When we were young children there used to be no less than one or two parks in every neighborhood. After school, it was mandatory for us – our parents believed in the benefits of playing everyday – to go out and play in the open with other children. There were typically colourful gazebos in each park with vendors selling cold drinks and ice-creams. It was a great place to be as a kid with a few coins in your pocket.
After playing, we would return home by around 6.00 p.m., wash and sit to study until dinner. As a result of good physical activity, we would get sound sleep at night and feel fresh in the morning, ready to begin our day’s work. Nowadays, children tend to spend more time before the internet or the television instead of in the open, which is not a healthy sign. Sadly, many parks are making way for construction of commercial complexes too. In our apartment, we do not have a big garden, but there is a huge park in our area with lush-green lawn and play things, which is visited by most people and their children in our neighborhood. Parents walk, sit and gossip while the children play to their hearts’ content and exchange their experiences at school. It is an endearing sight to watch everyday.