Mumbai: More than 1,600 young people participated in two summer camps organized by Don Bosco Recreation Center at Don Bosco High School Matunga, Mumbai.
The camps held during April and May allowed the participants to join sports and arts activities, including vedic maths. Don Bosco institutions across the Mumbai province have been providing youth with world class sporting and educational facilities and infrastructure to help them hone their skills, reports missionnewswire.org.
Camp organizer Salesian Brother Joyston Machado said their theme for the camps was 4G- gather, grasp, glow and grow. “We encourage youth to participate and do their best. We also provided a trust building exercise where we blindfolded the participants and asked them to walk on a brick line following the guidance of their team mates. It builds teamwork and communication skills.”
During the two camps, youth took part in sports including football, basketball, advanced and basic gymnastics, cricket, roller skating, lawn tennis, basketball, fencing, judo, abacus, and table tennis. Those interested in fine arts had the option to enroll in courses for vedic maths, calligraphy, music, dance, art, speech and drama.
Vedic Mathematics is a book written by Indian Hindu cleric Bharati Krishna Tirthaji and first published in 1965. It contains a list of mental calculation techniques claimed to be based on the Vedas. The mental calculation system mentioned in the book is also known by the same name or as “Vedic Maths.” Its characterization as “Vedic” mathematics has been criticized by academics, who have also opposed its inclusion in the Indian school curriculum.
Shruti Raut, whose sons enrolled in the basketball camp, said the youth loved the camp. “I had asked them to please stay home this summer because I get tired dropping them off and picking them up in this heat but they enjoy it too much not to go.”
Amin Khan enrolled in the skating, basketball, and personality development and public speaking camps. Though he attends weekly skating sessions throughout the academic year, practicing daily at the summer camp gives his an extra edge. He explained that he is preparing for a world record challenge and that the camp allows him to have the extra practice he needs to succeed.
Salesian institutions in Mumbai are among the first in the western Indian city to install Astroturf facilities to train youth in hockey and football. The facilities are also available for the public for seven-a-side competitions.
“Parents appreciate that there is no place like Don Bosco,” says Barrington Serrao, sports coordinator at Don Bosco High School Matunga. “We have the grounds and the facilities. Our fees are also low compared to others. The parents also benefit as while their kids are playing at the camp, they have some free time and can go for walks on the school grounds. It’s a win-win situation for all.”
Salesian programs across India ensure that youth have their basic needs met and the education and workforce development services need to live to a healthy and productive life.
With more than 1.2 billion people, India has the world’s fourth largest economy and according to UNICEF, is home to one-third of the world’s poor. Close to 217 million of India’s poor are children. Although more than 53 million people escaped poverty between 2005 and 2010, most remain vulnerable to falling back below the poverty line.
India’s youth face a lack of educational opportunities due to issues of caste, class and gender. Almost 44 percent of the workforce is illiterate and less than 10 percent of the working-age population has completed a secondary education. In addition, too many secondary school graduates do not have the knowledge and skills to compete in today’s changing job market.