PM’s problems

The erudite PM who is considered an authority on world economics has failed to live up to his previous avatar as the “reform master” while being in the saddle of the nation’s hot seat for the past eight years, but it would be an error to pin him down as being done by the western media (editorial “US doublespeak”, July 17). While too much is being blamed on the policy paralysis because of dharma coalition, Dr Singh needs to shed his image as a mere ‘bystander’ and don his previous mantle of a Finance Minister with foresight (as done under PV Narasimha’s government). Some serious questions about India’s growth rate have been raised recently by many economic institutions and the Indian government cannot shy away from facing the ground realities.

MUKESH SHARMA, Los Angeles

II

Dr Manmohan Singh was the architect of India’s economic resurgence during PV Narasimha Rao’s government. The same person is failing miserably in steering country’s economy giving a chance to once advice-seeker President Barak Obama to comment on our economy. This reminds us of one of Sardar Anjum’s couplet: Talatum se jisne ulajhna sikhaya, wahi shaks ab kyon kinare khara hai.

Dr Singh should take concrete steps to prove another couplet right: Usee ko yeh toofan sajda karega, bhanwar mein jo kashti utare khara hai.

Dr SHIVCHARAN SINGH DHILLON, Tarn Taran

Counselling helps

Often when a serious call for help is ignored, individuals resort to suicides. The social stress inducers are loneliness, rejection, marital conflicts, failing in love and exam failure. When a teen commits suicide, everyone is affected and it leaves behind a sense of guilt for his family members and relatives.

Suicides can be prevented if the timely opinion of a counsellor or a psychologist is sought to tackle mental illnesses. People should remember that asking for help is a sign of strength and not of weakness. In fact the key to suicide prevention lies in being able to recognise the symptoms and warning signs well in time.

SOURABH BAMBA, Ferozepur

Tackling anxiety

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations or behaviors that drives them to do something more than once. It’s normal, on occasion, to go back and double-check that the iron is unplugged or your car is locked. But if you suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors become so excessive they interfere with your daily life.

Self help and support from family members can help one win over their compulsive behaviors. Self help includes eating healthy, getting enough sleep, using a diary to pen down thoughts and compulsions instead of performing them and interaction with fellow OCD sufferers for support and encouragement.

A healthy and balanced lifestyle plays a big role in keeping OCD behaviour, fears and worry at bay. Meditation, yoga, deep breathing and other stress-relief techniques may be useful. Also, never criticise or scold a person with OCD rather be as kind and patient as possible.