Impact

We think that a newborn is innocent and it does not know anything and does not learn anything.  But the moment life is formed and the embryo develops into fetus, activity starts in the fetus.  Also the learning starts.  In conditions where nutrition is compromised, blood is diverted to brain optimally and the rest of the bodily growth is restricted.  This is the survival instinct of the fetus – nature.  

Every incident since birth will condition the mental development of the person.  The different behavioural patterns in a person can be traced to early childhood environment.   This is true for animals too.  An elephant tied by iron chains in its early day will never try to escape later in life even if tied with a simple rope.  This is because it is conditioned by the remembrance of its futile attempts to escape when tied with iron chains in early days. 

The effect of physical and mental trauma will change the character of person or animal forever.  This I felt when I saw Benny.  Benny is my brother-in-law’s (BIL) pet.  They have adopted it when it was two years old.  This beagle’s behaviour has saddened me, and for the few days I was with it, I tried to pamper it.  When I went to my BIL’s home for the first time, Benny was alone at home.  The moment Benny saw us, strangers, it looked so scared and tried to get into corner and be out of our direct vision.  I was surprised at its behaviour of avoiding human beings.  A day later when I questioned about this queer behaviour he told me that in its early days it was treated cruelly by the owners.  When they brought it home also, twice it tried to escape.  But they finally got it live with them in peace. 

It never looked straight into the face

Benny is never aggressive.  It is rather meek.  The moment its master comes it simply stands by the side.  Unless the master talks it doesn’t fall on him.  If he is doing his work it will simply sit beside him and wait for him to pamper.  If he is busy with his work it would walk and sit in its couch.  I stayed there for a week.   Whenever I was in the living room it would come to me and stand, I would touch it, stroke it and talk to it.  When I leave the living room to retire into my room it would follow me up to the room and then go down.  It never ate in front of us.  My BIL told he never saw it eating.  It would eat when no one is around. 

I really feel bad for Benny.  The dog which is taken for hunting has become so timid and is scared of human beings.  How cruel could have been his previous masters to change its basic nature.  Benny had made me to understand how anyone can become scarred for life because of cruelty.  Though we cannot shower love on all, we should at least not be cruel to anyone.  Physical or vocal cruelty in childhood can have everlasting impact on the mind and character. 

Childhood is the formative period of a person’s character.  Let us all try to be kind to all and children in particular.

Faith

We always want to have things to happen in a particular way.  It may or may not happen as we wish.  But certain times it will happen as we want. That gives us faith in Almighty and prayers.

It was many years ago.  We are new in the locality.  There are quite a few houses around our home –cum - nursing home.  I have cordial relations with neighbours.  They sometimes disturb me at odd times.  If I can help I would, otherwise direct them what to do or where to go.  I never go for a family visit for medical care.  One day a gentleman, residing in the neighbourhood had come to me at about 11 AM.  He requested me to visit his uncle’s house which is also in my neighbourhood.  He said that his uncle’s mother seems to be dead and wanted me to asses the condition.  I couldn’t say no.  From his voice and expressions I could understand that the woman is dead and they just need confirmation by a doctor.  I went to his uncle’s house along with him.  His uncle, aunt and another woman were waiting for me without any expressions in their faces.  His aunt told me that, her “mother-in-law just had her break fast and lied on the table.  I wanted to talk to her but she did not respond and we moved her and thought she is lifeless”.  I saw a woman lying on wide long table that is used either to sit or sleep.  The woman was still, lying on her back, her mouth half open and eyes partially closed.  I took her hand and tried to feel the pulse and at the same time watching for her chest movements to know the respiration.  Pulse could not be felt.  I put two fingers near her nostrils to feel respiration.  It wasn’t there.  Then I auscultated for heart sounds without any positive result.  Finally checked eyes throwing torch light and see for pupils which are irreversibly fully dilated on death.  I told that there are no signs of life in her, death had occurred less than an hour ago, and I walked out.  To announce a death is sometimes part of my profession, but this is always depressing.

  After two months or so once again this same man had come to my home in the morning at about 9 AM.  At that time I was in my spiritual activity.  He again requested me to come to another relative’s house that is right in front of our house across the road.  There also I have to confirm death of an old lady in the family.  I was the only doctor around at that time and did not know how to refuse.  I only prayed God that the woman should be alive.  I was scared to become a death declaring doctor in the locality.  All the way to their home I was praying that the woman should be alive, let death be postponed till later in the evening, when my husband will be at home and declare it.  When I entered the house an old lady was lying on sleeping table.  One of the family members told me that the woman lying on table is her mother-in-law; she is suffering from cancer which affected her brain also.  For the past few minutes she is not responding to them and not taking respiration.  I tried to feel for the pulse.  As I was checking for pulse there was the woman gasped. I was glad to see that.  I could feel the pulse too, which is feeble.  The woman had taken another gasp.  And then I could see her heavy respiratory movements.  I told them she is alive and in coma, to take her to Medical college hospital for treatment.  They were all silent and I walked out happily.   Late in the afternoon my husband was called, and he had declared death. 

I don’t think that the woman was dead when they called me.  May be there was transient respiratory arrest from which she recovered spontaneously.  But this incident reinforced my faith in prayer and meditation.                                                     

Incident - Coincident

Life is a continuous process.   Many incidents happen, people enter and walkout of our life.  Everything does not go as we plan.  But many times we get the results we want.  As long as we are clear in our conscience and work for better future, things turn out the way we desire.  I believe everything is in our thinking and doing it right.  Every moment is auspicious and every act done in good faith gives good results.

When my daughter was over two years I bought a slate and chalk and kept it in my room.  I had plans to start her ‘aksharaabhyaasam’ on auspicious day at a temple in our town.  Being professional women, I would leave my daughter in the care of my mother-in-law and other members in the joint family.  Then my husband’s youngest brother was about seventeen years and doing his intermediate.  He would stay at home and play with my daughter and take care of her along with mom.  He saw the slate and chalk piece in my room and enthusiastically started teaching my daughter ‘ABC’ one day.  When I came home he was making her write on the slate.  I was bit upset, but did not say anything.  I only thought that if that is destiny let it take its own path.  Later that year, In June 1988, I admitted my daughter into a school.  This was about 4 km from our residence.  She has to go by school bus.  My husband’s cousin was also studying in the same school in higher section.  She would take care of her, in the school bus while coming and going, and also in the lunch hour help to eat her meal.  She did take care of her all the three years, until she passed out her SSC and gone to different college.

 18-6-1988

Early days of schooling were painful to my daughter.  She would feel difficulty in waking up early when she had school and be awake early when it is a holiday for the school.  Later on slowly she started taking interest in her studies and did well in the class.  She later entered into engineering and had to be sent out to capital city for education.  There was lot of discussion to send a girl out to a city.  There were so many objections from different quarters.  My answers to all those finally helped her to land in city.  She utilized the opportunity provided to her and finally had chosen to do doctorate in USA.  Again, as usual, there were different views about sending her to far off place.  This time she herself decided to go ahead with her decision and I was there for support and encouragement.  The place she had chosen is where her uncle was staying.  With this we could rest in peace.

5-5-2012

 

Her uncle who initiated ‘aksharaabhyaasam’ was there to attend her defense.  He was the proud family member to congratulate his little niece after her successful defense.  I told him that he deserved to stay there as he initiated literacy, and supported her in attaining highest degree.  I feel it is just destiny.  My husband’s little cousin, a software professional and mother of two was also living in the same city in USA.  I requested her to attend the graduation ceremony of my daughter and she readily obliged.  I was overwhelmed with happiness to be with these two persons, who had a role in her life, to be present at the time of graduation. 

Presenting his niece with pride

Everything happened is simply incidental or coincidental.  My faith in Almighty increased and I believe that destiny plans in a better way, and we should always do our duty.

Gift

Today is 24^th April.  In Andhra Pradesh Schools, it is the last working day.  All government and private schools in Andhra Pradesh have 12 or 13^th June as first working day and 24^th April in the following year will be the last working day of that academic year.  All children may not attend the first day in the academic year, but the last day, for sure, will be attended by all – first to 9^th standard children.  This day reminds me of my childhood days when I would go to school in the morning take the progress card and come home early. 

This 24^th April wouldn't have been so special for me just for results.  This day always reminds me of a special incident in my childhood.  The kind gesture shown to me on that day by a stranger had everlasting impact on me.  I could understand this as I remember it even after 45 years.  Also, this had inculcated one character in me as to appreciate anyone who would come to me with their exam result.  Of course, anybody will be proud to share success.  

It was 24^th April, 1967.  That day I got my third standard results.  Then we used to have the detention system.  Unless proper grades are obtained candidate is not promoted to the next class.  Now children are promoted even without proper learning into next standard until 7^th class.  Again in 8^th and 9^th standards though exams are held they will not be detained. Then, every body had to get pass marks in all subjects to get promoted to the next standard.  I did my exams well and secured first rank in the class.  I was very happy to receive my progress report amidst claps from the entire class.  After that I had to go home walking, which I am used to.  The school was about a kilometer from my home.  There were about four main routes from the main road to reach my home.  That day I was happy, and as I was returning early from the school, I took a long route.  This will be walking mostly on the main road before turning into an alley.  On this road along a by lane corner, there was a ‘pan shop’.  As I was walking playfully and jumping on the road, the man in the pan shop called me and asked me to show my progress report.  I showed him.  He said, “Good” and gave me two ‘Ravalgon’ chocolates.  Those days they were the well known good chocolates available in any general stores or pan shops. I was overwhelmed with happiness and said, “thank you”.  And the man told me, “Go home soon”.  Eating those chocolates, I went home.

Even after more than four decades I remember this incident vividly.  I remember the man, his gesture with smile and happiness and his gift to me.  Any child coming to me and tells me about their success in exams, I try to give them something I have at that time and see their smile. 

One man’s simple kindness had made me understand the happiness one feels when their efforts are appreciated.  And I try to spread this happiness.

God is Great

God is great

Grants every wish.

If you want to swim,

And fathom the sea

You will become fish.

If you want to rise

High into sky

You will become a bird.

If you want to dive deep into sea;

Rise into sky, very high

You will become a man with a mind.

If you want to become ‘God’

You should become one to none

Be part of Universal ‘One’.

Worship

All the Shiva temples have ‘nandi’ (bull).  Nandi, vehicle of Shiva is seen in sitting posture in front of the sanctum sanctorum of Shiva temple.  Nandi is generally postured as if it is looking at Shiva all the time.  Recently when I visited a Shiva temple along with my husband we were just talking about this.  There was another couple who had come there.  The man took part in our conversation and explained the essence of this posture.  Nandi, devotee of Lord Shiva always worships Shiva, leaving the world behind.  That means a devotee of God should always leave the material things behind and meditate upon God for salvation. 

Why people put thumb and index finger on the horns of the bull and try to see Lord Shiva through the space?  Is it because the bull represents beastly strength and ignorance, is held down by horns, and look upon Lord for grant of true knowledge and peace?

Health is Wealth

Health is wealth. We all know it. But as long as we are healthy we never think of protecting that wealth. When we are about to lose it, then we think of taking all precautions.
‘Healthy mind in a healthy body’. So, the body to be healthy, good nutrition is essential. Under nutrition and over nutrition both are malnourishment.
As poor nutrition is the problem of poor people, over nutrition is the problem in less educated rich population.
Over nutrition leads to obesity and is the problem in developed countries and some class of people in developing countries.
Obesity or overweight is having more fat in the body and weight being more than ideal bodyweight.
Ideal body weight – Body Mass Index – weight (Kg)/Height in Sq.M eg; 60/(1.6x1.6)

Normal BMI = 18.50-24.99; 25-29.99 = increased weight; >30 obesity; with increasing BMI, moderate, severe and morbid obesity.
Ideal body weight – Broca index – Height(Cm)-100 ex. 160-100 = 60Kg. >5% overweight is obesity, double the ideal weight is morbid obesity.
Risks of obesity – hypertension, diabetes, gall bladder disease, coronary heart disease, certain types of cancers especially large bowel cancers. In females it leads to metabolic syndrome, lowered fertility, increased complications in pregnancy and increased risks to the fetus – baby.
To maintain ideal body weight proper diet and physical exercise are important.
As for nutrition is concerned, the daily requirement of nutrients with appropriate energy calories is taken.
An adult healthy man weighing 60 Kg, doing moderate work eight hours a day will need 2875 Kcal, and adult female weighing 50 Kg doing moderate work for eight hours a day will need 2225 Kcal. In women, additional requirement of 300-500 Kcal is required during pregnancy and lactation.
Major components of nutrients are
Carbohydrates – 1Gm = 4 Kcal - cereals, roots and tubors
Proteins - 1Gm = 4 Kcal - milk,eggs, meat, fish etc; pulses, cereals, nuts, beans
Fats -- 1Gm = 9 Kcal - animal fats ghee, milk, cheese, veg.oils –sesame,groundnut
Vitamins - from cereals, pulses, egg, meat etc; fruits and vegetables
Minerals. – milk and milk products, fruits and vegetables, non-veg foods, eggs.
A balanced diet should have 55%calories from carbohydrates, 25% from proteins and 20% from fats.
The daily requirement of proteins, body building units, is 1 gm/kg body weight. Extra 20 Gm allowance added during pregnancy and lactation. Pulses and non-veg foods give about 20 gm proteins per 100 gm consumption. Highest protein content is in soyabeans, which give about 43 gm.proteins/100 gm.
Cereals also give proteins, 5-7 gm/100 gms. Nuts and oil seeds will have more of fats and to some extent proteins. Fruits and vegetables give more of vitamins and minerals. Milk is the richest source of calcium. Cereals, pulses, non-veg, eggs and nuts and oils seeds will also have vitamins and minerals in variable quantities. Fruits and vegetables give less calories, 1 cal or less/gm. Banana, sitafal and sapota give almost    1 cal./gm. Dry fruits give almost 3-4 cal/gm.
Food items when taken in combination in appropriate quantity will give, apart from calories, all other nutrients – carb, proteins, fats, vit., minerals to keep body healthy.
Fast food and aerated drinks give only empty calories as they have only sugars that will give calories and no other nutrients. Even alcohol gives 7cal/gm. So these fast foods, cola drinks and alcohol can lead to obesity and nutritional imbalance and ill health.
All this is in short to know the value of food and to maintain good health by taking healthy diet.
Eat healthy. Be healthy.