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Diabetes challenge must be met
The editorial “The bitter truth” (Oct 26) is a serious warning that India, far from being in the pink of health, is heading towards a diabetes explosion. With the largest number of diabetics in the world and the number poised to surge in the coming years, India is staring at a serious health crisis. According to an alarming report of the International Diabetes Federation, India has 50.8 million diabetics, followed by China and the United States with 43.2 million and 26.8 million cases, respectively. If no preventive action is taken then 8.4 per cent of India’s adult population will be diabetic by 2030. Diabetes is a silent killer impacting patients who can become vulnerable to problems like blindness, kidney problems, heart ailments, amputations and so on. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and is causing serious economic implications for the individual, his family, the health system and the country. There is a shocking lack of awareness of the disease, its causes and treatment even among the educated. Many Indians are said to be unaware of a condition called diabetes and several do not know what it really means prior to being diagnosed with it. Had they known its seriousness and the costs involved, perhaps they would have taken steps to prevent it. The editorial has rightly advised that public awareness of diabetes needs to be improved by identifying those in the high-risk category. Regular check-ups are vital and lifestyle changes like regular walks and use of sugar substitutes can significantly reduce diabetic problems. DILBAG RAI, Chandigarh
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II The editorial was informative and timely. It is really shocking to note that there are over 50 million diabetics in India. Diabetes can damage eyes, heart and kidneys. At times, people with high blood sugar levels develop gangrene and have to undergo amputation of the affected body part. Therefore, extreme caution has to be exercised by people suffering from diabetes. Diabetes can be controlled with regular exercise and by avoiding foods rich in calories. R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh Tackle social unrest Activist and Booker prize winner Arundhati Roy’s views on Maoists are noteworthy. The ever-increasing gap between the rich and the poor is definitely the root-cause of social unrest amongst masses. The sudden change to capitalist ‘free-economy’ policy has been instrumental in widening this gap. It is time to save India from social unrest by taking corrective economic measures. MADHU AGRAWAL, New Delhi Ban free camps We should ban all free medical camps for these serve little purpose. Rather invariably, these bring untold misery to those who seek its services. The recent incident in Andhra Pradesh where 10 patients lost their eyesight after eye surgery at a free eye camp is a case in point. Negligence has become common in such camps. DALIP SINGH WASAN, Patiala Educate framers Agricultural education can play a pivotal role in helping farmers increase their output. Due to lack of proper information, many farmers of Malwa belt are using low quality pesticides and fertilizers that they have to use in huge quantity. The excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers increases their cost of production. Farmers need to be constantly updated on new techniques of agricultural production that will reduce input cost and lead to higher yields. KAMALJIT MALWA, Mansa Old is gold The middle “Binaca Geet Mala”(Oct 22) by Major-Gen Raj Mehta (retd) filled me with nostalgia. In our childhood years, Ameen Sayani’s “Binaca Geet Mala” was a much-awaited weekly programme. The songs of that era were melodious, meaningful and soulfully rendered by singing icons like Mukesh, Rafi and Manna Dey. Any wonder the melodies of yesteryears are eternal and live up to the dictum—old is gold. ANITA KATARIA, Patiala Same sex marriage Homosexual relations among humans are an aberration and unnatural. No penal code can make us morally sound. Same sex marriage should not be allowed. This practice would spread like an epidemic and the human race might become extinct, in due course of time, even without a nuclear war. AJIT SINGH, Chandigarh
Indo-China ties
I fully agree with the views expressed in the editorial “When statesmen show the way” (Oct 27). The two Asian giants, India and China, can resolve their outstanding problems through mutual talks and trust. Both should pay attention to environmental concerns and removal of poverty in the two countries. India and China are developing nations and cannot afford a confrontation with each other. AMAR JIT SINGH
GORAYA, Scotland, UK |
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