For mentors, a memorable tryst with health and wellness
More than 650 principals from schools across Delhi and NCR, who attended the annual Hindustan Times-PACE Principals’ Meet at the Taj Palace here on Wednesday, took home life-changing tips and ways to inspire the younger generation to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
The highlight of the event, an interactive session with Padma Shri Dr KK Aggarwal, national president of Indian Medical Association and founder president of the Heart Care Foundation of India, enlightened the mentors on wellness issues, including stress management and substance abuse, among others.
During the candid session, Dr Aggarwal gave several suggestions like following the right way to ‘cough’ so as to minimise the spread of flu virus; to choose food that can be peeled, boiled or cooked; to live by the ‘80 mantra’ (of walking 80 steps a day, practising 80 cycles of breathing exercises, cutting the intake of cereals for 80 days in a year); to engage in community activities that help eradicate diseases such as dengue and to opt for handshakes to beat stress as well as communicate difficult feelings.
Dr Aggarwal demonstrated a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedure to be applied on critical patients.
The function was emceed by noted former television news anchor Rini Khanna. Like every year, the principals took part in a lucky draw contest which was sponsored by KidZania, the edutainment partner of the meet.
In accordance with the theme of inculcating a healthy lifestyle, KidZania presented a cross trainer, air cooler, air purifier, air fryer and a digital weighing scale and a blood pressure measuring unit. The winners were Dr. Rajesh Hassija, director, Indraprastha Group of Schools; Akhilesh Chaturvedi, principal, DPS Maruti Kunj; Suruchi Lal, head mistress, Sanskriti School, Chanakyapuri; Vandana Bhargava, principal, National Public School, Ghaziabad, and Alka Kher, principal, St. Marks Sr. Sec. School, Janak Puri.
Meena Bazaar, an associate sponsor, also held five rounds of a lucky draw and awarded gift vouchers worth Rs 10,000 each.
VLCC— the health and wellness partner — as well as sponsors Johnny Rockets, Kairali Ayurvedic Group and Pringle Homeware Pvt. Ltd also presented exciting vouchers and discount coupons to the guests.
Sister Antoinette, headmistress of the Convent of Jesus and Mary junior wing, was all praise for the insightful session. “HT-PACE organised an informal evening that was highly educational. The points made by Dr. Aggarwal were very informative and valuable,” she said.
“Attending this well-organised event was an overwhelming experience. It enthused us to stay healthy. The talk by Dr. Aggarwal was very informative,” said Suruchi Lal, headmistress, Sanskriti School, Chanakyapuri.
In her remarks, Annapoorna Sehgal, head – education, HT Media Ltd, said, “Dr. Aggarwal’s talk was well received, as was clear from the lively question and answer session that followed. It is always a delight to see the principals enjoying the evening”.