The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

BODY & MIND
Spare a thought for your skin this Holi
Tripti Nath

Dermatologists and health experts have advised use of natural and herbal colours on Holi. Dr Neycelle Fernandes, Consultant Dermatologist, Max Healthcare, says that individuals with a history of eczema or Atopic Dermatitis are at a high risk of developing allergic contact dermatitis to Holi colours and dyes. This will manifest in itching, a red rash and irritation on the area of contact.

Dr Fernandes says that such individuals should use a barrier cream (White soft, yellow soft, Paraffin) prior to playing Holi. She says that people should avoid using colour on sensitive areas on the face. Those who are greeted with colour on their hair should rinse their hair with a mild shampoo immediately. In case of any rash or allergy, treatment would include taking a non-sedative, anti-allergic tablet, like Ceterizine or Loratadine. The allergy can also be treated with application of mildly potent topical cortico steroid (1 per cent hydro cortisone cream to the affected area).

Cosmetologist and chairperson of VLCC, Vandana Luthra also recommends harmless and skin-friendly natural colours.

“Synthetic colours used during Holi often contain lead oxide, engine oil, diesel, chromium iodine, copper sulphate and rhodamineb, which causes skin irritation and even blindness in cases of extreme exposure,” she says.

Ms Luthra says since Holi colours cause skin dryness, vaseline should be put under nails and soles, elbows and other dry areas of the body. After celebrating Holi, it is important to remove colour and replenish and rejuvenate the skin by using a paste of soyabean flour or besan with milk. A mixture of sea salt, glycerine and few drops of aroma oil have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effect and can take care of the bad effects of chemical colours.

Meet on sexuality and infertility

The Delhi Andrology Society (DAS), founded last December, has invited Dr Suresh Sikka, an eminent Andrologist from Tulane University, New Orleans, to address doctors at a symposium on human sexuality and infertility, at DMA Hall, Daryaganj, here on March 20.

Credited with several clinical diagnostic procedures in infertility and erectile dysfunction, Dr Sikka will speak to general practitioners and andrologists on the role of drugs, chemicals, herbs and myths and facts about sexual stimulators besides role of anti-oxidants in infertility.

Dr Ajit Saxena, founder and president of DAS, will speak on patho physiology of erectile dysfunction while Professor N. P. Gupta, Head of the Department of Urology at AIIMS will make a presentation on the role of Lykopenes, a drug constituent used to improve male fertility.

Dr Saxena says that lack of information among doctors on matters related to human sexuality and infertility prompted him to set up the society.

Senior Consultant, Urology and Andrology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Dr Saxena says that there are a lot of misconceptions about pre-mature ejaculation and masturbation and other aspects of sexuality. The prime objective of the society is to put human sexuality in the right perspective and do quality research on human sexuality. About 35 doctors and andrologists are enrolled as members of DAS.

Dr Saxena who has been practising for the last 20 years says that male impotence is a reality in India. He says that he has examined patients suffering from impotence both from urban and rural areas. But there is a ray of hope as something or the other can be done, says Dr Saxena.

Have vegetables to keep Cancer away: ICS

The Indian Cancer Society (ICS), Delhi, which has completed two decades of service in the area of cancer awareness and detection, is of the view that dissemination of information about cancer and screening are imperative for reducing the number of cancer cases. “The message of cancer is changing. Previously, the perception of cancer was death.

We want to tell people that cancer does not mean death. There is life after cancer and it can be treated if it is screened and diagnosed well in time,” says Mrs Jyotsana Govil, Joint Secretary of the Indian Cancer Society, Delhi.

Mrs Govil says that 80 per cent of cancers are caused by wrong lifestyle, 40 per cent by use of tobacco and 40 per cent by wrong diet. “We recommend a diet with a certain amount of fibre. Our diet comprises only refined food. It is important to eat green leafy vegetables, oranges, mangoes and pappayas.”

The Indian Cancer Society was founded in Mumbai in 1951 by Dr Jaussawala, the then Surgeon at Tata Memorial. The Indian Cancer Society, Delhi, was set up in 1983. A non-government organisation, the Society has been holding tobacco education camps in slums (Kusumpur Pahari) behind Vasant Kunj and Nizamuddin Basti. It is also running a screening programme for the senior citizens in Delhi and the NCR region in collaboration with HelpAge India. The Society is also encouraging college students in Delhi to disseminate information about cancer.

Walk for a noble cause

Action for Autism, a non-profit national organisation for autism, based in Delhi, is organising a walk on Sunday to raise funds to build the AFA National Centre for Advocacy, Rehabilitation, Research and Training in Delhi.

The centre will be located at Jaisola behind Indraprastha Apollo Hospital and will enable the organisation meet the increasing demand for its services. Mrs Yasho Karan Singh, Patrin, AGFA, will flag off the 5 km walk from Sanskriti School, San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri at 10 am. AFA is hopeful of a good response.

Registration will start at 9 am. The walk will be followed by a raffle draw, music and refreshments at Sankriti school ground.

An ayurvedic option for cough

Those persons fed up with the embarrassment, caused by incessant cough in public or sleepless nights, due to cold, can now try Sivananda Koff Relief, a formulation of time-tested ayurvedic ingredients.

‘Koff Relief’ has been developed from the authentic ayurvedic recipe of Swami Sivananda. Priced at Rs 35, Sivananda Koff Relief is available in 100-ml bottles in Delhi and the NCR region.

Speaking at the launch of Sivananda Koff Relief, Mr Ashit Sud, Director, Mayar India Ltd said, “Sivananda Koff Relief has ingredients like Mullaithi that helps cure hoarseness of voice, cough and sore throat. It also contains Vasaka, which is a mucolytic, expectorant, bronchodilator and decongestant and tulsi, which helps to ease cough and cold. Honey has soothing effect and enhances the therapeutic action of different herbs.”

The biotech division of Mayer India Ltd will launch a gamut of ayurvedic and herbal personal care products this year. The manufacturing plants of Mayar have ISO/GMP certified facilities.

SPORTS

India to restructure football set-up
M. S. Unnikrishnan

New Delhi, March 15
The three-day Indian Football Conference, which concluded in New Delhi on Saturday, helped identify the grey areas and the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) has pledged to eliminate the roadblocks to take the game forward.

AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi promised to carry out the suggestions mooted by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) secretary-general Dato Peter Velappan, in his “Vision India” presentation, in letter and spirit, to put Indian football on a pedestal.

“India is a goldmine, but very much hidden. With FIFA’s Goal Project, it will become a golden dream,” Mr Velappan said in his concluding remark.

“In the next five years, the image of Indian football will be very different,” he enthused. He assured that the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the AFC will always be on the side of the AIFF to realise its dreams. “Dream your dreams, set your goals, we will be on your side,” he promised.

The 150-odd delegates, who attended the three-day conference, pledged that “We will whole-heartedly, as members of the Indian football family, work unitedly and devotedly to implement the resolutions and recommendations arrived at the historic Indian Football Conference on March 15, 2003 in order to attain the goals necessary to take Indian football to a higher level of proficiency and qualify for World Cup 2010.”

The delegates also promised to undertake the necessary changes to inject professionalism in their working and attitude.

Mr Velappan, pin-pointing the flaws in the present structure of the AIFF, said the federation needed to effect drastic changes in its administrative machinery to be effective, efficient, professional and result-oriented. He said the proposed new statute of the AIFF should clearly state its aims and objects, rules and regulations, and the State bodies should be asked to follow suit. But he cautioned that without trained, professional people at key positions, the system would not work, and a total revamp of the present structure was the only answer.

Mr Velappan said no compromise should be made in the running of the National League, and under no circumstance should the league be stopped to fulfil the whims and fancies of the clubs. He said the National League should stretch to at least eight months, and the planning of the national team should be depended on the National League.

Mr Velappan asked the AIFF to shift its headquarters to Delhi for better functioning, and build its own “Football House”, as part of the FIFA Goal Project.

He advised the AIFF to constitute a task force to formulate and implement the plans for the restructuring of the soccer set-up.

Mr Dasmunshi said the Delhi Government had allotted land for the construction of the “Football House” at Dwarka in West Delhi, and the foundation stone of which will be laid by the Prime Minister before June. He also promised to constitute the task force within a fortnight.

In reply to a question, Mr Dasmunshi clarified that there was no plan to increase the number of teams in the National League from the present 12.

He announced that there would be no qualifying rounds for the Second Division League from next year. The Second Division will also be restricted to 12 teams.

The federation was now planning to start a Third Division, to accommodate the relegated teams. The Third Division too will have only 12 teams.

He said a National League for women will be introduced from next year.

Plans were afoot to start zonal and Under-17 tournaments too for the eves. He said the AIFF was preparing the ground to ensure that by 2006, women’s football shall be run by women alone.

AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco said the federation was in the process of finalising its own integrated soccer calendar on the lines of FIFA and AFC, to ensure that there was no confusion in any quarter.