Health care products of 2008
Are you the one tired of going to a doctor for routine checks of blood pressure, sugar and nebulizing? Help yourselves by keeping the range of health gadgets that the ever growing market offers and be at peace. The world today is flooded with varied gizmos that can help ease of the checks on your health and keep you fighting fit.
A typical gadget available in various forms is the blood pressure monitor. This hi tech gadget helps you measure the BP at the click of a button in addition to providing you pulse rate. Certain other variants also provide the print out and other specific details. This sure is one of the vastly used gizmo and has found its use in home and hospitals as well.
Also in similar league is the sugar / glucose monitor which comes as a blessing for diabetic patients and aids them in knowing the exact amount of insulin the body receives Vis a Vis the physical activity. The person can therefore accordingly adjust to the varied requirements.
Pedometer is a strap on device which keeps track of the body movements and accordingly lets one know the distance traveled / covered. It has been extensively used by sports physicians and with the development of GPS it has been made more accurate. With its sleek design, hi tech software and online monitoring it serves as a personal trainer for sports enthusiasts.
External defibrillator’s are also one of the gadgets being offered in the market these days. It has been used extensively by police, ambulance crew and sports trainers/ physicians. Its rapid use has also been seen in public places, shopping complexes, schools and airports. With the state of art technology it aids the person through the entire defibrillating process.
Massaging can be relaxing and de stressing with the range of products offered. From a foot massager to full body massage these health gadgets aids in improving blood circulation and thus relieving the pains and stresses. Portability of these equipments makes them even more alluring.
Another widely used gadget all over the world is the ionizers which aids in purifying the air and providing healthy and clean working environment. It is akin to aromatherapy which has been used over centuries. With the rapid development of technology it sure is re defining the use and its advantages.
Where are we leading?
A decade ago when I was still in school I did not know the meaning of the word ‘mall’. I only knew about the local shops or the super market. And now when I am all grown up I not only fully understand what malls are, I can’t imagine life without them!
Malls these days have become an integral part of our lives. When earlier in some free time we used to head towards the local garden or the amusement park, now we all head towards the nearest malls! So what’s so charming about these malls that draw us? Let’s find out!
Perfect for air conditioned time pass! : Agree or don’t, but it is true that many people visit malls for simple time pass and to get AC’s cool air! Which of course isn’t bad as the mall will certainly get some popularity and crowd. Such time passers are generally college students who bunk their lectures, young couples or those who simply have given a visit to look around. AC air, lovely interiors and even lovelier options for window shopping- why wouldn’t somebody visit a mall in free time!
All in one: These days malls are no longer only for shopping. They include food courts, game parlors, sports house, boutiques, bars, restaurants, jewelry stores, salons and even amusement rides for people’s entertainment. So when people are getting so many services under one roof, then why would they head somewhere else?
Imbibed in our rich lifestyles: Since the standard of living of the people is rising, they can certainly afford the malls. Malls these days are even offering high end international luxury brands. So whenever people want to buy something from these brands, they head towards malls, as they are not available anywhere else.
It is definitely true that malls have entirely changed our lifestyles for the better and have united people indirectly.
Historic Victory by India on Australia!
After a gap of 29 years, India produced an emphatic win over Australia. A series victory with 2-0 in a four test match series against Aussies was no where assumed by any cricket Pundit in recent time.
The series would always be remembered as the last series for Ganguly and Kumble, the two great players of famous fab 5 of India. Though Saurav Ganguly has already announced the retirement before the beginning of the series, while Jumbo announced it immediately in between the Delhi test.
I would blame the media for creating huge pressure on these giants, and I guess the new target of media is Rahul Dravid. Any way the victory at Nagpur was really historic and this brought India to the no. 2 position after Aussies in Test Cricket. India is now only 13 points behind the Aussies. So the era of the downfall of Aussies and the kingdom of Indian team is coming ahead.
Saurav Ganguly too believes that future of Indian cricket is much safe in the hands of Dhoni. Ganguly see himself in Dhoni. This series would always be remembered for some of the poor desicions taken by Aussies side. Ponting made the mistake of using part time bowlers instead of there regular bowlers twice in the series and in both the matches they lost.
Some of the tactics of Dhoni was too good and brought Aussies to a surprise. Placing a 8-1 and 7-2 field placement against them and then allowing the bowlers to bowl on the off stump was a nice desicion by Dhoni. Both the pace batteries of Team India Zaheer and Ishant used the new ball brilliantly in the series, while the pace battery of Aussies are not so much effective as they were.
Opening batting pair too provided a difference between the two team. Initially Sehwag with Gambhir and then Sehwag with Murali Vijay was a successful pair. On the other hand Mathew Hayden struggled through out the series specially against Zaheer. He did well only in the last match. Katich was a hit, but he never got the support.
Middle order batsmen too did well for India, as Sachin, Ganguly, Laxman and Dhoni all did well at the crucial moments. On the other hand Aussies skipper Ponting did well in the first match only and then he too was a fuss. Other batsman of Aussies too did not some thing spectacular.
Spin department was something which was already better with Team India. Though skipper Kumble was struggling with the fitness in the first test, then he was replaced by Amit Mishra and he was a hit on his debut match only. In the last match too Bhajji and Mishra brought victory to the Indian way. Bhajji has now a days converted into a match winner and he is the senior most spinner now. On the other hand Aussies struggled through out the series with their spin department. It was only Krejza who did well in the last match, but his performance during the practice matches were not up to the mark and that is why he faced the ignorance by the team management.
Any ways, people are assuming now that the dominance of Aussies in the cricketing world era is going to end very soon and that too by India only. India which is already a T-20 World Champions, defeated them in the best of three finals of the CB series early this year by 2-0, and now a test series victory by 2-0.
WEDDING CHECKLIST!
As the wedding season has already begun, many young couples are ready to take their vows. Naturally they are bound to be excited. But this excitement often leads to last minute chaos in the weddings. In one of the weddings I had attended, the groom and his family had forgotten to get the ‘sindoor’ without which the weddings cannot be solemnized. So the wedding had to be put on hold till the sindoor arrived at the venue. To avoid such incidents at weddings a checklist should definitely be prepared.
Sindoor in Indian Marriage
BUDGET: The most important thing to decide upon before planning for the wedding is the budget. It is the budget only based on which all other factors for the wedding are decided upon. You have to decide how much you can spend for the D-Day depending on what kind of wedding you want. You have to discuss with your partner his/her aspirations regarding the wedding and then jointly find out how you want the event to turn out.
GUESTLIST: Another really important thing is to check up on the guest list. If you want a low budget wedding then invite only really close relatives and friends. But if you want your wedding to be the talk of the town then you can even put in hot shot celebrities of your city! May be like some MP, or some minister, some actor or singer.
INVITATION CARDS: Invitations cards are also really important; you can get them ready made from some shop. If you want more detailing and want to give a personal touch to them then you can order the layout of cards according to your requirements. This is another area where major chunk of finances are spent.
VENUE: Venue could be that high end banquet hall or famous grounds. But if you want to save up on cost then you can ask for a farm house of your friend or any relative. In that case you have good chances of getting discounts and who knows you might just get the venue for free!
DECORATION: Again if you want the decorations to be low budget and still look pretty then you can simply ask your friends or relatives to do it for you rather than going for professional decorators or florists.
CATERING: Last but not he least, catering is another area where most finances are spent. You can get the professional caterers for the wedding food but if you want to save up on big bucks then you can go for a buffet arrangement rather than hiring waiters as well.
Importance of Celebration!
For some people, birthdays and anniversaries are “just another day” but for some people they are days to celebrate and remember. Which category of people do you belong to?
Don’t you think that out of 365 days there should be at least a few days which should be excitedly awaited? Shouldn’t some days be special enough to be given exclusive treatment so that you can cherish their memories for the next 365 days? Wouldn’t life become very monotonous if there weren’t some special occasions to rejoice and make merry? Shouldn’t there be some particular days that you can label as “your days”?
If you think the answer to all the above questions is yes then why do people become passive and apathetic as they grow older? Why do people lose charm of birthdays and anniversaries with time?
A few congratulations and celebrations can make a person feel very special and cared for. Everyone likes to be pampered some time or the other. This not only makes those days memorable but also strengthens the bond of affection amongst people. The tragedy is that as we all are becoming more and more engrossed in our busy lives today, we have forgotten the importance of these special occasions. For most of us, these days just come and go without making any difference to anyone.
Let’s not lose the essence of celebration. Let’s not lose the delight of the child within us. Let time not take away the passion of revelry from within us. Let our walls always be ornamented with the glimpses of fond memories of our “special days”.
So what are you waiting for? Close this browser and plan an exciting celebration for your loved one right away. The smile on the face of your beloved will be worth all the efforts you take to make his/her day unforgettable.
Customers Agony in a Slow Market!
Diwali was always the busiest period of sales for all vendors because customers would swarm showrooms to make the best of deals and discounts given at this time. That enthusiasm is clearly missing this Diwali due to the market meltdown. There is an unusual cheerlessness in the markets despite Diwali being just two weeks away. There seem to be hardly any takers for any products in spite of great slashes declared by all major companies. Sony, for instance, has cut down rates of some of its LCD models by 50,000 rupees to 1 lakh rupees. Samsung reported similar price drops.
“Though there are several special schemes being offered by the company, nobody seems to be coming. Sales are down by 75%,” said an official at the Samsung showroom in Lajpat Nagar. Hitesh Soni, an employee at the Soni showroom in south Delhi said, “Our sales compared to the past few years are down. Cameras and LCDs are what sold the most but now there are hardly any sales. This has been the worst year so far in my eight years with the company.”
The same fate is met by the automobile industry. Many companies have reduced their prices to a great extent to ensure competitive prices. General Motors has slashed the price of Chevrolet Spark by Rs 48,000-56,000, (depending on the model), to bring it in the same bracket as Alto and i10.
The biggest reason for this slum is the soaring rate of interests that the banks are now charging to give loans. Due to the market meltdown, banks have made their loan facilities very strict. As most of the high range products were always sold on the basis of EMI’s, with non-availability of such facilities the common man is not able to buy any of the above products.
“Compared to last year, sales are down by 15-20%. Sale of small and mid-segment cars have been hit the most, probably because the potential buyers for these are almost always reliant on loans and banks have reduced their options. There is still demand for models that are yet to enter the market but for those that are available off the shelf and for which money is needed immediately, the situation is really bad,” said Surendra Singh, showroom manager of Competent Autos.
It’s saddening to know that many people would have to celebrate Diwali without the pomp and show they would have thought of celebrating it with. Let’s hope this recession fades away sooner than later!
10 glorifying moments of his career!
Yesterday Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar reached to the sky heights, which I think no one can be able to achieve it in recent time. Though he has produced tons of glorifying moment to the nation but I am preparing a list of those ten which I like the most in his career.
When he made Debut at the age of 16 Year: Around 20 years back when he joined the Indian team that time he was a child. A boy who looks like as if he is a student of standard 10 that time. He made his debut at the National Stadium Karachi and when he made the debut at that time Waqar and Akram bhai were at the top. He made only 15 runs in his debut match.
When he hits four sixes in the ball of Abdul Kadir: Abdul Kadir was one of the world’s top bowlers and Child Sachin in a match hit him for four sixes in a single over. The virtual king of spin at that time was surprised to see his performance.
When he made First Half century of his life: The first half century of his life and that is also with a broken nose. One ball of Waqar Younis broked the grill of his helmet and his nose become a bit injured. Navjot Singh Sidhu who was batting at the other end was thinking that this child will now go to the pavilion but the same child batted brilliantly and made his first half century in test cricket.
When he made 148 runs in Sydney: Those who have seen that match will never forget those brilliant shots made by this master blaster. This was his second test century but the importance of this century was that it was made on the bouncy pitch of Sydney. On the same ground the two legends Sachin and Warne faced each other for the first time.
When he arrived in the dreams of Shane Warne: Year 1998 was bad for Shane Warne, not because he was not performing well in that year, but he was at the pick at that time too. But when Aussies team arrived to India that time Sachin Tendulkar hits him for so many sixes that he would not be able to sleep a soundless sleep too. Sachin arrived in his dream with his bat.
When he made not out 241 runs in Sydney: He did not bat well in the first three tests in 2004 while India was touring Australia. Sachin was making the same type of mistake in all those three tests and in the fourth game he decided that he will not make any shot in the off-side. With that determination he made 241 not out runs and those was really brilliant.
When he broke the record of Sunil Gavaskar: This was something which gave a smile even in the face of the legend batsman Sunil Gavaskar. In the year 2005, Sachin made a superb century against Sri Lanka in Delhi and he broke the record of highest number (35) of centuries made by any player.
When Sir Don Bradman compared him with himself: Every Indian feel proud of this. Sir Don Bradman was known for his hard hitting, has called Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar and told him that he was the only player at this time whose style can be compared with his style of batting. He invited Sachin for one program too.
When Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar meet Sir Don Bradman
When he became the icon: It was the game in which even I was on the stadium. I still remember the test match between India and Pakistan in 1998-99, in which Sachin was given run-out while he was taking the third run and he collided with Shoaib Akhtar. People started throwing bottles and stones on the ground and that time it was the master blaster who came in front of the spectators and told them to keep patience. I think it was the first time when he was unanimously elected at the brand ambassador of the country. Second time I remember the world cup 1999, in which India did not performed well in the first two matches and public out here thrown stones to a few players house. That time too Sachin came in front and told the nation that the team will perform well and team India reached to the finals of that world cup.
When he became the King of Cricket: Yesterday when he took 3 runs after tea, entire stadium gave him standing applauds and all the cricket playing countries accepted him as the king of the cricket game.
Sainthood of Sister Alphanso!
Sister Alphanso, who was born in Kerela, was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI at a ceremony at St Peter’s Square on Sunday, becoming the first Indian woman saint. The other woman from India on the path to sainthood is Albanian-born Mother Teresa, who was beatified five years ago.
Sister Alphanso is credited with curing illness and disease. She had miraculously cured the deformity of a nine year old boy, Genil. This boy, along with his father, was also present during the canonization ceremony in Rome.
Sister Alphonso is said to have deliberately disfigured herself in order to ward off suitors and enter the convent. Though she died at a very young age of 36, her tomb is nothing less than a pilgrimage as she has been credited with several miracles.
“We always thought she was someone special, we felt she had an aura about her,” said Sister Grace Kalriparambil, 77, who knew Alphonsa.
This news has come like a new hope for all the Christians in India, who make up barely 2.3 % of the total population, when religious tensions have sprung up in some parts of the country.
“At a time when evil is so widespread, it is good to have something like this to keep our spirits up,” Sister Grace said.
Child Marriage!
I started watching a serial called “Balika Vadhu” on colors recently. It’s like a cool wave of fresh air as it brings respite from the conventional “saas bahu” serials. Besides breaking the monotony of serials showing scheming women, it highlights the still prevalent evil practice of child marriage in India, especially rural India. This serial has portrayed the serious subject of the various problems a girl faces when she is married in her teenage in a very mature and entertaining way. A girl of 12 years of age, who is more interested in playing hide and seek, is suddenly expected to behave like a grown up married woman. She is restricted from participating in many activities because she is the daughter-in-law of the house. She is not allowed to continue her studies. She is under the constant vigilance of an authoritative grandmother whose commands everyone has to obey. She misses her parents, her village and her friends but is helplessly bound to her new family now.
The serial shows how a carefree, naïve and immature girl is trying to adjust to the unquestionable and stern ways of her in-laws house. Written and scripted by Purnendu Shekhar, Balika Vadhu has a message at the end of every episode to discourage the practice of child marriage across the country.
Whenever I watch this serial, I always question the modernity and growth of our country. Has our country really developed? Does development only means building sky scrapers in metropolitan cities? Has our country been able to break free from the horrendous traditions of child marriage, sati, dowry etc? Though these practices are something which urban India may not relate to but they are still very much prevalent in rural and tribal parts of India. The primary reason for this is ignorance. These belts of tribal and rural areas are still living in the 18th century due to lack of education and awareness. Unfortunately, girl children have to bear the brunt of this. Many parents try to validate this gruesome act of child marriage by giving numerous cultural, traditional, religious and economical reasons. Poverty is the biggest culprit which engulfs the life of a girl child. Girls are either seen as an economic burden or valued as capital for their exchange value in terms of goods or money.
Many parents tend to curtail the education of their girls and marry them off, due to fear of the high level of physical violence and abuse encountered en route to, and even at, school.
Child marriage limits young girls’ skills, resources, knowledge, social support, mobility and autonomy. Young married girls have little power in relation to their husbands and in-laws. They are therefore extremely vulnerable to domestic violence, abuse and abandonment. Violence may include physical, sexual or psychological abuse. It is one of the most persistent forms of sanctioned sexual abuse of girls and young women. The young age of child brides, their limited power in decision making and reduced economic opportunities compound their vulnerability to multiple health risks. These girls are also more likely to be infected by HIV.
Though people like Raja Rammohun Rai have tried to bring about reforms in the society since early 19th century, still such practices continue to daunt the lives of young girls. It’s time that we all realize our responsibility towards such helpless girls and try to educate at least one person in our life time. If we all pledge to educate at least one person, it would definitely help in transforming many lives.
Five ways of making your car more fuel efficient!
The oil prices are soaring higher and higher and it has become almost impossible to neglect other ways of making the cars more fuel efficient.
- Do not apply a lot of brake while driving. Try to change lanes rather than slowing down for a braking driver while on road. Not riding the break can increase your fuel efficiency by up to 30%.
- Switch off the ignition if you are stopping for more than 10 minutes at a stretch. This way you can prevent burning of unnecessary gas and increase the fuel efficiency.
- Though you should turn off the engine if you are stopping for more than 10 minutes, avoid turning off the car if you have to stop only for a brief moment. More gas is utilized in starting the engine again than you would burn in that short span of time.
- Many drivers neglect a very important aspect of tires while driving. Tires should be properly inflated to increase fuel efficiency. It is a general practice to inspect air inflation of tires only when they go flat. However, having tires that are properly inflated can save fuel and make your car more fuel efficient, saving you money. Because of this, you should check your tire pressure on a regular basis.
- Start driving as soon as the engine starts. This might seem obvious but some people leave the car idling for some time before driving. But this is totally unnecessary.