Children’s right to play – a subject that has triggered many a battle between the parents and residents’ bodies or residents taking care of the park. In our last edition, a ‘Letter to Editor’ was written by a child who complained that he was being rebuked for playing in the park. This month’s edition carries a ‘Letter to Editor’ from a senior resident expressing their woes. There is a board put up by the Noida Authority which among other things drinking in the park is prohibited, the board also declares that playing cricket and football is not allowed. But there are also court rulings that say otherwise. In 2011, the Delhi High Court, while hearing a petition by an RWA pleading that children be barred from playing in local parks, had admonished the RWAs as ‘selfish giants’ – referring to a short story by Oscar Wilde- and ruled that no one can prohibit the children using a park as a playground.
A similar case had taken place in Noida in 2019 when the parents had filed complaints that there is no rule that can prohibit children from playing in the park. The then deputy director (horticulture) of Noida Authority said “Young children playing in the park should not be a problem”.
It is not an isolated case where the Noida Authority is not clear about the rules or laws. Consequently, friction occurs between the residents where both parties feel that they are right. We cannot do much about the Noida Authority which often works arbitrarily, but we hope to find a suitable solution in our Sector. There is a vacant ground in A Block, designated as a playground. The RWA and the residents can work towards developing it as a playground for the children of the Sector.
Not only the children can go play there, but the RWA can approach sports academies to take up training sessions for football or cricket. It will be a win–win situation for all. The children get to play, some parks can be left as ornamental for the senior residents and the RWA may also earn some revenue from these sports academies to develop the playground. And who knows there may emerge a Sachin Tendulkar or our very own Lionel Messi in the Sector!
There are many Sectors where the RWAs even organize tournaments inviting participants from other sectors. Our RWA can also think along those lines and may involve sports personalities of the sector to coach the children.
We often blame children for their excessive indulgence in gadgets and not getting enough physical exercise. Adolescents are growing and changing. And the hormones that drive puberty can have a big impact on mood. Irritability, mood swings, or outbursts are a few things that are common. And the energy level of growing children is also high. This energy if spent on good physical exercise, may solve many problems. The children are the future of our nation and the least that we can give them is a happy childhood. And a happy childhood gives a balanced and sensible youth tomorrow.
