Remembering Gandhiji

In tribute to Gandhi, Nehru said: “Wherever he trod became hallowed land, wherever he sat became temples.”

PURATAN BUCH

When Gandhiji went cycling at sixty!

The incident when Gandhiji, to keep up an appointment rode a cycle at the age of sixty and that too without having had any practice before, is related by Puratom Buch in the National Herald.In 1928, Gandhiji had come to a meeting in the Vidyapith from the ashram. The meeting was held in the evening, and it was attended by some citizens. It was decided that Gandhiji would return to the ashram with some one of them by car.

Accidentally, it so happened that no car was left at the end of the meeting. It was about 5.30 in the evening. When Gandhiji came out into the compound of the Vidyapith, he had to reach the ashram in time for the evening meals at my cost. “Only twenty minutes are left. How can I reach there in time? Asked Bupu. “What could be done now?” We were also puzzled and began to stare at each other’s faces. Kaka Kalelkar had to go with Gandhiji, looking at his watch which was hanging down his waist, said to me: “Can you bring a cycle?”

“Most certainly,” said I, “but …….”I was hesitating to reply wondering how he would be able to ride a cycle at his age.

“But ….why?’ Gandhiji interrupted.“Would you be able to ride it?” asked I.“You bring a cycle and then see,” said Bapu laughingly.Immediately two cycles were brought, one for Gandhiji and one for Kaka Sahib.

It was decided that they should begin cycling after reaching the main road leading to the ashram. I began to lead Bapu’s cycle.“I hope you will be able to guide me properly,” said Bapu in a jocular tone.“Yes, why not? But do you know it well or not?” I asked.“It is very easy to mount the cycle, but I hope your cycle would not collide with anything.” Both Bapu and I roared with laughter.

“No, no, I have no such fear,” said Bapu. “The only thing I have in view is to reach the ashram in time.”As soon as we reached the main road, we helped Bapu in mounting the cycle. I firmly caught hold of the seat from the back and began to lead the cycle after setting it in motion just as we do in the case of amateur cyclists. Gandhiji had begun pedalling by this time. He was confident that he would be able to cycle. So, he said to me, “Now you need not run with the cycle, otherwise you will get tired.”“All right, I would not run more,” said I, “but do you know that till now I was holding the seat?”“So, now, let me try by myself. You go back If am successful,” suggested Bapu. I let Bapu go alone and saw that he was cycling straight in the middle of the road without the slightest fear of losing the balance.“Now you have passed test and are permitted to go along,” said I, laughing, trying to control my gasping run for about a furlong, leaving Bapu and Kaka Sahib to themselves.

Next day, we came to know that bell for the evening meals was just being rung when Gandhiji reached the ashram and that he had unmounted the cycle by placing his feet on the ground like an amateur.I saw then how strictly (unflinchingly) Gandhiji carried out his fixed programme.

Even if he had not kept the appointed time, everyone could have easily understood that he must have been detained for some work-more so, because he was the head of the ashram.

Gandhiji, however, always insisted on not making any change in the fixed programme. I could understand this from his cycling from the Vidyapith to the ashram at the age of 60 and that too without any practice.

Gandhiji was not only strict in carrying out his fixed programme but he insisted on others doing so equally rigorously.

He said: “just as the sun, the moon and the stars do their work regularly and without fail, similarly why should we, human beings, not?”

Courtesy: www.gandhiashram.org.in

Love you India

August 15,1947 (Image Coutesy: Hinduonnet.com)


Going back to History -At the stroke of midnight, on 14th August 1947, India became an independent nation,followed by the famous speech of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, titled "Tryst with Destiny".

How many human lives got lost in the struggle to this freedom...is it worth all their sacrifice..We,the present generation has to ponder and think!

"Tryst with Destiny".

Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially.

At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.

It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.

At the dawn of history India started on her unending quest, and trackless centuries are filled with her striving and the grandeur of her success and her failures. Through good and ill fortune alike she has never lost sight of that quest or forgotten the ideals which gave her strength. We end today a period of ill fortune and India discovers herself again.

The achievement we celebrate today is but a step, an opening of opportunity, to the greater triumphs and achievements that await us. Are we brave enough and wise enough to grasp this opportunity and accept the challenge of the future?

Freedom and power bring responsibility. The responsibility rests upon this assembly, a sovereign body representing the sovereign people of India. Before the birth of freedom we have endured all the pains of labour and our hearts are heavy with the memory of this sorrow. Some of those pains continue even now. Nevertheless, the past is over and it is the future that beckons to us now.

That future is not one of ease or resting but of incessant striving so that we may fulfil the pledges we have so often taken and the one we shall take today. The service of India means the service of the millions who suffer. It means the ending of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity.

The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye. That may be beyond us, but as long as there are tears and suffering, so long our work will not be over.

And so we have to labour and to work, and work hard, to give reality to our dreams. Those dreams are for India, but they are also for the world, for all the nations and peoples are too closely knit together today for anyone of them to imagine that it can live apart.

Peace has been said to be indivisible; so is freedom, so is prosperity now, and so also is disaster in this one world that can no longer be split into isolated fragments.

To the people of India, whose representatives we are, we make an appeal to join us with faith and confidence in this great adventure. This is no time for petty and destructive criticism, no time for ill will or blaming others. We have to build the noble mansion of free India where all her children may dwell.

The appointed day has come - the day appointed by destiny - and India stands forth again, after long slumber and struggle, awake, vital, free and independent. The past clings on to us still in some measure and we have to do much before we redeem the pledges we have so often taken. Yet the turning point is past, and history begins anew for us, the history which we shall live and act and others will write about.
It is a fateful moment for us in India, for all Asia and for the world. A new star rises, the star of freedom in the east, a new hope comes into being, a vision long cherished materialises. May the star never set and that hope never be betrayed!

We rejoice in that freedom, even though clouds surround us, and many of our people are sorrow-stricken and difficult problems encompass us. But freedom brings responsibilities and burdens and we have to face them in the spirit of a free and disciplined people.

On this day our first thoughts go to the architect of this freedom, the father of our nation, who, embodying the old spirit of India, held aloft the torch of freedom and lighted up the darkness that surrounded us.

We have often been unworthy followers of his and have strayed from his message, but not only we but succeeding generations will remember this message and bear the imprint in their hearts of this great son of India, magnificent in his faith and strength and courage and humility. We shall never allow that torch of freedom to be blown out, however high the wind or stormy the tempest.

Our next thoughts must be of the unknown volunteers and soldiers of freedom who, without praise or reward, have served India even unto death. We think also of our brothers and sisters who have been cut off from us by political boundaries and who unhappily cannot share at present in the freedom that has come. They are of us and will remain of us whatever may happen, and we shall be sharers in their good and ill fortune alike.

The future beckons to us. Whither do we go and what shall be our endeavour? To bring freedom and opportunity to the common man, to the peasants and workers of India; to fight and end poverty and ignorance and disease; to build up a prosperous, democratic and progressive nation, and to create social, economic and political institutions which will ensure justice and fullness of life to every man and woman.

We have hard work ahead. There is no resting for any one of us till we redeem our pledge in full, till we make all the people of India what destiny intended them to be.
We are citizens of a great country, on the verge of bold advance, and we have to live up to that high standard.

All of us, to whatever religion we may belong, are equally the children of India with equal rights, privileges and obligations. We cannot encourage communalism or narrow-mindedness, for no nation can be great whose people are narrow in thought or in action.

To the nations and peoples of the world we send greetings and pledge ourselves to cooperate with them in furthering peace, freedom and democracy.

And to India, our much-loved motherland, the ancient, the eternal and the ever-new, we pay our reverent homage and we bind ourselves afresh to her service. Jai Hind [Victory to India].

It's worth to recall the words of Mark Twain, the great scholar:"India is, the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only.


Saluting with all humbleness, the sacrifice of my past generations’ life for the freedom of my mother nation, through Truth and Non-Violence, Love you India.

Jai Hind.



(Image Coutesy of Gandhiji: google)

Swine Flue-What Can I Do?

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/what/en/index.html

What can I do?

Updated 11 June 2009(in WHO website)

What can I do to protect myself from catching influenza A(H1N1)?
The main route of transmission of the new influenza A(H1N1) virus seems to be similar to seasonal influenza, via droplets that are expelled by speaking, sneezing or coughing. You can prevent getting infected by avoiding close contact with people who show influenza-like symptoms (trying to maintain a distance of about 1 metre if possible) and taking the following measures:

avoid touching your mouth and nose;
clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated);
avoid close contact with people who might be ill;
reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible;
improve airflow in your living space by opening windows;
practise good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.

What about using a mask? What does WHO recommend?
If you are not sick you do not have to wear a mask.
If you are caring for a sick person, you can wear a mask when you are in close contact with the ill person and dispose of it immediately after contact, and cleanse your hands thoroughly afterwards.

When and how to use a mask?
If you are sick and must travel or be around others, cover your mouth and nose.
Using a mask correctly in all situations is essential. Incorrect use actually increases the chance of spreading infection.

How do I know if I have influenza A(H1N1)?
You will not be able to tell the difference between seasonal flu and influenza A(H1N1) without medical help. Typical symptoms to watch for are similar to seasonal viruses and include fever, cough, headache, body aches, sore throat and runny nose. Only your medical practitioner and local health authority can confirm a case of influenza A(H1N1).

What should I do if I think I have the illness?
If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough or sore throat:
stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds;
rest and take plenty of fluids;
cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing and, if using tissues, make sure you dispose of them carefully. Clean your hands immediately after with soap and water or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub;
if you do not have a tissue close by when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth as much as possible with the crook of your elbow;
use a mask to help you contain the spread of droplets when you are around others, but be sure to do so correctly;
inform family and friends about your illness and try to avoid contact with other people;
If possible, contact a health professional before traveling to a health facility to discuss whether a medical examination is necessary.

Should I take an antiviral now just in case I catch the new virus?
No. You should only take an antiviral, such as oseltamivir or zanamivir, if your health care provider advises you to do so. Individuals should not buy medicines to prevent or fight this new influenza without a prescription, and they should exercise caution in buying antivirals over the Internet. Warning on purchase of antivirals without a prescription

What about breastfeeding? Should I stop if I am ill?
No, not unless your health care provider advises it. Studies on other influenza infections show that breastfeeding is most likely protective for babies - it passes on helpful maternal immunities and lowers the risk of respiratory disease. Breastfeeding provides the best overall nutrition for babies and increases their defense factors to fight illness.

When should someone seek medical care?
A person should seek medical care if they experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or if a fever continues more than three days. For parents with a young child who is ill, seek medical care if a child has fast or labored breathing, continuing fever or convulsions (seizures).
Supportive care at home - resting, drinking plenty of fluids and using a pain reliever for aches - is adequate for recovery in most cases. (A non-aspirin pain reliever should be used by children and young adults because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.)

Should I go to work if I have the flu but am feeling OK?
No. Whether you have influenza A(H1N1) or a seasonal influenza, you should stay home and away from work through the duration of your symptoms. This is a precaution that can protect your work colleagues and others.

Can I travel?
If you are feeling unwell or have symptoms of influenza, you should not travel. If you have any doubts about your health, you should check with your health care provider.

Courtesy - WHO website (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/what/en/index.html)

You could have handled it much better, Mr.Health Minister

Was travelling from Chennai to Madurai for a Market visit a month back. And, my co-passenger was a gentleman working with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Department.As we started discussing on the recent Swine Flu incidents in India, i was astonished to hear that the people posted in Airports had a tough time to monitor, control and make travellers arriving inside the Country, to comply for the test and his Department's unpreparedness to combat the challenges in the coming months. Now, a month later, with the first death reported, it is becoming a major concern for the nation.

As much talked about, is the Ministry's laggardness in handling the entire episode. The recent death of a young student in Pune as well the statements of the Union Health Minister, Mr.Azad does not look like "all is well" in the Country.

We are a nation with a billion people living in close contacts to each other, and with the upcoming monsoon in many parts of the country, the spread is going to be much faster. Palpable is the sorry state of affairs of the government health centers,where the testing is done. Need of the hour is the collaboration of the Public and Private health sectors, coming together with the NGOs to educate the public through proper literature's, the preventive mechanism. Equally,the affected public have a moral responsibility to stay quarantined, if affected.If required, States should pass law to hold the affected people isolated from the mass. Travellers from swine flu affected nation should also make all possibility to post-pone their travel to India, if suspected with the flu, to avoid spreading of the Flu inside the nation(for the spread has happened due to the incoming travellers).

The health ministry has a huge role to play.The production of the TamiFlu should be increased and should be made available at drug stores to be sold against doctors prescription. The Private hospitals should be geared up to handle the testing and early treatment of the affected patients.Cost of treatment should be subsidized by the Ministry of Health-so that there is no one who will lose life due to affordability of quality treatment.And, research should be speeden up to find alternatives to kill the flu, in case, they are not muted and become immune to Tamiflu, in future. N95 mask, which is recommended for preventing Swine Flu (that could prevent 95%) should be made available across the country within the next four weeks time.

With WHO having raised the Influenza Pandemic Alert to level 6-which is the highest level, it shows how fast the influenza spreads and affects the health of millions of people, globally.

The Ministry of Health, Government of India, the Private Hospitals and the Public and state machinery's should come together to coordinate, communicate better and prevent the spread and ensure, we, as a nation are geared up as quickly as possible to stop getting affected, rather than blaming each other.

All said, the role of the Health Ministry is very crucial and most important and hence, it could have been still better handled in a more responsible and timely manner by the Health Minister. Let the health minister stop giving statements and start getting his people at all levels, to work faster, and with more care and concern in the coming days.

The role of the media should be appreciated-which is doing a commendable job in terms of communicating more news about Swine Flue-at the same time, they have to be cautious to ensure they do not overstep the border, which may result in creating more panic across the nation, as it happened in Pune.