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Urban children would never want to eat fresh fruits or vegetables which are considered a healthy meal for them. On the other hand, to a plate of junk food they eat like anything. This goes worse when it comes to drinking. The figures compiled by the ministry of child and women developments suggests that at least 13% of the children of metros are at risk of heart disease and diabetes in adulthood which is an outcome of  unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary lifestyle.

Metro children often shun their outdoor activities. With play stations and video games at home children like being at home living in the virtual world. Often noticed, the little amount of exercise which they get is at schools only. Children obesity leads to all sorts of complications later from hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease and psychological problems. It is growing in leaps and bounds. Many of these conditions can only be managed in adulthood.

Before the ailment becomes acute, it is mandatory to detect the early warning signs and dealt with as well. Given our shambolic health system, prevention is always better than cure. Here comes the role of schools and parents in the picture. As of now, children have not been considered as potential candidates for lifestyles diseases.  That is why there is no or little screening for the risk factors like insulin deficiency, C-reactive protein levels and cholesterol for children. An appropriate lifestyle can stave off the onset of many diseases if they are caught at an early stage. The minister for health is considering taking policy decision to fight with this trend of childhood obesity. Though it would be interesting to see how the government can implement a policy that could change eating and exercise habits. Baba Ramdev ji, no one would need to visit your shivirs if such policy is regulated and implemented properly. I would suggest Baba Ramdev should be appointed the director of the department taking care of this policy. Yes, the government can promote the advertisements and commercials featuring an active lifestyle. A lot of input is yet awaited as from someone the child can identify with and whose opinion the child will heed. This would also mean there is no use even if we ban the junk foods at home. Rather advice to give child all kinds of foods in right mix and moderation. In the ever growing urban jungle the space for outdoor activities for the kids is reducing. Society should ensure that there is enough space where the kids can play safely. Schools are also required to provide space for physical education. The regular medical checkups conducted in the schools with counseling on better lifestyles should be conducted. This is an evil that should be nipped in the bud.

Long established Bollywood giants from Punjab- Raj, Shammi, Shashi, Randhir and Rishi, Karishma and Kareena. Balraj Sahni, Dev Anand, Geeta Bali, Rajesh Khanna, Vinod Khanna the original filmy HE-MAN Dharmendra, Raj Babbar, Ranjeeta, Neetu Singh. Not to forget Dara Singh. Also the bad guys Amrish Purl, Pran, Premnath, Shakti Kapoor. Kalbhushan Kharbanda, Ajay Devgan, Preity Zinta, Om Puri, Achala Sachdev and many others. The list is going on and on.

They, however, deserve credit for making a path to Bollywood and inspiring many from Punjab to catch the train to Mumbai. We have many of them already there making their way to the stardom gradually. Topping the chart is Sonu Sood. This Moga boy is riding high on the success of JODHAA AKBAR, where he played brother of Aishwarya. He started his career with Tamil & Telegu movies. With Shaeed- E-Azam Bhagat Singh (he played the lead role) he was not only recognized but was also nominated for many awards.

In Anurag Kashyap’s DEV D, opposite Abhay Deol, we would get to see another face from Punjab- MAHI GILL. She is a trained actor from Punjab University- Department of Indian Theater. She is also playing a lead role in one of the coming Punjabi films CHAK DE PHATTEY.

Before Mahi, we have Gurleen Chopra, winner of many beauty pageants like Miss Chandigarh, Miss North India and that is what helped her anchoring assignments on Punjabi television. She is a big name in South now as her resume boasts of 25 films in almost all the south Indian languages. She appeared in her first Hindi film INDIAN BABU.Balbir Kaur of Chak De girls- Tanya Abrol is also planning to shift to Mumbai and check for the options once her studies are over. This young girl from Abohar essayed the role in CHAK DE to perfection which would always open options for her.

The TV serial KAREENA KAREENA showcased a yet another aspirant from Punjab. Kulraj Randhawa- a business management student began her acting career with this TV serial aired on Zee TV. She also did a Punjabi film MANNAT against Jimmy Shergill.