More than two decades ago, when the idea of a gap year was unknown in India, I took a one-year break after class XII. My parents disapproved of my decision but gave in on my insistence. During the gap year, I was a volunteer teacher in a NGO school as well as at an animal care shelter. It was a fulfilling experience. I also used this time to learn a foreign language — German.

But, afterwards when I applied for admission into undergrad colleges in my city, my application was rejected because of the break in my education cycle. Several family friends suggested that I get a fake medical certificate stating that I was ill for a year, and then reapply to undergrad colleges. Instead I tried my luck by applying to universities in Germany. Fortunately I was admitted into a German university which greatly appreciated my volunteer work. Almost two decades later I was pleased to read your story that Indian parents, educators and universities are warming up to the idea of students taking a gap year.

Saroja B.
Bengaluru

Immunity building foods

I enjoy reading your Recipes section. It has easy-to-make and healthy food ideas. I was wondering if you can do a series on immunity boosting foods.

With the Covid-19 pandemic still lurking around and schools reopening in some states, it’s important to keep children’s immunity levels high and strong. Also some advice on fitness activities for adolescent children and tips on avoiding stress would be greatly appreciated.

Riyanshi Kishore
Chennai

Rethink education purpose

Thank you for an excellent cover story on the benefits of school/college leavers taking a gap year (PW December).
The pandemic has made us rethink the purpose of education and indeed life. Is the purpose of education to get good marks in exams and get a highly-paid job? Or should education prepare children with skill sets to confront life’s challenges and troubles with creativity, empathy and confidence. We need to teach our children to be resilient, confident and creative and be ready to unlearn, relearn and adapt to new situations.

Unfortunately our exams-obsessed schools are not interested in teaching students these 21st century skills. Therefore it’s a good idea for children to take a sabbatical from school — it doesn’t have to be one year, it can be one month during the summer or winter holidays. During this break they can acquire real-world experiences by doing social work and/or learning new skills.

Beela Thomas
Kochi

Wean children off digital devices

Thank you for your timely ‘Replace gadgets with toys’ story (PW December). It’s common to see children as young as two-three years playing for hours on smart phones and iPads. More so, since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and preschools closed, children’s addiction to digital devices has increased manifold. Parents are to blame as they are using digital devices as babysitters.

Child psychologist Dr. Dherandra Kumar is right when he says that it’s the responsibility of parents to take proactive steps to wean youngest children from digital media by encouraging them to play with physical toys. Playing with physical especially educational, toys aids the motor and cognitive development of young children. Also the tips shared by paediatrician Dr. Maulik Shah to unhook children from digital gadgets were excellent.

Sarita Mathur
Gurguram