Tag: Language

Things cinema lovers in India need to unlearn and relearn

Khevna.P.Shah, INN/Bangalore

@Shahkhevna1, @Infodeaofficial

Cinema lovers are spread across the country, but it takes a lot more than just watch numerous movies, it requires a deeper understanding of the film, understanding the cinematography, and also exploring the films from other industries as well. There are several things movie buffs in India need to unlearn and relearn.

1. A slow movie doest mean a bad movie.

It is completely natural to not have enjoyed a slow-paced movie, but that doesn’t necessarily make it bad. Maybe it wasn’t the right day to enjoy the movie. We generally assume that a slow movie is gonna be bad but we are sometimes wronged about it. Sometimes a slow pave movie gives you a different perspective to view to film. Movies like the Parasite, Dev-D, Barfi will make you rethink the statement.

2. Predictability doesn’t make a movie bad.

Generally, it is our habit to jump into thinking about how the movie ends before the interval and once the movie has come to end we often tend to say, “ahh it was predictable”. But like the slow movie, even predictability does not make a movie bad. Sometimes it is the entire plot that makes a movie worth watching and the end just gives the audience closure. Some directors really play well to give unexpected plot twists and climax, while some develop the plot in such a way that it brings a known comfort to the audience. I personally believe that a little shock factor in the climax is a necessary element but what matters the most is that how convincingly it was able to reach the end and what kind of ideas it tried to focus on in that process.

3.Respecting people’s choice of films.

Just watching a lot of films holds on value when you cant emphasize with them. India has a vast culture and there are people with different likings and hence their choices a different. The directors, scriptwriters, composers work to fill in the audience’s choice into the movie and shape the character’s in such a way that any common man can relate to it. But degrading or disrespecting other people’s choice of films simply means that you have failed to understand the perspective of a film or the socio-economic context behind the choice. Films are literally the physical manifestation of empathy since they directly allow us to us look at the world from other people’s viewpoint.

4. Diversity comes along with cinema.

The most important aspect of cinema is its rare ability to allow people to tell their stories with absolute truth and honesty. The reason, why many films or even film reviews have the same voice, is because they come from the same social background. We need to have a more diverse voice and more people from different social backgrounds in storytelling and criticism and support these voices.

5. Films should be supported irrespective of the language.

Often we see this trend in audiences where they only support their regional films. It is important to explore films of another language as well. They provide a window into that region’s culture and traditions. Indian being a diverse country surely provides us with a vast variety of films from different parts of the country. This is probably one of the best eras of Indian cinema and a gradual blurring of lines between the different regions of Indian cinema. It is not healthy to look at it as a competition and support good cinema irrespective of their language.

August 14, 2021
Yogi Adityanath

Khevna.P.Shah, INN/Bangalore

@Shahkhevna1, @Infodeaofficial

Yogi Adityanath was born on 5 June, 1972 in a Gharwali Rajput family in Uttarakhand. His birth name was Ajay Singh Bisht. He completed his primary education from the local schools of Pauri and Rishikesh. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University.

In the year 1990, he joined Ayodhya Ram temple movement and became the disciple of the head priest of Gorakhnath Math Mahant Avaidyanath. Subsequently, he got the name ‘Yogi Adityanath’ and also succeeded Mahant Avaidyanath.

Mahant Avaidyanath named Yogi Adityanath his successor in the year 1994 and became the head priest of the Gorakhnath Math. Therefore, he was also named as the successor of Gorakhnath Math. Then, it was his duty to manage schools, colleges, and hospitals which were run by the Gorakhnath Trust Fund.

Political Journey

In the year 1998 Yogi Adityanath became the youngest member to be elected to the 12th Lok Sabha at 26 years’ age. Along with holding the profile of chief minister, he is taking care of around 36 ministries himself, including Home, Housing, Revenue, Food and Civil Supplies, Food Security and drug administration, stamp and registry, Town and country planning department, Economics and statistics, Mines and Minerals, Flood control, vigilance, prison, general administration, secretariat administration, personnel and appointment, information, institutional finance, planning, urban land, estate department, UP state reorganization committee, administration reforms, programmer implementation, Relief and Rehabilitation, national integration, Rent Control, infrastructure, coordination, language, external aided project, Public Service Management, Consumer protection, weights and measures.

In 2004 he was re-elected to 14th Lok Sabha (3rd term) Member, Committee on Government Assurances; Member, Committee on External Affairs; Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Home Affairs and in 2009 he was re- elected for the fourth term and became a member of transport, tourism and culture committee.

In 2017, he was a prominent BJP campaigner in assembly elections of Uttar Pradesh. After BJP won the assembly elections, in 2017, he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. When he came to power, he banned cow smuggling, tobacco, pan and gutka in the government offices of Uttar Pradesh. He also formed anti-romeo squads in the state. More than 100 policemen were also suspended under his period.Yogi Adityanath is the current chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Social and Cultural Activities

Yogi Adityanath provided hostel facilities for socially and economically weaker and backward children. He raises awareness against religious and social conventions and evils.

He is also running more than two dozen educational institutions and working to extend the health facilities in the rural areas.

Several spiritual and cultural organisations are also run by him including the centres of the oldest meditation system of India and the centre of a prominent philosophical sect of Nath Panth.

Controversies

Yogi Adityanath has several criminal cases against him. Some of the charges are rioting, attempt to murder, armed with deadly weapon, endangering life or personal safety of others, unlawful assembly, trespassing on burial places and criminal intimidation. In 2005, Adityanath allegedly led a purification drive for conversion of Christians to Hinduism. In 2015, Yogi Adityanath said that those who oppose yoga can leave India and that they should be drowned. Adityanath likened Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed and asked him to go to Pakistan.

August 13, 2021
Unacademy raises $440 million from Temasek, Softbank Vision Fund

Manjil Das, INN/Chennai
Twitter-@SGiggle29 @Infodeaofficial

In a fundraising round headed by Temasek, Unacademy raised $440 million, valuing the company at $3.44 billion, the company said on Monday, August 2. As part of the Series H investment round, General Atlantic, Tiger Global, and Softbank Vision Fund participated.

Unacademy Group’s worth has more than doubled in the previous 18 months, making it one of the fastest-growing consumer internet start-ups in India, the firm stated in a statement.

An expanding network of over 50,000 registered educators and over 62 million learners in 14 Indian languages across 5,000 cities is reported to exist at Unacademy, founded in 2015 by Gaurav Munjal, Hemesh Singh, and Roman Saini.

Zomato’s co-founder and CEO, Deepinder Goyal, also participated in the Series H investment round. During this round, Unacademy’s angel investors exited.

Tiger Global, Dragoneer Investment Group, Steadview Capital, and General Atlantic made a second investment round in January.

Unacademy revealed late last month that it had purchased the gaming streaming network Rheo TV, which had been in operation since 2007.

It’s a platform that enables professional game broadcasters to webcast and monetize their broadcasts.

Unacademy bought TapChief in February for a worth of Rs 100 crore.

For $50 million, Unacademy purchased PrepLadder, a renowned platform for preparing for postgraduate medical admission examinations (approx. Rs 112.3 crore).

In Unacademy’s view, the purchase would increase its position in medical entrance test categories. Unacademy also bought Kreatryx and CodeChef.

“As a result of our constant efforts, Unacademy’s subscriber base has grown at an exponential rate. When PrepLadder joins Unacademy, I am looking forward to working with them. ” According to Unacademy’s Co-Founder and CEO, Gaurav Munjal.

August 11, 2021
Rajinikanth: The political superstar that never was

Soumya Thakur, INN/Madhya Pradesh

Twitter- @soumyaT38144281, @Infodeaofficial

Politics is for people who want to serve humanity or use fame to come to power or giving good governance.

Actor Rajinikanth said he has no plans to enter the political battlefield in the future. Superstar Rajinikanth has finally withdrawn from taking his way to politics, after years of promising to initiate a remarkable change for the betterment of the people of Tamil Nadu. He said that he did not plan to change his mind and dissolve his outfit Rajini Makkal Mandram, ( RMM was Rajinikanth’s personal creation) effectively closing that chapter.

Acting and political career are two different, acting is person-centric, where politics is people-centric. It’s a democratic country, everyone has the right to contest and withdraw from politics, it’s up to the audience to choose who has to be given power. He came to acting and struggled his way by working hard and archived a top place and maintained for a long time.

Rajinikanth has put forward some reasons for his delayed withdrawn from politics some three months after assembly polls. “I am unable to meet officials earlier because of COVID-19, the polls, the film shoot, and a medical check-up in the US,” explained the Rajinikanth. The announcement came on Tuesday, one day after the 70-year-old Tamil action hero left the hospital where he was treated for high blood pressure. “I will serve the people in whatever ways I can, regardless of what without entering into politics,” he wrote in the Tamil-language letter. He said he did not want to start such a major campaign and then leave it unfinished.

Rajinikanth has carried on with his film career despite of his health problems and had been shooting his latest movie in Hyderabad when he was not well last week.

August 6, 2021
PATNA: THE OLDEST CITY IN INDIA

Megha Budhouliya, INN/Madhya Pradesh

@Meghabudhouliya ,@Infodeaofficial

Patna is the capital of Bihar, India that has situated near the bank of the River Ganges. It is one of the oldest living cities not only in India but in the whole world. Patna acquires its name from the word Pattan, which means Port in the Sanskrit language. The city is a symbol of patriotism since ancient times that uphold it to the present time as well. It had ruled by diverse efficacious dynasties. It was the fortress of antagonist and valorous Rajas. The city has also played a pivotal role in the freedom movement of India. The Sadaqat Ashram, which has located here established by Mahatma Gandhi as the assemblage ground for several freedom warriors. The initial name of Patna is Pataliputra or Patalipattan and then later changed into Patna. Patna has a vibrant, memorable and, dynamic heritage and culture. Its heritage spans crossed over two millennia.

Patna has diversity in distinct religions that portray the discernment of India’s attitude, which is “Unity in Diversity.” Most of the majority of Patna are Hindus. In addition to that, Muslims, Christians, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism have included too. Patna also instates the case of secularism like the other cities of India. Along with divergences in the cast, creed, and religion, Patna people live with a conception of unanimity and concord. Despite this, the people of Patna are very anecdotal and sheer by core. They are sophisticated in their culture & custom and spreading their sorcery to all edges of the city.

People of Patna perceive to be ethical and family-oriented, with an interpretation of collective family custom predominating in the most utmost parts. Hindi is the official language of the state. People speak along with the touch of a Bihari accent, which makes them more pleasant. Bhojpuri, Braj, Magahi, and Maithili are the other regional languages, which has broadly spoken here. There are some regional languages also widely spoken here Bhojpuri, raj, Magahi, and Maithili.

The cuisine is the most prominent element of culture & tradition. The diversity of Indian food has tremendous compliance in the whole world. Just like any other place Patna traditional & street food is very famous amongst the public. It’s an amalgam of both Bengali and North Indian meals. People love to explore such a variety of exquisite dishes and desserts. Some of the popular food items of Patna are Litti Chokha, Khichadi, Pitta, Makhana, Dhuska, Kadhi Bari, Ghugni, Kafta, Patna Chaat, Samosa Chaat, Tikki Chaat, Dahi Chura Chini. Shahi Jhinga Masaledaar, Johor Waali Machhli, Jhinga Biryani, Seekh kababs, and Shammi kababs are also famous in Muslim domains. Without desserts, every traditional meal is incomplete. Sweets are like a convoy to the whole starter and main course. Various desserts delicacies are famous in Patna, such as Peda, Kalakand, Motichoor Ka Laddu, Anarsa, Kala Jamun, Khubi Ka Lai, Pua, Chena Murki, Laai, Sonpapdi, Balushahi, Halwa, Perukia, Chiwara, Sattu-Pani, Lassi, etc.

The artforms of Patna are very popular in India. People love handicrafts items that have made by the local people. It depicts the ancient heritages & customs of the city. Patna is also known for its peculiar paintings to form such as Madhubani & Mithila Paintings, Hand Painted Wall Hangings, Miniature Paintings on Leaves and Paper are entrancing the tradition and culture.

In Patna, copious of festivals are celebrating such as Sonepur Mela, Diwali, Holi, Durga Puja, Makar Sankranti, Maha Shivratri, Teej, Ram Navami, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Jitiya, Saraswati Puja, Chitra Gupta Puja, Pitrapaksha Mela, Kartik Purnima, Gurupurab, Buddha Purnima, Paryushan, Mahavir Jayanti, Muharram, Bakri Eid, Eid, Christmas, Patna Film Festival, Food Festivals, etc. Apart from them, the most popular and traditional festival of Patna is CHHATH PUJA. It is also known as ‘Aastha ka Mahaparv.’ This festival has dedicated to the Lord Surya, who nurtures the earth by his grace and sun rays.

Patna is an antique city and has lots of historical monuments and galleries that portray the old heritage of Patilputra along with its captivating architecture and sculptures. Some of the most visited historical places of Patna are Golghar, Ruins of Pataliputra, Nalanda Mahavihara, Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library, Mahavir Mandir, Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Choti Dargah, Jain Temple, Patna Museum, Jalan Museum, etc.

July 27, 2021
Why is the influence of English increasing in education

Soumya Thakur, INN/Madhya Pradesh

Twitter- @soumyaT38144281, @Infodeaofficial

English is a universal language, and also it is the most spoken language in the world. If we want to communicate with people from other countries, we need a common language. It is very important to learn English in the 21^st century. English is the language of international communication in various areas such as politics, sciences, technologies, art, or media. So, if anyone wants to be an informed citizen, you should learn English.

In India, English is not just a language for communication. It shows your standard of living as well. It shows how educated you truly are and it makes you more important among people. Most of the popular novels, fiction, stories, scriptures, religious, spiritual, thriller or any genre books are written in English, to gain the vital knowledge and we should read books. It will open up opportunities for you that you would not have if you could not speak those other languages.

Many schools and universities around the world require that their students have a basic or even intermediate understanding of the English language. Language and culture are closely related and learning English will help us to learn about the culture of the countries where English is spoken. Learning a language fluently is the only way to understand the culture, perspective, and ideology of the people who speak it. English vocabulary helps you to give a priority to you while an interview. English is the primary language not only of countries actively touched by British imperialism but also of many business and culture spheres dominated by those countries.

English is the language of science, computers, and tourism. Knowing English increases your chances of getting a good job in a multinational company within your home country or of finding work abroad. Whether you are looking for a new job or planning to travel the world, studying English can help you progress in life both personally and professionally. You can increase your career opportunities and start to meet people around the world. English is generally thought to be the language of higher education. Newspapers and books are written in English than in any other language, and no matter where in the world you are, you will find some English books and newspapers available. English is not only useful for knowledge, but also international conferences, and competitions.

July 27, 2021
Career After Class 12: Here’s How To Become An Air hostess

Soumya Thakur, INN/Madhya Pradesh

Twitter- @soumyaT38144281, @Infodeaofficial

The airline industry offers an opportunity to develop your career as the industry is continuously growing.

Cabin crew job allows meeting and interacting with interesting people daily which makes job interesting. Working in the airline industry means you have a demanding job but along with that, you get an opportunity to travel the globe. It also provides a lot of lifestyle benefits. They also ensure that their employee’s health is looked after by providing a health plan at a discounted rate. The airline industry provides a good salary to their employees and of course, this can be one more to get attracted to this profession.

As a crew member, your responsibility is to ensure that the passenger is having a good flight and needs to resolve any problems the passenger is facing. You are taught to be polite but of course not give up your dignity. Air hostess has a big responsibility of taking care of passengers on the flight. If reaching the skies, traveling, and attending to people in your dream, this sector is the best career option for you. It is not a gender-based job, whether you are male or female you can achieve so much in this field, where you just not only explore the world but grow as a person along with your airline.

The Air hostess job seems like an easy job but she has many responsibilities on the plane. An air hostess can be later on promoted as a senior flight attendant and then head attendant. Age limit usually depends upon the policy of a particular institute. Normally academies prefer candidates within the age group of 18 years and 28 years. Good appearance, as well as pleasant voice, is must necessary. You must have friendly nature because you have to be friendly with passengers on board. A friendly outgoing personality is what makes an Air hostess. You have to be calm to face people with a different mindset.

Good communication skills and language proficiency is a must for any Air hostess because you must be able to communicate with the travelers and help them out if they need anything. Improved communication skills are very important to convince passengers. As well as mastery in spoken language and other foreign languages is necessary. The presence of mind is also essential because if there is an emergency landing, then Air hostess has to use her brain and give all the required instructions to the passengers on boards. Presence of mind help to tackle difficult situations. They have to show the great presence of mind in any such eventualities.

Some eligibility criteria that you have to follow like 10+2 with a degree in hospitality, or another graduate degree. Height of minimum 157.5 centimeters, weight proportionate to the height, eligible for an Indian passport, unmarried, perfect eyesight, good health.

July 14, 2021

Atmanirbhar Krishi APP Launched by the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India

INN/Delhi, @Infodeaofficial

There is a wealth of information carefully curated by various departments of the government, which can be very relevant to the farmersbut on different platforms and not in a manner comprehensible to them.A component of KisanMitr, a national digital platform that caters to farmers, focuses on filling this gap by combining data from various government ministries/departments like Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC), and others and making it available to the farmers through the Atmanirbhar Krishi app.

“The Government of India has seamlessly worked to have a robust system to support local manufacturing, market and supply chain, and empower farmers and migrant workers, two sections that were disproportionately affected during the pandemic. With the Atmanirbhar Krishi app of the KisanMitr initiative, farmers will have in their hands, evidence-based information generated by our research organizations like IMD, ISRO, ICAR, and CGWA. This information, when used by the farmers to make decisions on cropping patterns, mechanization of small farmers’ holdings or stubble burning, will ensure that decisions are made factoring in the importance of sustainability of water and environment, and judicious use of resources. An app available on a basic phone with information in a language comprehensible to farmers will also enhance inclusivity during the decision-making process,” Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India said during the launch of the app.

The Atmanirbhar Krishi app was created to equip farmers with actionable agricultural insights and early weather alerts. Data related to soil type, soil health, moisture, weather, and water tablewere aggregated and analysed to generate personalized insights related to crop selection, fertilizers requirements, and water needs for each farmer at the farm-holding level.

The app was envisioned in 5 stages:

Data aggregation
Building centralized insights
Enable local expertise (KVK) supported interactions and insights
Deriving Machine Learning inferences
Continuous improvement

Salient features of the app:

The data has been made comprehensible for farmers by simplifying the language. The app is also available in 12 languages.
The Android and Windows versions of the app are available on Google Play Store and are free of cost for farmers, start-ups, KVKs, SHGs, or NGOs to use.
Considering the connectivity issues in the remote areas of the country, the app has been designed to work on minimal bandwidth.
The app does not collect any inputs from the farmer. It relies on the geo-location of the farm to provide relevant data (see figure). Data relevant to another location can be collected by entering the PINCODE of that area.Watch the demonstration and find out more about the Atmanirbhar Krishi App in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF2oITP1M8A

In the currently live Stage 1, the Atmanirbhar Krishi app brings together data relevant to the farmer and his farm, from various agencies and departments of the Government of India (Table 1).

Table 1: Categories of data available on Atmanirbhar Krishi app and the Government Ministry/Department which is the data source.

Data	Source
Weather & Weather-based Information	Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
Land surface information, Vegetation index& Crop	Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Soil Type and Soil Health	Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmer Welfare (DACFW) The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
Surface Water (River/Reservoir/Canal) & Ground Water	National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) IncludesCentral Ground Water Board (CGWA)

The launch of the app was lauded by Dr. U. S. Awasthi, MD and CEO, Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative(IFFCO).“The Atmanirbhar Krishi App is a great initiative by the Government of India which provides realtime useful and appropriate information to farmers digitally,” he said.

“Indian CST is happy to play its part in the digital Transformation in the country and spreading the culture of excellence through this National Digital Repository hosted at CSIR Fourth Paradigm Insitute (CSIR 4PI), Bengaluru,” said Raja Seevan, Founder Trustee of the Indian Centre for Social Transformation, one of the major stakeholders in the development of this app and KisanMitr. KisanMitr was developed by Indian Centre for Social Transformation, a Bengaluru-based Public Charitable Trust.ICST’s platform epashuhaat launched on 26^th November, 2020 for improvement of indigenous milch cattle was repurposed to create KisanMitr.

Shedding light on what this app means for Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in India, Dr. A. K. Singh, Deputy Director General, ICAR said, “The Atmanirbhar Krishi App by aggregating data on soil health, water table and weather, will facilitate KVKs to interact with farmers more specifically as per the existing ground realities. KVKs may also integrate the information available with them on existing cropping systems and agronomic practices while interacting with farmers.”

Tech Mahindra Makers Lab team has designed and built the Atmanirbhar Krishi App. Nikhil Malhotra, Global Head – Makers Lab, Tech Mahindra, said, “Agritech is an important focus area for Tech Mahindra and as a leading provider of digital transformation, we are focused on effective use of digital tools and technologies to improve the productivity of agriculture sector which is India’s largest livelihood provider. In line with our NXT.NOW charter, we are leveraging research and innovation to bring this easy to use and informative app to the farmers of India to empower them and thereby take part in scripting India’s digital growth story.”

June 29, 2021

People’s movement needed for the preservation of our languages: Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu

INN/Delhi, @Infodeaofficial

In order to deliver the benefits of our language traditions to the future generations, the Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today stressed the need for a people’s movement to preserve languages, complementing the efforts of the government.

Highlighting the power of language to unite people across generations and geographies, Shri Naidu called for a concerted effort to preserve, enrich and propagate our languages, cultures and traditions.

Speaking at the 6th annual ‘Rashtretara Telugu Samakhya’ conference, Shri Naidu suggested that Telugu people should come together as one for the cause of Telugu language and the revitalisation of our local traditions.

Noting that neglecting a language will lead to its decline, the Vice President advised that it is the duty of each individual to preserve and promote one’s mother tongue, without belittling other languages and cultures.

Shri Naidu also underscored the need for primary education to be in one’s mother tongue, as envisaged by National Educational Policy, 2020. He noted that the persons presently occupying the highest constitutional offices of the country, including the President, Vice President, Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India all had primary education in their mother tongue. “People should not have the false impression that one cannot succeed and grow in life if they learn in their mother tongue. We have many past and present exemplars to disprove that”, he said.

The Vice President also called for more initiatives in translating Telugu literature into other Indian languages, thereby spreading the richness of one’s language tradition. Appreciating the fact that many such cultural organisations continued their work online in the wake of the pandemic, Shri Naidu suggested that efforts be intensified to integrate language and technology in the same spirit.

Noting that there are more than a thousand organisations outside the Telugu states for the preservation and propagation of the Telugu language, the Vice President commended the initiative of the organisers in coming together on a common platform called ‘Rashtretara Telugu Samakhya’. He conveyed his best wishes for their future endeavours.

Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, Hon’ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Dr Shashi Panja, Minister for Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal, Shri Mandali Buddha Prasad, former Deputy Speaker of Andhra Pradesh, Dr. C.M.K. Reddy, President of All India Telugu Federation, Shri Sundara Rao, President of Rashtrethara Telugu Samakhya and others were present during the virtual event.

June 28, 2021
How is screen-time affecting the children?
Khevna.P.Shah, INN/Bangalore

@Shahkhevna1, @Infodeaofficial

Since the past one and half years, there has been a huge lifestyle change. From food to education, everything has changed and the people are adjusting to that change. And one such change is extensive screen-hours. From online education to entertainment, kids are exposed to the screen for a long period, restricting them to practice any outdoor activities. But how will elongated screen time affect the child?

Ever since the pandemic, a child’s day starts with ‘screen’ and also ends with one. It is surely an increasing concern among the parents, how it might affect the child’s vision and health. But the recent study by education experts from around the world claims that screen time doesn’t matter, but the content that is exposed to the child matters to his or he well-being. Therefore, it is important to draw a line between productive and unproductive screen time. While the latter often refers to gaming and passive consumption of videos, productive screen time engages children in the process of learning.

How is screen time affecting the kid’s brain?

Data collected from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)study that began in 2018 indicates that children who spent more than two hours a day on screen-time scored lower on thinking and language tests. And children with more than seven hours of screen time a day experienced thinning of the brain’s cortex, an area of the brain related to critical thinking and reasoning. Language development expands rapidly between 11/2 to 3 years of age and according to the results of few studies, children who interact and play with parents are more likely to learn the language. On the other hand, the children who watch a lot of television have performed less on reading tests and showed an attention deficit. Generally, when the parents are busy, they often hand over the electronic gadgets to the children, often seen during shopping, this might inhibit the child’s ability to observe and experience the environment around him or her since their entire focus is on the virtual environment.

Does screen time impacts the child’s sleeping pattern?

According to the doctors, it is advised to avoid the usage of electronic devices at least two hours before sleeping. Our production of melatonin-the sleep hormone secretes when the sun sets, but the blue light from the screen inhibits the secretion of melatonin, which in turn delays sleep. Watching Tv- or playing passive-aggressive video games activated our brain and bodies restricting us to sleep. According to a study in 2015, infants who were exposed to the screen in the evening showed significantly shorted nighttime sleep than those who that no evening screen exposure.

For preteens and teenagers, excessive use of screens late at night will affect their sleep, behavior, and cognitive performance in school and interfere with learning and excessive screen time leads to sleep deprivation which is linked to obesity and can affect self-esteem and social isolation.

How does extended screen time affect the eyes?

This is a valid concern among the parents because the blinking rate decreases when exposed to the screen for a long time, resulting in the eyes feeling dry. When this happens is it necessary to follow the 20-20 rule meaning after every 20 minutes, one must shut their eyes for 20 seconds. And also staying hydrated is a must. Switching to laptops and computer screens is advisable as it maintains one arm distance when compared to phones and tablets.

What are the tips parents can follow to limit screen time for kids?
1. Co-watch
Parents can watch the show or game with them to help them understand what they’re seeing. Engage with them and repeat concepts after the show is over so they’re more likely to retain that information.
1. Keep bedtime, mealtime, and family time screen-free.
Balancing online and offline time is extremely important. Avoid the usage of screens except for long trips, and impose a curfew or an agreed-upon time when your family shuts off all screens.
1. Sleep, healthy nutrition, and exercise.
These are essential to optimal brain growth and development and health and wellness for youngsters and adults alike. And excessive screen time can impact all three. Children who spend more time in front of screens tend to eat more fast food and fewer fruits and vegetables and get less sleep and exercise. Therefore, it’s vital to include healthy lifestyle choices as a part of the daily routine, also as limiting screen time.
June 26, 2021