Self Improvement

Message for the Day…” When ‘dharma’ becomes ‘pseudo- dharma’….”

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Sathya Sai Baba

When the waves of egotist fear or greed drives one into the privacy of the home, the loneliness of the forest, or anywhere else, it is impossible to escape suffering. However in daily practice, when one’s acts are motivated by the basic principle of the reality of the Atma, every act becomes stamped with the seal of dharma (righteousness). On the other hand, when acts are motivated by convenience and selfish interest, the dharmabecomes pseudo-dharma. Why, even the feeling ‘he is a friend’ or ‘she is an enemy’ is an error. This delusion has to be given up. The Lord, the embodiment of love, is the only constant friend, relative, companion, guide, and protector. Know this and live in that knowledge. This is dharma built on the bedrock of understanding, this is life built on the bedrock of dharma.

World Heart Day: Why young people should start early about taking care of their heart…?

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How are younger people differently prone to heart disease than the rest of the age group? So here is some valuable information that the youth should know to maintain a healthy heart.
  • heart

The Indian cardiology faculty has noticed a worrying increase in incidence of  young patients presenting with heart attack. An additional concern is rising trend among young women. On an average 10-20% of acute heart attacks involve patients younger than 45 years of age universally, a proportion which is rising rapidly in developing countries.

How are younger people differently prone to heart disease than the rest of the age group? So here is some valuable information that the youth should know to maintain a healthy heart.

THE BASICS

What defines a heart attack?

Let us distinguish heart attack from sudden cardiac deaths (SCD). Heart attack is responsible for 40-50% of SCD but rest are due to anomalies of birth, thickening of heart muscles or electrical disturbance. The heart attack happens  due to sudden interruption of blood flow to the muscles of the heart leading to infarction/necrosis.

What causes the heart attack? 

The eventual manifestation is the result of interplay of two conditions viz  atherosclerosis (thickening and blockages in arteries) and atherothrombosis  (the thrombus /clot formation). The development of blockages are well understood scientifically and we are  aware of risk factors like

1. Diabetes mellitus/hypertension

 

2. Altered lipid profile

3. Smoking

4. High stress

5. Sedentary lifestyle

6. Genetic predisposition

What is not yet fully understood is Atherothrombosis, the entity which leads to clot formation. We are aware that it is due to rupture of the surface of blocks (irrespective of its severity). Which means that the clot can form even on blockages which are at a nascent stage and may not be visible even on angiography.  These aspects make heart attacks an unpredictable event. Unfortunately atherosclerosis effects the middle age and atherothrombosis hits the young people. Though what causes the blocks to rupture and form clot is uncertain, it  may be a cumulative effect of high stress, inflammation in body, altered  lipid /cholesterol quality and genetic predisposition.

A FEW MYTHBUSTERS 

1. The common myth is that chests should pain during heart attack. In fact heart attack hardly pains, instead the common awareness is of  discomfort, heaviness, choking, distress, gas , breathlessness or ill  feeling. This is the basic reason some of the attacks do not get the attention of either the patient or the doctor.

2. Young at age does not guarantee a healthy artery. Most blockages (fatty streaks) start developing in the arteries in the second decade of life. Whether they progress to blockages late in life depends on the life style, environmental and genetic factors. The lifestyle modifications should start in the teens rather than wait for the later years.

3. The perception that metabolic syndrome /diabetes / heart disease were due to high fat intake is changing. There is more and more evidence that it is the high sugar and carbohydrate which is the culprit not only fat!

4. Most patients who present with heart attack have normal cholesterol. Most of the times it is quality of cholesterol which matters not a particular quantity.

5. A normal ECG and a normal 2-D Echo does not rule out an underlying heart disease

6. Heart attacks are unpredictable and can’t be foretold by most investigations available clinically.

7. People who are thin should not assume that they are protected from heart attacks. The evidence is that outside visible fat is not responsible but it is the internal hidden fat stored in liver and other organs which are inflammatory.

8. Coughing will not prevent an attack. It is an internet hoax. it helps only in some arrhythmias but not in an attack

9. Taking an aspirin will not prevent an acute attack. it just helps to limit the damage

10.   Women may be protected against development of heart disease due to oestrogens but that protection is only to development of blocks not clots. They must follow the same preventive guidelines as men have to

11.  Vegetarianism is not an absolute protection from heart attacks.

Ultimately it depends upon overall caloric consumption and intake of processed food that matters

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE YOUTH?

In midst of the alarming trend it is also heartening to see the general awareness on the rise. The treatment guidelines and protocols have also refined with time and we see an early intervention and discharge with a restored heart function. A young survivor can expect a normal quality and quantum of life ahead.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

I hope the heart disease will assume a social responsibility. Otherwise we may turn in to a nation like NAURU Island where half the farming population turned into diabetic within 30-40 years of industrialization. We must have a multi-pronged strategy effective at multiple levels.

1. Home: A child learns the eating habits at home. a basic awareness among parents and encouraging exercise regimen is a must.

2. Schools: Educating young minds regarding proper eating regimen, imparting education about diet and exercise. The schools must take a lead and ban processed food and drinks in the canteens.

3. Food industry: A self-regulation must be practised regarding additives, supplements, ban trans-fat, curtail sugar , proper labelling. A shift from low fat / high carb diet has resulted in an epidemic of obesity and metabolic syndrome in young people.

4. Government: The government must increase awareness by media campaign, increase budgetary support, curtail food processing and nicotine abuse and must create a better healthcare infrastructure to support early diagnosis and treatment of heart attacks.

Dr.Sudhir Pillai in http://www.dnaindia.com

Dr Sudhir Pillai, is a Consultant Cardiologist, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre

 

 

9 ways to embarrass yourself in Singapore…….

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Singapore is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and is an island nation packed with expats. It’s a country that seems to have perfectly blended cosmopolitan living with rich cultural heritage.

But, as with anywhere in the world, there are local customs people must be aware of and rookie mistakes visitors can make. These mistakes can not only be highly embarrassing but also costly.

Singapore has strict fines that ensure society functions the way authorities want it to. For example, if you “illegally” cross the road — within 50 metres of a crossing zone — you will be fined up to S$1,000 (£472, $US744) or get 3 months in jail.

Here are some official and unofficial faux pas you don’t want to make when you go to Singapore.

9. Taking a picture on the Metro

Singapore’s Metro, which is the equivalent of Britain’s DLR service and an overground version of New York’s subway, bans pretty much everything other than entering and travelling.

Taking pictures and eating or drinking is banned and carries a S$500 (£267, $US372) fine.

8. Breaking the hawker stall seating code

If you get to a food court that has lots of hawker stalls, beware of breaking the unofficial seating rule of “vacant” seats.

If you see an empty seat with a pack of tissues next to it, do not pick it up and sit down — this is how people save their seats while they go and get food.

Think of it as the equivalent of putting your towel on a sun lounger.

7. Wearing very little

Singapore is very near the equator and temperatures can rise to as high as 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 Fahrenheit) but you’ll look utterly ridiculous walking around like you’re going to the beach.

Singapore is a cosmopolitan city/country and 90% of region is heavy on the air conditioning — so you’ll also be freezing if you’re not actually covered up.

Singapore fine

Magnets showing the fines you can get in Singapore.

6. Not flushing the toilet

Well, it goes without saying that you should flush the toilet after you use it.

But if you forget or can’t, for whatever reason, you could be seriously embarrassed when an official calls you out. And they will do that — not flushing the toilet in Singapore in a public place carries a S$150 (£71, $US112) fine.

5. Not carrying tissues and hand wipes

A lot of Asia now has western toilets but in some of the more “local” areas the “drop and squat” is still prevalent.

These toilets are effectively holes in the ground that you have to squat over and many have hoses instead of toilet paper. While Singapore has mostly moved to using Western toilets, there will be some times when you’re stuck using these “alternative” ones.

It’s always good to be prepared with tissues and anti-bacterial gel for these occasions.

4. Chewing gum

Singapore is incredibly sleek, clean, and cosmopolitan but this is mainly down to the strict rules it has governing its environment.

The sale and importation of chewing gum is banned in Singapore — it carries a huge S$100,000 (£49,000, $US74,517) fine.

3. Playing with chopsticks

Ask any local what really irks them when it comes to dining etiquette and playing with chopsticks will come near the top.

It’s seen as disrespectful and embarrassing to fellow diners.

2. Spitting

Spitting on the street may happen a lot in mainland China but don’t think you can do the same in Singapore.

Not only will you be openly berated by locals but you’ll be fined S$500 (£267, $US372).

1. Insulting or making fun of the food

One of the great things about travelling is tasting and experiencing new cuisines. But whether it’s trying chicken feet for the first time or the infamously pungent durian fruit, don’t outwardly complain if you encounter food in Singapore that you think is odd.

Insulting the food and making fun of local delicacies will just show you up as an embarrassing, disrespectful tourist.

Source….LIANNA BRINDED in www. businessinsider.com.au

Natarajan

Message For the Day…” Nothing is Permanent …Only ‘atma’ is Eternal and Immortal …”

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Sathya Sai Baba

You are unnecessarily struggling and planning several schemes, thinking about them day and night. In spite of all your struggles, what has to go out of your hands will go. The body is like a water bubble. The mind is like a mad monkey. If you follow this mad monkey, you will get into trouble. In the same manner, if you believe in the body, you do not know when this body, which is like a water bubble, will burst. Nothing is permanent. Only the Atma (Self) is eternal and immortal. ‘I’, ‘Self’, ‘God’ are all different names by which the Atmaswarupa is called. God incarnated as Rama, Krishna, and the like, and underwent several difficulties to demonstrate great ideals. Finally, they too left the mortal coil. The physical bodies of the Avatars undergo changes, but the Divine Atma in their bodies remains the same. It is omnipresent, eternal and changeless. Divinity in all the human beings is one and the same.

 

3 Coimbatore Boys Have a Plan to Tackle Hunger. It’s so Good They Bagged a $1000 Grant for It….

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Three young boys from Coimbatore have just won an international grant for their project, No Food Waste, which focuses on collecting excess food from events and parties and then distributing among the needy. Here’s more.

In India, over 214 million citizens struggle with hunger, in spite of huge quantities of food being thrown away at various events like weddings and parties.

While many of us still wonder about what can be the solution for this problem, three young boys in Coimbatore have come up with an interesting idea to address the issue.

Meet Padmanaban Gopalan and his two friends, Sudhakar and Dinesh, who started an initiative called No Food Waste. They collect excess food from events like weddings and parties and then distribute it among the hungry in Coimbatore.

nfw

“One day a gaunt elderly lady, emaciated to the bones in a torn saree, approached me for alms, just as I left a wedding reception hall where food was carelessly discarded on used plates simply because the guests could not finish. I couldn’t stand by and watch anymore. I had to do something about it,” says Padmanabhan.

Photo: Pollination Project

Padmanabhan and his friends runs a volunteer-staffed hotline for wedding, banquet, and school organizers, who wish to donate their excess food to the needy.

This effort by the trio has now also received support from a US Based NGO, Pollination Project, who have selected No Food Waste as the best initiative among many others nominated from across the world. The team got a $1000 grant from the NGO to work further on the project. Check out their Facebook page for more details.

The winning organization was finalised based on public voting, out of the 150 applicants that the NGO received.

Padmanaban, the boy behind the initiative.

Photo: Twitter

The voting closed on July 17 and No Food Waste won by a margin of 4,000 votes. Generally, winners are chosen after scrutinising the project, but because it was the 1,000th grant, the NGO authorities planned to launch a public voting system.

Prior to this, the team used to spend money out of their own pockets to package the food and deliver it. They tried to contact many sponsors, but no one took them seriously.

To date, the team has donated about 5,100 excess meals to families and individuals. Padmanabhan now wants to expand this initiative to five nearby cities, with an aim of feeding over 5,000 people every month.

nfw3

Photo: Facebook

Padmanabhan is also planning to launch a mobile application that will enable people to locate areas where extra food can be donated. To spread the word about the initiative, he also visits schools to conduct No Food Waste audits and spread awareness about the cause. He has already helped over 60 local schools in reducing their food waste.

Kudos to the trio for addressing a big issue in such an amazing way, and congratulations for a much deserved victory.

Source….www.thebetterindia.com

Natarajan

 

Message for the Day….” What is the Path to Freedom and Happiness…”

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Some people hold the opinion that being employed is bondage, while sitting at home without any specific work is freedom! This is a sign of lack of intelligence. When employed in a job, one obeys their superiors. In the same way, being at home, can anyone escape the demands and compulsions of the family? Even when you are amidst your friends, can you avoid the necessity of acting according to their fancy? Hence, understand that all life is a prison; the differences are merely in the types of imprisonment! You will feel it this way as long as the attitude of identifying yourself with the body is there. On the other hand, the liberated ones will trample down their egoism, discriminate sensual pleasure from real happiness, and perform their duties. They will use duty (Karma) as an aid to help in the destruction of the ego. This is the path to freedom and happiness.

Sathya Sai Baba

Something for you to start your day with a Smile ….

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I Wanted You to Smile, So I Sent You This Video!

Do you want a few minutes of uninterrupted happiness? Then take a minute to enjoy the company of the cutest, furriest little golden labrador puppies. They are so full of life, love and happiness, it’s impossible not to catch it.

Source……www.ba-bamail.com

Natarajan

 

When – Muslims Celebrate Eid Inside a Ganpati Pandal….

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Mumbai witnessed a commendable scene during the celebration of Bakra-Eid a few days back. In a country that celebrates some very diverse festivals of different religions, all on the same day, there is one place in the city which brought them together in an admirable manner.

In a step taken by the Seva Sangh Ganeshotsav Mandal in Colaba this Friday, many Muslim devotees were seen performing their prayers inside a Ganpati pandal.

eid

Source: Facebook 

Initially, people were praying outside the Madrassa Rahamatiya Talimul Quran mosque, which is located right next to the Ganpati pandal. The prayers began at 7 am, but due to lack of space inside the mosque, many people could not get place. When members of the Seva Sangh Ganeshotsav Mandal saw this, they invited them to the pandal so they could pray in peace.

This committee, which organizes Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations every year, has always been very unique and inspiring for people in the region.

“During Ramzan four years ago, which coincided with the Ganesh festival, we had allowed Eid prayers inside the pandal. It may be that some people find this surprising, but it is entirely normal for us. Hindus and Muslims have always lived in unity here. There is no discrimination. Hindus too participate in Muslim festivities”, Seva Sangh member Santosh Nayak told DNA.

The treasurer of the committee, which has 70 members, is a 25-year-old Muslim man named Mehfooz Khan. And 30 other members in the committee are also Muslims. According to the members, around 1,300 people performed their prayers inside the pandal, and with steps like these, they want to spread a strong message of Hindu-Muslim unity.

Kudos to their spirit of unity in diversity!

Source……..Tanaya Singh in http://www.the betterindia.com

Natarajan

 

“இல்லத்தில்…அலுவலகத்தில்… பொது வாழ்வில்…மனித உறவுகள் சீராக இருக்க”….

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     A to Z 🔔

🔔APPRECIATION – மற்றவர்களின்  நிறைகளை மனதாரப் பாராட்டுங்கள்.
> 🔔BEHAVIOR – புன்முறுவல் காட்டவும் சிற்சில அன்புச்சொற்களைச் சொல்லவும் கூட நேரம் இல்லாததுபோல் நடந்து கொள்ளாதீர்கள்.
> 🔔COMPROMISE –  அற்ப விஷயங்களை பெரிதுபடுத்தாதீர்கள். நேரில்  சந்தித்து மனம் திறந்து பேசுங்கள்.
> 🔔DEPRESSION – மற்றவர்கள் நம்மை புரிந்துகொள்ளவில்லையே என்று சோர்வடையாதீர்கள்.
> 🔔EGO – மற்றவர்களை விட உங்களையே உயர்வாய் நினைத்துக் கர்வபடாதீர்கள்.
> 🔔FORGIVE – கண்டிக்கக்கூடிய அதிகாரமும் , நியாயமும் உங்கள் பக்கம் இருந்தாலும் எதிர்த்தரப்பினரை மன்னிக்க வழி இருக்கிறதா என்று பாருங்கள்.
> 🔔GENUINENESS – எந்தக் கட்டத்திலும் சந்தேகம் வேண்டாம். எந்த விஷயத்தையும் நேர்மையாக கையாளுங்கள்.
> 🔔HONESTY – தவறு செய்தால் உடனே மன்னிப்புக் கேட்பதைக்
> கௌரவமாக கருதுங்கள்.
> 🔔INFERIORITY COMPLEX – எவரையும் பார்த்து பிரமிக்காதீர்கள் நான் சிறியவன் என்ற தாழ்வு மனப்பான்மையை விட்டு விடுங்கள்.
> 🔔JEALOUSY –  பொறாமை வேண்டவே வேண்டாம். அது கொண்டவனையே  அழிக்கும்.
> 🔔KINDNESS –  இனிய, இதமான சொற்களை மட்டுமே பயன்படுத்துங்கள்.
> 🔔LOOSE TALK – சம்பந்தமில்லாமலும், அர்த்தமில்லாமலும், பின் அறியாமலும் பேச வேண்டாம்.
> 🔔MISUNDERSTANDING – மற்றவர்களைத் தவறாகப் புரிந்துகொள்ளதீர்கள்.
> 🔔NEUTRAL – எப்போதும் எந்த விஷயத்தையும் முடிவு எடுத்துவிட்டுப் பேச வேண்டாம் .பேசிவிட்டு முடிவு எடுங்கள். முக்கியமாக நடுநிலை தவறவேண்டாம்.
> 🔔OVER EXPECTATION  -அளவுக்கு அதிகமாகவும், தேவைக்கு அதிகமாகவும் ஆசைப்படாதீர்கள்.
> 🔔PATIENCE  – சில சங்கடங்களை சகித்துத் தான் ஆகவேண்டும் என உணருங்கள்.
> 🔔QUIETNESS  -தெரிந்ததை மாத்திரமே பேசுங்கள். அநேகப் பிரச்சனைகளுக்குக்
> காரணம் தெரியாததைப் பேசுவதுதான். கூடுமானவரை பேசாமலே இருந்துவிடுங்கள்.
> 🔔ROUGHNESS – பண்பில்லாத வார்த்தைகளையும், தேவைஇல்லாத
> மிடுக்கையும் காட்டாதீர்கள்.
> 🔔STUBBORNNESS – சொன்னதே சரி, செய்ததே சரி என பிடிவாதம் பிடிக்காதீர்கள்.
>
> 🔔TWISTING  – இங்கே கேட்டதை அங்கேயும், அங்கே கேட்டதை
> இங்கேயும் சொல்வதை விட்டு விடுங்கள்.
>
> 🔔UNDERESTIMATE  – மற்றவர்களுக்கும் மரியாதை உண்டு என்பதை மறவாதீர்கள்.
>
> 🔔VOLUNTARY  -அடுத்தவர் இறங்கி வரவேண்டும் என்று
> காத்திராமல் நீங்களே பேச்சை முதலில் தொடங்குங்கள். பிரச்சனை வரும்போது எதிர்தரப்பில் உள்ளவரின் கருத்துக்களுக்கு முதலில்
> காது கொடுங்கள். பின்பு அதற்கு பதில் கொடுங்கள்.
>
> 🔔WOUND  – எந்தப் பேச்சும், செயலும் யார் மனதையும் காயப்படுத்தாமல் இருக்கட்டும்.
>
> 🔔XEROX  – நம்மை மற்றவர்கள் எப்படி நடத்தவேண்டும் என்று எதிர்பார்க்கிறோமோ அப்படியே மற்றவர்களை நாம் நடத்தவேண்டும்.
>
> 🔔YIELD  – முடிந்தவரை விட்டுக்கொடுங்கள். விட்டுகொடுப்பவன்
> கெட்டுப்போவதில்லை, கெட்டுப்போகிறவர்கள் விட்டுக்கொடுப்பதில்லை.
> 🔔ZERO – இவை அனைத்தையும் கடை பிடித்தால் பிரச்சனை   என்பது பூஜ்ஜியம் ஆகும்.
>
>Source…..unknown….Input from a friend of mine

Natarajan

Never Laugh at an Old Man…He may Surprise You !!!

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This group of friends were playing football (soccer), when old grandfather Memo came and insisted to be given a place on one of the teams. While they didn’t want to disrespect their elders, they weren’t happy about this. That is, until this old man gives the game a real twist. In reality, this old man is a freestyle football legend who has gone through hours of make-up to make him look 30 years older. Find out what happened on the court, as he shocks everyone in sight, and will even cast a spell on you, because this guy – he’s good.

Source……www.ba-bamail.com and http://www.youtube.com

Natarajan