Describe the importance of sports according to Gandhi’s views and how does
sports promote national integrity?
Answers
Answer:
Going by his popular image as a frail man wearing a loincloth and carrying a walking stick, it is difficult to imagine Mahatma Gandhi as an advocate of sports. In fact, he himself dropped hints about his non-athletic past when he said in his autobiography that unless compulsory, he didn’t participate in cricket or football matches in school. But cricket and football helped him attain his socio-political goals, both in South Africa and India.
Historian Ramachandra Guha wrote in a piece (Gandhi: did he spin more than khadi?) for Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2008 about a 1948 interview with Gandhi’s only surviving sister. In that she remembered her brother in his childhood playing cricket, football and tennis so much that he even didn’t have time for meals. Incidentally, both Gandhi and the great Maharaja Jam Saheb Ranjitsinhji went to the same college in Rajkot (Ranji eventually played for England and scored a century in his debut test)
National integration means unity of nation. Physical Education plays an important role in building it. National integration includes feeling of brotherhood, friendship and oneness. When the people of different countries participate in games and sports and visit another district/state/country they come across the different ways of living, customs, religion, traditions, languages, eating habits, beliefs, etc. In sports camp players come from different states, live together, practice to participate in one game by living and working together and exchange ideas, habits etc. Games and sports attract people from all over the world or nation. Social qualities such as patience, co-operation, sympathy etc. are developed. It satisfies the basic needs such as recognition, and self-respect. Sports is a universal language. At its best it can bring people together, no matter what their origin, background, religious beliefs or economic status. Physical Education provides a common platform where they forget all their differences. It plays very important role in bringing about national unity.Read more on Sarthaks.com - https://www.sarthaks.com/828249/explain-how-games-and-sports-are-helpful-promoting-national-integration-among-the-players
I HOPE IT WILL HELP TO YOU