ON SPENDING HOLIDAYS

Any discussion of spending holidays must take into account the distinction between week-end holidays and long-term holidays like the vacation.

Week-end holidays are meant for rest and recreation. They are devised as a break from five or six days of work. Since we are not machines, we cannot work continuously without such a break. Even machines cannot work continuously without intervals of stoppage during which they cool down and are oiled and supplied fuel or power. Similarly we too need intervals of rest and relaxation for our body and mind to enable us to be fresh and fit for the next week's work. On week-end days we can get up at ease, skip some daily routines, have a leisurely breakfast, have a game or two of our liking, enjoy an afternoon nap, chat with family members, visit friends and relatives, glance over our favourite magazine or story-book or watch TV or a movie. We may also complete the unfinished portion of homework or household work. At times we can enjoy small picnics in the company of family members, friends or classmates.

But a vacation is not the period to be wasted in idleness or gossiping. It is the time when we are free from routine work and can pursue some hobby or activity of our liking. We can go out on long-term tours, visit our relatives living in far-off places, play our favourite indoor and outdoor games, or take on activities like swimming, cycling, riding or gardening. We can also devote ourselves to activities like reading, painting, cooking, stamp-collecting, etc. We can visit the nearby slums or villages, make friends with the residents therein and study their problems. Youngsters with constructive bent of mind may, under the guidance of elders, organize part-time or full-time camps for boys and girls wherein they can live in groups and carry on a number of physical and cultural activities. Choice of activities to be carried on in the vacation would depend upon the circumstances and availability of resources, co-operation and help. But we will have to make plans beforehand for spending our holidays fruitfully.

Our body and mind will rust if we idle away our long-term holidays. If we utilise our holidays fruitfully, our mind and body will develop and we will be able to work with renewed vigour in the subsequent term. Each vacation will add something to our personality, making our progress in life easier and faster.