New Delhi: A month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a countrywide fitness movement, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a set of guidelines for the higher educational institutes to adopt.
The institutes have been suggested to incorporate a fitness period or time slot in the academic calendar. Besides, provisions of healthcare and wellness initiatives should be considered among key objectives of the institution, the guidelines said.
Other focus areas:
1. All the students, staff and teachers should be encouraged to devote minimum one hour per day on fitness activities such as exercise, yoga, meditation, walking, cycling, aerobics, dance, traditional regional martial arts etc.
2. Institutions should prepare Fitness Leaders to mentor students for physical fitness.
3. Services of student volunteers from the institutions, faculty members, instructors, ex-servicemen, and other volunteers may be obtained on a voluntary basis.
4. Health icons and motivational speakers on health and fitness should be invited to the campus.
5. The top leadership of the institution and professors may actively participate with students and staff in fitness activities such as cycling, running, aerobics, walkathon, marathon, yoga, meditation activities etc. on a periodic basis to lead by example.
6. Proper utilisation of existing infrastructure, encouraging students to climb stairs, walk at least 10000 steps a day, use cycles within the campus by creating cycling zones, availing gymnasium facilities etc.
7. Addressing the emotional concerns of students to promote mental health. Awareness or sensitisation workshops on depression, anxiety and stress management may be organised for faculty and students.
8. Providing guidance regarding a balanced nutritional diet, distribution of pamphlets and information material on the subject.
9. Frequent organization of sports activities (at least once in a quarter) and encourage students to participate in such activities.
10. Annual health check-ups by volunteer health doctors or voluntary organisations to monitor health & fitness of students, faculty and staff.