Shiksha Opinion: The vanishing physical education from Indian curriculum

FIFA 2014 has the world glued to their screens. Various Indians too are quite excited about it, despite Indian football team's dismal FIFA rank #154. 
If you have been following the Indian media and its writers/journalists for some time, you'll notice a pattern. After every four years, they suddenly wake-up from a slumber and start pointing out shortcomings of our football team. Online and print write-ups and discussions about why India has not been able to play in FIFA World Cup is suddenly on everybody's mind. Same holds true for Olympics. What can't India win as many golds as USA or China? 
While attempting to answer the above questions, everyone invariably starts blaming India's cricket-obsessed genes. While passing the buck of blame to cricket, no-one realises that the fault lies within us, within our unwholesome education system.

Okay, let's go back to our school. Remember PT (PE) classes? The compulsory part of Indian education system? There was basketball, football, cricket, athletics, swimming, march-forward drills and so much more. Attending PT class and scoring the minimum 40 marks (or was it 33?) was necessary.
Now, cut-forward to first year college. How much of sports education do you recall in college days? In most cases, the answer will be nil. 
Something happens during our transition from school to college. In those two crucial years, the Indian society and peer pressure swiftly takes charge of our lives and banishes physical education to a far-away kingdom. Young and active sportspersons suddenly quit all 'game' aspirations. In these years, scoring 100% and getting through IITs and SRCCs and millions of other entrance exams takes precedence. 
And why not? After all, these very young minds will be the torch-bearers of tomorrow's Indian economy. They need to earn well and establish their credentials in the society.
Under such catch-22 circumstances, is it fair to only blame cricket as the culprit? Because, as I see it, thank God, there's at least one physical activity that Indians are crazy about! 
Also, let's not forget, India's natural physical activity -- agricultural labour. For a long time, the entire Indian economy depended on agriculture. It still does. But quite a good number of farmers (our great-great-grandfathers) shifted profession after Independence. Some moved to industries, where people were supposed to run machines -- machines that reduced all kinds of manual work. And now, we see a new-kind of corporate lifestyle engulfing us. Everyone -- me included -- wants to sit in front of a computer, ideate and go home.
Where is the physical activity? During our shift from an agrigarian economy to industrialised and service-based economy, the need for physical activities and staying fit has been lost. (Mind you, I am not arguing against industrialisation and moving forward of the economy!)  
Indian parents, wishing the best for their children, put a ban to all physical education. Schools, too, happily give away grace marks, so that the youngsters can focus on studies.
The entire society needs to understand the importance of sports as an essential part of education and lifestyle. It should not be recalled only when one gets sick or obese or is a part of compulsory education.
Thanks to likes of Sachin Tendulkar, the MHRD is atleast considering it important. (View source)
Luckily, there's still hope. India's woman football team has a FIFA ranking #50 (View source). In matters of tennis and badminton, we are not too far behind. Then there's I-league (Indian professional league for association football clubs), which despite being popular, is facing a severe financial crunch.
Physical education at school and college-level is important to maintain a balanced adult life. It's time for one and all to focus on it.

Also, let's make sports education fun and interesting. Let's not associate it with 'no future' or 'corporal punishment'. With so many new adventure sports on the horizon, PT classes can defintely be made more constructive, especially beyond the march past and strange drills.