FROM EDITOR’S DESK
Philosophy of Health A long healthy life is no accident.
MAGAZINE ON EDUCATION VOLUME 2 ISSUE 11 April 2015
Managing Editor Dr. Varghese Panthalookaran CMI Editor James Paul Associate Editor Dr. Prasant Palackappilly CMI
Columns K. L. Mohanavarma Dr. K. N. Raghavan Dr. Jos Cletus Plackal Dr. P. C. Alexander Sajit Malliyoor
Marketing Manager Varghese Kachappilly CMI Art Sajo Joseph
It begins with good genes, but it also depends on good habits. A simple lifestyle can enhance life quality and longevity. Plato used the expression ‘techne tou biou’ which means ‘the craft of life’ and refers to the art of crafting and shaping life. Crafting a simple lifestyle helps people gain control over their life and is a recipe for good, long, quality living. Lifestyle simplicity helps us to achieve our goals and reach an inner harmony, peace and a state of grace. Naturally achieving wellness, longevity and living a vigorous life is a commitment to a lifestyle that combines natural nutrition, regular exercise, good and regularly scheduled sleep, meditation and proper breathing, and a Philosophy that embraces determination and discipline, responsibility and challenge, positive relationships and productive endeavours, and clear thinking and simplicity. The first important thing about health is to get to know your body. Everyone is different and therefore not every health secret will work for you. That is the reasons for why some diets work for some people and some fail to see results. You can add up to 14 years to your life by regular exercise, avoid alcohol and smoke, include enough fruit and vegetables in the diet, according a study. The study was carried out by the University of Cambridge and the Medical Research Council in the English county of Norfolk. Participants were aged between 45 and 79. They were socially mixed and did not have cancer or any heart problems We all know that eating right can help us to maintain a healthy weight and avoid health problems, but diet can also have a profound effect on mood and sense of wellbeing. Studies have linked eating a typical Western diet—filled with red and processed meats, packaged meals, takeout food, and sugary snacks—with higher rates of depression, stress, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. Eating an unhealthy diet may even play a role in the development of mental health disorders such as ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia, or in the increased risk of suicide in young people. Eating more fruits and vegetables, cooking meals at home, and reducing fat and sugar intake, on the other hand, may help to improve mood and lower your risk for mental health problems.
Contact: Rajagiri Media, Rajagiri Valley P.O, Kakkanad, Kochi-39. Phone : 0484 2973979 Mob: +91 9497711010 Mail : editor@rajagirimedia.com www.pallikkutam.com
To set yourself up for success, think about planning a healthy diet as a number of small, manageable steps—like adding a salad to your diet once a day—rather than one big drastic change. As your small changes become habit, you can continue to add more healthy choices. We discuss the Philosophy of health in this issue.
CONTENTS GUEST COLUMN 54
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CO VER ST OR Y COVER STOR ORY
An apple a day keeps the doctor away
K. L. Mohana Varma EXPERT COUNSEL 14
Code of conduct for public figures
Health is happiness To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. Buddha
Take care now.................................................. Dr. Kumudabai MD Dr. K.N. Raghavan PERSONAL 17
I am afraid of darkness
Nutrition during adolescence........................ Sindhu S.
Sports injuries Prevention and treatment............................. Dr. Vinod Kumar P.
Summer diseases in children.......................... Dr. Serena Mohan Varghese
Sajit Malliyoor 04
36 38 42 47
School kids: racing towards an unhealthy future......................................... 51 Dr. P. C. Alexander
Pallikkutam | April 2015
APRIL 2015 STORIES OF LIFE 20
Is there a need for psychological horoscope? When two individuals come together in marriage, through a process of ‘match-making’, they enter into a world of differences and face a lot of missmatches. Dr. Jos Cletus Plackal Be +ve 12
REGULARS NEWS................................. 06 INSIGHTS.......................... 09 ASPECTS ............................ 22 ASPECTS............................ CREA TIVE LIVING ............ 26 CREATIVE LIVING............ INFO TECH........................ 29
Smile at a stranger She asked in a very soft voice and politely “could you please give me two rupees, I have eight rupees with me, if you give me two rupees I can have a cup of tea.” Then I could see a sea of grief in her eyes. Nirmala Lilly POLICY WATCH 31
An account of the woes of the Indian educator - II
INNO VATIONS ................... 58 INNOV TIONS................... BOOK SHELF ..................... 60 SHELF..................... RAINBO W.......................... 62 RAINBOW REFLECTIONS .................. 66 SUBSCRIBE NOW TURN TO P AGE 65 PA
Our colleges are mostly ill-equipped with the poor broadband connections and conference facilities offered.
Dr. D. Dhanuraj ASPECTS 22
Listen, Reflect, Meditate A true seeker of knowledge and God should not get entangled in worldly wealth, mundane pleasures, bodily comforts and inferior goals of life.
Dr. Augustine Thottakara Pallikkutam | April 2015
For online subscription, log on to www.pallikkutam.com 05
NEWS
3 new varsities opened by congress govt in Rajasthan faces closure
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he three universities opened by Congress government in Rajasthan are on the verge of closure, the varsities are Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Mass Communication (HJUJ) Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Law University (BALU) both in Jaipur and Bikaner Technical University (BTU) in Bikaner.
The HJUJ which has over 100 students has moved an inch closer towards closure with the higher education department issuing a letter directing the university vice-chancellor of not conducting any exercise for admissions and recruitment.
Another university, BALU is running from a rented space in Durgapura, Jaipur and has not started any course nor was allotted A cabinet sub-committee formed to any land. Here, Vice Chancellor U C review the decisions taken by former CM Sankhla, registrar and one finance officer Ashok Gehlot in last months of his were appointed in 2013. “I have been tenure had recommended closure of two writing to governments to start this universities, HJUJ and BALU. BTU is university but they aren’t interested. I facing uncertainty as the ordinance lapsed would say that present government should in April 2014 followed by an order take its decision in the interest of law stating that the closing of university has students in Rajasthan,” said Sankhla, who been called off till fresh orders.
Amrita University ties up with Dutch university eading higher education provider Amrita University has entered into an agreement with Vrije University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands to extend its collaboration to more departments and programmes.
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expanding the collaboration to health sciences, involving advanced specialty services, precision robotic surgery, radiotherapy, oncology, translational medical research, nano medical sciences, biotechnology and public health.
“We are extending our collaboration with the European university after a fiveyear rewarding association with it through student exchange programme, online lectures, conferences, and adjunct faculty,” Amrita University vicechancellor Venkat Rangan said in a statement. The new agreement envisages
The Coimbatorebased university, which has campuses here and at Kochi in Kerala, appointed two adjunct faculty from the Dutch university for conducting online courses, guide masters and post-doctoral students.
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has completed all the paper work to start this university. Kali Charan Saraf, higher and technical education minister has made it clear that both the universities are causing colossal waste to the state ex-chequer. “Previous government formed them without any feasibility. The HJUJ has less than 100 students and 8 teachers. My view is that it should be merged with Rajasthan University’s Center for Mass Communication so that students will at least get their degrees from a reputed university (RU). The state doesn’t require specific law universities as law colleges under state universities are doing well,” said Saraf.
739 foreign students banned from UK university
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ritain has denied admission to over 700 international students from taking courses in nuclear, biological and chemical warfare subjects amid fears they might use the knowledge to build weapons of mass destruction, media reports said. A total of 739 student applications, for a range science and engineering based courses, have been rejected to prevent extremists gaining access to the information and materials they need to develop nuclear and chemical weapons. The students, whose nationalities have not been made public, have been banned under the academic technology approval scheme. The scheme was launched by the government in 2007 to vet students from outside the EU when they apply to certain science courses which could be used to make weapons of mass destruction.
Pallikkutam | April 2015
NEWS
Gujarat University may close down external courses
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ujarat University (GU) vicechancellor MN Patel has hinted that the external courses or distance education for its various faculties may soon be closed down. There are around 15,000 external UG and PG students who are registered with GU. During a senate meeting, students raised the issue of external students. The VC said that he had told university officials that if they raised objection to the external courses, he would consider closing down them. He said after the university invited
applications for external students, university officials were of the opinion that Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar University was there in the state for distance education. Senate members said that GU should give the manuscripts of syllabus to the external students. At this point, the VC opined that they wanted to close down the external courses. A senate member said once the university closes down the external course, students would make a beeline for admission in self-financed colleges.
Centre selects 5 IISc scientists for Swarnajayanti fellowship
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ive scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have been selected for the prestigious Swarnajayanti fellowships given by the Central government. The fellowships for 2013-14 were announced earlier this week. Eleven scientists have thus been honoured by the Department of Science and Technology. The fellowship is given to young scientists to carry out basic research in science and technology. Gautam
Pallikkutam | April 2015
Bharali of the Department of Mathematics, Satish A Patil of the Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Navin Kashyap of the Department of Electrical Communication Engineering, Saptarshi Basu of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Aninda Sinha of the Centre for High Energy Physics from IISc have been selected for the award. The awardees get ‘25,000 a month for up to five years, in addition to their salaries. The fellowship also covers grants for equipment, consumables, contingencies, and national and international travel.
54 Gujarat schools running without teachers: CAG
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he Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) criticised the Gujarat government in its audit report tabled in the Gujarat Assembly today, for not maintaining teaching staff in schools run by it, resulting in children dropping out of these schools. In the CAG’s compliance audit of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme in Gujarat for the year 2013-14, the CAG stated that out of 43,176 governmentrun schools in the state, 64 schools having 5,698 students run without any teacher. Further, 874 schools function with merely one taecher as on March 2014. “Teaching work was assigned by authorities to teachers of nearby schools as an aleternate arrangement. Thus, the state has not ensured availability of adequate teaching staff as per the norms. This could have an effect on the quality of education imparted to students,” the CAG report stated. CAG also slammed the government for not maintaining Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) in more than 6,000 state-run primary schools and upper-primary schools in five tribal-dominated districts of Gujarat including Dangs, Dahod, Panchmahal, Tapi and Valsad. These five districts comprise 41 per cent of total tribal population of the state, the CAG report stated. The CAG report mentioned that as per the SSA framework and guidelines of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, there should be atleast two teachers in primary schools with a pupil-teacher ratio of 40:1, while upper primary schools ought to have atleast one teacher per class with a pupil-teacherratio of 35:1.
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NEWS
HDFC Chairman calls for aggressive investment
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hairman of HDFC, Deepak Parekh has called for “aggressive” investments by the government as well as corporates in the education sector, saying it is the key to unlock India’s demographic dividend. “For a country like India, spending on education is abysmally low at 3 per cent of GDP. India has one of the youngest populations in the world and effective investment in education will determine how well the population is educated and this in turn will enhance the productivity of the demographic dividend,” Parekh said at the launch first school HDFC School in Gurgaon. “Though the allocation for the education sector has gone up progressively in the past decade, there is still a need that the Indian government and private sector
invest aggressively in education sector going forward,” he said. “There is a lot of innovation that can be brought into the education space and with this initiative, HDFC aims to create a visible impact on schooling system,” he added. Parekh said the group’s education initiative is an answer to the question “Why can’t equal opportunities be provided to all Indians to secure quality education for their children leading to better careers and better lives?” “The HDFC School will focus on academics, and at the same time seek to develop well-rounded students, who will flourish in a pluralistic society. It is our endeavour to develop responsible young global citizens,” eminent educationalist and academician Anita Makkar said.
Telangana to clip Governors wing in VC’s appointment
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he Telangana government is mulling at amending the AP Universities Act, 1991 to clip the powers of the Governor with regard to the appointment of Vice Chancellors of the state universities. Until 2011, the state government had the power to pick one of the three names, recommended by the search committee, to be appointed as a university VC. But, the then state government amended the Act and restricted the government’s role to just forwarding the three names to the governor, who would then pick one name. The governor is the chancellor of all state universities. “The Act was amended in 2011 during the Telangana movement and a power struggle between the then chief minister and the higher education minister,” sources in the state government said. The ruling TRS government has now decided to revert to the old system to gain control over the appointments.
SRM varsity convocation
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RM University, Chennai, recently celebrated its tenth convocation. Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan was the chief guest at the function where about 14,000 students were awarded bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees along with diplomas.
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“To be successful, you will have to nurture a dream today. If you have a dream and are sincere about fulfilling it, you will have the help of God, society and everyone,” the Minister said, recalling how two decades ago, a small group of people came up with the dream of eradicating polio from India. Today, it has been established that India is polio-free, he said.
Pallikkutam | April 2015
INSIGHTS
Breakfast to boost academics
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study by University of Iowa shows that the academic performance of students who eats regular breakfast improves faster. This especially applies to students from low income families. The results reinforce the connection between good nutrition and good grades. It finds students who attend schools that participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s School Breakfast Program (SBP) have higher achievement scores in math, science, and reading than students in schools that don’t participate.
certain percentage of their overall enrollment comes from families that meet income eligibility guidelines. The study compared academic performance of students in schools that are just below the threshold—and thus not required to offer free breakfasts—and those that are just over it— and thus do offer them. It is found that the schools that offered free breakfasts showed significantly better academic performance than schools that did not.
The US federal government started the SBP for children from low-income families in 1966. The program is administered in coordination with state governments, many of which require local school districts to offer subsidized breakfasts if a
The study concludes that subsidized breakfast programs are an effective tool to help elementary school students from low income families achieve more in school and be better prepared for later life.
Songbirds unravel roots of conversation
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nown for their beautiful singing duets, plain wrens of Costa Rica perform precise phraseby-phrase modifications to the duration between two consecutive phrases, achieving careful coordination as their songs unfold. The plain wren males and females alternate sounds so quickly that sometimes it seems as if a single bird is singing. The vocal interactions among plain wrens could help us understand some fundamental aspects of human conversation, such as turn taking, suggest a new study published in the Journal of Avian Biology. The study shows that these songbirds achieve precise coordination by adjusting the period between two consecutive phrases (inter-phrase intervals), depending on whether their song is answered, the phrase type used in the duet and the position of the inter-phrase interval within the duet. It has been said that it is the space
A new tool for teacher selection
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esearchers from Clemson University, Northwestern University and the University of Virginia report developing a new video assessment tool called Video Assessment of Interactions and Learning (VAIL) that can inform teacher selection and hiring. The results are published in The Elementary School Journal. There is a growing focus as part of education reform and accountability efforts to improve mechanisms for selecting individuals into teacher preparation and eventually into the field who will be successful. The VAIL assessment involves showing teachers brief video clips, asking
Pallikkutam | April 2015
them to describe what strategies teachers used to support specific aspects of learning and development and then offer specific examples. The teachers’ skill in detecting and identifying effective interactions on video significantly predicted the quality of their own teaching behaviors. The researchers have also found that as an assessment of skill, the VAIL performs equally well for teachers of different ages and ethnicities. The study recommends administering VAIL at several points through teacher education programs to get an earlier indication of how students will perform in the classroom.
between the notes or phrases that gives meaning to music; plain wrens demonstrate this well. Researchers found that females perform longer inter-phase intervals when their mates don’t answer a phrase, and males produce shorter inter-phrase intervals when their female partners don’t answer.
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INSIGHTS
Student engagement in the class: how to measure it?
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ducators believe that student engagement in the classroom is crucial to learning and that it can increase achievement and enrollment in challenging courses while decreasing dropout rates. Until recently, teachers and administrators lacked tools to measure the engagement levels of their students in the classroom. Now, a University of Missouri researcher has developed a scale that quantifies student engagement and could help educators identify barriers to student participation and increase levels of student involvement and learning. The scale they developed improves understanding of classroom engagement and can be readily used in fourth through 12th-grade classrooms. The survey is relatively short and inexpensive to
administer. The results in this regard are published in the journal School Psychology Quarterly. Using the scale, one can
compare different groups of students to see which have higher and lower levels of engagement. For example, it was found that middle school students had less
Tempting alternatives increase willingness to donate
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harities are always trying to understand what type of appeal will increase the likelihood of donations. According to a new study in the Journal of Marketing Research, people are also very driven by seeing the good in themselves. Referencing particularly indulgent products (not a simple cup of coffee), can significantly increase charitable donations. The authors conducted a field study, handing envelopes to passersby with a letter that asked for a $5 donation to UNICEF. Some letters noted that “$5 is how much it costs to buy a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream.� Other letters compared the donation to the cost of a tube of Colgate 12-hour multi-protection toothpaste.
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affective engagement or positive emotions - such as interest, happiness and excitement - than elementary school students. This makes sense because elementary students tend to be more obedient to their teachers, so they may show higher levels of this type of engagement at that younger age. Similarly, researchers found that engagement varied among different groups of students. Those who did not receive free or reduced-cost lunch had higher cognitive and behavioral engagement. Also, girls had greater affective and behavioral engagement than boys. Understanding how these groups differ in classroom engagement can help teachers and administrators adapt their strategies to fit the specific needs of students, concludes the study.
The cost of domination
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ggressively pursuing higher social status may exact a toll on health. Climbing the ladder of social status through aggressive, competitive striving might shorten your life as a result of The results showed that when people increased vulnerability to cardiovascular imagined their decision as making a disease, according to new research by donation or buying a tempting treat, they psychologist Timothy W. Smith and were overwhelmingly more likely to colleagues at the University of Utah. donate than when they imagined deciding between the donation and a utilitarian item Research predicts good news for such as a tube successful types who are friendlier: Attaining higher social status as the result of of prestige and freely given respect may toothpaste. have protective effects. The findings were The authors recently presented at the annual meeting of showed, via the American Psychosomatic Society. additional stages in the The Utah gauged the health effects of the study, that hostile-dominant personality style this was compared with the warm-dominant style. because During the survey, the hostile-dominant failing to types reported greater hostility and donate when thinking of the ice cream interpersonal stress. Warm-dominant made people see themselves as selfish. In types tended to rank themselves as higher order to correct that negative feeling about in social status. Both styles were themselves to something good, and see associated with a higher personal sense of themselves in a better light, they donated. power. Participants were asked to make their decision, and then return the envelope even if they had not made a donation.
Pallikkutam | April 2015
Be +ve
Nirmala Lilly
Smile at a stranger
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orning walk? No! Exercise? No! Yoga? No! I would rather sleep longer like a log, than go for all these. At times I feel guilty of not doing any physical exercise. I found a solution of late. Once in a while when I do my grocery shopping I intentionally, purposely, and deliberately leave out some items that are necessary in the kitchen. For instance milk, eggs or bananas. Therefore I get up in the morning and take a long route to the super market to buy these things. This happens once in a while only. One morning as usual, I went out and bought a few items and as I came back I consoled myself that I did a morning
walk!!! While I was returning, oh, there, in the distance I saw an elder motherly looking lady approach me. She was neatly dressed, carrying an ordinary bag and wearing a white colored ordinary pearl chain. I could definitely make out that she was from a decent family which had fallen into poor circumstances, yet looking dignified. When she came near me I smiled at her and she came close to me with a grin on her face and asked in a very soft voice and politely “could you please give me two rupees, I have eight rupees with me, if you give me two rupees I can have a cup of
tea.” Then I could see a sea of grief in her eyes. It was indeed an unpredicted, unexpected and unanticipated question; I looked at her with smile, oh my God! Poor lady, I thought to myself, unfortunately or fortunately I had only fifty rupee note with me. On the other hand I was happy that I could offer more than what she wanted I told her happily I do not have change of two rupees but I have a fifty rupees note, can I give it to you. She politely declined, and said I am very sorry to ask you I do not want fifty rupees at all, it’s okay, I am fine and she started walk very fast, I took
She asked in a very soft voice and politely “could you please give me two rupees, I have eight rupees with me, if you give me two rupees I can have a cup of tea.” Then I could see a sea of grief in her eyes. 12
Pallikkutam | April 2015
Be +ve
While she was collecting the money she held my hand with her both hands and sincerely wished me “Only good things will happen to you in abundance, God bless you! I could see mixed feeling in her eyes a “U” turn and I started walking along with her at the same speed and said I will change the rupee note and give you the two rupee that you want. She said no, there is no need; you need to walk a lot back now I am fine without tea and I will go home and have it. She was not a beggar, and all she wanted to have was a cup of tea so badly, that too early in the morning, and she found me as the right person at the right place. In the meantime I asked her “where are you going?”. She replied, I’m going to my home. How are you going? By bus. Do you have money to go by bus? She replied,
Pallikkutam | April 2015
Yes just enough. Asking such question I became much closer to her and requested, very humbly with all humility, “may I please give you fifty rupees, I bought whatever things I wanted and this is the balance please have some breakfast and a cup of tea”. Literally begging, pleading and hoping she would accept. Eventually with a little hesitation and embarrassment she accepted the money. While she was collecting the money she held my hand with her both hands and sincerely wished me “Only good things will happen to you in abundance, God bless you! I could see mixed feeling in her eyes. Yes I could identify happiness with a trace of sadness.
That one minute of blessing was worth a life time achievement for me! What a way to start a day, I thanked god for having given this wonderful opportunity of meeting a needy person, doing a small favour, showing a little concern to make my day. “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is never wasted” Let life be green and glowing.
The author is CEO of Infinity Hospitality Services, Kochi.
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EXPERT COUNSEL
Code of conduct for public figures
Dr. K.N. Raghavan
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ike many Indians of my generation, Jawahar Lal Nehru has been a hero for me from my childhood days. I would read up books and articles on the great man, trying to soak up as much information as possible on him. In one of the books I read, I saw a photo of Nehru
The law makers of Kerala forgot that they were not entitled to break the same laws that they make; there were countless other methods of registering their protests in a more dignified manner smoking a cigarette and under that was the caption “this is one of the few pictures of Pandit Nehru with a cigarette”. I was intrigued and asked my father whether Nehru was indeed a smoker and if so why this was never revealed to the public, like so many other facets of his character. My father’s reply, which remains etched in my memory till date, was as follows “Nehru was a heavy smoker, but he knew that smoking was not a good habit; he knew
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Pallikkutam | April 2015
EXPERT COUNSEL
principles are being increasingly forgotten at a time when India is emerging as one of the leading economic powers of the world, who the other nations look up to for guidance.
that he was a hero to many thousands of Indians who would try to imitate all that he did; he did not want anyone to take up smoking after seeing him with a cigarette�. This episode keeps coming to my mind whenever one sees leaders and other opinion makers behaving irresponsibly in public. There are three specific instances that I can think about where persons, who are looked upon by the public as examples worthy of being emulated, chose to behave in a manner that did gross injustice to the respect that lay public has for them. The first instance involved a TV personality who got involved in a brawl at the airport wherein she used the choicest of filthy language to abuse another passenger, in full view of the public. This lady, who has emerged as a teenage icon on account of her skilful use of Malayalam language while anchoring reality shows on television, thought it fit to announce publicly what she did, as if extolling an achievement. The second instance involved a leading batsman of Indian team who abused an unsuspecting Indian journalist in a “case of mistaken identity�. The player involved thought it fit to send across a word of apology through another journalist when he found out his mistake but did not express remorse for his actions and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to issue a warning to the player concerned to close the matter. The last one involved members of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, who chose to behave in a manner totally unbecoming of the high responsibilities entrusted to them by the
Pallikkutam | April 2015
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EXPERT COUNSEL public when the Annual Budget was to be presented by the Finance Minister. Again there have been no words of remorse or apology; rival camps have only tried to justify their despicable behaviour which brought shame to the people of the state. The emergence of live television coverage of news and sports events and success of reality shows have resulted in the arrival on the scene of a new class of persons who are referred to broadly as “celebrities”. These individuals, who are generally in the nature of persons with accomplishments in the areas of arts and sports or are accepted to have some expertise in the specific sectors covered by the news bulletins and the discussions thereon, soon acquire a visibility and importance far beyond what they would normally have got, but for the medium of television. Since television programmes are beamed right on to the drawing rooms of households where it is watched by almost all members of a family, they also gain acceptability that prompt people, particularly those of the younger generation, to imitate them and their habits. However it appears from the instances stated above that these “celebrities” are not equipped to handle the fame and the responsibility that come with it. Any passenger who is offended by the behaviour of his/ her fellow passenger is entitled to complain before the appropriate authorities who are bound to look into the same and initiate action. A complaint by a celebrity would prompt the authorities to act faster and take the
required remedial action with more alacrity. But instead of doing that, the “celebrity” involved decided to retaliate herself, which led to a shouting match in public causing huge embarrassment all around. In the second instance, any individual, who feels that contents of a news report are defamatory or biased, can take up the matter with the management of the newspaper. Here also a complaint from one of the leading cricketers of the country would have ensured prompt action against the erring scribe. But instead of doing that,
accepted by all after some initial consternation. The canons of decency and respect towards fellow citizens, which form the hall mark of any civilized society, are given the go by and replaced by mindless aggression, brashness and irreverence, resulting in physical violence and abuse becoming more common. All this has the potential to lead to the growth of a new generation bereft of values, courtesies, virtues, decorum and dignity. The leaders of Indian freedom movement and the giants who led our country during the years immediately after that had set sterling personal examples worthy of being emulated. It is indeed sad that these principles are being increasingly forgotten at a time when India is emerging as one of the leading economic powers of the world, who the other nations look up to for guidance. In this situation, it is highly imperative that government takes the lead in implementing a model behaviour code for all public figures, on the same lines as the ongoing Swachh Bharat programme.
The first instance involved a TV personality who got involved in a brawl at the airport wherein she used the choicest of filthy language to abuse another passenger, in full view of the public.
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the player directly took on a reporter, who he thought was the one who filed the report that irked him, and showered abuses on him. While doing so he forgot the essential fact that he was representing a nation of billion plus people who look up to him with love and respect and he was letting them all down by his boorish behaviour. Similarly the law makers of Kerala forgot that they were not entitled to break the same laws that they make; there were countless other methods of registering their protests in a more dignified manner, which would not have embarrassed the people who voted them to act as their representatives. The long term impact of such instances of bad behaviour is that they leave behind an indelible impression in the minds of the younger generation who see and absorb them. These youngsters start thinking that these forms of protests and reaction would be
After all good manners are as much a requirement as cleanliness for commanding respect and India will have to move fast on both these counts to retain the regard that other nations and people have for us as the largest democracy in the world.
The author is the Commissioner of Customs in Kochi, Kerala.
Pallikkutam | April 2015
PERSONAL
I am afraid of darkness Sajit Malliyoor
Fears are normal and even helpful experiences in dangerous situations.
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t is not easy to find a Psychologist in our place. I was looking to communicate with one professional, when I chanced upon your article in the Pallikkutam magazine. I am a twenty one year old female, working as a receptionist in a private firm. I am getting married in six months’ time. I have a problem, which is there with me since my childhood. I am afraid of darkness. Since my early memories, I have always been afraid of nigh times. My mother tells stories on how I used to cry when left alone in the night time, even for a short while. Until my late adolescence, I used to get worried about demons and souls of dead ones, but now it is just fear of darkness. I am not particularly worried about super natural beings anymore. It is just that I experience fear when the lights are out. I can’ sleep without the lights being put on. I also try to avoid sleeping alone in a room. My younger sister always scolds me for insisting on sleeping in the same room with her. Now what worries me lately is
Pallikkutam | April 2015
the fact that I am moving to a new house after my marriage. My fiancé works at a distant place and would be home only during the weekends. I am really worried how I am going to manage life there. Kindly advise me how to get out of the problem. In psychiatry, any unreasonable or irrational fear of an object or situation is called a Phobia. A phobia is an overwhelming and unreasonable fear of an object or situation that poses little or no real danger in life. Unlike the brief anxiety most people feel when they give a speech or take a test, a phobia is long lasting, causes intense physical and psychological reactions, and can affect your ability to function normally at work or in social settings. Many of us will have an irrational fear or two – of cockroach, for example, or of dental procedures. For most people
these fears are minor ones, but when the anxiety becomes so intense that it interferes with your normal functioning, it is called a phobia. The common phobias that we come across often in practice include open and public places like a market; or a closed – in place as in a lift,
A phobia is long lasting, causes intense physical and psychological reactions flying insects, snakes, needles etc. This is, by far, not the complete list. We can develop phobias of virtually anything. Most phobias develop in childhood, but they can also develop in adults. As you mentioned in your letter, you probably realise that your fear is unreasonable, yet you still can’t control your feelings. For some, just thinking
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PERSONAL about the feared object or situation is necessary to make you anxious. And when you are actually exposed to the situation, the terror is automatic and overwhelming. People often go to great lengths to avoid the nerve – wracking experience of the terror. There are case reports of people who turned down job offers since it involved frequent flight trips! These features of intense, lasting terrors and the subsequent avoidance behaviour are what demarcate phobias from normal everyday fears. Fears are normal and even helpful experiences in dangerous situations. It activates the ‘fight-orflight” response and there by equip us to respond quickly and protect us. But with the phobias, the threats are greatly exaggerated or non-existent. For example, it is normal for people to feel queasy when peering down from the top of a skyscraper, but when you turn down a job offer because the office is situated on the tenth floor of a building, it is a phobic fear.
Natural environment phobias are when one is afraid of storms, lightning, or water. Another type is called Blood- Injectioninjury phobias, involving fear of being injured or seeing blood or other invasive medical procedure. Some phobias don’t fall into one of the four common categories. Such phobias include fear of choking, fear of getting a disease such as cancer, and fear of loud noises.
you and hold your hands while you face your fears would indeed be of great help. The psychological method of treatment for phobias usually involves a type of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) called Systematic Desensitization or Exposure Therapy. The basic premises of the approach is that, rather than avoiding and fleeing the object of fear, the patient is encouraged to confront the feared object in a controlled and systematic way. By repeatedly getting exposed to what frightens them, the fear gradually begins to fade away and eventually disappears completely.
Now, let us examine how you can face your fear of darkness in a systematic and controlled way. You will begin by making a list of all the frightening situations related to your phobia. With the limited information from your letter, the items in your list could include looking through the window into the darkness outside at night, being alone in a room with the lights on, being in a dark room The good news about phobias is that, with with other people holding your hands, proper treatment the vast majority of watching the nightfall without putting the phobia patients can completely overcome their fears and be symptom-free for years, lights on etc. Even imagining the feared situations can also be in the list, if the mere if not for life. Therapies for phobia have a great track record in psychiatry. Your letter thought makes you anxious. The next step is arranging the items in the list in a mentions the difficulty in finding a hierarchical order beginning with the least therapist in your part of the world. feared situation being first and the scariest However, in learning to manage the one on top. We call it a fear ladder. Your phobias, the support doesn’t necessarily task is to climb the ladder of fear in a have to come from a professional. But at the same time, having someone to stand by gradual manner. Start with the first item
The good news about phobias is that, with proper treatment the vast majority of phobia patients can completely overcome their fears and be symptom-free for years, if not for life.
I already mentioned that you can develop phobias about virtually any object or situation. Based on the object or situation feared, we broadly classify phobias into four types. In situational phobias, a person is afraid of situations like flying, lifts or elevators, open or closed spaces etc. The most common phobia type is animal phobias, with examples including fear of dogs, snakes, insects, or rats.
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PERSONAL and expose yourself to the situation until you start to feel more comfortable doing it. If the first item is looking out to darkness, don’t move until you can comfortably do it without provoking much anxiety. The longer you expose yourself to the thing you’re afraid of, the
Once you have done a step on several separate occasions without feeling too much anxiety, you can move on to the next step.
more you’ll get used to it and the less anxious you’ll feel when you face it the next time. Once you’ve done a step on several separate occasions without feeling too much anxiety, you can move on to the next step. If a step is too hard, break it down into smaller steps or go slower. While doing the exposure exercise, you have to remember that you will feel anxious and uncomfortable, but as you continue with the task, it will gradually fade away. When you find yourself being overwhelmed by anxiety, disengage from the exposure and practice some relaxation exercise. Learning and practicing some relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation or muscle relaxation could be an effective tool to calm you down during the exposure exercises. Relaxation response is the best antidote to anxiety. It is also important to practice regularly. Always remember that your task is to master your anxieties and never be bogged down by the fears. Your fears won’t hurt you.
Send queries to malliyoor@outlook.com (Sajit Malliyoor regrets he can not enter into personal correspondence)
Pallikkutam | April 2015
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STORIES OF LIFE
Dr. Jos Cletus Plackal
Is there a need for psychological horoscope?
A
horoscope is a description of what is going to happen to you based on the position of stars and planets at the time of your birth. A lot of people are in the habit of reading their horoscopes eagerly, if not anxiously, every week. Although there is an element of fatalism beneath such slavish habits, it is a secret source of certainty that one seeks in life’s myriads of uncertainties, doubts and confusions. Horoscopic predictions, although very vague, can enhance the expectations of a person through a process of ‘selective perception’, and help set the mind to accept the positive and the negative. In my clinical practice I have come across many couples who needed a ‘psychological horoscope’. It is a proven fact that birth and early childhood events have a lasting influence on the mind-set of a person. The initial problems, if unresolved, may consciously or unconsciously affect the ongoing behavior of the individual. When two individuals come together in marriage, through a process of ‘match-making’, they enter into a world of differences and face a lot of miss-matches. There is no perfect match in this world and life’s success lies in the resilience of the partners to respond to life’s challenges, including the personality make-up and behavior differences. It is in this area that psychology can offer its assistance by both predicting the possible areas of miss-match that are evident at present and what may occur at a later stage in life, and how to handle such differences into complementary life-skills. I have had a long-term association with a young couple who came to counseling early on in their married life. Let me call them Joseph and Mary, and I don’t think this couple is more of an exception than normal sample. They came for consultation after fixing their marriage. The young man, Joe, was tall, gentle, less communicative, reserved, drop-out from school, sad looking, etc. He had a harrowing time from childhood onwards. His father was alcoholic, abusive of the entire family, was an outcast from his own family of origin, had to live in abject poverty while his relatives were well off. Joe was emotionally so needy and had less tolerance for negative feedbacks. He had started using alcohol excessively, getting into trouble occasionally. His need for immediate gratification was starting to work against him. Joe could not complete his high school education and had to hunt for job early on. Needless to say, Joe was full of inferiority, diffidence and disillusionment. Mary came from almost
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When two individuals come together in marriage, through a process of ‘match-making’, they enter into a world of differences and face a lot of miss-matches. Pallikkutam | April 2015
STORIES OF LIFE
The problem was to show them why they should not get married. The couple-to-be were shown the areas of incompatibilities, such as, both had the urge to be accepted and appreciated and both were unable to do the same.
similar backgrounds. Mary was pretty, outgoing, active, extra sociable, extra sensitive to feedbacks, gets upset easily, etc. Her father too was alcoholic and abusive, violent and terrorizing the family. After repeated violent attacks and due to the intolerable stress mother became mentally ill, had to be treated in hospitals. Little Mary was taken away from family for her own safety, in boarding houses. She too was needy for attention and affection. Mary detested those who consumed alcohol, didn’t like arguments, loud talk etc. Now the problem was to show them why they should not get married. The couple-to-be were shown the areas of incompatibilities, such as, both had the urge to be accepted and appreciated and both were unable to do the same. Mary was so out-going and Joe was so introverted; Joe had already started alcohol abuse and Mary would go livid even at the thought of it. Mary had endless needs for things (which she never received in childhood)and Joe was a spend-thrift (he never got what he wanted). Joe was in need of affection but doesn’t know how to give! The young couple were shown areas of incompatibilities, where possible challenges for adjustment and adaptation may be required, and even the possibility of a break up, unless they started working on their differences and divergent personality make-ups. Both of them agreed to work on adjusting, and agreed to attend counseling sessions, etc. Two months after the wedding the couple came back complaining about discord, differences and dissatisfaction about their life together. The first casualty was their affectional life and sexuality. Mary could not withstand the smell of alcohol and it caused her nausea and other attendant debilities. Their bedroom became battleground…Since they were willing to come for counselling they were made to realize the source of their problems and could develop coping skills. Without such a support therapy they would have parted their ways just at the beginning itself …After five years of married life, they get along not so well, a lot of struggles, a lot more skills to be learned… Now the question remains, “Is there a need for psychological horoscope”?
The author is licensed clinical psychologist (HRT), Jeevas Centre Aluva, Kerala.
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ASPECTS
Listen, Reflect, Meditate Sravana-Manana-Nididhyasana
dualistic) concept of Reality. Advaita Vedanta is not an invention of Sri Sankara. It was already there in the Upanisads, and Yajnavalkya was its main proponent. Sankara may be considered as the Yajnavalkya of history. The merit of Sri Sankara is that he established a solid system of Vedanta philosophy based on the Upansadic concept of Advaita.
Dr. Augustine Thottakara
Yajnavalkya was a friend of King Janaka, who himself, though a Ksatriya, was one of the most eminent philosophers of the time. Yajnavalkya, the philosopher-saint, The present story introduces Yajnavalkya, was an extremely rich, eminently erudite the greatest philosopher and thinker of the and a deeply spiritual person. King Janaka Upanisadic times. Secondly, it also gives loved the company of renowned scholars, us an idea of the lofty status and stature and he used to convoke mammoth women enjoyed in the society in those times. Thirdly, it shows us very logically the path to be followed, and the values to be assemblies of learned people, especially practiced to obtain eminence in spiritual philosophers. life and proficiency in intellectual pursuits. He would carefully choose particular Yajnavalkya themes for discussion and debate in these august meetings, and will also announce The greatest philosopher of the hefty prize money for the winner in these Upanisadic times was undoubtedly Yajnavalkya. One of his main contributions scholarly debates. Once he solemnly proclaimed: ‘The winner of today’s debate is the introduction of Advaita (nonwill receive one thousand cows, and to the
horns of each cow gold piece weighing ten tolas will be attached’. That is enormous wealth! Yajnavalkya called his disciples and said to them: ‘Drive away the cows to my home, because I am going to win this debate!’. He had absolute confidence in his scholarship, debate-skills and oratory. The Woman-Philosopher Brhadaranyaka Up. IV.5 narrates the following story: Yajnavalkya had two wives: Maitreyi and Katyayani. About Maitreyi the Upanisad says that she had the habit of discussing issues related to the supreme Brahman (brahma-vadini sa). She too was a real and earnest philosopher. About Katyayani it is said that she was an ordinary woman with ordinary worldly and feminine views and desires (stri-prajna sa). (You may see here some parallels between Maitreyi and Katyayani of the Upanisads and Mary and Martha of the Gospels). The time has come for Yajnavalkya to enter into the next stage of life, namely, vanaprastha, the life of foresthermit. He decided to renounce family, wives, and wealth. Therefore, he called his two wives and told them that he would like
A true seeker of knowledge and God should not get entangled in worldly wealth, mundane pleasures, bodily comforts and inferior goals of life.
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ASPECTS
to divide his immense wealth between them two. It was alright for Katyayani. But Maitreyi asked him: “Revered Sir, even if this whole earth filled with all the wealth of the world be mine, shall I become immortal by that?”
srotavya mantavya nididhyasidavyas ca, “O Maitreyi! The supreme Self is to be seen (realized) by listening, by reflection and by contemplation” – sravaòa, manana, nididhyasana (Brahadaranyaka Up. IV.5.6).
Yajnavalkya replied that there was absolutely no hope for immortality through wealth (amrtatvasya tu na-asasti vittena). ‘If that were the case’, Maitreyi replied with strong resolve, ‘I do not want your wealth. Teach me the means to attain immortality’. Then Yajnavalkya started a long discourse on the phenomenality and ephemerality of all worldly things and all worldly loves.
Listen-Reflect-Meditate
A real seeker for the knowledge of Brahman and thereby for immortality should transcend all his/her limited loves and concerns for persons, things and events, and set his/her mind and heart steadily and constantly on the supreme goal of human life, on God. A true seeker of knowledge and God should not get entangled in worldly wealth, mundane pleasures, bodily comforts and inferior goals of life. It is in this context that Yajnavalkya utters the famous sentence: atma va are drstavya
Let us now deliberate on these three steps of spirituality and also of philosophizing and theologizing. Real spirituality and consequent vision of the Reality take place through these three steps, namely, sravana, manana and nididhyasana. Sankaracarya in his Viveka-cudamani says that manana is superior to sravana and nididhyasana is superior to manana. “Reflection should be considered a hundred time superior to
reading, discussion, etc. (sravaòa). Sravana stands for the knowledge we gather through the five sense organs, namely, the eye, the ear, the nose, the tongue and the skin (touch). This pramana, means for right knowledge, which is the primary source and channel of the reservoir of our knowledge, is called pratyaksa, perception. We gather most of our knowledge and information through these senses of knowledge (jnanedriya). They are sometimes characterized as doors of the body. Besides the sense organs and objects, mind and the self are also involved in perception. The initiative of the process of perception is from the inner self: self contacts mind, mind contacts the sense organs, and they in turn go to objects, and return with sensory images, which are analyzed and synthesized by the mind, and the intellect make the judgment. The external objects of knowledge make an impression on the self through mind and senses. This is the ordinary perception.
The external objects of knowledge make an impression on the self through mind and senses. This is the ordinary perception.
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listening, and meditation is one thousand times superior to reflection, and supraconscious samadhi is infinite in its results” (Viveka-cudamani 364). Listen/Hear First is listening, gather correct information from outside through the proper means for right knowledge like listening, seeing,
The corresponding quality and object of the eye is colour, and fire is its corresponding element. The quality and object of the nose is smell, and earth is its element. The quality of tongue is taste, and
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ASPECTS water is the corresponding element. The quality of skin is touch, and its element air. And finally the quality of ears is sound, and its corresponding element is ether (akasa). All these senses bring us knowledge of their respective objects. Listening or hearing speech (sound) stand for all these sources of knowledge through senses. Reflection The second step is manana, critical and logical analysis of the data gathered through perceptive process of knowledge. Reflection, speculation, argumentative reasoning, etc. are the characteristics of this stage. The second means for right knowledge (pramana), namely, anumana, inference, is at work in this cogitational process. We do not directly perceive the objects, but by correct use of reason we come to logical conclusions and make judgments. While in the first step the senses (jnanendriya) are actively involved, in this second step the key concepts are intellect, consciousness and rationality. The Nyaya School of philosophy elaborately deals with inference. Inferential knowledge is mediate and indirect knowledge that arises from a middle term (hetu or linga). It is the knowledge obtained through logical reasoning. Inference has three terms: the major (sadhya), the minor (paksa) and the middle (linga or hetu). To state an example: we know that smoke is invariably associated with fire. If we see smoke, though we do not see the fire, we conclude that there must be fire. We see smoke in the hill, and we conclude that there must be fire in the hill. Here, hill is the minor term (paksa), fire is the major term (sadhya), and smoke is the middle term (hetu or linga). The middle term is invariably concomitant or is associated (vyapti) with the major term, and this invariable concomitance or association (vyapti) is very important in Nyaya. From
the presence of smoke in the hill, because we know that wherever there is smoke there is also fire, we proceed to infer that there is fire in the hill. Meditation/Contemplation The third is nididhyasana, contemplation. Try to accept and assimilate the correct doctrinal conclusions in one’s own life through one-pointed meditation and contemplation. We may say that contemplation is the spiritual function of the heart. Nididhyasana is a combination of dhyana and samadhi of Yoga philosophy. Dhyana is the continuous, unbroken, one-pointed and undisturbed
contemplation. It is the immediate step for the samadhi, the last stage of Yoga practices. Samadhi is total absorption, ecstatic experience in concentration. It is a spiritual trance. The mind is totally absorbed in the object of meditation. This
up here. The yogi has to pass through this stage of meditation and samadhi for the final liberation, namely, kaivalya. Once in samadhi, the liberation from embodied existence is certain. Therefore, meditation becomes an essential part of spiritual life and culminates in the exalted sphere of soul-culture. These three eminent means proposed by the Upanishads, and propagated by Sri Sankara later, definitely constitute a model for spiritual life and also for philosophizing and theologizing. Meditation is important Our spiritual endeavours and our engagements in philosophizing and theologizing very often stop short with the first two steps, namely, sravaòa and manana. Contemplation/meditation need to become an inseparable element in our spiritual pilgrimage. Time and again we proclaim that spirituality should become more context-sensitive and lifeoriented. The life of the spirit should happen in relation to the actually lived life in the specific socio-religious, economic-cultural, political-national, and environmental-cosmic contexts in which the seeker lives, thinks, works, learns and teaches. We need to interiorize issues of life through meditation.
Listening is important
The first element of this three-fold sadhana, namely, listening (sravana), needs further elucidation. We need to listen not only to the texts of the scriptures, mantras of the sacred lore, words from the mouth of the highest level is that of total arrest/cessation teachers and precepts of elders and of modifications (niruddha/nirodha): acaryas, but also to the words, cries, Mental modifications are restricted and laughters and sounds of the surroundings suppressed; they do not surface any more. of the milieu in which we live. We need to In a way this is the goal of Yoga practices, generously lend our ears to the pathetic because once in samadhi, the liberation cries of the poor, of the marginalized and from embodied existence is sure. There is of those who are oppressed by the unjust no subject-object distinction here. The structures of society, and those who are mediator and the object of meditation are forced to exist in unwholesome conditions identified. The relation with the external of life. We need to listen the pathetic world is broken in this ecstatic state. The stories of the poor and underprivileged. We modifications of the mind cease to show may not have answers and solutions to
We do not directly perceive the objects, but by correct use of reason we come to logical conclusions and make judgments.
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ASPECTS these problems; but we need to develop a soul culture of sympathy and empathy, which is tuned to listen with compassion and understanding to the sobs of less fortunate people. The descent of the word The responsibility of listening has to be viewed in a wider context. Of course, we need to listen to the divine inspiration, the inner voice, the Word of God, with due care and seriousness. The Word comes to us, according to Indian wisdom, in four successive forms. They are: Para Vak, Pasyanti Vak, Madhyama Vak and Vaikhari Vak. (i) Para Vak is the absolute, supreme sound or Word which exists only in the inner essence of the supreme, unmanifested Braham. In a way it is the Supreme Brahman itself. This is the ground of all existences. St. John speaks about this Word in the beginning of his Gospel: “In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God,
bhuvanani jajne”, ‘It is vak which has created all the worlds’. Christian parallels We may find parallels to this in Christian interpretation of the Bible. Martin Luther in his first lecture on the psalms speaks of four levels in a descending order of the Logos (Word). The top most level is the Verbum Internum, the inner Word, which exists only in the supreme Lord as His eternal power. This word becomes manifest in space and time in Verbum Externum. This word, Jesus Christ, is the Lord and Saviour of the universe. The third level of the Word is the Word of God of the Holy Scriptures. The sacred scriptures contain the history of salvation, that is, history of God’s communication with humanity, especially through Jesus Christ. The fourth level is the Viva Vox Evangelii, the living Word of the Gospel in man. Man hears, reads, understands, speaks and preaches the God’s Word in the Bible.
spiritual realization of the Supreme. The twenty-four teachers are: “The earth, the air, the sky, the water, the fire, the moon, the sun, the pigeon, the python, the sea, the moth, the bee, the elephant, the honey gatherer, the deer, the fish, the courtesan Pingala, the osprey (a fish-eating bird), the child, the maiden, the arrow-maker, the snake, the spider, and a insect known as bhramara-kita” (Uddhava Gita II.33-34). Women were respected Upanisads proffer due respect and status to women in the society. We come across eminent women philosophers in the Upanisadic texts. Gargi Vacaknavi, daughter of sage Vacaknu, in Brhadaranyaka Up. III.6; III.8.1-12, and Maitreyi, wife of the greatest Upanisadic philosopher Yajnvalkya, in Brhadaranyaka Up. II.4.1-4; IV.5.1-15 are two examples. Prominent ladies like these definitely commanded respect in the society, and were treated with deference in
We need to listen to words of our fellow human beings. As long as humans live in the society, communion and community through healthy communication is the duty of all. and Word was God” (Jn: 1.1). (ii) Pasyanti Vak is the Word uttered by the supreme Brahman itself in the Samasti srsti, that is, in its manifestation in cosmic form. The creator Brahman or Saguna Brahman, who then carries out the vyasti srsti, individual creations, could be considered as the Pasyanti Vak. (iii) Madhyama Vak is manifested to the mind of the sages and saints in meditation. It is said that the sages cursed or blessed somebody using this Madhyama Vak. The sages (Rsi), who are the seers of the mantra or Veda (mantra-drstara), might have experienced or saw the revelation in this form. (iv) This revelation manifested to normal human beings in Vaikhari Vak. Man can only hear and understand this form Vak. It is the human word. Vedas are made intelligible to man in this form. The Rgveda I.164.45 says: catvari vak parimita padani tani vidur brahmana ye manisinah, guha trini nihita na gayant,i turiyam vaco manusya vadanti, ‘The learned people know that the Vak’s existence is limited to four forms. Three are hidden, they do not speak; and the fourth is what men speak’. The Sanskrit grammarian Bhartrhari states in his Vakyapadiya I.112: “vageva visva-
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Then the Word of God becomes his own word. Listen to the words of trustworthy person (apta-vakya) We need to listen to the words/instructions of elders and Gurus. We need to listen and obey the words of a trust worthy person (apta-vakya). We need to listen to words of our fellow human beings. As long as humans live in the society, communion and community through healthy communication is the duty of all. Listen to the nature We have also the obligation to listen to this wonderful nature. Nature is an eminent teacher. We need to listen to it and imbibe inspiration from it. I am reminded of one of the Gitas of Sanskrit literature, namely, the Uddhava Gita, which is found in Bhagavata Purana. Uddhava Gita has been evoked as a Guru for environmental education. Uddhava gained enlightenment by observing the world, which provided him with twenty-four instructors. These taught him the futility of mundane attachments, the benefits of contemplation and forbearance, and a path towards the
the assemblies of scholars. The second chapter of Aitareya Up. starts with the directive: “The pregnant women should go away from the place”(apakramantu garbhinyah). This naturally indicates that women, including pregnant women, were present in common debates and discussion where issues of philosophy and religion were discussed. It is later, probably during the time of the Codes of Law (Dharma-sastra), that women were suppressed and subjugated to the male members of the society. Socially women were ostracized; in matters of religion and worship women were always at the receiving end; they had no freedom of movement, freedom of speech, freedom to choose their way of life. The most vicious injustice done to women was that the portals of knowledge were closed to them; they had no right for education. Na stri svatantryam arhati, ‘women never deserve freedom’ (Manusmrti IX.3), was the mantra of this era and subsequent centuries. The vestiges of these restrictions and taboos are still at work in our own times.
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CREA TIVE LIVING CREATIVE
Dr. Varghese Panthalookaran
T
here are evidences that physical fitness could influence the creative output of your life. The food you eat, the way you sleep, the physical exercises you adopt, all of them have a say on your creativeness. They uniquely define an ideal ecosystem for your creative wellbeing. You need to identify your ideal physical parameters that support your creativity and plan a life-style based on that to be creative in a sustainable manner.
Be physically fit for creative tasks Exercise pumps fresh blood to the brain, promoting creative thinking. Aerobic fitness keeps your heart strong to pump good supply of blood to the brain.
Creative spirit is found to be ignited by the body movements. Are you got stuck with a problem? Are you choked in your thought process? Or are your ideas drying up? Just get out of your seat, move a bit, take a walk, have a sip of water, take a bath, take a nap, listen to music, and you will hear the solution of your problem already knocking at your door. Just escape your study and get the creative juices flowing! Physical movements have the power to resolve the chaos of your thoughts. Entangled with mind-boggling problems, Einstein would lift his violin and start playing it. The soothing music of the violin would have invariably untied the knots of his thoughts, as he testified it. How does it work? Keith Sawer, who has made extensive research on creativity suggests: “Physical activity gets your mind into the bodily experience, so that subconscious connections can pop up.� Physical movements enable you to think differently, think fluently, think flexibly and think originally. It recuperates your creative power! Workouts boost creative thinking. Lorenza Colzato of Leiden University of The Netherlands has shown that those who worked out at least four times a week thought much more creatively than those with a more sedentary lifestyle. History of creative minds bears witness to this fact. Great authors like Henry James and Thomas Mann used to walk a distance before embarking on their writing projects.
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CREA TIVE LIVING CREATIVE
Exercise improves attention, memory, accuracy, and improves speed of information processing, all of which help you make smarter decisions.
Henry Thoreau, the philosopher has observed that as he moved his legs, moved along with them his creative spirit too. Beethoven was not physically fit. But he used to start his days with a morning walk during which he would scribble his musical moods into a pocket book. Having limbered up his mind and migrating himself into a unique state of trance, he would return to his study to pen his symphonies. William Wordsworth had a habit of composing his poems while walking. He is said to have composed the entire poem, “Tintern Abbey”, during a walk and have altered no single line of it afterwards! Craig Finn of the band the Hold Steady is used to running long distances to gather ideas for new songs: He said: “Long runs are a very meditative time. My mind gets to a crazy, unique place once I get above 10 miles. It’s a time for some very clear thinking. I don’t know that it’s conscious, but I always feel inspired to write after I run”, says Craig Finn. Physical exercise of course improves physical health and appearance. But it is much more than that. It also has a profound effect on your brain chemistry. Working out has above-the-neck benefits, too! Let us list a few of them:
♦ Exercise pumps fresh blood to the brain, promoting creative thinking. Aerobic fitness keeps your heart strong to pump good supply of blood to the brain. Thus a heart-pumping gym session can boost creativity for up to two hours afterwards. You’re working out your brain at the same time as your heart.
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♦ Exercise sustains neuroplasticity, which is essential for learning. The brain attains better ability to adapt to new learning and ideas. It helps brain to rewrite itself better.
♦ Exercise enlarges hippocampus – a part of the brain responsible for memory. Working out, especially between age 25 and 45, boosts the chemicals in the brain that support and prevent degeneration of the hippocampus, an important part of the brain for memory and learning.
♦ Exercise improves “brain volume,” meaning a greater number of neurons, which allows for more effective brain function.
♦ Exercise improves attention, memory, accuracy, and improves speed of information processing, all of which help you make smarter decisions.
♦ Exercise reduces the presence of cortisol and adrenaline in the body: body burns adrenaline during exercises and flushes out cortisol after a workout. Cortisol is the hormone that helps trigger the “fight or flight” response under stress conditions. Reduction in cortisol generation shuts down brain functions for the sake of creative problem-solving.
♦ Exercise releases norepinephrine, which influences attention, perception, motivation, and arousal. It again moderates the response of brain towards stress.
♦ Exercise promotes your pituitary gland to release endorphins, producing a feelgood mood. It creates feelings of happiness and euphoria, motivating creative indulgences.
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CREA TIVE LIVING CREATIVE ♦ Exercise creates condition for brain to release dopamine, the “reward chemical” in response to it. Exercise signals the release of several key hormones, including serotonin, the famed mood booster. Exercise releases dopamine, which affects learning and attention. Exercise-induced chemical cocktail elevate neurotransmitters in the brain, it helps us focus, feel better, and release tension. ♦ Exercise promotes the growth of new nerve cells and synapses through elevating levels of neurotrophins, a chemical that fosters the growth of new nerve endings.
♦ Exercise enhances physical and mental endurance, those required by high levels of productive thought. Exercises and workouts deliver fresh ideas and inspiration almost by osmosis. Your mind frees up to cross-fertilize. As you return to intellectual pursuits, you are far better equipped at connecting ideas, synthesizing and synergizing them into something novel. Experiments have shown that physical exercise improves
♦ Exercise increases the level of oxygen in the blood, which helps provide mental energy. ♦ Every muscle you move during physical exercise sends hormones rushing to your brain. There, they mix with a chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, which plays a role in brain cell growth, mood regulation, and learning. “BDNF is like fertilizer for the brain,” says John J. Ratey, Ph.D., a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. “Without it, our brains can’t take in new information or
notepad or tape recorder as you perform your light workouts. You should take care to jot down brilliant ideas that surfaces in your mind. Dare yourself to be a Beethoven! Get to work right after your workout, while your creative juices are flowing. The shower can wait! Experiments have shown that after just 30 minutes of doing low-concentration moderate-intensity exercises people could complete a cognitive test faster than they did before exercising. Such brain-boosting effect of exercise lasted for at least 52 minutes after the workout. Yoga can also put your mind into a creative mode. Yoga means “to join or yoke together” bringing the mind and body together for an experience of perfect harmony. Such psychosomatic harmony could ease creation. Hatha Yoga for example boosts your skills of problemsolving and multi-tasking. The focused breathing and meditation during Hatha Yoga pumps energy to the brain and equip you to high- grade mental performances, including creative thinking.
the scores of a Torrance Test of Creative Thinking, a widely used test that measures
It is better to exercise in nature, where it is calm. Nature stokes creativity and
As you return to intellectual pursuits, you are far better equipped at connecting ideas, synthesizing and synergizing them into something novel. creative abilities in children and adults. Exercise enhances creativity in individuals who work up a sweat on a regular basis. What kinds of exercises are better for ♦ Moderate workout works as a sleeping boosting creativity? There is a general pill, even for people with insomnia. agreement that low-concentration exercises Exercise raises the body’s core are better in this regard. They allow your temperature, requiring sleep. mind to bathe in freedom. They include brisk walking, swimming laps, hiking, or ♦ Exercise both increases the size of the prefrontal cortex and facilitates interaction running. Moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercises that allow you to carry on a between it and the amygdala. This is vitally important to creative minds because conversation while performing them are ideal in this regard. the prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that helps bring down the amygdala’s On the other hand, sports such as golf or fear and anxiety signals and create tennis, or team activities, like soccer or something beautiful out of it. basketball require too much strategizing or in-the-moment focus. They may not be ♦ Exercise under the sun helps acquire ideal for quenching your immediate needs Vitamin D, which lessen the likelihood of of creative solutions. Do not forget your experiencing depressive symptoms. make new cells.” It also helps with decision making, higher thinking, and learning.
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strengthens cognitive powers better than urban environments. In an urban environment, your mind is never at ease. You have to pay attention to all sorts of external stimuli, such as cars in crosswalks and people on sidewalks. It is survival mode, not conducive for creative spurs. A natural environment gives the directed-attention part of your brain some vacation time, freeing it to replenish. People generally complain that they are not rich in time to indulge in physical exercises. However, those who take time for regular workouts know that such investments are in the better interest. They will be more than compensated and rewarded with creative solutions, which radically cut their time budgets.
Pallikkutam | April 2015
INFOTECH
WhatsApp voice calling open to all Android users
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opular mobile messaging service WhatsApp has now flipped the switch to enable voice calling for all users of its Android app. User can make voice calls through the internet to other WhatsApp users (on Android) without the need for any invites, hacks and tweaks. However, they’ll need to download and install the APK installation file for the latest version of WhatsApp (Version 2.12.19) from WhatsApp’s website since the Play Store still has an older build. It’s still not clear if the auto-activation of voice calls is temporary or permanent as WhatsApp has not officially announced the rollout of the feature yet. After testing the feature with select users,
WhatsApp started rolling out the awaited internet calling functionality to a wider set of people, last month. However, to get the voice calling feature activated users needed to receive a call from a user who had the service already turned on. However, this invite system did not work for all users. The feature is still not available yet on the iPhone. It also doesn’t work on Windows Phone handsets, at the moment. After activation of the feature, WhatsApp’s user interface changes to feature separate screens for dialing a voice call to WhatsApp contacts, call logs and ongoing calls. The chat window also displays a calling button (represented by a phone icon). The active call screen sports buttons for turning on the loudspeaker, switching to the chat window and for muting the call.
Pallikkutam | April 2015
Snapdeal acquires RupeePower -commerce major Snapdeal has picked up majority stake in digital financial products platform, RupeePower, for an undisclosed amount through a stock and cash deal. The move will help Snapdeal to enter the Rs 4,500 crore online financial services market in the
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claims to have enabled credit disbursal worth Rs 1,500 crore through its platform in FY2014-15. “In the next 24 months, we expect this number to grow to about Rs 6,000 crore ($1 billion),” Bahl said. He added that going ahead, there will be integration of the platforms to allow
country. “Consumers often face difficulty while deciding and buying financial products/services. This partnership will help solve distribution challenges of the financial services ecosystem and make it more inclusive,” Snapdeal co-founder and CEO Kunal Bahl said. He declined to comment on the financial terms of the deal.
Snapdeal consumers to make purchases using the finance options offered through RupeePower. “The share of digital origination of credit is poised to grow from today’s 7.5% to 40% over the next four years, in an Rs 400,000 crore ($67 billion) retail credit market growing at 20% annually,” Mohanram said.
Founded in 2011, Gurgaon-based RupeePower offers a digital distribution platform for loans, credit cards and other personal finance products. At present, it has 40 employees. “Over the next one year, we plan to ramp up our headcount to about 200 people. Most of these will be engineers, who have an understanding of the financial services market,”
RupeePower aims to become the no. 1 originator of financial products over the next couple of years with the investment received from Snapdeal, he added. Snapdeal also runs a ‘Capital Assist’ initiative, under which its helps its sellers to secure financing to expand their operations.
RupeePower founder and CEO Tejasvi Mohanram said. RupeePower, which counts State Bank of India, ICICI Bank and Bajaj Finserv among its partners,
Launched in August last year, the company has already helped over 150 sellers raise over Rs 50 crore through the initiative. Asked if Snapdeal is looking at raising funds, Bahl replied in the negative.
Samsung, LG agree to end legal disputes
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subsidiaries Samsung Display and LG Display. Samsung Display employees were indicted in February on charges of stealing organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel technology from LG Display. Samsung and LG in the joint The announcement comes over a month statement said they will reach out to after LG appliances chief Jo Seong-jin was relevant authorities to take the agreement indicted by prosecutors on a charge of into account. It was not immediately clear deliberately damaging Samsung washing how prosecutors would respond. machines. The agreement also extends to outh Korean rivals Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have agreed to end ongoing legal disputes and work out future disagreements through dialogue.
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INFOTECH
Airtel, Idea, Vodafone partly pay their upfront amount
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uccessful spectrum bidders, including Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone, have made over Rs 7,000 crore towards upfront payments — a move that will help the government narrow its fiscal deficit target for the fiscal ending.
for spectrum they acquired in auction.
The source added that there is no response from Aircel and Reliance Communications so far.
Also, others telecom firms such as Reliance Jio and Tata Teleservices that won airwaves in the recent spectrum auction have committed to pay. Airtel has paid about Rs 5,000 crore while Idea Cellular deposited around Rs 2,000 crore as part payment
Vodafone has also paid some amount but the exact number could not be ascertained.
Xiaomi unveils its cheapest smartphone yet
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Just like the Redmi 2, the Redmi 2A also has a 2200mAh battery. The device is 4G-enabled but there’s no information on the exact frequency bands it supports.
As expected the Redmi 2A looks similar to the recently unveiled Redmi 2 smartphone, however, it sports slightly inferior specifications.
It’s not clear if the phone will also be introduced outside Xiaomi’s home market. It’s worth pointing out that Xiaomi’s global vice president Hugo Barra had said that the current conditions did not facilitate the production of a sub-Rs 5,000 smartphone that delivers a good consumer experience.
fter several rumours and leaks, Chinese device maker Xiaomi has unveiled its affordable Android smartphone, Redmi 2A, at a special event marking the company’s fifth birth anniversary. the phone is priced at 599CNY (Rs 6,000 approximately).
The phone sports a 4.7-inch HD (720x1280p) display and is powered by a 1.5GHz Leadcore LC1860C quad core processor and 1GB RAM. It comes with 8GB internal storage, a 13MP rear camera with LED flash and 2MP front camera and runs Android 4.4 KitKat with the latest Xiaomi MIUI skin on top.
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“Bharti Airtel has paid about Rs 5,000 crore, Idea Cellular about Rs 2,000 crore. RJio has committed to pay entire upfront payment by this evening. Tata Teleservices has also committed to pay some amount,” an official source said.
In addition to th phone, Xiaomi has also introduced a 55-inch version of its Mi TV 2 smart television, a pink coloured version of its Mi Note smartphone and Mi Smart Scale and Mi Power Strip smart devices.
The companies are rushing to make part payment before due date of April 8 following an appeal by Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to make payment by March 31.
Google updates Gmail for Android users
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oogle said it was updating its mobile Gmail app for Android device users to allow them to manage multiple email accounts from a single program. “You’ll be able to view all
your mail at once, regardless of which account it’s from, using the new ‘All Inboxes’ option,” Google software engineer Regis Decamps said in a blog post. “This way, you can read and respond to all your messages without having to hop between accounts.” The new app will aggregate email from rival services such as Yahoo and Microsoft Outlook, among others.
Pallikkutam | April 2015
POLICY WATCH
An account of the woes of the Indian educator - II Our colleges are mostly ill-equipped with the poor broadband connections and conference facilities offered. Dr. D. Dhanuraj
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n the previous edition of Pallikkutam, I wrote on the Government run arts and science colleges in Kerala and the various guidelines that plague the education sector leading to the inefficacy and poor standards for the quality outcomes. In this article also, I would like to focus on the quality and the factors affecting the education sector. There is no doubt about the necessity of teachers to keep on updating their knowledge and understanding of the subject forever. The college or university they are attached to, shall provide the best environment for the intellectual pursuit and clinical labs in their
Pallikkutam | April 2015
pursuit to knowledge. Unfortunately the colleges in Kerala are too much politicized as a result of the too much state control over the matters related to the education. Vice Chancellors and the college principals are always under the shadow of the political upmanship of the cadres of the political parties. As a result, their effectiveness and their abilities are often compromised, while caught up on the quagmire of keeping personal integrity vs the fraudulence of political equations of the governing body from time to time. Appointments to the key posts are always
under cloud as the education system is devoid of transparency at many levels. If the position like Vice Chancellor is prestigious in the academic community, it is increasingly becoming a challenge for the honest men and women to accept this designation in the recent times. Some dare to challenge and withstand the pressure extended by the political cronyism while others yield to them. Now, coming back to the teachers, they say international exposure is a key to improving the quality. But how much supportive are our systems for the
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POLICY WATCH
It is difficult to fix the quality in an already fixed framework of the conferences and seminars especially when the regulators, the implementing agency and the beneficiaries remain with the organisers. educator to travel abroad and participate in International Conferences? There is a cumbersome procedure for the teachers to travel abroad to participate in any international conference. In Kerala, the travel requires permission from Director of Collegiate Education to Chief Minister level. It is time consuming and laborious. One does not understand the logic behind such a long process as any violation and illegal activity by the Professor/teacher while being abroad is dealt by the regular lawsmostly. Online presentations/video conferencing/ webinars can save both time and money. Unfortunately, the online presentations and conferences are not still popular with the academic communities in our country. Our colleges are mostly ill-equipped with the poor broadband connections and conference facilities offered. Moreover, as I had mentioned in the previous article, the
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teachers are not exposed to such kind of presentations and conferences for the poor acquaintance within and external depending on their exposure. Gone are the days of the approval systems and one should be more bothered about the webinars and online communities of scholars! As long as the promotions and increments depend on the number of publications and presentations made in the national and international conferences held in India (foreign trips are tricky for the above reasons), the standard and quality could only be watered down since the quantity has to be accommodated over quantity for an oversupply of scholars and shorter demand of the institutions. The prevailing Seminar guidelines are outdated and there is urgent need to revise it reflecting the current reality. In the present guidelines, teachers are asked to
pay huge sum after auditing citing flimsy reasons. For eg: Rs. 35 per person/ per day for refreshment, 750 -1000 rupees for resource person who is supposed to speak for 90 minutes session, purchase of stationery limited to Rs1400/- etc. It is very clear that these norms are outdated and make things very complicated. At the end even those who want to organize good interactions and seminars find it very funny to get speakers on board under the present guidelines. So they will be forced to deviate from the set rules by rigging the procedures knowingly. It is difficult to fix the quality in an already fixed framework of the conferences and seminars especially when the regulators, the implementing agency and the beneficiaries remain with the organisers. This raises serious issues with the top down approach or very centralized
Pallikkutam | April 2015
POLICY WATCH
The Government of any day should see improving the quality of higher education as their biggest social commitment towards the society. They are bothered not about the quality but about the quantity. planning still existing in the academic circles. In the previous article, I had mentioned about the clerical work involved in purchasing and budgeting processes. One might wonder if one could order the books from e-commerce websites like flipkart and amazon. I am told that these websites are not still approved by the departments. Teachers have to visit the conventional book stalls to order the books. Now, if we look at the issues plaguing the education system at the university level, the big responsibility that these universities hold in Kerala has been and is remaining to the conduct of examination and giving away the certificates and not promoting research. One should strive for strengthening the colleges so that they become autonomous
Pallikkutam | April 2015
and independent and the universities shall become in house centres of excellence in different of areas of research. In a state like Kerala, the trust of the general public with the universities and colleges are waning so any proposal to have in house examinations and evaluations would raise doubts about the transparency in the system. If the private universities are allowed to operate in Kerala and all the universities are given a level playing field to set the norms, autonomy of the colleges publicized through their certificates would be valued in a market economy and would be benchmarked along with the global best or the nation best at least. This would reduce the scope of malpractice and abuse in the system. ‘Equality’ as the focus of the argument for promoting higher education in Kerala, the sector has been strained by the resource
allocation of the Government as the decisions are most of the times taken not in the basis of demand and merit. Decline in quality of higher education is inevitable given the ecosystem prevailing in the sector. The Government of any day should see improving the quality of higher education as their biggest social commitment towards the society. They are bothered not about the quality but about the quantity. This quantity is a measurement of how distributive their justice to the society is. There is no objective evaluation of the cost of services delivered by the public providers. As a result, the competitive environment and level playing field is missing in the sector.
The author is Chairman, Centre for Public Policy Research, Kochi.
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Health is happiness
To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. Buddha
COVER STORY
Take care now Dr. Kumudabai MD
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umans are born with a near perfect machine which needs a little growth and development in infancy childhood, and youth. There after it is only a question of how you maintain it in good condition to keep yourself healthy. What is health ? It is a state of body and mind where you feel fit to live happily without any complaints arising from any part of your body or mind. Brain and important nervous system development is over by about 18 months to seven years. No new nerve cells grow after that once damaged or destroyed due to disease or trauma or anything, they never regrow. Liver cells on the other hand retain their ability to produce new cells till the end, and that is why you can donate a part of your liver safely. Kidneys are endowed with cells six times over it needs and kidney failure starts manifesting only after you have lost 60% of its nephrons. But both liver and kidneys are prone to many insults from outside like infection toxins from food, alcohol, drugs, trauma etc. The muscles and joints (Locomotorseptem) once fully grown are liable to wear and tear by use, misuse, abuse and disease and you have to be on the guard to protect them in good health. I will say, a few curses in disguise the present generation faces are:
with smoking, alcohol, excess of regular eating of unhealthy food and sedentary habits, push you to heart attack / strokes at an early age at the prime of your life. How can you save yourself from this peril ? You are what you EAT You are what you DO Watch out ! Have a good look of your body in front of a mirror. Are you ok? Good figure? Do you have excess fat in your body ? Are you over weight ?. All these will have a bearing in your health. Diet and Exercise
The role of diet and exercise canot be overemphasized in keeping good health through out life. You can eat anything you 1. Plenty of money in the pocket to spend. want, if you are prepared to burn it out by physical exercise. Your energy expenditure 2. Plenty of tasty junk food in the market. in day today activities should be carefully 3. Plenty of easy time to spend in front of balanced with your intake of food and water by its quantity, quality and content. modern IT Gadjets, (Sedantary life). 4. No time to get out in the open air to do any physical activity. All put together, you are getting obese, lazy and going in for major illnesses; diabetes, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol and lipids, which along
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Here are a few tips Eat regular meals lest you are hungry and always tempted to take unhealthy snacks. School going children and adults going out for work should take their breakfast containing cereals, fruits etc. They should take a light lunch consisting of sandwich with plenty of vegetable filling and a piece of meat/fish/egg. Dinner should never be rich and heavy and if possible should be taken early at least 1 ½ to 2 hours before you go to sleep. If you need something later at night take only fruits and water. To keep good health you have to watch out what you eat, what you need and what you should avoid. If you are gaining weight it is due to your eating more than what your body needs and you will have to reduce the energy giving food items like starch, fat, sugars, sweets in your diet. You are not asked to starve or miss meals but to reduce the proportion of these items in your mealcontent. For eg: If you take 3 iddlies, reduce it to 1 or 2 and fill your
You can eat anything you want, if you are prepared to burn it out by physical exercise. Pallikkutam | April 2015
COVER STORY
Try this: ♦ Start your meal with salads or yogurt with chopped or shredded vegetables.
♦ Choose chicken or seafood rather than beef or lamb. ♦ Choose dishes prepared without ghee. ♦ Order one protein and one vegetable dish to cut down the saturated fat and calories.
♦ If sodium is a concern, skip the soups.
stomach by taking more helping from the sambar with vegetable in it. Take a vow not to eat deep fried rich junk food on a regular basis. Eat wisely from a rich supply of fruits, salads and green yellow vegetable and protein supply from pulses/ fish, lagoomes rather than from red meat. Starch content of your meals should be watched, not eating to your hearts content. Overall energy valve of a day’s meals has to be decided and if you overeat one meal, cut the next meal content of fat and starch and take helpings from vegetable, curry or fruits and salads.Take water 1.5 L/day or more in summer. When going for food shopping avoid stocking bakery items, but purchase fruits and nuts and vegetables. These items should be incorporated into the menu in the form of chutneys, cuttlets and sandwiches. Children need an excess portion of proteins for their growth in addition to the energy requirement. So the food should contain milk, fish, meat, egg and pulses in liberal quantity.
Eat wisely from a rich supply of fruits, salads and green yellow vegetable and protein supply from pulses/fish, lagoomes rather than from red meat. elderly people should have a diet light and easily digestible but rich in vitamins and minerals. Special category persons like bedridden cases, pregnant women should follow their doctors instructions, regarding diet. Exercise: Appropriate physical exercises should be practiced according to your age and health status to keep you fit. Daily walking/ jogging/ cycling / swimming/ work out in gym, any of your choice and do it 5 days in a week. The duration is 3045 minutes depending on your effort tolerance ie: roughly 150 mts in a week divided and the lapses should not exceed 2 -3 days.
out to play in the evening 4-6pm. Games are to be played out in the grounds and not in the computer. Make use of every opportunity to use your arms and legs for a stretch like using staircase instead of lift, walk short distancesinstead of going by autoriksha, move around in the hall while watching TV or practice a few stretching exercises in the morning. Resist any temptation to go for a snack when you are bored rather than hungry. There is no substitute for physical activities and a control on your diet. It is always better to prevent diseases. And I say, you can prevent many of our present maladies or ameliorate them by the above measures, a little care you give to yourself.
You can exercise in the hall/ terrace/ corridor/ garden. It is not lack of time or place but lack of determination which force you to find lame excuses for not doing it. Adults need only maintainance and so The author is senior consultant moderate helpings only from rice, meat and You don’t have to wait for some diseases Physician at National Hospital, fried items. They can eat low calory items to catch up with you to start doing Calicut. and fruits, green leafy vegetable. Senior and exercise and diet. Children should be sent
Pallikkutam | April 2015
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COVER STORY
Sindhu S.
The nutrient needs of adolescents are higher than any other stage in the life. So, optimal nutrition is very important for achieving full growth potential.
Nutrition during adolescence A
dolescence is the period of transition from childhood to adulthood which is marked by accelerated physical, biochemical and emotional development. It is during this period that the final growth spurt occurs. This process creates an increased demand for energy, protein and all other nutrients. The nutrient needs of adolescents are higher than any other stage in the life. So, optimal nutrition is very important for achieving full growth potential. Failure to meet the nutritional demands can result in delayed sexual maturity and can reduce or slow linear growth. Before they approach the adolescence nutrient needs are almost the same for both boys and girls. But as they reach puberty the nutrient needs for each sex change significantly. The rate of growth reaches its peak between 11 and 14 years for girls and between 13 and 16 years for boys. The growth spurt for boys begins slower than that of girls.
Pubertal growth demands more body building substances and basal metabolic rate is increased which demands more energy. Since this period is accompanied with stress due to the physiological and
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psychological changes, attitude towards diet is often very unhealthy. Their food habits are greatly influenced by the peer group. It is observed that an adolescent boy is more receptive to form better dietary habits when compared to an adolescent girl. This is because boys prefer to become well-built with strong muscles and better physique. Whereas, girls are often self-conscious of their figure and tend to eat less, fast and skip meals. This kind of change in food patterns should not be encouraged. It is important to have a balanced diet during this period to ensure proper growth and development. Important nutrients during adolescence Energy – Energy needs for both boys and girls are increased as it is influenced by their activity level, basal metabolic rate and growth rate. Boys have a slightly higher calorie requirement as they show greater increase in lean body mass. Insufficient
energy intake associated with dieting, fasting etc should not be done as it can lead to delayed puberty or growth retardation. Carbohydrate inclusion in diet up to 60%
Pallikkutam | April 2015
COVER STORY
Skipping of meals especially breakfast should never be done. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day which gives the best start for your day with adequate energy.
of total calories is essential to meet the energy demands in this period.
maturity and reduced accumulation of lean body mass.
Protein – Protein requirement increases as there is greater turnover of cells and tissues in the body associated with growth spurt. Protein intake during adolescence usually exceeds 1g/kg body weight. This increase is for meeting the demands of growth and maturation in both sexes.
Fats - Moderate amounts of fat especially in the form of essential fatty acids are very essential to support the growth spurt and the hormonal changes that occur in this period. At least 20% of the total calories should be contributed through fats.
Inadequate intake of proteins may lead to reduction in linear growth, delayed sexual
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Minerals – The important minerals needed this period are calcium, iron and zinc. The increase in skeletal growth and
bone mass causes higher demand for calcium. This is the time when bone mineralization reaches its peak and adequate calcium intake is essential to reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis in future. Iron is vital for ensuring proper haemoglobin synthesis. The need for iron significantly increases with rapid growth and expansion of blood volume and muscle mass.
Why is it important to eat vegetables?
ating vegetables provides health benefits – people who eat more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body.
cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease. Fiber is important for proper bowel function. It helps reduce constipation. Fiber-containing foods such as vegetables help provide a feeling of fullness with fewer calories.
Most vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories. None have cholesterol. (Sauces or seasonings may add fat, calories, or cholesterol.) Vegetables are important sources of many nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, folate (folic acid), vitamin A, and vitamin C. Diets rich in potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Vegetable sources of potassium include sweet potatoes, white potatoes, white beans, tomato products (paste, sauce, and juice), beet greens, soybeans, lima beans, spinach, lentils, and kidney beans.
Folate (folic acid) helps the body form red blood cells. Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant should consume adequate folate from foods, and Dietary fiber from vegetables, as part of an in addition 400 mcg of synthetic folic acid overall healthy diet, helps reduce blood from fortified foods or supplements. This
Pallikkutam | April 2015
reduces the risk of neural tube defects, spina bifida, and anencephaly during fetal development. Vitamin A keeps eyes and skin healthy and helps to protect against infections. Vitamin C helps heal cuts and wounds and keeps teeth and gums healthy. Vitamin C aids in iron absorption. Health benefits Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may reduce risk for heart disease, including heart attack and stroke and protect against certain types of cancers. Diets rich in foods containing fiber, such as some vegetables and fruits, may reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Eating vegetables and fruits rich in potassium as part of an overall healthy diet may lower blood pressure, and may also reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and help to decrease bone loss.
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COVER STORY Adolescent girls require additional iron with the onset of menstruation to replace the losses that occur during each cycle. Zinc is another important mineral with is associated with a number of enzymes and is crucial for protein formation and gene expression. Zinc deficiency may alter the hormonal response and growth spurt during this period.
Dietary guidelines
♦ Have a well balanced diet to ensure adequacy of all nutrients in your diet ( Each main meal should contain 1. Cereals 2. Pulses or Non-veg 3. Vegetables and fruits)
♦ Inclusion of vegetable salads, beans, boiled vegetables, fresh fruit salads can be done not only to provide bulk to the diet but also for adequate vitamin and mineral intake.
♦ Avoid eating too much of fast foods and junk foods as they are generally lacking in most of the micronutrients but are high in calories, saturated fats and sodium.
Do not rush through meals. Taking time to chew your food helps favour its aroma, flavour and taste.
Vitamins – Vitamin A, E, C, Folate etc. are some of the important vitamins required during adolescence. They act as powerful antioxidants and as agents which promote proper functioning of all systems in the body. Fibre and Water – Adequate inclusion of fibre and fluids especially water is crucial for proper bowel function and hydration. They are the chief cleansing agents of the body (removal of toxic substances from the body).
♦ Reduce intake of canned/ fresh fruit juices and take fruits in its
♦ Avoid consuming excess calories than
natural form.
can be burned up everyday by your body
♦ Avoid “ empty calorie” foods like
♦ Calcuim rich foods like milk and milk products like curd, paneer, cheese, etc should be included in diet. For maintaining body weight low fat versions milk, low fat curd, low fat paneer, low fat cheese etc can be used ♦ Iron rich foods like dark green leafy vegetables, small fishes, rice flakes, dates, jaggery, liver etc can be included in diet for meeting the iron demands
carbonated beverages.
♦ Exercise regularly. Engage in moderate physical activity (brisk walking/running/ jogging/cycling/dancing) for atleast half an hour daily.
♦ Regular physical activity helps not only to maintain your body weight but also to have a fit and healthy body.
Beat the 3pm slump 1. Go herbal Fading at work? Ditch your double espresso for a cup of white tea with a slice of lemon. Packed with antioxidants, detoxing properties and minimal caffeine, you’ll enjoy a refreshing drink minus the energy crash from your long black. 2. Eat green Iron will help keep fatigue at bay. Boost your intake by adding a handful of spinach leaves to your lunch and try an easy-to-absorb iron supplement such as Vitabiotics Feroglobin Plus Liquid to make sure you’re getting your fill. 3. Snack right Staying healthy doesn’t mean you have to starve! Eat smaller meals every two to three hours to keep your metabolism active and your energy levels on an even keel. Healthy snacks like raw nuts or oatcakes with avocado and houmous will keep hunger and tiredness at bay.
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Pallikkutam | April 2015
COVER STORY ♦ Avoid fasting and feasting. Overeating should be avoided at all times. ♦ Skipping of meals especially
obesity. Other causes of obesity may be heredity, emotional stress and hormonal imbalances
breakfast should never be done. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day which gives the best start for your day with adequate energy.
Anaemia – It is the most common problem seen in adolescent girls which is associated with poor intake of iron rich foods in their diet. Lack of understanding about replacing the lost iron during menstruation also aggravates the condition.
♦ Meal times should be calm and pleasant. A tensed/disturbed mind can increase the chance of overeating or undereating.
♦ Do not rush through meals. Taking
Eating disorders – It is associated with strong aversion to food. The symptoms include refusal to eat, denying hunger, intense fear of gaining weight, constant feeing of being fat etc. These when untreated ends up in fatigue, weakness, nutrient deficiencies etc., and leading to malnutrition
time to chew your food helps favour its aroma, flavour and taste.
♦ Have regularity in meal times. This ensures proper digestion and absorption. It also helps reduce the incidence of gut related problems later in life. Nutritional problems
combinations (fruit only diet, liquid only diet, etc.) also affects proper growth and development in this period
Meal time should be calm and pleasant. A tensed/disturbed mind can increase the chance of overeating or undereating.
Obesity – It affects almost 10-20% of adolescent population. Excessive intake of energy rich foods and lack of exercise can contribute to weight gain and lead to
Undernutrition – Inadequate intake of food is associated with undernutrition. Strict dieting, consuming odd food
The author is Chief Dietitian, Department of Dietetics, Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi.
Healthy eating habits
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at less meat. In your diet reduce the frequency and the serving-size of red meat portions. Try not to eat meat more than once a day and preferably less often.
and yogurt. Restrict the number of eggs to
Whenever you are going to eat meat, try to select lean cuts and remove all visible fat before eating. Grill the meat rather than fry.
these are made with hard fats. As the cooking oil, use only the recommended oils such as cocoanut, corn, soya, or olive. For the sake of your teeth, reduce intake of heavily sweetened foods such as sweets and biscuits. Eat some fresh fruits every day. And if possible eat fruits at or after every meal.
Add more poultry and fish to your meals. Avoid sausage, processed meats because they are usually high in fat.
Eat more vegetables, particularly peas and beans - fresh or dried because they are a very good low-fat source of protein.
Reduce severely the amount of cream, butter, cream cheese and ice- cream that you consume. Choose semiskimmed milk or pour off the cream before having it. Eat no more than three per week. Avoid more only those dairy products, which have low consumption of biscuits and cakes because fat such as skimmed milk, cottage cheese
Eat wholemeal bread as your staple food. Eat wholemeal breakfast cereals. Take extra bran if the rest of your daily diet is rather refined.
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COVER STORY
Dr. Vinod Kumar P.
P
Sports injuries Prevention and treatment
articipation in sports and fitness activities has increased recently, in both, adults and children. This is possibly due to the increasing awareness of the importance of keeping fit as a part of a healthy lifestyle. It is only natural that an increase in participation in sports also brings with it a risk of injuries. Most of these injuries are not serious and can be managed easily. However, preventative measures can go a long way in minimizing the occurrence and the harm, if injuries do occur. There are some simple measures that can help.
composed, but could feel panic creeping through her body. With her breathing shallow and heart pounding, she dropped everything and tried to remember how to get to the hospital.
playground, school or even in the building society premises. Like Rajesh, scores of children and adolescents participate in organized sports. Still more participate in informal
“Sports injuries” are injuries that happen when playing sports or exercising. Some are from accidents. Others can result from poor training practices or improper gear. In the past, Rajesh had only experienced scrapes and bruises, like most kids his age. Mrs. Sheela, was hesitant to let him play a rough sport like football that requires considerable physical contact. But she chose not to keep him from playing his favorite sport. Now she was facing her child’s first major injury.
Mrs. Sheela was sitting at her home when the phone rang. “Mrs. Sheela? Your son, Rajesh, was injured during football practice. His knee may be badly hurt. He is going to the local hospital. Please go to the This can be a potential scenario, and events such as this, can happen at any casualty right away.” She tried to remain
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recreational activities. Although sports participation provides numerous physical and social benefits, it also has a downside: the risk of sports-related injuries. These injuries are by far the most common cause of musculoskeletal injuries in children treated in emergency departments. Although sports injuries can range from minor scrapes and bruises to serious broken bones, head and spinal cord
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Acute injuries occur suddenly when playing or exercising. Sprained ankles, strained backs, and fractured hands are acute injuries. Chronic injuries happen after you play a sport or exercise for a long time.
injuries, most fall somewhere between the two extremes.
♦ Not being able to move a joint as
What are sports injuries?
♦ Extreme leg or arm weakness
“Sports injuries” are injuries that happen when playing sports or exercising. Some are from accidents. Others can result from poor training practices or improper gear. Some people get injured when they are not in proper condition. Not warming up or stretching enough before you play or exercise can also lead to injuries. There are two kinds of sports injuries: acute and chronic. Acute injuries occur suddenly when playing or exercising. Sprained ankles, strained backs, and fractured hands are acute injuries. Signs of an acute injury include:
♦ A bone or joint that is visibly out of
♦ Sudden, severe pain
Sprains and Strains
♦ Swelling
A sprain is an injury to a ligament, a tough, fibrous tissue that connects two or more bones at a joint and prevents excessive movement of the joint. An ankle sprain is the most common athletic injury. A medial collateral ligament (MCL) or an Anterior
♦ Not being able to place weight on a leg, knee, ankle, or foot
♦ An arm, elbow, wrist, hand, or finger that is very tender
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normal
place. Chronic injuries happen after you play a sport or exercise for a long time. Signs of a chronic injury include:
cruciate ligament (ACL), injuries are the most common knee injuries. A strain is an injury to either a muscle or a tendon (tough, fibrous cord of tissue that connects muscle to bone). Growth Plate Injuries
♦ A dull ache when you rest
The growth plate is the area of developing tissues at the end of the long bones in growing children and adolescents. When growth is complete, sometime during adolescence, the growth plate is replaced by solid bone. The long bones in the body include:
♦ Swelling.
♦ the long bones of the hand and fingers
♦ Pain when you play ♦ Pain when you exercise
What are the most commonly seen injuries in children and adolescents?
(metacarpals and phalanges)
♦ both bones of the forearm (radius and ulna)
♦ the bone of the upper leg (femur) ♦ the lower leg bones (tibia and fibula) ♦ the foot bones (metatarsals and phalanges).
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COVER STORY If any of these areas become injured, it’s important to seek professional help from an orthopaedic surgeon. Repetitive Motion Injuries
Heat-Related Illnesses With summer coming up imminently, heat related injuries can be quite common. Heat injuries are always dangerous and can be
illnesses can be prevented. These injuries include,
♦ Dehydration (deficit in body fluids)
Coaches should be trained in first aid and CPR, and should have a plan for responding to emergencies. Coaches should be well versed in the proper use of equipment, and should enforce rules on equipment use. Painful injuries such as stress fractures (a hairline fracture of the bone that has been subjected to repeated stress) and tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon) can occur from overuse of muscles and tendons. Some of these injuries don’t always show up on x rays, but they do cause pain and discomfort.
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fatal. Heat-related injuries are a particular problem for children because children perspire less than adults and require a higher core body temperature to trigger sweating.
♦ Heat exhaustion (nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, pale and moist skin, heavy perspiration, normal or low body temperature, weak pulse, dilated pupils, disorientation, and fainting spells)
Playing rigorous sports in the heat requires ♦ Heat stroke (headache, dizziness, close monitoring of both body and weather confusion, and hot dry skin, possibly conditions. Fortunately, heat-related
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Make sure your child has access to water or a sports drink while playing. Encourage him or her to drink frequently and stay properly hydrated. Remember to include sunscreen, if playing in the open, to reduce the chance of sunburn. leading to vascular collapse, coma, and death). How Are Sports Injuries Treated? Initial treatment can be instituted by remembering the acronym R.I.C.E.S. This stands for the following,
♦ Rest. Reduce your regular activities. If you’ve injured your foot, ankle, or knee, take weight off of it.
important to seek expert medical opinion from an Orthopedic surgeon. Further treatment will be based on the part injured and the severity of the injury. Some injuries may need surgical treatment. It is best to avoid any manipulation or massage of the injured part prior to seeking expert opinion. Prevention of sports injuries.
Injuries can happen to any child who plays sports, but there are some things that can help prevent and treat injuries. Prevention is better than cure and there are certain points to consider before sports participation. For parents and coaches:
♦ Enroll your child in organized sports through schools, community clubs, and
♦ Ice. Put an ice pack to the injured area for 20 minutes, four to eight times a day. You can use a cold pack or ice bag. You can also use a plastic bag filled with crushed ice and wrapped in a towel.
♦ Compression. Put even pressure (compression) on the injured area to help reduce swelling. You can use an elastic wrap, crepe bandage, neoprene rubber braces. Ask your doctor which one is best for your injury. ♦ Elevation. Put the injured area on a pillow, at a level above your heart, to help reduce swelling.
♦ Specialist attention: If the pain is severe, deformity is present, inability to bear weight on the injured leg or if experiencing pain when moving a joint, it is
Regular physical activity can help protect you from the following health problems. ♦
Heart Disease and Stroke.
♦ High Blood Pressure. ♦
Diabetes.
♦ Obesity. ♦
Back Pain.
♦
Osteoporosis.
♦
Stress .
♦
Disability.
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ensure that the recreation areas are properly maintained.
♦ See that the child gets a physical
♦ Know how to use athletic gear. ♦ Don’t play when you are very tired or in pain.
examination before playing.
♦ Try to find sports programs that have certified athletic trainers.
overweight and obesity, which is becoming more common in children. It may also reduce his risk of diabetes. Exercise also helps him build social skills and provides him with a general sense of well-being. Sports participation is an important part of learning how to build team skills.
As a parent, it is important for you to encourage your children to be physically active
♦ Group children by their skill level and body size, not by their age, especially for contact sports. ♦ Match the child to the sport. Don’t
♦ Always warm up before you play. ♦ Always cool down after you play. Conclusion
Treatment for sports-related injuries will vary by injury. But if your child suffers a soft tissue injury (such as a sprain or strain) or a bone injury, the best immediate ♦ Don’t play a child who is injured, or treatment is easy to remember: RICE (rest, recovering from injury. ice, compression, elevation) the injury. Get professional treatment if any injury is ♦ Coaches should be trained in first aid severe. Thankfully, most injuries are minor and CPR, and should have a plan for responding to emergencies. Coaches should and can be managed by the coaches, trainers and parents. Even though Rajesh be well versed in the proper use of got hurt, it’s important that he continue equipment, and should enforce rules on some type of regular exercise and sports equipment use. involvement after the injury heals. Exercise ♦ Make warm-ups and cool-downs part may reduce his chances of being of your child’s routine before and after sports participation. Warm-up exercises make the body’s tissues warmer and more flexible. Cool-down exercises loosen muscles that have tightened during exercise. push the child too hard to play a sport that she or he may not like or be able to do.
As a parent, it is important for you to encourage your children to be physically active. It’s also important to match your child to the sport, and not push him or her too hard into an activity that he or she may not like or be capable of doing. Teach your children to follow the rules and to play it safe when they get involved in sports, so they’ll spend more time having fun in the game and be less likely to be sidelined with an injury. You should be mindful of the risks associated with different sports and take important measures to reduce the chance of injury.
The author is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Aster MedCity, Kochi.
♦ Make sure your child has – and consistently uses – proper gear for a particular sport. This may reduce the chances of being injured. These may include equipment like helmets, pads and guards. It is best not to take a chance, by not using it. ♦ Make sure your child has access to water or a sports drink while playing. Encourage him or her to drink frequently and stay properly hydrated. Remember to include sunscreen, if playing in the open, to reduce the chance of sunburn, which is a type of injury to the skin. For children:
♦ Be in proper condition to play the sport. ♦ Follow the rules of the game. ♦ Wear gear that protects, fits well, and is right for the sport.
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COVER STORY
Dr. Serena Mohan Varghese
S
ummer is the time when children have vacation and they spend time with their family and relativesprovided they stay healthy. They have lots of free time and are allowed to stay outdoors and enjoy. This needs lot of attention and attentiveness which is not always possible for working parents. However, if we are aware of the common illnesses in summer season we can take the preventive measures and make our kids enjoy the vacation to the fullest.
Summer diseases in children
football become favourites, before we send the kids out to practice or just for a long day of play in the sun we must learn to protect our child against the dangers of dehydration. It is very important that they take plenty of fluids during summer. Untreated dehydration can lead to three types of heat illness:
2. Boils/ Furuncles and prickly heat A variety of skin eruptions occur due to increased sweating. Daily bath and proper hydration can solve most of these problems. Washing face and hands many times can prevent having these skin problems. Application of prickly heat powder or calamine lotion can be done in early stages. If itching increases, consult your pediatrician.
If we are aware of the common illnesses in summer season we can take the preventive measures and make our kids enjoy the vacation to the fullest.
Common illnesses that are observed during summer are: 1. Heat exhaustion/ heat stroke This occurs when people stay outdoors during mid-day without adequate water intake. This may manifest as tiredness, high fever, rashes over the body, headache or fainting attacks. So children can have indoor games /activities during this time and spend outdoors during evening hours.With the hot days of summer, summer sports like basketball, tennis,
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♦ Heat cramps: Painful cramps of the abdominal muscles, arms, or legs.
♦ Heat exhaustion: Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, weakness, muscle pain, and sometimes unconsciousness. ♦ Heat stroke: A temperature of 104 or higher and severe symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, seizures, disorientation or delirium, lack of sweating, shortness of breath, unconsciousness, and coma.
3. Water borne diseases
Diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, amoebiasis, typhoid and jaundice affect people who are used to drinking unboiled water. We must educate our children to drink only boiled or purified water. 4. Food borne diseases Hepatitis A and Typhoid are commonly seen in people who are used to eating from outside. Bacteria thrive in warm and moist environment and so food poisoning and
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Give lots of lemon juice, coconut water, lassi and other natural fluids to children. They Provide hydration as well as nutrition to your children. Avoid carbonated drinks as far as possible. occurrence of diseases due to food infection is more during summer days. Passed on by the oro-faecal route, the causative bug is commonly found in unsanitary food or water sources. Children must be taught the importance of handwashing before and after taking food. It is also important that mothers wash their hands and food items before cooking.
5. Chicken pox and other exanthematous fever. Seen right at the onset of summers, chicken pox manifests as itchy red rash like spots or boils all over the body, usually in children. Spread by air-borne particles, the disease spreads when an already infected person
sneezes or coughs. Another mode of transmission is if a caregiver touches the blisters or the fluid oozing out of it. There are vaccines available for chicken pox, measles etc. Medicines taken within 24 to 48 hrs can decrease the severity of these illnesses. Even so, some simple precautions like washing hands thoroughly after visiting a common place and isolating
6 Reasons to drink water 1. Drinking Water Helps Maintain the Balance of Body Fluids. Your body is composed of about 60% water. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature. 2. Water Can Help Control Calories. For years, dieters have been drinking lots of water as a weight loss strategy. While water doesn’t have any magical effect on weight loss, substituting it for higher calorie beverages can certainly help.Food with high water content tends to look larger, its higher volume requires more chewing, and it is absorbed more slowly by the body, which helps you feel full. Water-rich foods include fruits,
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vegetables, broth-based soups, oatmeal, and beans. 3. Water Helps Energize Muscles. Cells that don’t maintain their balance of fluids
4. Water Helps Keep Skin Looking Good. Your skin contains plenty of water, and functions as a protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss. When you’re getting enough fluids, urine flows freely, is light in color and free of odor. When your body is not getting enough fluids, urine concentration, color, and odor increases because the kidneys trap extra fluid for bodily functions. If you chronically drink too little, you may be at higher risk for kidney stones, especially in warm climates.
6. Water Helps Maintain Normal Bowel Function. Adequate hydration keeps things flowing along your gastrointestinal tract and and electrolytes shrivel, which can result in prevents constipation. muscle fatigue. Drinking enough fluids is important when exercising.
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a person suffering from the diseasecan be exercised to prevent the spread of the disease. 6. Mosquito-borne infections They are commonly caused by the arboviruses and can lead to various encephalitis [brain infection] and dengue fever. They are more common in the summer .Importance should also be given in preventing mosquito breeding. Tick-borne illnesses can also be serious. Be sure to tell your paediatrician if your child gets sick following a tick bite.
3. Give lots of lemon juice, coconut water, lassi and other natural fluids to children. They Provide hydration as well as nutrition to your children. Avoid carbonated drinks as far as possible.
1. Bring the child indoors or into the shade immediately. 2. Undress the child. Make the child lie down; elevate feet slightly.
3. If the child is alert, place in cool bath 4. Always use Fresh fruits, vegetables after water. If outside, spray the child with mist proper cleaning in running water. from a garden hose. If the child is alert and coherent, give frequent sips of cool, clear fluids.If the child is vomiting, turn the child to one side to prevent choking. Seek medical 5. Always take plenty of pure water when help as soon as possible. you go out with children. 4. Make a first aid kit and keep at home, so as to apply care for minor wounds and 6. Make your child wear light weighted burns. For major wounds and deep/ large and loose fitting clothes preferably made area burns, seek medical help. of cotton.
Always take plenty of pure water when you go out with children.
7. Allergic conditions Children with atopic dermatitis have aggravation during summer. Itching and inflammationof the skin are the result and so when it comes to treatment measures, good skin miniaturization, antihistamines for the itching, and when the flare-ups are too much to deal with, topical steroids may be needed. Tips for prevention ‘prevention is better than cure’ 1. Avoid eating cut fruits and vegetables from roadside vendors 2. Encourage good intake of boiled/ purified water.
First aid
Kids like to dive into summer to relax, unwind, and have fun. Warm weather brings more opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Following these simple precautions,we can help our child to have a safe, fun filled and infection free summer. That way they can save up their “sick days” for sometime after vacation.
If our child has symptoms of heatstroke, seek emergency medical care immediately. In cases of heat exhaustion or while awaiting help for a child with possible heatstroke
The author is the Associate Consultant in Pediatrics, Rajagiri Hospital, Kochi.
7. Encourage outdoor activities during early mornings and evenings to avoid heat exhaustion. 8. Vaccines for Typhoid, chicken pox, MMR, Hepatitis A can be used after consulting your paediatrician.
Four tips for a good night’s sleep
W
e have heard how poor sleep can cause serious health issues later in life. Sleep is an important part of life to maintain good physical, mental and emotional health. Poor sleep has been linked to various illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity as well as depression. Below are a few tips for a good night’s rest: Follow Routine: If you want to get a good night’s sleep, always stick to a schedule like going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. This will help strengthen your body’s sleep-cycle as well as improve your night’s sleep.
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Diet: Diet plays a vital role in sleep. Make sure that you don’t go to bed either hungry or overstuffed. There are many foods items containing naturally occurring substances believed to induce sleep. These include – rice, cheese, almonds, lettuce, tuna, salmon, cherry juice, etc. Avoid: Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol intake should be avoided before bed time as these can disrupt sleep in the night. Comfy bed: Apart from keeping your bedroom clean and tidy, make sure that your bed is cosy and spacious enough to let you stretch and turn comfortably. Research has claimed that a good mattress and pillows can contribute to better sleep.
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Staying healthy in summer
S
tay cool and hydrated. Drink water, at least two to four cups (1632 ounces) upon rising, and similar amounts if you are going out for activities and exercise. Carry water with you in a hard plastic container (more stable polycarbonate rather than polyethylene that leaches plastic into the water). While enjoying the sun and outdoors, protect yourself from overexposure to sunlight by wearing a hat and using natural sunscreens without excessive chemicals. Carry Aloe Vera gel for overexposure and have an aloe plant growing in your home for any kind of burn. The cooling and healing gel inside the leaves will soothe any sunburn. It works great.
fruits and vegetables nicely – nuts, seeds, sprouted beans, soy products, yogurt and cottage cheese. Fish and poultry can also be eaten. Take some special summer time with your family, kids, and friends who share the enjoyment of outdoors. Plan a fun trip if you’re able and motivated for a day or
hormonal message center. Leave your cell phone at home or take a week off from TV. In many European countries, most of the population has a month off during the summer. Sun teas are wonderful. Use flowers and leaves (or tea bags) in a clear half - or onegallon glass jar filled with spring water. Hibiscus or red clover flowers, peppermint, chamomile, or lemon grass are all good choices, or use your local herbs and flowers that you learn are safe, flavorful, and even medicinal. Leave in the sun for two hours or up to a whole day. Moon teas can also be made to enhance your lunar, dreamy side by letting your herbs steep in the cooling, mystical moonlight. Add a little orange or lemon peel, or a sprig of rosemary and a few jasmine flowers.
Give yourself the time to truly experience Nature. This can happen, even in a city park, if you relax and let in your surroundings.
Keep up or begin an exercise program. Aerobic activity is good for keeping the heart strong and healthy. If you only work out in a health club, take some time to do outdoor refreshing activities – hiking, biking, swimming, or tennis. Reconnecting with these activities will help keep your body and mind aligned. Enjoy Nature’s bounty – fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables at their organic best. Consuming foods that are cooling and light – fresh fruits, vegetable juices, raw vital salads, and lots of water – will nourish your body for summertime activities. Include some protein with one or two meals. There are a number of light, nourishing proteins that don’t require cooking. Most of these complement
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longer – hiking in the wild, camping, playing at the river, or a few days resting at the ocean. Rekindling our Earth connection has benefits that last beyond this season, continuing to enrich the whole of your life. Relax and breathe. You’ve been working hard. This is the season to slow the pace a bit and absorb the light that stimulates your
Nutritional supplements can support you with a greater amount of physical energy, enhancing your summer activities. The B-complex vitamins are calming to the nervous system and helpful for cellular energy production, while vitamin C and the other antioxidants protect your body from stress, chemical pollutants, and the biochemical by-products of exercise. Plan a vacation that incorporates these new interests and provides you time to read, relax, contemplate, and breathe. Above all, give yourself the time to truly experience Nature. This can happen, even in a city park, if you relax and let in your surroundings. Watch for overexposure, take time in the shade, and drink your water.
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COVER STORY
School kids: racing towards an unhealthy future Children from a rural back ground have better body mass index levels, and they are far more physically fit, compared to their peers in the cities for obvious reasons.
Dr. P. C. Alexander
T
he present generation of school children in India, regardless of age group or gender, seems heading towards an unhealthy future. Their health and fitness levels are dipping, according to various studies covering most of the urban cities across all the states. Most of the published data show that over 40 per cent lacked a healthy body mass index (BMI) and physical endurance. Without doubt, the most important reason for this is the lack of physical activity and outdoor games.
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Children in all parts of the country were deemed more or less equally unfit, with unhealthy BMI scores ranging from 36 to 54 per cent. According to leading agencies in the country, who study the physical fitness of school children, the weighted scores for all regions across all fitness parameters do not show much of variation, reinforcing the view that children all over urban India show an alarming lack of fitness. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. The popular phrase seems to have come true with urban schoolchildren across the country showing a total lack of motivation towards physical fitness. Children from a rural back ground have better body mass index levels, and they are far more physically fit, compared to their peers in the cities for obvious reasons. Another major factor is that children have no time for games and exercise. Parents exert tremendous pressure on children to perform in academics and practically most
of the kids are with tuition teachers in the evenings, when they should be involved in sport activities. In fact even arts and music take precedence over games. These days, it is so important to participate in team sports such as football, which would help the children to cope with difficult situations in later life and enable them to acquire team building skills. When both parents are working full time, children are often confined to their flats and they spend most of the evenings flirting with gadgets and games which will only harm them in the long run. Too much of television and electronic gaming make them violent, prevents them from creative thinking and make them extremely vulnerable to modern day evils. The best way to keep our children away from bad thoughts and habits is to tire them out with good exercise and this will also give them adequate sleep, which is a rare commodity these days.
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The best way to keep our children away from bad thoughts and habits is to tire them out with good exercise and this will also give them adequate sleep, which is a rare commodity these days.
The high decibel music that they hear through their sophisticated earphones, most hours of the day will definitely impair their hearing as they grow older and this will cause premature deafness in the coming decades. The hearing aid industry will be mighty pleased with this development. Their vision is not going to be great either with all the gadgets making their eyes dance and the spectacle industry will certainly like this To add more agony, most of our school kids are always looking down texting or playing games. This will affect their posture leading to serious spine pathologies and virtually insulate them from making any eye contact with people
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around them. Eventually they will all develop scoliosis/kyphosis and then corrective surgery will be the order of the day like bariatric surgery is today. The schools also make their lives miserable with heavy bags which sometimes could weigh up to 15 kilograms, which would further traumatize the back. Compounded with lack of exercise there is carpet bombing with junk food filled with “pieces of cucumber or leaves of lettuce”, drowned in cheese mixed with all kinds of additives and preservatives. This high carbohydrate diet and the popular bakery products with high sodium lay the foundation of obesity. Drink all kinds of fruit juices in sugar syrups and aerated
drinks and the recipe becomes explosive. The poor dental health of our children with all the sweets and chocolates they eat would make the dental industry a very profitable one. Diet foods with sweeteners are equally bad with potential carcinogenic effects , but it’s worth remembering that one can of coke has calories equivalent to 160 cans of diet cokes So what does this all mean? We are encouraging all the wrong practices for our school kids and will surely pay a heavy price. The average school kid in the cities will become obese very early and develop all the complications. Metabolic syndrome will set in early, adolescents and young adults will develop early onset diabetes,
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COVER STORY blood pressure will go up and all this could lead to heart attacks and strokes which the present generation deals with, at ages of fifty and above. Our children will have to handle this in their thirties. Metabolic syndrome, represented by a cluster of clinical and biochemical entities including visceral obesity, dyslipidaemia,
games, mainly in metros where open spaces or playgrounds are vanishing at a fast pace, and use of electronic gadgets such as laptops, tablets etc are becoming more common with kids. Most of the open spaces are either encroached or turned into a park, where children cannot play proper games like football and basketball. Doctors
of school children proves that physical activity and sports in schools should be viewed as an important part of the curriculum, for the overall development of a child. There is a need for greater awareness about the importance of games and there must be more time allotted for the same.
If we want to save our children, make them play games every day both at school and home. hyperglycemia, and hypertension is a growing public health challenge worldwide, now seriously affecting adolescents and young adults. The people of Kerala boast of life expectancy going up with better health care facilities and easy availability of medical care. Few decades from now, when our children grow up, we should not be surprised if the average life span goes down, with all the lifestyle diseases taking a heavy toll, prematurely. We have nobody else to blame, but ourselves. Experts say the primary reason for such a situation is the lack of physical activities and outdoor
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feel that increasing nuclear families with working parents have also added to the problem as most families now have single child without the company of a sibling to play. Moreover, proliferation of apartments in metros like Kochi has completely destroyed the neighborhood culture. The football grounds around flats have all been converted to jogging areas for the old and the aged. They have the money to decide and kids don’t even have a voice. There is an urgent need for schools to increase play hours for children. The lack of health and fitness among large numbers
If we want to save our children, make them play games every day both at school and home. They must be allowed protected play time and team games should be part of the curriculum. Provide them with balanced homemade food and encourage healthy eating habits. Encourage them to strike a balance between electronic gaming, cyber surfing, social media and physical exercise.
The author is the lead consultant at Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Aster Medcity, Kochi. He is a child protection and rights advocate.
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GUEST COLUMN
An apple a day keeps the doctor away
K. L. Mohana Varma
O
ur prime minister, Narendra Modi, while he was chief minister of Gujarat, once remarked.
Life is not a rough race as in marathon. It is more like the spoon race in the nursery school annual day competitions. Marble in the spoon kept in your mouth. If the marble falls, there is no point in coming first. Similarly, in life health is the marble. He attributed the malnutrition of even the middle class who can afford highly nutritious and healthy food, to various factors, most important of them was unfortunately the body image
issues. “The middle class is more beautyconscious than health-conscious – that is a challenge,” he said. “If a mother tells her daughter to have milk, they’ll have a fight – she’ll tell her mother, ‘I won’t drink milk. I’ll get fat.’ ”
But how can we make a compromise and a compromise we should have. Hygieia, in the Greek mythology was the daughter of the God of medicine Asclepius. She was the personification of health, cleanliness and hygiene. Hygieia was considered to play the most important part in prevention of sickness and continuation of good health. The source of the word hygiene in English language is her name.
We have many food outlets, most of them experimenting new and tasty combinations attractive to eyes and nose and tongue, but not sure about its effects in our body system.
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Health is what we feel inside and beauty is what we want to project.
Similarly, Aphrodite was the great Olympian goddess for beauty, love and
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GUEST COLUMN
pleasure and was depicted as a as a beautiful woman usually accompanied by the winged Eros (love) and her attributes included a dove, apple, scallop shell and mirror. Apple was the personification of health and beauty. An interesting story from the Greek mythology goes thus.
set up a contest, that her suitors should contend with her first in a foot-race; then a limit being set, that the man, unarmed, should flee, and she should pursue him with a weapon; the one she overtook within the limits of the course, she should
received from Aphrodite three apples of golden colour and had been instructed how to use them. By throwing the apples one by one during the race, he had slowed up the speed of the girl, for she picked them and admired the golden beauty of the apple. Naturally she lost time, and gave victory to the youth. Schoeneus willingly gave Hippomenes his daughter.
We have practically nil apple cultivation in our state and the apple we get imported from other states or countries is treated to maintain its beauty rather quality for long periods.
Schoeneus, king of Boeotia had a most beautiful daughter, Atalanta, who by her swiftness used to surpass men in races, Health and beauty combined. Since she was sought by many in marriage, her father
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kill, and fix his head up in the stadium. Many suitors came and of course, she overtook all and killed them. She was finally defeated by Hippomenes who had
The ultimate winner is always a person who is healthy physically and mentally. How to achieve both and have a happy life?
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GUEST COLUMN Now we live in the golden age of technological, medical, scientific and social progress. Look at our computers! Look at our phones! Twenty five years ago, the internet was a creaky machine for geeks. Now we can’t imagine life without it. We are on the verge of medical breakthroughs that would have seemed like magic only half a century ago: cloned organs, stem-cell therapies to repair our very DNA. Even now, life expectancy in some rich countries is improving by five hours a day. A day! Surely immortality or something very like it is just around the corner.
Doctor away may undergo a facial and become the slogan instead of the proverb. The attraction of apple was the topmost emotional event in the life of Adam and Eve and naturally, the first one of the human race.
The notion that our 21st-century world is one of accelerating advances is so dominant that it seems churlish to challenge it. Almost every The falling of an apple gave the suggestion week we read about ‘new hopes’ for cancer to Newton, and he studied his own mind; sufferers, developments in the lab that he rearranged all the previous links of might lead to new cures, talk of a new era of space tourism and super-jets that can fly round the world in a few hours.
carefully look into the food we eat, but relish in going to the costliest of hospitals for even minor treatments. We are ready to get a by-pass surgery at the first opportunity and rush to the super specialty hospitals craving for transplantations of anything new. In Kochi, the metro city of Kerala, we have dozens of wonderful superspecialty hospitals with an array of bestqualified doctors and ultra modern equipments. And there are hundreds of super clinics as well. We have many food outlets, most of them experimenting new and tasty combinations attractive to eyes and nose and tongue, but not sure about its effects in our body system. And around us, the apple syndrome, the beauty and taste of food blinds us. Kochi has no sewage system. No pure drinking water. The mosquito slapping is Kochi’s favorite past time. An Esnophelia content of 10% in the blood is normal for Kochi citizen as against 5.5% for human race. And Kerala is fast developing to be the suburb of Kochi.
Kochi has no sewage system. No pure drinking water. The mosquito slapping is Kochi’s favorite past time.
In the latest annual letter from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, chaired by the Microsoft Corp co-founder and former chief executive and his wife the following predictions appear.
Worldwide child deaths will be halved over the next 15 years, polio, guinea worm and river blindness will be eradicated, and there will be a single-dose cure for malaria. The long list of breakthroughs in global health and development expected by 2030 includes the long-elusive milestones such as Africa being able to feed itself rather than depend on food imports. The healthy food is symbolized by the apple now also. An Apple a day keeps the
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thought in his mind and discovered a new link among them, which we call the law of gravitation. The trouble with us is we are not giving the apple its due share. Especially we Keralites. We have practically nil apple cultivation in our state and the apple we get imported from other states or countries is treated to maintain its beauty rather quality for long periods. And we like it as juice with date of expiry far ahead. The geometrical progressive increase in the cost of healthcare in a society where the mindset is geared to the super special is a major health problem of Kerala. We don’t
We had wonderful traditions in healthcare. They are old, but still relevant and we can innovate them to modern life with suitable alterations for the present life style. Long ago, for the farming community of rural Kerala, the month of karkkidakam with its torrential rains was a period of confinement and forced rest. While rains nourished the tender paddy in the fields, the people took care of their houses and themselves. As Mother Nature began her cleaning spree the women folk followed
Pallikkutam | April 2015
GUEST COLUMN her habit. From among the plants they gathered leaves that served like wet sandpaper and cleaned the dirt from doors and windows, ritual objects and low wooden stool, their only furniture. Karkkidakam was the month of sacred rituals, ancestral worship and healthcare. Women and children gathered the customary herbs associated with herbal medicine. It was a practical lesson too. One learned to identify the herbs while hearing stories connected with their beneficial use as home remedies. Ancient wisdom was handed over by word of
mouth from time immemorial. It was much before the books. Dhanwanthari is the patron saint of Ayurveda, Indian medicine. In the month of Karkkidaka the prasad given in his temples is mukkidi, the juice extracted from medicinal plants. Having a dose of this juice daily for a month in the rainy season was the traditional preventive antidote for a year’s epidemics. Another age-old tradition of savouring the Karkidaka kanji, a spicy mix of rice and medicinal herbs was very common and now almost extinct from the kitchens of even village homes. First and foremost is
good health. If you do not enjoy good health, you can never be happy. Any ailment, however trivial, will deduct something from your happiness. For good health, food and exercise are the basics. And let us have brand ambassador for health. Who else can that be except APPLE?
The author is a Kochi-based novelist, short story writer and columnist.
First and foremost is good health. If you do not enjoy good health, you can never be happy. Any ailment, however trivial, will deduct something from your happiness. For good health, food and exercise are the basics.
Pallikkutam | April 2015
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INNO VATIONS INNOV
Float like a mosquito, sting like a mosquito
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esearchers evaluate mosquitoes’ ability to float on water in order to potentially design aquatic robots. Small semi-aqueous arthropods, such as mosquitoes and water striders, are free to go about their waterborne business thanks to their unique leg-based adaptations, which repel water and allow them to float freely on the surface.
pupa, eventually emerging from the water as a mature adult to continue the cycle. A mosquito leg consists of three segments coated in grid-like, microscopic hydrophobic scales: a stiff femur juts out from the insect’s abdomen and connects at a joint to an equally stiff tibia, which
By examining the forces that the segments of mosquito legs generate against a water surface, researchers at the China University of Petroleum (Huadong) and Liaoning University of Technology have unraveled the mechanical logic that allows the mosquitoes to walk on water, which may help in the design of bio-mimetic structures, such as aquatic robots and small boats. “The current analyses deepen our understanding of the mechanisms of waterwalking of these aquatic insects,” said Jianlin Liu, a professor in the Department of Engineering Mechanics at the China University of Petroleum. They describe their current research in the journal AIP Advances, from AIP Publishing. Mosquitoes land on still bodies of water to lay their eggs just under the surface, where the embryos will hatch and develop into a
attached to an indenter column and microsensor. This in-situ setup allowed them to adjust the angle and force between the leg and the water’s surface, while taking readings with an optical microscope and digital camera. Liu and his colleagues found that the insect’s ability to float on water generating an upward force of twenty times its own body weight with its six legs - is owed entirely to the tarsus’s buoyant horizontal contact with the surface. “This finding overthrows the classical viewpoint that the longer the mosquito leg, the more efficiently it produces buoyant force,” Liu said. By reducing the total surface area of the leg in contact with water, the adhesive force of the water on the insect is greatly reduced, which assists in takeoff.
branches into a long, flexible tarsus. Previous measurements of the ability of water surfaces to support insects had largely ignored the tarsus, however, focusing instead on whole legs. The researchers measured the buoyant force produced by the tarsus by adhering a mosquito leg to a steel needle, which was
The structural ability of the tarsus to achieve such a large supporting force per unit length, however, remains an ongoing research endeavor for the team. Future work for Liu and his colleagues involves studying the microstructures, wet adhesive forces and dynamic behavior of mosquito legs.
Spurring production of a sluggish enzyme for crop yields
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ustralian scientists have found a way to improve production of the Rubisco enzyme, essential to plant growth. Important staple crops, such as wheat, cotton and rice stand to benefit. The discovery advances efforts to improve global food security that aim to increase the yields of some of our most important staple crops, such as wheat, cotton and rice. “The enzyme Rubisco has baffled scientists for over 50 years, as it is thousands of times less efficient at its job than most other enzymes,” said Dr Spencer Whitney from The Australian National University (ANU) who was leader of the research team from the ARC
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Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis. Much of the confusion stems from the highly complex structure of Rubisco. It is an enzyme with 16 pieces that requires the assistance of more than 12 other proteins to assemble it correctly. “We focussed on one of Rubisco’s partner proteins, called RAF1. By supplying a Rubisco with its partnering RAF1 we found the amount of Rubisco produced in leaves could be more than doubled,” he said. Rubisco is the most abundant protein on the planet. It also has one of the most significant responsibilities in life on Earth: the conversion of carbon dioxide to organic compounds - the building blocks of all plant and animal cells. “Understanding the
partnership with RAF1 has important implications with regard to ongoing efforts to accelerate the sluggish activity of Rubisco - a key goal for improving crop productivity,” Dr Whitney said. “In a world with increasing demands for food, this is a milestone towards increasing the photosynthetic rate in crop plants that rely heavily on Rubisco.” The study, done in collaboration with the University of Wollongong and published in the latest PNAS journal, shows Rubisco and RAF1 have evolved together. Changes in one protein requires a balancing change in the other.
Pallikkutam | April 2015
INNO VATIONS INNOV
Pens filled with high-tech inks for do-it-yourself sensors
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new simple tool developed by nano-engineers at the University of California, San Diego, is opening the door to an era when anyone will be able to build sensors, anywhere, including physicians in the clinic, patients in their home and soldiers in the field. The team from the University of California, San Diego, developed high-tech bio-inks that react with several chemicals, including glucose. They filled off-the-shelf ballpoint pens with the inks and were able to draw sensors to measure glucose directly on the skin and sensors to measure pollution on leaves. Skin and leaves aren’t the only media on which the pens could be used. Researchers envision sensors drawn directly on smart phones for personalized and inexpensive health monitoring or on external building walls for monitoring of toxic gas pollutants. The sensors also could be used on the battlefield to detect explosives and nerve agents. The team, led by Joseph Wang, the chairman of the Department of Nano Engineering at the University of California, San Diego, published their findings in the Feb. 26 issue of Advanced Healthcare Materials. Wang also directs the Center for Wearable Sensors at UC San Diego. “Our new biocatalytic pen technology, based on novel enzymatic inks, holds considerable promise for a broad range of applications on site and in the field,” Wang said. The biggest challenge the researchers faced was making inks from chemicals and biochemical’s that aren’t harmful to humans or plants; could function as the
Pallikkutam | April 2015
sensors’ electrodes; and retain their properties over long periods in storage and in various conditions. Researchers turned to biocompatible polyethylene glycol, which is used in several drug delivery applications, as a binder. To make the inks conductive to electric current they used graphite powder. They also added chitosan, an antibacterial agent which is used in bandages to reduce bleeding, to make sure the ink adhered to any surfaces it was used on. The inks’ recipe also includes xylitol, a sugar substitute, which helps stabilize enzymes that react with several chemicals the do-it-yourself sensors are designed to monitor.
measurement, which was transmitted to a glucose-measuring device. Researchers then wiped the pattern clean and drew on it again to take another measurement after the subject had eaten. Researchers estimate that one pen contains enough ink to draw the equivalent of 500 high-fidelity glucose sensor strips. Nanoengineers also demonstrated that the sensors could be drawn directly on the skin and that they could communicate with a Bluetooth-enabled electronic device that controls electrodes called a potentiostat, to gather data. Sensors for pollution and security
The pens would also allow users to draw sensors that detect pollutants and potentially harmful chemicals sensors on the spot. Researchers demonstrated that this was possible by drawing a sensor on a leaf with an ink loaded with enzymes that react with phenol, an industrial chemical, Reusable glucose sensors which can also be found in cosmetics, Wang’s team has been investigating how to including sunscreen. The leaf was then make glucose testing for diabetics easier for dipped in a solution of water and phenol several years. The same team of engineers and the sensor was connected to a recently developed non-invasive glucose pollution detector. The sensors could be sensors in the form of temporary tattoos. modified to react with many pollutants, In this study, they used pens, loaded with including heavy metals or pesticides. an ink that reacts to glucose, to draw Next steps include connecting the sensors reusable glucose-measuring sensors on a wirelessly to monitoring devices and pattern printed on a transparent, flexible investigating how the sensors perform in material which includes an electrode. Researchers then pricked a subject’s finger difficult conditions, including extreme temperatures, varying humidity and and put the blood sample on the sensor. extended exposure to sunlight. The enzymatic ink reacted with glucose and the electrode recorded the
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BOOK SHELF
The Kite Runner with over seven million copies sold in the United States. Reviews were generally positive, though parts of the plot drew significant controversy in Afghanistan. A number of adaptations were created following publication, including a 2007 film of the same name, several stage performances, and a graphic novel. Plot: Part I
T
he Kite Runner is the first novel by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini, published in 2003. It tells the story of Amir, a young boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, whose closest friend is Hassan, his father’s young Hazara servant. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of Afghanistan’s monarchy through the Soviet military intervention, the exodus of refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the rise of the Taliban regime. Hosseini has commented that he considers The Kite Runner to be a father-son story, emphasizing the familial aspects of the narrative, an element that he continued to use in his later works. Themes of guilt and redemption feature prominently in the novel, with a pivotal scene depicting an act of violence against Hassan that Amir fails to prevent. The latter half of the book centers on Amir’s attempts to atone for this transgression by rescuing Hassan’s son over two decades later. The Kite Runner became a bestseller after being printed in paperback and was popularized in book clubs. It was a number one New York Times bestseller for over two years,
Amir, a well-to-do Pashtun boy, and Hassan, a Hazara who is the son of Ali, Amir’s father’s servant, spend their days kite fighting in the hitherto peaceful city of Kabul. Hassan is a successful “kite runner” for Amir; he knows where the kite will land without watching it. Amir’s father, a wealthy merchant Amir affectionately refers to as Baba, loves both boys, but is often critical of Amir, considering him weak and lacking in courage. Amir finds a kinder fatherly figure in Rahim Khan, Baba’s closest friend, who
Assef in an alleyway. Hassan refuses to give up the kite, and Assef beats him severely and rapes him. Amir witnesses the act but is too scared to intervene. He knows that if he fails to bring home the kite, Baba would be less proud of him. He feels incredibly guilty but knows his cowardice would destroy any hopes for Baba’s affections, so he keeps quiet about the incident. Afterwards, Amir keeps distant from Hassan; his feelings of guilt prevent him from interacting with the boy. Amir begins to believe that life would be easier if Hassan were not around, so he plants a watch and some money under Hassan’s mattress in hopes that Baba will make him leave; Hassan falsely confesses when confronted by Baba. Although Baba believes “there is no act more wretched than stealing”, he forgives him. To Baba’s sorrow, Hassan and Ali leave anyway. Amir is freed of the daily reminder of his cowardice and betrayal, but he still lives in their shadow.
The Kite Runner to be a father-son story, emphasizing the familial aspects of the narrative, an element that he continued to use in his later works.
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Part II understands him and supports his interest in writing. Assef, an older boy with a sadistic taste for violence, mocks Amir for socializing with a Hazara, which is, according to Assef, an inferior race whose members belong only in Hazarajat. One day, he prepares to attack Amir with brass knuckles, but Hassan defends Amir, threatening to shoot out Assef’s eye with his slingshot. Assef backs off but swears to get revenge. One triumphant day, Amir wins the local kite fighting tournament and finally earns Baba’s praise. Hassan runs for the last cut kite, a great trophy, saying to Amir, “For you, a thousand times over.” However, after finding the kite, Hassan encounters
In 1979, five years later, the Soviet Union militarily intervenes in Afghanistan. Amir and Baba escape to Peshawar, Pakistan, and then to Fremont, California, where they settle in a run-down apartment. Baba begins work at a gas station. After graduating from high school, Amir takes classes at a local community college to develop his writing skills. Every Sunday, Baba and Amir make extra money selling used goods at a flea market in San Jose. There, Amir meets fellow refugee Soraya Taheri and her family. Baba is diagnosed with terminal cancer but is still capable of granting Amir one last favor: he asks Soraya’s father’s permission for Amir to marry her. He agrees and the two marry. Shortly
Pallikkutam | April 2015
BOOK SHELF thereafter Baba dies. Amir and Soraya settle down in a happy marriage, but to their sorrow they learn that they cannot have children. Amir embarks on a successful career as a novelist. Fifteen years after his wedding, Amir receives a call from Rahim Khan, who is dying, asking him to come to Peshawar. He enigmatically tells Amir, “There is a way to be good again.” Amir goes. Part III
rescue Sohrab, Hassan’s son, from an orphanage in Kabul. Amir, accompanied by Farid, an Afghan taxi driver and veteran of the war with the Soviets, searches for Sohrab. They learn that a Taliban official comes to the orphanage often, brings cash, and usually takes a girl away with him. Occasionally he chooses a boy, recently Sohrab. The director tells Amir how to find
Sohrab interrupts the beating by using his slingshot to shoot out Assef’s left eye, fulfilling Hassan’s threat made many years before. Amir tells Sohrab of his plans to take him back to America and possibly adopt him. However, American authorities demand evidence of Sohrab’s orphan status. Amir tells Sohrab that he may have to temporarily break his promise until the paperwork is completed, and Sohrab attempts suicide. Amir eventually manages to take him back to the United States. After his adoption, Sohrab refuses to interact with Amir or Soraya until the former reminisces about Hassan and kites and shows off some of Hassan’s tricks. In the end, Sohrab only gives a lopsided smile, but Amir takes it with all his heart as he runs the kite for Sohrab, saying, “For you, a thousand times over.”
In 1979, five years later, the Soviet Union militarily intervenes in Afghanistan. Amir and Baba escape to Peshawar and then to California
From Rahim Khan, Amir learns that Ali was killed by a land mine and that Hassan and his wife were killed after Hassan refused to allow the Taliban to confiscate Baba and Amir’s house in Kabul. Rahim Khan further reveals that Ali, being sterile, was not Hassan’s biological father. Hassan was actually Baba’s son and Amir’s halfbrother. Finally, he tells Amir that the reason he called Amir to Pakistan was to
Pallikkutam | April 2015
the official, and Farid secures an appointment at his home by claiming to have “personal business” with him. Amir meets the man, who turns out to be Assef. Sohrab is being kept at Assef’s house, where Assef sexually abuses him and makes him dance dressed in women’s clothes. Assef agrees to relinquish him, but only for a price: severely beating Amir.
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RAINBOW
Science facts Health Facts
E
njoy our range of amazing health facts. Learn about important topics such as exercise, nutrition, disease, obesity, cancer, medicine and allergies. Find out what’s good for the human body and what isn’t with our interesting health facts.
♦ It might only take you a few minutes to finish a meal but it takes your body around 12 hours before it has completely digested the food.
♦ Viruses are usually around 100 times smaller than bacteria.
♦ Around 7 million people die every year from food poisoning out of a total of around 70 million cases. Careful food preparation and storage is vital in order to avoid dangerous toxins, viruses and bacteria.
developed countries. In poorer parts of the world the quality water and pollution can give rise to dangerous diseases and bacteria such as cryptosporidium and e coli.
♦ Obesity can increase the chances of developing diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
♦ In recent times there has been a drop in the amount of physical activity both adults and children do. Some of the reasons for this include new technologies that require less physical labor and increased time watching TV. It has been suggested that at least 60% of the world’s population doesn’t do enough exercise.
♦ The human body needs iron to help perform a number of important functions. Iron helps carry oxygen to parts of your body in the form of hemoglobin. Not having enough can lead to iron deficiency and symptoms such as weakness and fatigue.
♦ Examples of iron rich foods include red meat, fish, chick peas, tofu, beans and lentils. ♦ Red blood cells are created inside the marrow of your bones, they serve the important role of carrying blood around your body. ♦ Antibiotics can be useful in fighting off bacteria but they are ineffective against viruses, this is because bacteria and virus are completely different, both having unique characteristics that need specialized treatments.
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♦ Food allergies are fairly common amongst adults and even more so among children. Around 2% of adults and 8% of children suffer from some type of food allergy where the immune system makes a mistake and thinks a certain food protein is dangerous and attacks it. Well known food allergies can include unwanted reactions to gluten, seafood and peanuts.
♦ Access to clean drinking water can be
♦ In 2007, heart disease was the leading cause of death in the USA.
♦ In 2007 around 13% of all deaths worldwide were caused by cancer. The branch of medicine related to cancer study and treatment is known as oncology. Infectious diseases such as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis lead to around 26% of worldwide deaths in 2002.
taken for granted by people living in
Pallikkutam | April 2015
RAINBOW
Sudoku 02 - Answer
Sudoku 03
Weather Quiz Answers 1. Temperature 2. Clouds 3. USA 4. True 5. Snow 6. Wind 7. Warming 8. False (Al 窶連ziziyah, Libya) 9. A meteorologist
Classroom Jokes
10. The Atacama Desert 11. True 12. Hail stones 13. Snow 14. False (25.4 meters) 15. A barometer 16. Wind speed 17. -40 degrees 18. Forecasting 19. Alley 20. True
Pallikkutam | April 2015
Send your classroom jokes to editor@rajagirimedia.com
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FORM IV Statement about ownership and other particulars about newspaper
1.
Place of publication
Kochi
2.
Periodicity of its publication
Monthly
3.
Printer’s Name
Fr. Varghese Panthalookaran
Nationality
Indian
Address
4.
Publisher’s Name
Fr. Varghese Panthalookaran
Nationality
Indian
Address
5.
Rajagiri Media, Rajagiri Valley PO, Kakkanad, Kochi-39
Rajagiri Media, Rajagiri Valley PO, Kakkanad, Kochi-39
Editor’s Name
James Paul
Nationality
Indian
Address
CRA 25, Jees Villa, Eramath Road, Chempumukku, Kakkanad, Kochi-30
6. Names and addresses of individuals who own the newspaper and partners or shareholders holding More than one per cent of the total capital. I, Fr. Varghese Panthalookaran, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Date: 01 April 2015
REFLECTIONS
House of Mercy Jose Panthaplamthottiyil
He didn’t have to knock at the doors. The moment he reached the house its doors were flung open. There were several people waiting to receive him with open arms. “This is the House of Mercy,” they said welcoming him with embraces. “You are always welcome here.”
I
t was getting dark in the western horizon. The birds were frantically flying to reach their nests. All of a sudden there was thunder and lightning. Almost immediately it began to rain buckets. He looked around for a safe place to whether the storm. Soon he found a house at a distance. He ran there hoping to get in. But the door was closed. He knocked at the door intensely. “Who are you?” Someone asked from inside. The man identified himself. But the door was not opened. Instead, he heard a voice from inside saying, “This is the House of Justice. You don’t deserve a place here. You may find refuge in the next house.”
for him. The man from inside said, “This is the House of Truth. You cannot enter here because you have never cared for truth in your life. Moreover, you have been dishonest many times. Hence, you cannot have a place in this House of Truth. Go elsewhere.” The man was absolutely shocked when he heard this. Am I so bad? He asked himself. It was pouring rain and he really needed a place to escape from the rain and thunderstorms. He looked around. It was pitch-dark. However, he saw another house at a distance which was lighted inside.
He ran there covering his head with his hands. He didn’t have to knock at the doors. The moment he reached the house its doors were flung open. There were He saw another house nearby and ran there several people waiting to receive him with soaked in rain. There also the door was open arms. “This is the House of Mercy,” closed and locked from inside. He knocked they said welcoming him with embraces. at the door with high hopes to get in there. “You are always welcome here.” The But the door was not opened. He knocked moment he was embraced by people at the again. House of Mercy he was awakened from his dream. If we knock at the House of “Who are you?” Someone asked from Justice, will its doors be opened for us? It inside. The man immediately identified will open its doors for us provided we himself with the request to open the door keep justice in our lives. However, how
many of us can claim that we are truly just in our lives? All of us like to be known as just people. But the fact is, often times we are not just in our actions. On the contrary, we do what is good and advantageous for us ignoring the well-being of others. How about the House of Truth? Will its doors be opened for us if we knock at them? Most probably not. We always claim to be honest and truthful. However, look at the times we fail to honor truth in our daily life. In fact, many of us feel no prick of conscience when we manipulate or dilute the truth for our gain. It is as if the normal thing for us. That is why the House of Justice and the House of Truth will not open their doors for us in times of need. However, if we knock at the House of Mercy its doors will be immediately opened for us. This is because God is always waiting for us to help us in all our needs. If we knock at the House of Mercy He will forgive our failures and will give us the strength to live a just and truthful life. Moreover, He will also give us the grace to become merciful as He is.
Printed and Published by Fr.Varghese Panthalookaran CMI on behalf of Rajagiri Media, Rajagiri Valley P.O, Kakkanad, Kochi-39. Ph: 0484-2428249. Printed at Five Star Offset Printers, Kochi. Editor: James Paul