Why should educational institutes focus on extra curricular activities like Cultural fests, Sports Fests, Technical and Managerial Fests, Seminars, Conferences and Workshops.

1. Importance of Extra Curricular
Activities

2. “All work and no play makes Jack a
dull boy” has acquired a lot of
significance today.

4. This is because today’s kids are told to “Play less and study more!” Kids today are forced to
get very high GPAs (Grade Point Averages) or secure very high percentages (read
unrealistically high!). Thanks to the high cut offs in most of the colleges and universities.
Come exams and children go through a hell of a time, leaving them no time for anything
other than studies. The curriculum and syllabus framed is so vast that children don’t find
the time to pursue their hobbies seriously. Schools and colleges emphasize on students
getting good grades and very high marks, all in a bid to get recognition! They are all result
oriented. Students find school nightmarish because of all the pressure and the anxiety.
Why are we burdening them at such a young age? The realm of education is transforming
from boon to bane, given the current circumstances! If it is slightly altered, from a broader
perspective, it would be perfectly conducive.
Gone are the days when kids would happily play outside their homes! Now you can only
see them poring over books or hooked to the internet! Agreed, academics plays a vital role
in the kids’ future. I’m not of the view that academics must be neglected. It is very
important that we do well academically. Knowledge is one’s greatest possession. But that
should not let the extra curriculars take a back seat! Both are equally important. They are
needed for recreation. Otherwise, the very purpose of education stands defeated. Parents
and teachers should take active interest in encouraging children to participate in extra
curricular activities.This articles states and explains ten reasons why they are important
and must not be neglected, and here they are:

7. They harness talent, the right way!
• There is some special talent in everyone. And this talent
remains latent till it is woken up from its hibernation! This
will happen if you start taking chances, grab opportunities
and try out everything you can. You will definitely identify
your forte’ and find your niche’. We must let kids take part
in many extra curricular activities so that they discover and
learn about their talents. Their strengths, weaknesses and
aptitude can be clearly identified. They will then discover a
new side to themselves, previously unknown! It can lead to
unconventional, but very rewarding career choices. It can
even change their lives forever, for they discover what they
are capable of achieving.

8. Holistic and all round development
• People who are good at many things are preferred over
people who can only do one thing correctly! When
children are encouraged in extra curricular activities,
they acquire many skills, which fosters their all round
development. They grow holistically. If you are skillful
in many things, it makes you more reliable. You also
become independent. You become multi-faceted and
versatile. There will be many shades that define you,
instead of a monochrome.
• Come on! Paint the canvas of your life with many
colours and patterns. Don’t make it a plain landscape.
Make it unusual and exciting!

9. Raise in self esteem
• Inferiority complex and the lack of self worth arise out
of a feeling of non-accomplishment. Many times,
children who have not stepped out and tried anything
may later get this feeling. After all, an empty mind is a
devil’s workshop! If children are involved in many
activities, they will not have the time to think negative
thoughts. Doing many things gives them a feeling of
self-worth and this raises their self-esteem. They
become more aware and acquire more exposure,
making them more knowledgeable and having more
experience. They become bold and learn how to face
life.

10. Better time management and
prioritizing
• When you are multi-tasking, you develop better time
managerial and prioritizing skills. You will come across
many situations where you have to do more than one
thing! And this requires time management, which is
one of the most important skills everyone should
possess. Also, prioritizing is needed to make the right
decisions in limited time. Big things should assume
importance, in comparison with the insignificant ones.
This ability to differentiate the wheat from the chaff is
called prioritizing. Participating in many activities will
improve the kids’ ability to handle different things and
take on newer challenges.

11. Stress busters!
• Nowadays, it is not just the working people and
office-goers that undergo stress. Even young
students have fallen pray to this! Competitive
exams, competition in the class to come first,
weekly tests etc. make the children succumb to
stress. Apart from good sleep, extra curricular
activities play a key role in busting this stress.
They provide the much needed leisure and
recreation. They cool the mind down and remove
all the tension. They give peace.

12. For a good social life
• You may have noticed that, sometimes, sticking only to
academics will not fetch you many friends. It is only
when you go out there, in the real world, that you
meet new people, socialize and make friends. When
you meet people and discover shared common
interests, that is when you begin to bond! Taking part
in group activities is a great way to make friends.
Whether it is playing a sport or dancing in a group. You
will meet them regularly and keep in touch, and later,
this gives you a sense of attachment and a sense of
belonging. It is thus safe to say that taking part in such
activities is a pre-requisite for a happening social life.

13. They let the creative juices flow!
• Curiosity, thinking out of the box and creativity are
inborn! But they can be developed too. They just need
the right environment. You cannot turn on creativity
like a faucet! It should have been nurtured the right
way, using the right methods. And extra curricular
activities help to do just that! Arts, music and writing
etc. are all creative pursuits. When children participate
in such things, new doors are opened. The way they
think will change. They will start doing things
differently, and innovatively.
• Creativity has no boundaries whatsoever. There are
innumerous possibilities when you are creative. It is a
great skill to have hold of! It will set you apart!

14. They teach teamwork
• Learning to work well and co-ordinate in a team
from a young age can be very beneficial. Children
who grow up in isolation generally find it difficult
to work in a team. Differences arise and they take
long to settle. Settling disputes amicably,
persuading people and trying to compromise for
the good of the team as a whole are important to
work in a team and this comes from prior
experience. Exposing the kids to such experiences
through extra curricular activities makes them
capable and strong.

15. Activeness- on the move!
• Being physically active from a young age can have
numerous health benefits at a later stage. It is good to
be ‘on the move’ always! It boosts metabolism and
improves blood circulation. It also improves stamina
and mental alertness. It improves the energy levels.
Nowadays, kids complain of fatigue too often. It’s
probably because they are not used to running around
and playing. Involving children in extra curricular
activities will keep them active and energetic. It will get
them out of the sedentary routine they have these
days. It makes them enthusiastic and chirpy too!

16. They look good on the resume
• I am not sure how many parents are aware of this
fact, but yes, many reputed universities in India
and abroad look for a resume that is about more
than just academics. They look beyond the grades
and marks. How accomplished a prospective
student is, is judged on an all round criterion.
Skills and activities are thoroughly examined. I
think that this awareness must be made
widespread, especially for students aspiring to
study abroad and even generally, it is better to be
versatile.

17. @ Mewar
• Sports Fest
• Cultural Fest
• Tech Fest
• Inter- Intra Departmental Fests

18. Rewards
• Cash Prizes worth Lacs
• Facilities
• Late Nand Lal Gadiya Award
• Other Felicitations