at http://www.indiblogger.in/indipost.php?post=299732
Thanks Dr.Kindo. 😀
Well said! I totally endorse this. Trying various experiments on my own kiddos…let’s see how they turn out. But my mum had the travel bug and it did wonders for me!!
Hey Mukta,
I must say that all the travelling that your mom did with you in tow, must have helped in shaping you up into who you are today. 😀 Contest, or no contest, this is something I really believe in. 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Interesting perspective… I am all for travel…. Best of luck for the contest….
Thank you so so much! 😀
A unique perspective. Your post stands out. Yes the back-pack is one of the surest ways to boost immunity. Interesting to read.
Would appreciate your candid comments on my post at
Thanks so much, Saket. I, for sure will have a look at the link you have posted. 😀
“One doesn’t cease living “,
It hit the spot for me ,
Love your take on the topic ,
All the best !
Thank you so much girl. 🙂
travel seems to be your mantra for healthy future. nice entry for contest
http://amarnaik.com/2013/10/20/an-immune-kid-healthy-kid-for-a-bright-future/
Thanks much, Amar 😀
Did not hear of the competition – I read this only today. But, interesting for me as I am an immunologist by training
In that case, I wish you had heard of it on time because as a participant I see so many people giving so much of text-bookish gyaan on their blog, for this contest. You could have shared some really valuable AND practical insight. 😀
It took place through Indiblogger. I hope you are on-board on it?