Slim Formula – Time tested by me, on me…

Yeah first the criticisms and then the remedy for the most needed...Whatever size you are, doesn't really matter...Now check this magic formula.

• Eat only 75% of your requirement – which means, whenever you eat, just when you think your hunger is gone, stop the intake of food right there…You can start following this tip immediately but make sure you serve yourself small quantities to avoid wastages. Indulgence in food is accepted if it is only once or twice a week.
• Climb up staircases in office and at home at least 3 times a day, keeping away from the lift/escalator.
• Reduce the intake of processed food and fast foods. That would help reduce the bad fat accumulation in your body.
• Say ‘NO’ to carbonated drinks. Stock up on fruit juices and water.
• Drink 2.5 – 3 litres of fluids every day of which 2 litres must be water and the rest could be other fluids like juices or tea or coffee.
• First thing in the morning, after completing your nature calls, freshen up and do 1-2 full course of ‘Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation’ following the breathing techniques, which is known to catalyze the weight reduction process. Other specific yogasanas or aerobics, could also be performed if the time permits.
• Have a glass of water after ten minutes of completion of the above exercise and then continue with a glass of warm lime juice with a spoon of honey. This not only flushes the toxins outside from your body but also helps to reduce your fat.
• You can alternate Amla (Indian Gooseberry) juice with lime juice too to double up the benefits.
• And finally, follow the ancient proverb "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper." as told by Adelle Davis (1904-1974), as much as possible.
  
  This regimen if followed religiously, should see you get slimmer by each week, and help you have a glow on your face :) ...Good Luck and have a great start !

Why do Indians drive the way they do?

An interesting article that would provide us a wakeful ride when behind the wheels...(appeared in THE HINDU sometime back)

WHAT is it in our psyches that make us drive the way we do? What happens to us (who keep reminding the world ad nauseum of our glorious 5000-year-old civilisation) when we get behind the steering wheel of a motor vehicle?

One reason could be that the motor vehicle gives most of us more power than we could ever have and much more than most of us can handle. It becomes a weapon in our hands, and glory is, a weapon whose user is anonymous and hidden behind tinted windows. Of course, the bigger and more powerful the weapon the better — hence the popularity of SUVs. Even simple bus drivers have over one hundred passengers at their mercy, whom they can terrify and make sick at will, as they careen around mountain hairpins and overtake at the same time. (Not to mention every other road user, with or without a vehicle.)

Another well cited reason is that (usually for males) it is perceived to be macho to drive a powerful vehicle (long red sports cars or big chrome bikes are the usual cliché here) at an obscene speed. Of course, abuse this particular beastie (especially motorbike) even just a little bit and it'll scrape your face and brains (if any) off on the road and ensure that it all ends there and then.

Complex issue

Actually, what the above reveals is that we have a humongous inferiority complex working in tandem with cowardice of equal magnitude.

Inferiority because anyone who is comfortable with his station or position in life will have no need to go screaming down the wrong way of a one-way street at 100 kmph, or draw spaghetti lines while weaving in and out of traffic in order to draw attention to himself. And cowardice because he (or she) is doing this while anonymous behind those tinted windows, or smug in the knowledge that if he does mow down a dozen children he or she can always get away scot-free thanks to uncleji in Parliament or some such place.

It also, more disturbingly, shows us up as a people who are appallingly irresponsible, callous and who have devalued and degraded human life. Not much a progress report for a 5000-year-old civilisation is it? Worse, this can often become schizophrenic. The same person, so warm, helpful and caring in ordinary life, suddenly transmogrifies into a rabid, power-crazed Frankenstein when behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

Rule of the road

There are other more simplistic reasons why we drive the way we do, though these are not excuses. Most Indian drivers do not seem to be aware of the existence of something called `rules of the road', forget what they are. (This does not mean you cannot be courteous.) The more foolhardy believe that if they are fated to meet a truck headlong at 100kmph because they are driving on the wrong side of the road, then so be it. If it is fated, why try to drive on the right side anyway, you can't defy fate can you?

The state of our roads and the state of our vehicles are also cited for blame. Public transport running on bald tyres on bad roads and with bad brakes is ` an accident' waiting to happen. Unmarked speedbreakers that send two wheelers into orbit are another danger. Again, are these `accidents' or the obvious results of sheer negligence and shameless disregard for human life?

Around 75,000-80,000 people are killed every year on our roads, in what we call road mishaps or accidents. We achieve this with far fewer vehicles per capita than most other countries. Sure, you may say, we also have one billion idiots jaywalking all over the place — how many other countries have to contend with that? Well, there are rules (and punishments) for jaywalkers too. And remember they're usually at the receiving end of your manoeuvrings behind the wheel.

It's not very difficult to change things. Remember, barbaric Indian drivers (and "death wish" jaywalkers) at home turn magically into law-abiding bunny-rabbits abroad. (Again, that cowardice!) Simply because driving tests are tough, laws are implemented rigorously and punishment is severe and exemplary and it doesn't matter who you are, or your uncleji is.

So let's not kid ourselves. It can be done and we would be a better more humane people for it (and more worthy of our 5000 year-old boast). Certainly it would be nice if it could be done before any of us, or anyone that we know and care about, is turned into roadkill by yet another psycho on the loose.

The fat, The ObEsE & The OVERWEIGHT

Now there is a big question that nags me whenever I see a fat person in varying sizes...Why do people become so huge? How did they let that happen?

Is it heriditary or caused due to obsession for food?

If it is heriditary, it would be acceptable to an extent but if it is the second reason, then it is unforgivable...I see school going kids, more and more getting obese or overweight...It is so surprising that even their parents are so blind to their own deeds, taking Children to fast food joints too often and making them get used to the unhealthy foods. This was a common sight to me when I was in the US but Indians doing the same in this decade is highly bothering me.
Now why should other people becoming fat affect me?

Overeating individuals do atleast one of the following :-

1. Deprives atleast a single human from having a decent meal in any given day.

2. Inflicts sorrow onto themselves - they buy diseases which are caused mainly due to overeating; they spoil their image and give themselves less chances of opportunities(A recent survey on Employers said that most preferred a good looking individual as opposed to any extremes.)

3. Becomes unwelcome due to their overweight at most of the places - be it in the queue, or the bus or the train.

I feel there is a need, an absolute need to take care of one's health and stay slim and fit. This way we reduce all the above 3 things...we are accountable to our own health and also to the world at large. There is a phase when we start realizing that we are getting bigger and if only we take due corrective and preventive measures at that crucial time to get back to normal weight it would be a desirable thing to do. But what normally happens (based on my observation) is we dont take measures whatsoever and even if we do, we don't practice them religiously even when our figure is at stage!

However, there are exceptions to the 3rd point above. Adnan Sami, for instance...is so huge but still he is welcome everywhere which is because of his innate talents...there was my ex-colleague named Milene Thrasher, who lived up to her name, and was so fat to thrash our then project manager but was always a happy & cheerful person who made witty jokes everytime...and hence welcome anytime, anywhere. Oh but I still remember the way she used to squeeze into her SUV's driver's seat...one pitiable scene!

So, the point I want to drive home is this - We need to take care of our health before it is too late; We need to control our taste buds in order to have a healthy life so that we enjoy eating whatever we want and eat them lifelong. The bottom line is a healthy body is a sign of a healthy mind and vice-versa.

And I hear one of my friend saying that she has become healthy, time and again which means she has become plumpy and fat! Isn't it the vice versa?

Support Icons for Rashmi and Gaurav...

I say "I DO" :D

Article on IIPM in Indian Express

Article on Indian Express on the IIPM dispute with the blog community published today, 13th October, 2005.

I am very glad to see IE and HT carry the controversy courageously...Both IIPM and IBM have all emerged so dirty out of this episode...Never thought the IBM guys would stoop to such low levels! They have tarnished their company's image in the process...

My full support goes to Rashmi and Gaurav...Hic Hic Hurray!

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=152721

Hindustan Times article on the IIPM Debacle published in the October 11th issue

Mission to Heaven - Goodbye my dear brother...I will miss you. May your soul rest in peace.

The “Bamboozled” Vegetarian

For the past one week HT had published a series of article named “Meat of the Story”…reading it gave me a lot of insight as to what is going on with food products which are even marked vegetarian. It has surely terrified the daylights out of me…I realize that I have consumed a lot of rennet, animal fat, or eggs without my knowledge! Horrendous right? Now what can be done? I can’t throw out anything from my system; whatever I have eaten in the past…they are all long digested, disintegrated and absorbed in the body…The mere thought that I have eaten all these is churning my stomach giving an unending nausea.

It is all the more amazing when one realizes that a vegetarian in India, is not able to maintain his or her chastity…Isn’t it a despicable thing that demands attention and action?…atleast from what I have taught and known, India was a predominantly vegetarian country, of course lacto-vegetarians forming a whole chunk of it.

If one vegetarian cannot lead a happy life in this country then where is it going? Where would all this end? The western lot who were mainly meat eaters, are now taking religiously to vegetarianism and veganism, thanks to the reach and glamour of Yoga and meditation which prefers practicing such diet as a way of life. On the contrary, I could observe that many born-vegetarians are going for non-veg food; blame the advent of exotic restaurants that cater specialized cuisines and influence of media.

I guess it is time the Government empathizes with the vegetarians and does something constructive to eliminate the fear from their minds while consuming their food. When a country like Canada or USA can come up with pure vegan products, why can’t India where things must be simpler?

In spite of the initial success that I had in becoming a pure vegan, I had to give up on it because of the permeation of the lacto-products in most of the food stuffs that invariably contained at least some traces of any of the dairy products especially ghee, butter or cheese and left me with no choice but to cook all meals at home which was simply not an ordinary task given my hectic office timings. That made me to revert back shamelessly to becoming a lacto-vegetarian once again.

But now after hearing all these terrible things, I have completely dropped eating out, given up on chewing gums, imported chocolates, my once-favorite jellies to name a few…my eyes are getting tired due to looking at things skeptically but do you think I am left with any choice? In case I do eat readymade food, I take the arduous task of doing a google search for the description of ingredients. My previous article should give a clue as to how staunch I want to adhere to the ethics of becoming a pure vegan!

The Great Indian Perspective

I sent a forward mail on how being vegetarian could positively affect the planet and how it is the way going forward for a healthy life to some of my Indian and American friends. And I received instant responses from them - both negative and positive.

My two american friends wrote something like this - "Wow! This is excellent...I never knew these facts...I have never given it a serious thought...this would definitely provide some 'food for thought'. Thanks for sending.'

My observation - The mail displayed the average American's open-mindedness and taking things in the right sense and seeing them in the correct perspective.

Check my response from my Indian friends -

"I don't really know from where people are able to get these stats. I believe god created everything for the goodwill of humans. It is upto each and every individual's to decide according to his likes and dislikes. But no one should enforce it. Livestock is not good for the planet....Be part of the team which kills the livestock.... become a non-vegetarian...kill and eat what you've killed..."

My observation - See how they have interpreted and arguing against the facts? This shows a average Indian's sturdy unchangeable mindset...What they have always been doing from childhood is the right thing and there is literally no scope for a change even if the facts are laid out in black and white.

Since my intention was never to force or impose things, I had to send out an apology mail to couple of them...As a fellow human being, I think it is my duty to enlighten people and leave the choice to them...be it religion, politics or food. I have always strongly believed in following what you feel.

Soemtimes I feel people like them should be bold enough to come and talk to me directly to get things straight. I am very much open to a healthy debate, but again even for a healthy debate, we need open mind...! You can't afford to get offended for small things...For me change is growth and an open-mind which absorbs good things is going to be one that ultimately has eternal wisdom.

A powerful way to end suffering on the planet

The world is heading towards a drinking water shortage. It takes 500 litres of water to produce 1 kg of potatoes, 600 for 1 kg of wheat, 2000 for 1 kg of rice, but 100,000 for 1 kg of beef. Livestock consume 80% of the world's water supply.

60 million people die of starvation each year. It takes 12 - 16 kilos of grain to produce 1 kilo of meat or milk. Livestock consumes 40 % of the total grain grown worldwide. A vegan needs 0.5 acres of land for sustenance, a non-vegetarian 30 times this amount! Starvation can literally be wiped out by wiping meat off our diets.

Our diminishing forests are seriously threatened by grazing animals. Large numbers of wild animals are killed each year to protect or to make room for grazing animals in our food chain. 260 million acres of virgin forest in the world are cleared for cropland to support a meat-centered diet.

Meat is energy intensive. The world's petroleum reserves would last for only 13 years if all humans were meat eaters but 260 years if all humans were vegetarian.

Animal husbandry and slaughter result in air, water and land pollution. The total increase in the number of animals killed for food in the world per year exceeds the total human population!

We are descendants of primates that are primarily fruitarian, and our anatomy is similar to theirs. There is ample evidence to show that a balanced, non-refined vegan diet is the best for our health.

Whether it is to improve our health, end global starvation, save wildlife, conserve water and energy or reduce pollution perhaps the greatest impact each individual can have is to reduce or stop animal products in their diet.

Gandhi said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Oct 2nd, Gandhi's birthday is also celebrated internationally as World Farm Animals Day – a day to remember the torment that more than 50 billion farm animals undergo during their short lives before the slaughter every year.

Greg Vs. Ganguly

Much discussed, much publicized duel but still these are my humble opinions...

This is a politically motivated, deliberately done deal, alright.

Some Indians including Ganguly have been so shortsighted. Why are they unable to see the weak side of a person? Is a person always strong? Physically or mentally? Yeah there is no doubt that he is a person of great caliber and has proved himself earlier. But not in the recent past. And who says that a person whoever has had a strong physical, mental and emotional health cannot get deranged?

Every man or woman on this earth goes thru all cycles irrespective of their celebrity status they might enjoy on a mundane level. I think, overall we Indians fail to understand this.

Next, Greg Chappell never had any inclination to publicize things or mar Ganguly’s name, but it is now clear just as Mr. Siddhu said in his interview with NDTV, that both Chappell and Ganguly had been used as pawns here by the totally unprofessional BCCI. They are power hungry mongers simply interested in their political ambitions and greed for power. Nothing less than that defines them. So they had proved themselves so cheap and mean by creating a controversy of sorts and practically benefiting by distracting people from the BCCI elections.

Another main thing is we Indians are just not used to criticism. Why couldn’t Ganguly have taken the report sent by Chappell in a positive way in such a way that gives him a chance to introspect and grow more mature? Why did he get so offended? Does he think he can never err? Why is he so immature to even think that he can never fail? Not knowing his own shortcomings is a definite weak point for a Captain. If he himself cannot afford to study and analyze his own attitude, how could he be a good captain to his team? The bottom line lies in the fact that Indians fail to discipline ourselves and when some outsider comes and advices us to be, we get so offended and are unable to take it in a positive way because we are short sighted.

And now unnecessarily our dear Bhajji is also paying a huge price for letting out his anger thru his words so unprofessionally! But thank God for the PCA which if not have intervened, things would have become ugly!