Gone are the days when children had a carefree time, enjoying playing with their friends after school. Today, children are working and engaged in other learning activities more than ever before. After school and tuition, they run around to different centres to pursue their other passions like dance, music or even sports. This Children’s Day we talk to youngsters about how they manage their hectic schedules and what they would like to do if given a day off from their usual routines.
Conquering the world: Kaamya Karthikeyan
After creating a world record at the age of nine by becoming the youngest in the world to scale Mt Stok Kangri in 2017, 11-year-old Kaamya has set her eyes on climbing the seven summits. She has already completed three expeditions including scaling Kilimanjaro (2017), Mt Elbrus (June 2018), and Mt Kosciuszko (Oct 2018). “I have set my eyes next on Mt Aconcagua in South America, for which the paper work is currently on,” replies the young mountaineer. Apparently, it was Kaamya’s father Karthikeyan (Eastern Naval Commander) who inspired her to take the expedition. “I am very passionate about these expeditions and wanted to scale all the seven summits. Fitness is a part of my life and I want to become a Forest Officer because I have been travelling extensively all over the world. I am getting the opportunity to see nature from close quarters and thus I want to return to Mother Nature,” explains Kaamya who is also an accomplished swimmer, marathon runner, Bharatnatyam dancer and Carnatic singer. “I wish I had more time playing with my friends. I see people of my age hanging out and playing in my nearby park. But I guess it’s all about balancing and prioritising things which I am still learning. Also, I want to spend more time with my grandmother but I’m just unable to either because of my studies or passion pursuits,” she shares.
Eyeing the Olympics: Agasthi Chandrasekhar
There is no doubt that today’s kids are more focussed and have high ambitions. They aspire to be successful and are ready to put in their best to achieve their goals. And nine-year-old Agasthi Chandrasekhar is no different. While many others of his age struggle to complete their homework by themselves, Agasthi dreams of representing India in BMX racing in 2028 Olympics. “It is a bit difficult to manage the school and my training, however I enjoy cycling a lot and would like to represent India in the BMX racing in Olympics 2028,” says Agasthi, who is studying in the fourth grade. BMX racing is a type of off-road bicycle racing, which is derived from motocross racing. Surely, the training for it is not easy. “I train for running and cycling every morning and train for BMX racing separately in the evening,” he explains. Ask Agasthi, what he wishes to do when he gets some free time, and he quips, “I don’t get a lot of time to play with my friends. So, whenever I have time I prefer going out and playing with them football.”
Violin sisters: Srijita and Srijanya Srinivasan
Sisters Srijita and Srijanya aged 13 and 10 respectively who have been learning violin for three years now and have performed on many occasions including on World Music Day swear by their love for the instrument. “We have a packed schedule generally because we are into painting and Kuchipudi dance apart from violin and studies. And whenever I get time, I make it a point to spend my time relaxing and enjoying with friends. If given a day off I would surely love to go for skating or RipStik, connect with friends for a play date, read books and watch cartoons,” says Srijanya. For the elder sister, Srijita, her day off is all about art and craft. “I enjoy dabbling into various forms of art. My ideal day off would be full of art and craft activities, watching YouTube videos on this, listening to Bollywood music and watching cartoons,” she shares.
YouTuber: MishkKAa Verma
Being a YouTuber at the age of 12 and talking about social issues is a big deal. Mishka Verma has been making YouTube videos from age 10. She specifically talks about social issues in the way she understands them. She began by making a video where she was imitating a radio jockey. She soon realised that people liked her videos so she thought of talking about something more serious. “I talk about social issues because it is something that should be understood and not be ignored by people of my age as well,” Mishka argues. She also attends music, throwball, football and chess classes as well. “I think differently and creatively and I love whatever I do. I finish my studies quickly and give time to other activities as well. I take a month to talk about a particular issue and my mother helps me make the final draft,” she adds. When asked her about how she would spend a day if she had no tasks to complete she says, “I would love to spend my day fulfilling four wishes which would be, spending time with dogs and cats, playing with my friends, watching cartoons and getting lots of sleep.”
Sailing enthusiast: Vatsal Banker
Thirteen-year-old Vatsal Banker is one of the very few children who picked an unconventional sport like sailing and has managed to excel at it. His most recent feat was winning the Bart’s Challenge sailing competition held at the Secunderabad Sailing Club and is now eyeing the national and international sailing championship in Chennai next year in January. But Vatsal also loves going to school and considers himself as an academically bright student. “I started sailing just as fun activity a couple of years back, but as I kept on training rigorously, I took it up seriously. It has improved my focus, concentration and decision making making prowess over time. Though sailing is never a pressure on me, if given a chance to not study or sail on one day, I would love to sit and pursue my passion for canvas painting and making miniature gardens. Probably also visit an orphanage and spend some time with the kids there. Last but not the least, i would absolutely love to spend some quiet time with my mother and learn something new from her.”
