Let Children Play

Children playing outdoors is a rarity in the city areas of Nepal. There are two different dimensions to this phenomenon. First, there are limited playgrounds and public spaces available owing to growing urbanisation. Second, children these days turn to mobile phones and screens for entertainment. Children’s fondness for screens has to do with the lack of playgrounds and open fields; when there is no place to play and run, what do children do except sit with phones? This is a serious issue, as it is directly associated with children’s cognitive and physical development.

In the past, when tall buildings and factories were yet to be erected, children would use those spaces as their playing areas. Now, with more houses and buildings being built rapidly, children are left with no options but to play on pavements and streets. Due to safety concerns, parents deny children the freedom to play around streets and instead tell them to sit and watch TV. There is a growing complaint about today’s children being obsessed with screens, but understanding its underlying cause will reveal the state’s insouciance. 

Why can’t our government include a small playground in every ward in their projects? If the local government wants, it can leverage unused spaces and fields, turning them into playgrounds. After all, the three-tier federalism has been established to serve a wide range of people’s interests. In Pokhara, there are only a handful of grounds, and thus, they are not in close proximity to everyone. 

Even those few grounds are poorly maintained, with weeds sprouting out and stones scattered all over. These spaces are largely dominated by grown adults, again to children’s dismay. Commercial fun parks are impossible to visit every day because of their high pricing. Basundhara Park, Malepatan Ground, and Amarsingh Ground are some famous public parks and playgrounds in Pokhara, but, sadly, they are not children’s parks.

Urbanisation and industrialisation have taken a toll on young minds, depriving them of a healthy and joyous lifestyle. Autism and child obesity are directly associated with this issue. More severe is the case in Kathmandu, as it is the capital city of Nepal and houses various important offices. The speed at which these cities have been filled is also amusing. We never had a proper urbanisation plan because we were slow to manifest rapid development. 

However, it is never too late, and it is time to envision cities where small groups and their desires are heard. Investing in children is an investment in a country’s future. How often do we see political leaders promising to build a grand playground for children? Why don’t we see political figures being ambitious with children’s plans? The bombast about building the world’s biggest children’s park has never escaped the mouths of leaders. Is it because children aren’t eligible to vote in elections? 

Would there have been promises of playgrounds if kids were also eligible to vote? There is a fat chance that our leaders—both old and new—will ever include children in their election manifestos. Just because children can’t revolt against the state, politicians—local and central—are not free to dismiss children’s desires.