Photo WHO/J. Tuli Most young people seem so intoxicated with the sheer joy of living that they do not need any extraneous intoxicants. If you are both young and healthy- you have everything

by Jitendra Tuli

t your age, I could drink three is the room or the equipment?" asks Arogyam Paramo Labha-health is litres of milk at a time, and I the teenager. the most previous possession-is cycled 20 miles to and from It is time for calm, considered a saying that is well-known school every day. But look at you, two reasoning: "I agree that it may not be in many countries of South-East Asia. trips to the market next door and you possible, or even necessary, to drink Equally, well-known is the blessing, are exhausted. That's because you do three litres of milk at a go. And I know "may you be sound of mind not eat well, nor do you do any there are school buses now. But you and body." exercise. " This typical grumble by an are surely not lacking any facilities· for In fact, the mythology of the East is urban father to his teenage child has sports and exercise, are you? In any rich with legendary characters known an all-too-familiar ring to it. case, you wouldn't need much exercise for their physical prowess. Throughout Whether it is in or Dha­ to keep yourself fit at your age. What the ages, these figures have been ka, Bangkok or Colombo, the facts of stops you from doing some exercise looked up to by succeeding genera­ urban life have brought new pressures at home?" tions of young men. Foremost in to bear on people's life-styles and As with many such exchanges be­ this galaxy of venerable valiants is provoked a few paradoxes too. tween fathers and sons the world over, Bheema, a prince recorded in Whereas, on the one hand, there is not this one too ended with the teenaged 's great epic, the Mahabha­ enough milk to go round, let alone son shrugging his shoulders and rata. Bheema could lift a hundred "three litres at a time " per person, turning on the music-full blast. men and wage battle against a whole there is, on the other, no need now for Later, wearing the latest in track army single-handed. Then there is children to cycle 20 miles a day to suits, he went for a brisk run in the , the monkey-god, who school. "And as for exercise, where nearby park. jumped across an ocean and carried a

W oRLD HEALTH, Jan ./Feb. 1986 13 In India: A mix of the traditional with the contemporary: (left), cricket (above) and hockey (right).

In most South-East Asian schools: A strong emphasis on a sound body. Photos: W HO/J. T uli

mountain on his back while seeking a develop the infrastructure necessary player takes a deep breath, repeating medicinal herb. for sports, particularly in countries aloud a word, usually " ", Similar tales of valour have kept with other pressing priorities and crosses over to the opponents' side, millions of young South-East Asians meagre resources. " But it is not neces­ touches someone and-still holding his spellbound over the ages. And though sary, or even desirable, to spend mil­ breath-runs back to his own side. The there might not be blow-ups of these lions. The need is to encourage the use opponents try to hold on to the "in­ legendary figures on marquees and of what exists and to see that sports truder" until he runs out of breath. hoardings, like those devoted to the are encouraged at the village level," Points are scored when a player instant stars and cult figures from the says one respected sportsman. reaches "home" safely, after touching world of pop music or sport, they are In fact, this is exactly what is being an opponent. It's great fun, and cer­ still held in very high esteem by the done in most countries of this region. tainly not a sport for smokers. You young. In some countries like India and Thai­ need tremendous lung power. This could partly explain the resur­ land, which have hosted the Asian Chin Lone or Taqraw is popular in gence of traditional sports, and the Games, the physical infrastructure for Thailand, Burma and Indonesia among focus now being placed on youth in sports has already been laid, and is boys and men. It is a very easy game many countries of the Region. In most being strengthened. (in terms of equipment, space and so countries, sports events are part of In many countries indigenous games on) and only needs a hollow cane ball every school and college calendar; are being encouraged. Kabaddi, for and a group of six or seven people. ministries of sports and of youth af­ instance, is a popular indigenous game You can even play it alone. The idea is fairs have been established in many played all over the Indian sub-conti­ to toss the ball from player to player countries in South-East Asia. The ac­ nent. Boys, girls, adults alike partici­ standing in a circle, without touching it cent everywhere is on encouraging pate; it has been raised to a level with your hands. Yes, you use your indigenous sports, and on inculcating where national tournaments are held. feet, legs or head to pass the ball in the young a feeling for sportsman­ All you need is a patch of level around without letting it fall to the ship. This emphasis is understandable, ground, say, the size of a badminton ground. What some players can do considering that over 40 per cent of court. At the centre a line is drawn with it has to be seen to be believed. It the population in the South-East Asia delineating the "territory" of the op­ is sheer artistry. Region is less than 24 years old. posing teams, which usually consist of Of course, cricket, hockey and foot­ If is not easy to find the funds to between four and seven players. Each ball also enjoy great popularity, but

14 W oRLD HEALTH, Jan ./Feb. 1986 they are not considered as indigenous centuries. It relies more on classical tites seem to go together, and though or local games. While cricket is seen grips and stances where points are three litres of milk at a time may not as a legacy of the British Empire, scored by a wrestler on the basis of be de rigueur, a nutritious diet is a football and hockey are seen more how he immobilises his opponent. The must. And this can be had, just as as international sports that have de­ wrestlers pride themselves on the clas­ effectively, through sprouted gram veloped their own style in this part of sical form of their sport. beans, whole wheat, green vegetables the world. This elegance, with its echo of and so on. ritualistic practice, extends even to the "Bheema and the other great war­ Indian wrestling manner in which the ground where the riors of their time were all supposed to wrestling is performed is prepared. be vegetarians. And they did not need Delhi's waterfront is dotted with a For instance, only the softest of river­ any vitamin pills or tonics, did they?" number of temples where the devout bed clay is used, not just any kind of asks Alok, a young wrestler. go every day to offer prayers or just to soil or mud. Before stepping on to it, All one needs is determination, and sit by the river meditating. In the same the wrestlers bow in reverence. The a certain amount of self-discipline neighbourhood is yet another "tem­ ground is levelled and blessed with the which makes it easy to say "no" to ple" where, instead of the devout lighting of incense sticks, sprinkling of cigarettes, alcohol and other injurious softly chanting "mantras ", the air is milk and mixing of the clay with drugs. It is much more satisfying and rent by loud grunts and the sounds of henna and turmeric powder. While rewarding to say "no " than to suc­ physical exercise. This is Chiran­ henna is known to have "cooling" cumb to temptation. ji Lal's "akhara" or school for wres­ properties, turmeric is an acknow­ These simple ethics are echoed tlers. For over 80 years young men ledged antiseptic. loudly by the other youths who, in any have been coming here to learn the art Run in the true " guru-shishya" case, seem so intoxicated with the of Indian wrestling from acknow­ (teacher-disciple) tradition, the" akha­ sheer joy of living, of being, that they ledged masters of the sport. Today, ra" is a living example of age-old do not need any extraneous intoxi­ the grandsons are keeping alive the values being kept alive. Here it be­ cants. And that, indeed, is the joy of tradition and training other young comes all the more evident that one being young. If you are healthy as wrestlers. does not need any sophisticated or well, and strong, there is nothing Indian wrestling is a game, rich with intricate paraphernalia to keep fit and more that anybody can give you. You a tradition that dates back several healthy. Wrestlers and gigantic appe- have it all. •

W ORLD HEALT H. Jan./Feb. 1986 15