Workshop for new parents on 24 August 2013

It was a beautiful Saturday morning, a well-earned holiday after a week’s hard work for most of our parents. But it was not a day of getting up late and passing time without a purpose. We had a workshop on health awareness for our new parents (of nursery and Junior KG students). Our parents had gathered in the badminton hall on the morning of 24^th August 2013. We all attended a lecture and presentation by Dr Atul Rakshe.

Dr Atul Rakshe is a renowned Ayurvedic doctor who is very much concerned with health, emotional well-being and environment issues in today’s world. He is associated with many reputed medical and social institutes in different capacities like founder, president, convener, director, research guide, editor, advisor etc. He is also a health journalist and teaches Ayurveda to students from Spain, Venezuela, Italy, Holland, Australia, Mexico and India annually. Dr Atul Rakshe is also a parent of Millennium national school.

Dr Rakshe talked about various topics on Saturday. He told us about some alarming facts based on his medical practice and presence in different parts of the world. He touched many topics from lifestyle to parenting. He had strong views and his words infused patriotism and introspection in the audience. Here are some excerpts from Dr Rakshe’’s presentation.

“”Where are the people we have heard about and read about? Where have they gone?

The 21^st century has given us many good things. But are we happy and healthy due to them?  Money has become our priority over health, culture, family and society. Stress, loneliness have made their way into our lives, many new diseases have crept in. There are huge amounts of chemicals in our daily lives, and there is lack of exercise.” “

Dr Atul Rakshe gave his own example of how a health problem acted as an eye-opener for him and caused a lifestyle change. He emphasised the importance of healthy eating and the habit of walking. He showed us some statistics about noodles, chips, meat, fast food items, and unhealthy eating in general. It was a shocking revelation of how big brands hide the harmful effects of their food products. Dr Rakshe enlightened us about how India is being looked at as a ‘market’ in the global scene. He pleaded all not to eat processed foods. He also talked about how we are harming our environment and what might be our future if we continue like this. He advised how we can avoid it through small acts of kindness towards the nature. He also talked a little about education and parenting.

Dr Rakshe praised Millennium National School for its facilities, infrastructure, efforts in nation-building; and told the audience that he was a proud parent of Millennium. He thanked the school for organising the workshop so well. The overall effect of the workshop was wonderful. We received many compliments through the feedback forms that our parents filled. A parent wrote, ‘Excellent workshop! We would love more such programs which will keep us rooted.’ Many other feedback forms read ‘Wonderful experience! All things were planned and executed nicely. Snacks were too good. I would like to attend all future workshops.’

We are happy that the workshop proved useful. We thank Dr Rakshe again for the great workshop. Thank you parents for being so enthusiastic and thank you for the feedback.