Holistic Community Health Development In India: An Overview
Authors: Mondal Anup 
Published: July 2024

Holistic Development is a complete educational strategy that aims to develop physical, intellectual, emotional, cognitive, and social abilities to kids. It seeks to enhance these skills in the early stage of life, which will prepare them to meet the challenges and difficulties of daily life in the future. In this modern century there are main four domains in community development i.e. communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creative thinking. Community development is a holistic approach and an organized effort initiated to assist a group of people in a community to lead a better lifestyle. As the term suggests, it is the combination of community with a development that aims to enhance people’s living standards in a community.Just after the independence, India chooses to follow the path of planning for social and economic development. To inculcate the plan “The 5-year planning commission” was set up on March, 1950 under the chairmanship of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, The first Prime Minister of India. Government of India realized the importance of physical fitness and sports activities for the people of India, and took various important steps to improve its status. An important step in that direction was the establishment of a committee which was named “Tara Chand Committee” This committee came into existence in the year 1948. From then on several sports board, sports authority, sports commission has been set up for physical fitness and the holistic development of the citizen of India. Physical fitness can be defined as the ability to perform daily tasks efficiently and without undue fatigue, retain ample reserve to enjoy vigorous leisure time activities, importance, effort and money. But the main outcomes from all the sports planning commission were for the competitive sports. The youth were encouraged to secure medals, from National or International competitive sports. Monetary support, sports facilities were provided only for the Champions, Runner up and maximum to the third position holder. Though the number of youth is very few (34%) of the total population. And among them only 8% comes under the arena of games and sports. Nearly in the end of 21st century a word “wellness” has been emerged with the fitness for the sedentary people. Wellness is optimal health and vitality. There are several dimensions of wellness, Physical wellness, emotional wellness, intellectual wellness, spiritual wellness, interpersonal and social wellness, environmental, or planetary wellness.It can be said that the most of the youth are behind the flame of the candle light of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of India. “Health is Wealth” but wealth is not only the property for a very few people of a country.” Sports for All” is not only some letter to make a word, but the word must be implemented. Sports are not for one’s interest but for the interest of the country. The country is not only for one but for all. The slogan “Fit India” is not only a ceremonial programme. To make India “Physically Fit”, mentally strong, spiritually higher, socially more uplifted, proper action should to be taken. Fitness is not only essential for the young people only, fitness is a very important components of all the human, and as human are a very big resource of a country (called “human resource”), human resource may not be calculated without hole population of the country. demonstrate physical activity traits and capacities that are consistent with minimal risk of developing hypokinetic diseases. Fitness can promote relaxation, reduce stress and improve mental health. Mental health is reflected in the optimal functioning of the mind, and emotions. Fitness is not only a state for younger but is the reality for all ages. It is the product of exercise, and exercise is related to health. Exercise will provide benefits if it is performed as an integral part of one’s life style. The result of exercise are short lived and therefore the development and maintenance of physical fitness depends upon constant participation that adheres to the principles of intensity, frequency, duration, progression and over-load, Sporadic exercise does not promote physical fitness nor does it contribute the health.Since Independence of India, we have seen that from the first five year plan up to twelfth five year plan, planning commission provided a huge amount of importance, effort and money. But the main outcomes from all the sports planning commission were for the competitive sports. The youth were encouraged to secure medals, from National or International competitive sports. Monetary support, sports facilities were provided only for the Champions, Runner up and maximum to the third position holder. Though the number of youth is very few (34%) of the total population. And among them only 8% comes under the arena of games and sports. Nearly in the end of 21st century a word “wellness” has been emerged with the fitness for the sedentary people. Wellness is optimal health and vitality. There are several dimensions of wellness, Physical wellness, emotional wellness, intellectual wellness, spiritual wellness, interpersonal and social wellness, environmental, or planetary wellness. It can be said that the most of the youth are behind the flame of the candle light of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of India. “Health is Wealth” but wealth is not only the property for a very few people of a country.” Sports for All” is not only some letter to make a word, but the word must be implemented. Sports are not for one’s interest but for the interest of the country. The country is not only for one but for all. The slogan “Fit India” is not only a ceremonial programme. To make India “Physically Fit”, mentally strong, spiritually higher, socially more uplifted, proper action should to be taken. Fitness is not only essential for the young people only, fitness is a very important components of all the human, and as human are a very big resource of a country (called “human resource”), human resource may not be calculated without hole population of the country.