Life’s own voice

THIS refers to the article: "Life’s own voice" by Aruti Nayar (March 18). The noted writer Gurdial Singh has done Punjab proud by winning the highest literary award — Jnanpith Award, for 1999. The noted writer’s views as to what literature is all about are very thought-provoking and should serve as a guide to young writers. New writers must adopt his views as their guiding principles because the theory of writing for one’s own satisfaction is a self-centred approach and of no use to society. No doubt, one does not conceive a preacher’s role for the writer but at the same time we must remember that literature is not literature unless it springs from life — as has been highlighted by Gurdial Singh.

We cannot approve of the tendency of some writers to write just about anything for fame or money. A writer cannot put himself for sale. Media should refrain from promoting such writers. Our publishers must undertake genuine talent-search exercises to seek out genuine writers whose work merits publication.

ONKAR CHOPRA
New Delhi

A matter of heart

In an exclusive interview with K.V. Prasad, Dr Harbans Wasir has provided to the readers highly useful information on heart problems (March 25).

When a person comes to know that he is suffering from coronary heart disease his poise is shattered and he feels completely demoralised. Indeed, the increasing incidence of heart ailments, particularly among young and middle-aged people, is a matter of grave concern. In affluent societies (according to Dr Wasir in middle class too) illness and death from heart disease has increased so rapidly that it has become their number one health problem.

The health of a person is related to what he eats. The fact is quite appropriate at least in case of heart disease. There are many reasons for the increasing number of heart patients, the most important being carelessness regarding dietary habits. Many among us give more importance to taste rather than health.

It is a fact that whatever we eat, after digestion, provides us with energy. A part of this energy is used in our day-to-day activities and exercise. The remaining part of this energy gets accumulated in the form of fat in different parts of body, including the walls of blood vessels of the heart. Therefore, it is advisable that a heart patient must avoid fat in his diet in any form. Such food stuffs include pure ghee, butter, cream, fried foods, etc. Fresh green leafy vegetables and salad, garlic and onion should be used in large amounts. Salt should be taken in a small amount because it increases blood pressure which in turn has a bad effect on the heart.

Risk factors like smoking, excessive body weight and physical inertia can be controlled. Such associated diseases as diabetes, high blood pressure, tension at home or work-place are also more or less controllable. However, one has little control over the heredity factor.

It is necessary to regulate one’s lifestyle. There is no better insurance against coronary diseases than reduction of the body weight, and here our greatest friend is physical exercise. The aim is not to develop special bodily skills or athletic competence but to increase physical fitness to meet the extraordinary daily stress and strain.

K.M. VASHISHT
Mansa

Karl Landsteiner

This refers to Illa Vij’s article "Karl Landsteiner (March 25). Karl Landsteiner devoted his life to the service of mankind. He was the man behind the discovery of the different types of blood groups.He also discovered the vital Rh factor. By discovering the different blood groups, Karl Landsteiner opened the way to blood transfusion, which has saved millions of lives. He was the founder of the science of immuno-chemistry. He contributed his best for the sake of humanity. Due to his outstanding work in the field of medical science, he won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1930.

RAJDEEP SINGH
Phagwara