When Opportunity Knocks, Open Your Doors

If you are in a comfort zone, afraid to venture out Remember that all winners, were at one time filled with doubt A step or two and a few words can make your dreams come true Reach for your future with a smile, success is there for you. Life in the 21st century with its fast pace, demands multifaceted individuals, individuals who have a well developed skill-set and can adapt to changing circumstances and situations, those who can mould and adapt as per the needs of society and self. It is education which can adequately equip individuals. Education which creates a synenergy that permeates the life of the individual as well as the society he inhabits. In other words, education impact all spheres of human life. It is therefore our primary responsibility to create good communities with holistically balanced individuals. In todays scenario, the focus has shifted from the individual to social, hence the importance and need arises of being a team player. Society is a collective enterprise and works like the four wheels of a vehicle. Only when all the cogs are well oiled and in place will a smooth transition is seen. At the growth and development level, it is of great import that skills which fulfill the needs of a global society of tomorrow are fulfilled. In order to bring about this a well- devised curriculum which aims at developing life-skills must be planned. A curriculum with a common denominator of activities helps enhance the multifarious talents in students. Activities must be incorporated into the school curriculum to enhance psychomotor skills and aid cognitive growth. They construct a permanent knowledge base with hands-on experience. Role play, public speaking, radio jockeying, painting, clay modeling, dancing, vocal and instrumental music all add up to a rich repertoire for the student. Besides aiding learning, they tap the potential, cultivate life- long hobbies and at times even turn into career choices. Dr.Palash Sen, R. Mahadevan are household

names today. These stars of the tinsel world are professionally qualified individuals who given vent to their creativity. What if they had not got an opportunity to nurture their talent? The world would have been poorer by quite a few artistes!! It is a well known fact that co-scholastic activities inculcate a positive attitude, cultivate healthy team spirit and instill a sense of dj vu within the learning system. Active involvement in extra -curricular activities is better than passive learning. It raises confidence levels and improves self-worth. It helps learners crave their own identity. Taken up as hobbies, these activities serve as a good stress buster and raise the quality of life too. Various independent studies conducted in different parts of the world have shown that activities in the learning domain encourage peer interaction and prompt co-operation. A study published in Science Daily arrived at the conclusion that active participation in activities protects youth from delinquency too. A research conducted by scholars from the Texas university has shown a significant and measureable increase in knowledge when activities are conducted parallel to class room learning. Students are seen to achieve better grades the day after participation than before. Economist John Dewey known to be an ardent supporter of hands on learning has proved that a fine blend of theory and practice, success and failure, school and society forma firm mental foundation for students. Students are better equipped to see, raise and seek solutions for personal and social issues. There is less of retention loss as the learner has first -hand experience through performance. It is, thus, our moral duty to create an atmosphere and medium through which each budding artist can paint a more appealing portrait, each budding sculptor can carve a more glorious piece and each budding soloist can play a better symphony!!