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Goodwill for Bangladesh
India has a stake in Dhaka’s progress
by G Parthasarathy
Neighbouring countries often face the challenge of reconciling the contradictions between their separate sense of nationhood on the one hand and their common historical and cultural heritage on the other. Pakistan has tried to deal with this issue by going to the extent of claiming that unlike India, it is the inheritor of a unique Islamic civilizational heritage of the Indus valley. Six decades after its independence, Pakistan’s quest for a separate identity from India, while rejecting all manifestations of a shared cultural and spiritual ethos, has rendered the country schizophrenic. Bangladesh, born barely four decades ago, on the other hand, feels quite comfortable to share its cultural values and ethos with its neighbours across its borders, while zealously protecting the separate national identity it assumed since 1971. Both India and Bangladesh are this year separately and jointly celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, whose poetry enriched the lives of their people. Tagore was uniquely, the composer of the national anthems of both nations. Sharing much in common, while yet being separate sovereign and independent nation States is a challenge that Bangladesh and India will confront in an era when religious beliefs across the world are assuming salience. Vice President Hamid Ansari led a high-level delegation to Bangladesh in May this year to mark Tagore’s birth anniversary celebrations. There is also much else that has transpired in relations between the two neighbours that deserves to be welcomed. Bangladesh has cracked down heavily on Indian separatist and terrorist groups, which had become used to operating from its soil, with State support. India, in turn, has reciprocated by becoming more forthcoming on resolving complex problems of river waters and border management, which have bedevilled relations between the two neighbours. India has also realised that it has a vital interest in the economic progress of Bangladesh and has a responsibility to cooperate in its neighbour’s economic development. The recent $1 billion line of credit extended to Bangladesh seems, at long last, to be coming in place to foster cooperation in areas ranging from railways to infrastructure development. India unfortunately has a reputation of being slow and tardy in implementing developmental projects in its neighbouring countries. One hopes that arrangements for supplying 250 MW power promised to Bangladesh are put in place expeditiously. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be in Dhaka in the next few days. This will be a visit undertaken after meticulous preparations. Cabinet Ministers Pawan Bansal, P Chidambaram and S.M. Krishna have already paved the way for the forthcoming summit by discussions on border management, sharing of river waters and South Asian connectivity. An agreement on transportation and transit for exports from Bhutan has been signed. Home Minister P Chidambaram’s assurance that India’s Border Security Force has been barred from shooting at people crossing the border has been greatly welcomed in Dhaka. There appears to be confidence that the long-pending differences in implementing the 1974 Indira-Mujib Agreement on border issues, which India never formally ratified, will be finally put to rest during this summit. The most visible symbol of Indian goodwill for Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to silence critics in Bangladesh of her policies towards India will be the signing of an agreement finally demarcating the entire India-Bangladesh border and resolving other long-pending differences in implementing the 1974 Indira-Mujib Agreement. India is required to hand over 111 enclaves to Bangladesh and in return get 51 enclaves under the 1974 agreement. It took us 18 years to lease a small corridor of land which we were required to, under the 1974 agreement to Bangladesh, giving it access, in perpetuity, to its Dahagram-Angarpota enclave. An ingenious solution has now been found to enable Bangladesh nationals to travel to this enclave continuously instead of the present restricted dawn-to-dusk arrangement for access. This is hugely important in symbolic terms for Sheikh Hasina. Differences over the transfer of enclaves and adverse possessions have also been amicably resolved. Bangladesh will get 10,048 acres of land and India receives 7,110 acres when the exchange of enclaves takes place. It is not likely that significant numbers of people will leave their homes once these transfers occur. Barely 6.5 kilometres of the 4,096-kilometre India-Bangladesh border is left to be demarcated after the 1974 agreement. Thanks to some hard and dedicated work by the ministries concrened in Delhi and the West Bengal Government, differences on border issues will stand resolved soon. The visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will also see the signing of agreements for resolving long-pending differences on sharing of the waters of the Teesta and Feni rivers, with the signing of a 15-year interim accord that caters to the needs of West Bengal and Bangladesh equitably. If Mr. Jyoti Basu played a key role in fashioning the 1996 agreement for sharing the waters of the Ganga, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will inevitably be a key player in taking forward the India-Bangladesh relationship in areas like border management and sharing of river waters. The one remaining area on which Bangladesh has a legitimate grievance will hopefully be addressed when Dr. Manmohan Singh visits Dhaka. This is the growing trade deficit. Indian exports to Bangladesh in 2010-2011 stood at $3.84 billion, while we imported barely $406.3 million of Bangladesh products. Bangladesh today has a creditable record in improving its human development indicators and in its global and exports of garments. It has been asking us for some relaxation on our garment import curbs. While Commerce Minister Anand Sharma demurred, one hopes Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will show accommodation on this score. The India-Bangladesh relationship has to be strong enough to withstand changes in government on both sides. It was only appropriate for Mr. S.M. Krishna to have called on the leader of the opposition, Begum Khaleda Zia when he visited Dhaka, despite her known anti-India propensities. We need to build on these developments by more multi-party parliamentary exchanges between the two countries. Some of our members of Parliament spent a lot of time and effort recently hosting a questionably funded visit by Pakistani parliamentarians, who showed little sign of being interested in, or capable of, ending cross-border terrorism. It is unfortunate that sustained efforts are not being made to cultivate parliamentarians from Bangladesh, irrespective of their political affiliations. Besieged by domestic criticism and controversies, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be lauded for his efforts and contribution in building a relationship of amity and cooperation with Bangladesh. This will be seen as a significant foreign policy achievement in his second
term.
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Left is right
by Ashok Kumar Yadav
WHAT IS common among most uncommon historical icons like Mahatma Gandhi, Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, Joan of Arc, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Barrack Obama, Bill Gates, Amitabh Bachchan, Prince Charles and my daughter, Archna? They are all left handers. Soon after Archna’s birth when we discovered her leftist leanings, we impulsively forced her to be a rightist, somewhat similar to what was done to King George VI. Whether we did the right thing by putting her on the righteous path or compounded a wrong, we are still not sure. Strangely, National Left Handers’ Day, being celebrated since 1976 on August 13, passed off unsung as usual, without caring to promote awareness about the inconvenience the left handers have to face in a right-handed world. Despite a sizeable 13 per cent population being left handers, they are often teased as “khabbu” or whose brain is in the wrong place. Like Hinduism, the Christianity is also tilted against the left hand; the Bible contains over 25 unfavourable references. However, about 75 per cent people still prefer left eye for one-eyed tasks, such as, looking through a telescope, while 70 per cent prefer left ear for conversing on the telephone. There are hundreds of linguistic phrases where “right” is good and “left” is bad, e.g., “being in your right mind”, “the divine right of kings,” “it will be all right in the end”, “on the right side of the ruler” as against being “left out”, having “two left feet”, “a left-handed compliment”, “conspiring into one’s left ear” and “left hand doesn’t know what the right is doing”. Even Orhan Kanik, a Turkish poet, has cursed left hand as an “awkward hand; poor hand” in “My Left Hand”. Interestingly, left handers have dominated the “genius” bracket, with IQ running over 140; and monopolised creative professions, such as, music, art, writing, astronomy, and political leadership. Five out of last seven US Presidents have been left handed. Both Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were lefties; and they put their left foot first on the moon. Why Archna is so good at “best out of waste”, Green Educare or street plays, I often wonder. May be, creativity ingrained within her keeps cascading, though her leftist affinity was ostensibly curbed long ago. No wonder, left handers excel in tennis, baseball, swimming, boxing, fencing and video games, where hand-to-eye coordination matters. That is why, left-right combination rules in cricket. Remember, the man slips wedding ring on the bride’s left hand; keeps her on his left, while she holds the baby on her left. Again, it is only the left hand that protects the heart and comforts vital and non-vital parts when we need to scratch them. As an NCC cadet, I used to parade left-right-left and never right-left-right. The brain is incredibly cross-wired; its left hemisphere controls the right side and vice-versa; hand dominance is connected with brain dominance on the opposite side — which is why, we say; only left handers are in their right minds. Oh, left handers of the world unite! Possibly, my daughter would have proved another Marie Curie, a double Noble laureate and a leftist, had her natural reflexes not been reversed. My apologies to
her!
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Physiotherapy route to a healthy life
Specialised physiotherapy services are gaining popularity all over the world, particularly in the West. Many people are fed up of taking medicines for different kinds of ailments which can easily be treated and cured through physiotherapy
Dr Jagmohan Singh
 Physiotherapy
as defined by the Indian Association of Physiotherapists is a physiotherapeutic system of medicine which includes examination, treatment, advice and instructions to any person preparatory to or for the purpose of or in connection with movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, physical disorder, disability, healing and pain from trauma and disease, physical and mental conditions using physical agents including exercise, mobilisation, manipulation, mechanical and electrotherapy, activity and devices or diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Physiotherapy is concerned with identifying and maximising quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention, habilitation and rehabilitation. This encompasses physical, psychological, emotional and social well-being. Physiotherapy involves the interaction between patients/clients, other health professionals, families, care givers, and communities in a process where movement potential is assessed and goals are agreed upon, using knowledge and skills unique to physiotherapists. A physiotherapist utilises an individual's history and physical examination in diagnosis and treatment and if necessary incorporates the result of laboratory and imaging studies. Physiotherapy provides services to individuals and populations to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan. This includes providing services in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by ageing, injury, disease or environmental factors. Functional movement is central to what it means to be healthy.
Physiotherapists are qualified and professionally required to:Undertake a comprehensive examination /assessment/evaluation of the patient/client or needs of a client group; Formulate a diagnosis, prognosis, and plan; Provide consultation within their expertise and determine when patients/clients need to be referred to another healthcare professional; Implement a physical therapist intervention/treatment
programme; Determine the outcomes of any interventions/treatments; and Make recommendations for self management.
Knowledge of bodyThe physiotherapist's extensive knowledge of the body and its movement is central to determining strategies for diagnosis and intervention. The practice settings will vary according to whether the physiotherapy is concerned with health promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention or rehabilitation. Physiotherapists operate as independent practitioners, as well as members of health service provider teams, and are subject to the ethical principles of the World Confederation for Physical Therapists which is a governing body of physiotherapy worldwide. They are able to act as first contact practitioners, and patients/clients may seek direct services without referral from another health care professional. Physiotherapy is an established and regulated profession in many countries, with specific professional aspects of clinical practice and education, indicative of diversity in social, economic, cultural and political contexts. But it is clearly a single profession, and the first professional qualification, obtained in any country, represents the completion of a curriculum that qualifies the physiotherapist to use the professional title and to practice as an independent professional. Physiotherapy is concerned with the treatment of seriously ill patients of orthopaedics, cardio-pulmonary, neurology, paediatrics, geriatrics and all other types of ailments. Physiotherapists are as essential as other doctors and surgeons in recovering and rehabilitating patients from a state of incapability because of genetic defect or due to an accident or illness. In sports, the role of physiotherapist is of great importance and his presence is must. He makes assessment and plans proper treatment and gives exercises in the event of any injury to the players in the field and helps him returning back to the sport with full potential as early as possible. Physiotherapy is not new. Earlier there were only two modes of treatment worldwide: physical therapy (physiotherapy) and chemical therapy (chemo/drug therapy). It has been practiced to treat people by advocating manual therapy techniques, hydrotherapy and massage circa 460 BC. In India role of physiotherapy started after World War II. First independent physiotherapy centre started in 1952 and now there are more than 200 colleges in India offering BPT and a few MPT and PhD degrees out of which 15 are in Punjab in 3 State and one private universities. The need is to regulate the profession by forming an independent Council both at National and State level. The basic (entry level) qualification required here is intermediate i.e. 10+2 with medical group.
Specialised servicesPhysiotherapy has quite large field and has specialties in each branch of medical treatment such as: Orthopaedics: Physiotherapists diagnose, manage and treat disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system and help in rehabilitation after orthopaedic surgery. They take the responsibility of the treatment of post-operative orthopaedic procedures, fractures, acute sports injuries, arthritis, sprains, back and neck pain, strain, spinal conditions and amputations. The patients suffering from injuries or disease affecting the muscles, bones, ligaments, or tendons of the body get a lot of benefit by physiotherapy. Neurology:
In neurological disorders including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke etc. In neurological treatment the Physiotherapist's role is as important, rather more, as that of a physician and surgeon. He gives proper exercises and manual therapy to bring the patients on their routine working life. Cardiopulmonary: Role of a physiotherapist in cardiopulmonary diseases is both preventive as well as therapeutic. Physiotherapists treat a wide variety of patients with cardiopulmonary disorders including heart attacks and post coronary by-pass surgery etc and also to clear secretions of the lungs. Paediatrics: Physiotherapists are fully competent in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of infants, children and adolescents with a variety of congenital neuromuscular, skeletal or acquired disorders/ diseases. Children with developmental delays, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or torticollis are wonderfully treated through physiotherapy. Geriatrics: Physical Therapy takes care of the problems emerging with growing old age and treats the people suffering with arthritis, osteoporosis, hip and knee joint replacement, Alzheimer's disease and helps in restoring mobility, reducing pain and extending the fitness levels. These specialised physiotherapy services are very promising all over the world, particularly in the Western and advanced countries. In these countries, people prefer to go to physiotherapists for treatment and go to physicians only on the advice and recommendations of the physiotherapists. The physiotherapists are in great demand in these countries. Our qualified and competent physiotherapists used to migrate to these countries for green pastures. Alas! Punjab could have retained them. In Punjab, several private hospitals and nursing homes are running their physiotherapy centres profitably. Also, the opening of a new physiotherapy centre does not cost much. To commence with, it needs only about Rs 5 lakh. There is a quite bright future for young physiotherapists to open these centres. No doubt the people are fed up of taking medicines for different kinds of ailments which can easily be treated and cured through physiotherapy. Punjab can become a hub of physiotherapy by opening specialised physiotherapy centres even for foreign patients. It costs more than 40-50 pounds (Rs 4000) for outpatient visits and 70-80 pounds (Rs 7000) for indoor physiotherapy stay per day in the United Kingdom (data provided by British Society for Rheumatology). In some southern states such centres are being set up, as Karnataka is earning in heart-related ailments where a good number of foreign patients come for treatment. In Punjab, this will not only help patients to get the best of the treatment that they deserve but also to the budding physiotherapists to get avenues to settle here. Therefore, private hospitals, nursing homes, NGOs, trusts and societies should come forward to open as many as physiotherapy centres as possible to cater to the need of patients and to serve the society at large.
The writer is Professor & Principal, Gian Sagar College of Physiotherapy, Rajpura
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