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June 2, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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BODY & MIND The author has also tried to highlight other uses of plants and herbs and draw attention to lesser known facts as the use of oregano leaves in the preparation of dyes, the chewing of jasmine leaves for curing mouth ulcers, cumin seeds (jeera) for checking obesity, lavender oil to stop itching caused by insect bites, fennel seeds (saunf) boiled in water makes an excellent eyewash and so on. The description of the plants, herbs and spices tells the reader what vitamin or mineral it is rich in. Fascinated by the alternative system of medicine, Manisha decided to write the book to awaken the reading public to the fact that ``there is no end to the bounties of nature and the wonderful cures it offers for various ailments.’’ Manisha uses a lot of natural remedies and says the book is meant for the common man. She feels that more and more people are becoming sensitive to the fact that alternative healing is to be taken seriously and not scoffed at. Writing did not take Manisha long as she has been in the business of news writing for 15 years now. ``The manuscript was ready in December last year but I did a lot of post writing work. It initially looked like attempting a small, compact book but it involved hair-splitting research right from interacting with experts and botanists to browsing through books in the library. Some of the recipes mentioned in the book are from my own experience, others time-tested,’’ says Manisha. The book is priced at Rs 95.
Hail surgeon! American researchers have welcomed Delhi-based neurosurgeon Dr S.N. Kundra’s idea for the development of a micro submarine device to carry out neurosurgical procedures with greater precision and safety. ``We are gradually moving towards minimum invasive techniques in neurosurgery to make it safe. The concept, being pursued aggressively in USA and other Western countries, is to use micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS), devices fabricated on microscopic scale. The device, once made, will be a safer and affordable option compared to conventional neurosurgical procedure,’’ says Dr Kundra. He made the aforesaid suggestion in “Neurosurgery”, a monthly journal published by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, USA. Dr Kundra suggested development of a micro submarine powered by a nuclear micro-battery the size of a sand grain and commanded by signals transmitted through optical micro fibres back and forth between the device and a workstation outside the body to carry out various neurosurgical procedures. Dr Kundra proposed this theory in response to an article published in the same journal by four American researchers from Cleveland, Ohio. The researchers expressed the view that the use of microelectronics and micro matching technologies will allow neurosurgeons to perform familiar tasks with greater precision, perform tasks that were not done at all previously and monitor physiological and bio-chemical parameters more accurately and with greater safety. ``I suggested further application of MEMS technology by which micro submarine-like device can be made with the addition of other technologies like nuclear micro-battery and optical micro-fibre. “They welcomed my idea in the May 2002 issue of the journal,’’ says Dr
Kundra.
Heal-all massages The benefits and curative effects of a good massage are well known but masseurs with a good healing touch are rare to find. Kairali Ayurvedic Health Centre in Anderia Mode, Mehrauli, is one place which offers a variety of massages for healing, rejuvenation and beauty care. Set up in 1989 by Gita Ramesh and her husband K.V. Ramesh under the name of Kairali Healthcare and Resorts, the centre has 14 skilled masseurs from Kerala. While Gita holds an M.Sc degree in biochemistry, her husband comes from a family which has been practising ayurveda for a long time. According to Gita, Abhyanga, the most common massage needs a single sitting and costs Rs 700. Therapeutic massages need sittings for 7 to 14 days. Other massages which can be tried at the centre include Pizhichil for blood pressure control, cure of rheumatic diseases, pain in the joints, diabetes and improving immunity. Navarakizhi, another massage , is considered good for toning up the muscles and for undernourished children. Dhara, a massage which entails a non-stop stream of medicine (medicated oil, herbal decoction, milk or other material) on the forehead is a special therapy for stress and strain. The centre also offers Sirovasti, Elakizhi (Patraswdam), Nasyam, Talapotichil (head pack) besides facial massage and eye care treatment. The centre also offers a post-pregnancy health programme of 7,14 or 21 days, special ayurvedic health programme for weight loss of 14 or 21 days, special treatment for sinusitis and migraine (7, 14 or 21 days), special package to remove stress and strain (7, 14 or 21 days), rejuvenation therapy (7,14 or 21 days), beauty care and eye care package (3, 7,14 or 21 days), remedies for arthritis, rheumatism and spondylitis (14 or 21 days). Apart from running another centre in Panchsheel Enclave, Gita runs a centre in Khajurao, a luxurious resort in Pallakad, Kerala, and a resort in Dubai. She plans to set up a centre in Kanpur besides opening offices in London and Switzerland. Recipient of the International Women Council Award for Women, Gita began by setting up an ayurvedic pharmaceutical company under the name of Malabar Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals. It later merged with Spa Labs, her husband's pharmaceutical company.
Nay to snuff
On the occasion of International No Tobacco Day (May 31), Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals organised a free check-up and counselling camp. Specialists from various specialties like general medicine, oncology and cardiology provided consultation and conducted extensive patient examination for free. Dr Harshavardhan, former Health Minister of Delhi, inaugurated the camp. Dr Harshavardhan also inaugurated the Quit Tobacco Clinic at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, which will provide consultation to people in helping them quit smoking. The camp included free medical examination with Fagerstrom test, chest examination, carbon monoxide test, lung function test, ]chest x-ray, abdominal and clinical examination of tobacco related diseases and counselling. |
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Breakthrough in artery diseases The Metro Heart Institute, Noida, takes lead in India in introducing the much-awaited drug-coated stents to treat blocked arteries of the heart, overcoming the major limitation of reblockage of the arteries in some 20-25 per cent of the cases within six months after implantation of the currently available bare metal stents. It is potentially revolutionary in the treatment of coronary artery disease and will save large number of patients from undergoing coronary bypass surgery, who have otherwise been recommended bypass surgery keeping in view the high rate of restenosis. A total of four drug-coated stents have been implanted by Dr P. Lal, a pioneer in Interventional Cardiology since March 2002 when he was chosen as first interventional cardiologist in India by In-flow Dynamics AG Germany, a leading stent manufacturing company in Europe. Various studies like Serious study, Bem study, Switzerland etc. involving more than one thousand patients have shown the safety and efficacy of the drug-coated stents causing minimal reblockage in the range of 0-9 per cent after their implantation in the blocked arteries. During the procedure of angioplasty (PTCA) commonly known as ballconing - a tiny balloon is inserted through the blocked arteries of the heart, it is inflated to open up the blood flow. In 35 per cent cases, the arteries squeeze again within six months, creating reoccurrence of the block condition called as restenosis. Over the last ten years, the cardiologists have started using tiny wire rings called Stents to prop the arteries open. The procedure called Angioplasty with Stent Implantation or coronary stenting has now become rather standard in opening of the blocked arteries of the heart nonsurgically. However, about 25 per cent opened up artery closes off because of fast growth of scar like tissue in response to vessel wall injury. This scar tissue fills the artery and causes the restenosis, which requires repeat angioplasty with possible reoccurrence again or Coronary Bypass surgery. The fear of restenosis results into large number of bypass surgeries particularly patients suffering from diabetes mellitus, complex coronary blocks, small and diffusely blocked arteries etc. The solution to this dilemma came out to be drug coated stents. In drug coated stents the coating is done on the bare metal with medicines that gradually come into the artery. These drugs stop cells from growing into scar tissue formation thus preventing the reblockage of the opened up arteries and giving almost permanent results yet without any known systemic toxicity. Major concern is the cost of these drug-coated stents, which is almost three times the currently available bare metal stents. It costs more that Rs 1 lakh, depending upon the company. Cypher stent of Jhonson & Jhonson is rather over-priced and is costing Rs 1,37,000. And once the cost becomes reasonable it will definitely prove to be a boon for the heart patients, says Dr Lal. Parmindar Singh |
Collage Group storm into Raghubir cricket semis New Delhi, June 1 Rajiv Rathore of Collage Group struck a dashing 76 studded with seven fours and three sixes, off just 65 balls, to win the Reebok man of the match award. Sonnet won the toss and decided to field. The decision proved counter-productive as Collage Group defied the Sonnet bowlers to score 218 for 9 wickets in 40 overs. Rajiv Rathore led the magnificent assault on the Sonnet bowling with a strokeful knock. Ashish Sharma, Raju Sharma and Sanjay Verma also came up with useful knocks to post a handsome total for Collage Group. Though Chetan Nanda (4 for 36) and Vikrant Yadav (3 for 49) produced fine bowling spells, the Sonnet batsmen failed to capitalise on the bowlers’ efforts as they capitulated rather tamely. Dhruv Mohan (59) and Saket Bhatia (48) put on a defiant show to somewhat blunt the deadly Collage Group bowling to post some quick runs, but their knocks were not sufficient to save Sonnet from defeat. Medium-pacer Sanjay Gill was the most deadly of Collage Group’s bowlers as he claimed four wickets for 23 runs. Mahesh Bhati and Sanjay Saini claimed two wickets each. Defending champions Indian Airlines will take on Rajdhani Club on Sunday. Scores: Collage Group: 218 for 9 wickets in 40 overs (Rajiv Rathore 76, 7x4, 3x6, 65b; Ashish Sharma 42, 3x4, 1x6, 50b; Raju Sharma 29; Sanjay Verma 24; Chetan Nanda 4 for 36; Vikrant Yadav 3 for 49). Sonnet Club: 180 all out in 39.3 overs (Dhruv Mohan 59, 4x6, 2x4, 54b; Saket Bhatia 48, 5x4, 62b; Sanjay Gill 4 for 23; Mahesh Bhati 2 for 46; Sanjay Saini 2 for 24). |
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DDA annex B Division title New Delhi, June 1 Batting first, Super Star were restricted to 172 for 9 in 40 overs, thanks to the accurate and restrictive bowling of Maharaj Kishan, Bijender Bhatia, Sumit Yadav and Anil Chaudhary, who claimed two wickets each. Manas Malhotra adopted a defiant posture to contribute a valuable 63 runs, but in the end, his knock could not bail out Super Star from a troubled spot. DDA, in reply, raced to 178 for 5 in 36.4 overs as their batsmen found the rival total rather meagre to pose them any challenge. Scores: Super Star: 172 for 9 in 40 overs (Manas Malhotra 63, Parabjeet Singh 32, Maharaj Kishan 2 for 29, Vijender Bhatia 2 for 36, Sumit Yadav 2 for 36, Anil Choudhary 2 for 37). DDA: 178 for 5 in 36.4 overs (Govind Nagar 47, Suresh Kohli 39, Bijender Bhatia 39, Maharaj Kishan 30 n o, Abhishek Jain 3 for 45). Citizen Club beat Daryaganj by 35 runs in an A-II Division Super League match at the DAV College ground. Scores: Citizen Club: 211 for 6 in 30 overs (Sumit Dogra 81, Vishal Singh Yadav 46, Sudhanshu Sharma 2 for 31). Daryaganj Gymkhana: 176 all out in 28.4 overs (Manish Sharma 39, Jagpal Singh Grewal 27, Rupesh Kumar 26, Rajeev Yadav 3 for 19, Aditya Aima 2 for 27, Sumit Dogra 2 for 29). |
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Percept to bring Laureus Sports Awards to India New Delhi, June 1 Percept has bagged the telecast rights for the next three years and this marks the first initiative of the Laureus World Sports Academy in India, and plans are afoot to bring in many more projects for development of sports in India. The Sports for Good Foundation, another initiative of the Laureus World Sports Academy, is an international charitable programme using the power of sport to tackle society’s most pressing problems. More than an awards programme, Laureus Awards recognises that sport is entertainment, and has emerged as the driving force in the combination of international glamour and sporting prowess. The heart and soul of the foundation is the World Sports Academy, a dedicated dream team of 43 of the world’s most legendary sportsmen and women, who have all agreed to volunteer their time and effort to recognise the powerful role that sports plays in our society. Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev is the only Indian to be part of this academy which is chaired by Edwin Moses (athletics, US) and includes the likes of Franz Beckenbauer (football, Germany), Boris Becker (tennis, Germany), Sergey Bubka (volevault, Russia), Michael Jordan (basketball,US), Sugar Ray Leonard, Vivian Richards (cricket) and Pele (football). Kapil Dev, a jury member, said Laureus World Sports Foundation believes that the interplay of the participation, competition and co-operation that sport provides universally conspires to produce an irresistible force for progressive change. It is indeed commendable that Percept D’Mark has taken the initiative to telecast the Laureus World Sports Awards for the first time in the country in various Indian languages. I take this opportunity to welcome Percept as a part of the extended Laureus family”. Mr Sanjay Lal, CEO & Executive Director, Percept said, “It is indeed a great moment for our company to be associated with Laureus Academy in India. We plan to draw upon the expertise of the World Sports Academy to identify and consult upon appropriate projects to raise the competitiveness of Indian sportsmen and women to international standards. We believe that this will certainly give a fillip to increasing awareness for multiple sports among Indian audiences”. Percept is producing a special two-hour capsule of the Laureus Awards held in Monaco for Indian audiences in Hindi, with Shekhar Suman as the host. The programme will be broadcast by major channels across South East Asia in the month of June, with DD National broadcasting it in India during prime time during the first week of June and Sahara TV on June 9 at 9:30 am. The programme features amongst many the Australian cricket team led by Steve Waugh for their unique win record of 16 consecutive Test matches, the unbeatable Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher, maverick basketballer Michael Jordan, cyclist Lance Armstrong and tennis star Jennifer Capritati on the sporting front. The toast of the celebrities include renowned Hollywood stars, including the original James Bond Sir Sean Connery with Micheal Douglas, Catherina Zeta-Jones, Morgan Freeman and Monica Belucci. The Laureus awards were established in 1999 by Dailmer Chrysler and Richemont, who are represented through their premier brands Mercedes-Benz and Cartier. The Awards honour the achievements of world’s greatest sportsmen and women on an annual basis, and also contribute to social change through the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. The Foundation is financed by the founding patrons. |
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Natural Remedies Plant Curves” (Rupa & Co), authored by Delhi-based freelance journalist Manisha Jain, is more than just a book with an attractive green cover. The 56-page book is a handy compendium of information on the medicinal properties of plants. And, this is bound to make the book evergreen and catch and hold anybody’s attention. What is more, leafing through the book (illustrated with pictures of 32 plants, herbs and spices) is an interesting learning experience. The illustrations serve to facilitate recognition. The book encourages the reader to go back to nature to find simple and lasting remedies for common ailments and maladies. As the author says, ``If you know that you have deficiency of Vitamin A, it is better to have a glass of carrot juice than pop Vitamin A pills.’’
