BODY & MIND
Career is more than an overnight decision
Tripti Nath

Dr Samir Parikh, Consultant Psychiatrist to Max Health Care and Pentamed Hospital in North Delhi has recently put together some basic insights on career related matters, pointing out just how directionless many Indian students really are.

According to Dr Parikh, some frequently asked questions pertain to the right time to take a decision, how to make a career option, the role of school and parents in helping the students choose a career, the importance of the college or the course and preparation for a career. Dr Parikh is of the view that career is not an “overnight decision” and this is where students make a mistake.

Quoting findings of a study conducted by his team in January, Dr Parikh said that more than 40 per cent of Class XII students had not made up their minds on a choice of career. He advises students to make a definite choice regarding their career well before the examination.

Although there are standard tests for gauging an individual’s aptitude and interest, both these factors are important for a career option. “Each individual should keep in mind the ability shown by the aptitude test as well as the interest. It is difficult to have motivation without interest.” The tests should be for help and guidance but not as a final verdict as past studies have questioned the reliability of these tests.

They can be of help if used by a professional in the right manner. A student ought to explore avenues, which are in harmony with the test results and his own wishes. He should visit the institutes, interact with students and professionals in the field to have an in-depth and clear understanding.

Dr Parikh is of the view that academic institution without proper and detailed vocational guidance is incomplete.

On the role of parents in helping the child make a career choice, Dr Parikh says that while on the one hand, parents are the most significant support system in a student’s life, at the same time, the pressures they impose can have a detrimental effect on his performance. “They sometimes force the child to pursue a certain career. This is wrong and should be discouraged. I have seen so many bright students drop out only because they were forced to opt for a career which was not of their choice.”

Dr Parikh counsels students to realise that career is one of the most important things in life as it shapes their future.

Dr Parikh has been running a counselling session in public schools in Delhi for three years along with another psychologist and psychiatrist.

Vegetarian diet

To promote vegetarianism, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), India, has launched an ad featuring Madhavan, a young film star trapped in a small wire cage to illustrate the daily misery of animals awaiting their fate in factory farms and butcher shops.

While promoting a healthy and compassionate plant-based diet, the young star has reminded meat eaters that animals are not the only victims as consumption of meat takes its toll on people’s health in the form of heart diseases, strokes, diabetes and many types of cancers. PETA is an international organisation dedicated to protecting the rights of all animals.

Magnetotherapy

Dr Divya, a physiotherapist and magnetotherapist with ‘Healing Hands’, a holistic healing centre in Yashwant Place, Chanakyapuri, recently highlighted the curative value of magnetotherapy while delivering a lecture at the India Habitat Centre.

Dr Divya was invited to present her views on magnetotherapy by the Rotary Club of Delhi, Downtown.

She explained that magnetotherapy works on the principles of the magnetic field of the body. It is a system in which magnets are used to aid healing by influencing the body’s natural bio-electric currents and immune system. As human beings are very sensitive to electromagnetic field, the magnetic effect percolates every cell in the body on account of the highly pervasive character of magnetism. The job of the magnetotherapist is to diagnose and restore balance by using static or electromagnets with appropriate intensity of magnetic field at proper points.

When used, electromagnets have a positive affect on the bones, tissues and cells. They increase the elimination of toxins, cleanse the clogged vessels, wash out stones from kidney and even cure cancer in the initial stage.

Dr Divya further said that the magnetic force acts by stimulating the defence mechanism of the body, increases the effectiveness of drugs and improves the characteristics of blood.

This action results in the suppression or complete elimination of many health problems. Magnetotherapy has proved beneficial in balancing altered metabolic functions and in counter-acting degenerative processes. It is known to cure arthritis, paralysis, polio, slip disc, spondylitis, stiffness, swelling, sciatica, periarthritis, inflammation, infection, chronic pains besides expediting healing of wounds and setting of fractured bones.

Dr Divya says that magnetotherapy is a painless and natural way of treatment, with almost no side effects when taken under guidance. Only magnets with specific shape, size and strength must be used at the suitable point for specified time.

Smokers fined

A TBWA/ANTHEM representative dressed as a policeman fines a man found smoking in public.

New catheter reduces side effects of chemotherapy
Nalini Ranjan

New Delhi, June 8
Currently, catheters made of silicone elastomer are being used to give highly toxic chemotherapy drugs to cancer patients in Delhi. These catheters are likely to reduce the incidence of side effects of chemotherapy.

Till now, a major limitation in giving chemotherapy was the destruction of the veins used with every sitting of chemotherapy. Damaged veins give a lot of pain and discomfort to cancer patients who are already suffering from great pain and mental agony. Silicone is a soft and bio-compatible material that is less damaging to veins. These catheters are connected to subcutaneous ports.

Chemotherapy can be given in such a way through these chemoports that major side effects like vomiting and decrease in blood parameters can be avoided using ambulatory pumps, said Dr Manav Rakshak, the Head of Department, clinical Oncology, Kailash Hospital, Noida and Mata Chanan Devi Hospital, Janakpuri. Properly maintained chemoports can remain in place and function for several years.

This latest technique is called Continuous Intravenous Ambulatory Chemotherapy and can be done without admitting patients in the hospital, i.e. the patients can be managed in day care. This reduces the cost of cancer treatment drastically.

This new technique has been successfully used to remove toxic side effects of anti-cancer drug Adriamycin on heart. Adriamycin is extensively used in patients of lymphoma and cancer of the breast.

These chemoports are available in India at very cost effective rates and are slowly finding acceptance amongst all oncologists. This new device is expected to benefit many patients in India, Dr Manav Rakshak added.

This new technique of Continuous Intravenous Ambulatory Chemotherapy can also be used to increase the effectiveness of anti-cancer drug 5- Fluorouracil, which is used for the cancer of the intestines and head and neck. Due to the greatly reduced side effects of chemotherapy, this technique allows oncologists to deliver higher than conventional doses to treat refractory cancers also.

SPORTS

Rajsekhar stars in DSJA win 
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, June 8
A swashbuckling knock of 96, studded with eight fours and two thundering sixes, by Rajsekhar Rao and a fine all-round performance by G.S.Vivek (37 and 5 for 24) helped Delhi Sports Journalists Association (DSJA) beat Lala Hari Ram XI by 16 runs in the Shaheed Rakesh Chander Trophy limited-over day-night match at the Karnail Singh Stadium in the Capital.

Electing to bat, DSJA scored 214 for 4 in the allotted 25 overs. Rajsekhar set the tempo with his blistering knock.

Vivek and Sunil Narula also came up with substantial scores.

Vivek then bowled with venom to play a pivotal role in the dismissal of Hari Ram XI for 208 all out in 25 overs.

Gaurav Dewan top-scored for Hari Ram XI with a fine 71.

President of the 6th Lala Hari Ram Aggarwal Memorial Day-Night Cricket Carnival Organising Committee Ashok Aggarwal and organising secretary Raman Gupta gave away the prizes.

Scores: DSJA: 214 for 4 in 25 overs (Rajsekhar Rao 96, Sunil Narula 46, G.S. Vivek 37, Gajender Solanki 2 for 45).

Lala Hari Ram XI: 208 all out in 25 overs (Gaurav Deewan 71, Anil Chaudhary 37, Shivram Roy 2 for 20).

Nagpur resident wins trip to World Cup 

New Delhi, June 8
Mr Ashish Jaiswal, a resident of Nagpur, has won a five-day trip, along with his wife Alpana, to attend the 2002 World Cup soccer final in Yokohama in Japan. Mr Jaiswal, a stock broker by profession, qualified for the Cup final by winning the Duracell Cup of Joy Contest. In order to win the mega prize, contestants had to buy a pack of Duracell plus Alkaline batteries and answer the contest question. Ashish was chosen the winner through a lucky draw. He will be one of the nearly 70 participants from around the world who will vie for the opportunity to attempt a football kick for Rs 5 crore promotion.

Sports fiesta on TEN Sports

New Delhi, June 8
TEN Sports will beam a surfeit of sports events on an eventful Sunday on June 9—a day when 16 hours of live sports action will be beamed from around the world, starting at 8 am and ending after midnight.

Parthiva all set for American race debut
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, June 8
Parthiva Sureshwaren will create history in Indian motorsports when he becomes the first Indian ever to drive at the competitive motorsport series in America.

The 22-year-old motor sports wizard, supported by J.K.Tyres, after his spectacular performances at Formula Asia Championship and the British F3 Scholarship Class Championship last year, will begin his 2002 season at Round 3 of Barber Dodge Pro Series 2002. The races would be held on Sunday, June 9, at 2.238 mile Laguna Seca Receway, Monterey, California.

The Barber Dodge Pro Series, which is the feeder formula to the CART Champ Championship, is run by Barber Dodge School of Driving. All the cars are of the same make—powered by 3.0 litre, V6-265 Bhp Dodge Engines. It was in April 2002 that Parthiva was invited by Team Skip Barber Racing for test drive for the series at Sebring Raceway, US.

Driving these mean machines for the first time, which are higher than F3 cars in terms of power, Parthiva gave a sterling performance, setting the second fastest time in the last session of testing and earning a seat in the coveted Championship.

ADMINISTRATION

Long-standing demand for park in Sonepat met
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, June 8
The district and civic administration has decided to develop a modern park in 1.5 acres of land in front of Shanni Mandir here for meeting the long-standing demand of the people living in the old section of this city.

According to official sources, the administration will spend about Rs 30 lakh on this park. The aim is to provide all sorts of recreational facilities to children. The land of this park had been got vacated from unauthorised occupants who had built shops illegally a few years ago. This land belonged to the municipal council of Sonepat. The Supreme Court had ordered the demolition of the shops.

The district administration has also decided to develop and modernise other existing parks in different parts of the city. It has also selected Indira Municipal Park near Subhash Chowk for developing along modern lines. It has also decided to close the windows and ventilators and other structures raised by the shopkeepers and house owners on the sides of the park as it feels that these openings interfere with the privacy of the visitors to the park.

Mr S.N. Roy, Deputy Commissioner, told mediapersons here today that the rain and sullage water pipes in front of shops and houses presented an ugly look to the visitors. In order to curb the reported unauthorised entry of the people the authorities of the Sonepat Municipal Council have decided to keep its main gate closed for movement of traffic before and after the office working hours.

He maintained that the main object of the administration was to remove all kinds of encroachments made by the shopkeepers and house owners in the municipal park. He also stated that the administration wanted the city parks to be model parks with not an iota of filth spoiling the clean look of the parks.

The Deputy Commissioner also stated that the authorities of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) had launched a project for the modernisation of the parks in Sectors 14 and 15 in order to provide recreation facilities to the residents, particularly the children. He disclosed that at least Rs 25 lakh would be spent on the face-lifting programmes launched in the city.

Mr Roy also said that by widening the main roads and giving a new look to the main crossings in the thickly populated areas the administration had not only obliterated bottlenecks but also ensured free flow of traffic besides eliminating the chances of accidents in the most accident-prone areas also.

The main crossings which had been given a new look included Bus Stand Chowk, Mamoon Bhanja Chowk, Subhash Chowk, Railway Crossing Chowk near Hindu College, Kakroi Road Chowk, Mehlana Road Chowk and Shanni Mandir Chowk, he said.

The Deputy Commissioner also disclosed that the district administration had undertaken work for the widening of the road between Suri petrol station and the Kakroi road where all kinds of encroachments had been removed on both sides of the road.

He said steps were also being taken to beautify the Murthal Adda Chowk where the road had been widened for free flow of traffic. The administration, he said, would not remove the statue of veteran freedom fighter Pandit Siri Ram Sharma from this chowk but it would just be shifted to a suitable site at the same place.

Meanwhile, representatives of various social and voluntary organisations and the Residents Welfare Association as well as the Sonepat Citizens Council have praised the face-lifting programme launched by the district administration. They said the programme was aimed at beautifying the city.

In a joint press note, they said they had extended all possible assistance to the district administration in this connection. They urged the state government, particularly the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, to honour the Deputy Commissioner for his commendable contribution to the city.

The Residents Welfare Associations of Sectors 14 and 15 have also lauded the role of the Deputy Commissioner in taking keen interest in the beautification of this historic city by launching various schemes for the development of the city. They also commended the contributions made by the Chairperson of the Hospital Welfare Society, Mrs Sangeeta Roy, in improving the sanitary condition.

Dept gives ultimatum to traffic violators
Tribune News Service

Panipat, June 8
The District Transport Department and the police yesterday served an ultimatum on the traffic rule violators, illegal maxi cab owners and unauthorised auto operators till June 30.

Addressing a joint press conference here last evening, the District Transport Officer (DTO), Mr VS Dahiya, and the DSP (Headquarters), Mr Arun Nehra, strict action would be taken against those violating the traffic rules after June 30.

Mr Dahiya said that wearing of helmet had been made compulsory at least while driving on the GT Roads as majorities of the fatal accidents involved those not wearing the helmets.

While conceding that certain maxi cabs were still plying with proper permits, the DTO informed that 155 permits had been issued to the maxi cabs to ply in the district.

Mr Dahiya assured no one, whosoever high, would be spared while enforcing the traffic regulations. He also warned that those persons using unauthorised red lights atop their vehicles.

Mr Nehra assured that policemen on duty would also be ordered to wear the helmets so that the message went across to the general public that the police was serious about implementing the traffic regulations.

Mayor reviews desilting works
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 8
Mayor of the Capital Mrs Jaishree Panwar and Municipal Commissioner Rakesh Mehta today undertook extensive and indepth inspection of desiltation work being carried out by the MCD in three major vulnerable sectors.

The desilting work was completely done in Shahadra South and North and Central Zone. About 80 per cent of desilting work has been completed and remaining work would be done till June 15.

During inspection, the Mayor and the Commissioner found that heaps of silt were lying near the nallahs.

The Commissioner directed the officials concerned that it must be removed before the start of monsoon. Strict action would be taken against the field staff and official concerned if silt were not removed from the nallahs, the commissioner said.