Cruise ships are in the revival mode

In early 2020s, cruise ships were in the news for all the wrong reasons. Some people even went to the extent of predicting the industry would never recover. There were news related to outbreaks, port refusals, travelers stuck onboard. Fans of cruises say all that is ancient history. As a Singaporean said - “Given a choice, we would be living on the cruise ship for the remainder of our lives.” He goes on to add that those are issues of 2020 and “not of any concern” today because people are vaccinated and they observe personal health protocols.” He and his wife loves cruises and have already planned three cruises through 2023. They love to wake up in a different country the next day. A recent report mentioned about COVID-19 outbreak in a cruise ship circumnavigating Australia. According to a survey published by Cruiseline.com and the booking app Shipmate, 91 percent of respondents planned to take a cruise by 2023. Afraid to cruise? Not at all, say fans who are causing ‘an explosion of bookings’.

Arrivia is a travel loyalty provider. It operates programs for American Express, Bank of America and USAA and 75 percent of members indicated plans to cruise in the next two years. Moreover, regular leisure travelers are also open to cruising again. The fear of the pandemic gradually reduced. An example is an Indian national who said he had “no qualms” about cruising this month with his family – it was his first cruise ever. He said he felt safe and that his family wore masks in crowded areas and might cruise again next year. A market research provider says the global cruising industry will not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2027. In Asia, the problem is due “mainly to the slow recovery in China … due to the strict zero-tolerance COVID-19 policies.”

Some popular stories of this blogger –

By 2028, Singapore will welcome a near 1000 feet skyscraper known as 8 Shenton Way

The new Royal Caribbean cruise ship “Icon of the Seas” boasts of a jaw-dropping design

SpaceX launched the first Falcon Heavy mission in over three years

Mystery surrounds the fate of Elon Musk’s proposed Hyperloop transportation technology from Los Angeles to San Francisco

Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games and the Invictus Games Foundation in 2014

Fifteen killed in a fire at a popular bar in the Russian city of Kostroma

Abandoned toy train coaches of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) to become restaurants at four stations

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres wants COP27 to close the ambition gap, the credibility gap and the solidarity gap

Tension mounts in the Korean Peninsula as South Korea scrambles 80 of its stealth jets

Ahmedabad to get a SMART police station where the police would be fit, slim and smart

Ahmedabad wants to set a precedent by creating a SMART police station where the police would be fit, slim and smart. The general trend of tired, overweight policemen and lack of interest in their jobs would soon be a thing of the past. The SMART police station would ensure that its police personnel get nutritious food and at the right time through a canteen at a police station.
This is because unhealthy food or lack of food as a result of irregular working hours put cops at significantly higher health risk than the general population. Hence, Ahmedabad City Police is geared up to make their cops healthy and fit.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 10 February 2017.

The plan is to provide healthy food to the staff - it will include meals, seasonal fruits and juices to meet the nutritional requirements of the cops. Visitors who have to wait at the station for long hours will be provided juice. Cops who have to work for 12 to 13 hours are unable to bring home cooked food, hence the canteen operated by a reputed caterer who will give the meals at subsidised rates.
Moreover, to reduce stress at work, there will be 8-hour duty for cops instead of 12 hours.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

New luxury cruise liner Seabourn Encore is labeled as 'sexiest ship at sea'

Mahatma Gandhi’s samadhi at Rajghat gets a new look

200-year-old banyan tree uprooted by cyclone Vardah replanted in Chennai


The curse of social media – cold blooded murders committed

Saraswati Puja means entering a new phase of life

Moody on UFO, Mangalyaan and Moon Mission for monkey baat (satire)


Naomie Harris gets Oscar nomination in the best-supporting actress category for Moonlight

Nicole Kidman could earn $8 million if she writes her autobiography

Sets of the film Padmavati in Jaipur vandalised, Bhansali cancels shooting


Mayor of London worried about ISIS attacks on the city

Militants in Indonesia looking for women terrorists

Six people shot dead by gunmen in a mosque in Quebec City during evening prayers

Know the power of beetroot - it can boost speed

A study conducted by University of Exeter has concluded that eating beetroot can make a person run faster. In fact, the study has found that the purple vegetable is not only healthy but can boost sprint times over 20 metres by 2 per cent. This can, in turn, give people an advantage in sports.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 14 November 2016.

Moreover, beetroot can also be of use to elderly people who need to get a boost to get up the stairs, or run for the bus. The key for this is the nitrates, which increase the energy available to muscle cells.
In the study, one group were given beetroot juice. The other group was given beetroot juice from which the nitrate content had been removed. Both the juices tasted the same, but those who drank the beetroot juice with the nitrate left in ran much faster.
This unique study was the first to look at the effect of nitrates on ‘explosive’ exercise such as sprinting. It may be noted that beetroot is not the only vegetable that has high nitrate content. Spinach and kale, rocket and other green leafy vegetables are also rich in nitrate – and would also work just as well.


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Some more interesting links -

British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to India - mango and visa on the agenda

Air India Express to provide improved air connectivity between Kolkata and Singapore

Mamata Banerjee to visit the United States in 2017 to woo industries


Lord Shiva’s views on Kalighat and marriages (satire)

Moody and the half pant brigade (satire)

Didi’s idea - deflate tyres to punish unruly drivers (satire)


Iraq special forces advanced into Mosul while ISIS militants killed 20

British police have foiled 12 terror plots against Britain in the last three years

No-fly zones to be imposed over jails to prevent drones from being used to smuggle drugs into prisons


Michael Fassbender says no to next James Bond - will a woman take over?

Second trailer of Wonder Woman released- will be in the cinemas in July 2017

Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) begins 11 November

Survey finds that people of Kolkata are more prone to heart diseases

A survey has revealed that the people of Kolkata do not take proper care of their hearts and suffer from conditions that could trigger cardiac ailments much more than their counterparts in the rest of the country. The nation-wide survey has found that Kolkata slept less, ate less healthy food and was sadder than Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chandigarh.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 7 October 2016.

The number of people in Kolkata who have high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar was higher than the national average. Skipping meals was more common in Kolkata when compared to other metros. Moreover, the city's cardiac future is even bleaker because Kolkata has more smokers and alcohol drinkers than other major cities.

Some figures are worth noting -
Incidence of high cholesterol in Kolkata is 33% - all-India average is 28%
High fasting blood sugar level - 28% for Kolkatans - all-India average of 21%
People with high BP - Kolkata 20% - all India figure 11% (Mumbai is 14% and Delhi 6%
Irregular food habit - 75% skip a meal in Kolkata - it is 59% in Mumbai and Delhi and 61% across India
Starvation of sleep - only 26% citizens of Kolkata get optimal 7-10 hours of sleep. This is lowest in India where the national average is 53%

However, the women of Kolkata have better heart health awareness compared to other metros.

Air pollution took 1.4-million lives in India during 2013

World Bank has disclosed that India has the distinction of being the country with the second highest number of deaths due to air pollution in 2013. With 1.4-million deaths during 2013, India is next only to China which is the world's most populous country and it lost 1.6 million lives.
This has been reported in zeenews.india.com dated 9 September 2016.

According to the report that has been released by the World Bank and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, premature deaths due to air pollution has cost the global economy $5.1 trillion annually. The report also highlights the fact that in 2013, premature deaths alone cost the global economy about $225 billion in lost work days. These have adversely affected the economic development of the countries, especially in the growing economies in Asia. In 2013, for which global data is available, China lost nearly 10% of its GDP, while India over 7%, Sri Lanka and Cambodia roughly 8%.
In 2013 about 93% of deaths and non-fatal illnesses attributed to air pollution worldwide had occurred in these countries, where 90% of the population was exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution. This factor is a major environmental health risk and increases one's chance of contracting diseases like stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma.


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Some more interesting links -

Didi meets Puja organisers and outlines her do's and dont's

Researchers unearth reasons of why people snore

Population of blackbuck in Bareilly district have fallen by more than 71% in three years


Moody wants Gold medals from Olympics (satire)

Didi to search for the stolen gold medallion (satire)

Lord Shiva stumped by the sea of humanity on 21st (satire)


Man slips while watching bull running in Spain and gored to death

Suicide bomb and gun attacks in northwestern Pakistan leave at least 13 dead

Explosion in a street market in Philipines kills at least 12


MTV's Video Music Awards in New York - Beyonce walked away with top honours

Sonakshi Sinha breaks bones and throws punches in Akira

Lindsay Lohan wants to participate in a Russian talk show with President Putin

Tackle the obesity crisis by outdoor activities like gardening

Doctors are prescribing outdoor activities like gardening and countryside strolls to help tackle the obesity crisis. These 'green prescriptions' of physical activities for overweight people could help them become more active. Instead of just prescribing medicines, doctors should try to persuade them to get outdoors.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 7 September 2016.

Based on a recent survey of patients in Britain who were given green prescriptions, it has been found that 72 per cent noticed positive changes to their health, 67 per cent improved their diet and more than half felt stronger and fitter. A similar program in New Zealand has been running since 1998, where it has been used by 80 per cent of doctors.
Studies have revealed that regular gardening can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and obesity. Moreover, it improves balance and helps to prevent falls in older people - this is a major problem with the aged.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


Some more interesting links -

Didi meets Puja organisers and outlines her do's and dont's

Researchers unearth reasons of why people snore

Population of blackbuck in Bareilly district have fallen by more than 71% in three years


Moody wants Gold medals from Olympics (satire)

Didi to search for the stolen gold medallion (satire)

Lord Shiva stumped by the sea of humanity on 21st (satire)


Man slips while watching bull running in Spain and gored to death

Suicide bomb and gun attacks in northwestern Pakistan leave at least 13 dead

Explosion in a street market in Philipines kills at least 12


MTV's Video Music Awards in New York - Beyonce walked away with top honours

Sonakshi Sinha breaks bones and throws punches in Akira

Lindsay Lohan wants to participate in a Russian talk show with President Putin

More than 2000 dengue cases reported in Bengal

Dengue is creating a problem for the health department officials in Bengal because, while there was no report of further deaths due to dengue, the total number of people affected has gone up to a whopping 1874. And, in the last 24 hours, another 132 new cases were reported from across the state - the total thus goes beyond 2000.
This has been reported in thestatesman.com dated 11 August 2016.

A seven-year old girl of Ballygunge Station Road died of high fever in a private hospital but the health department has not confirmed that she died due to dengue while the KMC health officials have admitted that she had died of hemorrhagic fever.
EVer since the outbreak of this vector-borne disease, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has been combating the disease on a war footing. In one of its regular visits, the KMC team had found dengue causing mosquito in several places in an ITI in Kolkata where garbage was dumped. Obviously, fumigation to get rid of misquotes is not enough - there has to be awareness among all concerned about this disease.


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Some more interesting links -

Theresa May to pay upto £13,000 to families who stay on sources of shale gas

Vadodara museum bans entry of Pokemon GO players in its premises

India in 2016 Rio Olympics - both Sania Mirza and Leander Paes bow out in first stage itself


Moody’s solution for dental care – eat drumsticks (satire)

Lord Shiva stumped by the sea of humanity on 21st (satire)

Didi to gift pepper spray to all girls (satire)


Syrian city of Aleppo falls into hands of rebels and jihadists

North Korea plans to conquer the Moon in 10-year's time

One ISIS suicide bomber of Brussels attack was a cleaner at the European Parliament


Rajinikanth’s Kabali sets a box office record with Rs 600-crore collection

Edinburgh Festival 2016 will have programs on current politics from Brexit to Trump

Shah Rukh Khan could make a movie on tennis star Sania Mirza

PM Narendra Modi on tour to Africa to import tur dal from Mozambique

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a five-day tour to African countries. He will cover South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania, the gateway to several landlocked African countries. Before his Africa visit, the Union Cabinet has granted approval on India signing a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with Mozambique for pulses import and drug trafficking prevention. Moreover, another MOU with Tanzania envisages promotion of Indian traditional systems of medicine and homeopathy and with Mauritius for rural development and poverty alleviation.
This has been reported in thehindu.com dated 5 July 2016.

The MoU with Mozambique would includes targets for imports of red gram (tur dal) and other pulses for five financial years and aims at doubling the trade from one lakh tonnes in 2016-17 to two lakh tonnes in 2020-21. It is expected that the signing of this MoU could open up the doors for similar arrangements with other countries.
The MoU between India and Tanzania would be to provide a structured framework for bilateral cooperation for promotion of Indian traditional systems of medicine and homeopathy in Tanzania. The financial resources for conducting research, training courses, conferences / meetings will be met from AYUSH Ministry’s existing allocated budget and plan schemes. Tanzania is in East Africa and has nearly 70,000 Indian diaspora. The bilateral ties have been marked by cooperation in health and medicine.
Incidentally, the Ministry of AYUSH , as part of its mandate to promote Indian systems of medicine globally, had also signed MoUs with countries that include China, Malaysia, Hungary, Bangladesh and Nepal.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Some more interesting links -

Prince Harry joins Coldplay on the stage in Kensington Palace in aid of charity

Beijing is sinking by 11cm per year due to over consumption of ground water

West Bengal government to install swings, see-saws and slides in schools to check dropouts


Moody embraces yoga, his medics could embrace poverty (satire)

Didi wants to promote small scale industries (satire)

Lord Shiva bamboozled by the storylines of TV serials (satire)


ISIS trying to enter India - 11 youths apprehended in Hyderabad

Gunmen strike a restaurant in Dhaka - 20 killed in the attack

36 killed and more than 147 injured in Ataturk airport suicide attack in Istanbul


Katy Perry creates microblogging history with over 90-million followers on Twitter

Meryl Streep, Freida Pinto and Michelle Obama in Morocco to promote education among girls

Kavita Kaushik to play the role of an Army doctor in TV show “Dr. Bhanumati on Duty”

Vegetarianism becoming popular in India - is it a result of pinch in the pocket?

India no doubt is a rapidly growing market for chicken and fish but present day awareness about health benefits of a vegetarian diet could also be catching up among people. Even though 70% of Indians above 15 years of age are still non-vegetarians, the numbers are expected to decline. This is indicated in a nationwide survey conducted in 2014 and released recently by the Registrar General of India (RGI).
Health minister J P Nadda had, recently, made a pitch in Parliament recommending vegetarian food.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 9 June 2016.

In the opinion of experts, awareness about health is on the rise and this, coupled with rising burden of lifestyle diseases like heart disorders, diabetes and cancer, could be the factors that are influencing the decision for Indians to go in for a change of dietary habits.
A number of international researches and studies have revealed that vegetarians are leading a healthier life as compared to meat-eaters. Diseases like pancreatic cancer and respiratory problems are also less common among vegetarians compared to those who consume meat regularly. Moreover, religiosity and changing lifestyles could also be contributing to this new trend.


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Some more interesting links -

Switzerland builds the 57-Km long Gotthard Railway Tunnel under the Swiss Alps

Shocking discovery of carcasses of 40 tiger cubs in Tiger Temple of Thailand

WWII bomb in London bound Eurostar in Paris creates panic


All about chest size and happy days (satire)

Lord Shiva unable to fathom IPL T20 cricket (satire)

Monsoons and Didi’s flipflops aka Hawaii chappals (satire)


Rock music festival in Germany suspended due to lightning strike in which more than 70 injured

Arnold Schwarzenegger was chased by an elephant in South Africa

Kavita Kaushik to play the role of an Army doctor in TV show “Dr. Bhanumati on Duty”


ISIS using human shields to counter attacks by Iraq military

ISIS cornered as Russian-backed Syrian army enters ISIS stronghold in Raqqa

Germany arrests three ISIS men who planned an attack on Duesseldorf

Study shows that there is no link between obesity and intake of fat

If the latest study is to be believed, it is now high time that we change our age-old concept that intake of fats leads to obesity. That is what we have been told for years - namely, we should cut down on the amount of fat we eat. That, in turn, has inspired many people to go in for low-fat diets.
However, the concept is undergoing changes because, a report indicates that such eating patterns are having "disastrous health consequences". The National Obesity Forum and the Public Health Collaboration have called for a "major overhaul" of dietary guidelines and have accused major public health bodies of colluding with the food industry.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 23 May 2016.

The report wants a return to "whole foods" like dairy, fish and meat, as well as high fat healthy foods like avocados - their message is "eating fat does not make you fat". The logic is saturated fats do not cause heart disease and full fat dairy foods - including milk, yoghurt and cheese - can, in fact, protect the heart. In their opinion, low-fat diets and snacking between meals are responsible for Britain's growing obesity crisis and their suggestion is to avoid processed foods labelled "low fat", "lite" or "low cholesterol".
They also suggest that people should stay away from sugar, stop counting calories and those with type two diabetes should eat a fat-rich diet instead of one dominated by carbohydrates. In the opinion of the authors, food science has been "corrupted by commercial influences" in a way that represents a "significant threat to public health".


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Some more interesting links -

World's smallest porpoise of Mexico is on the verge of extinction

Coca-Cola to stop production of its beverage in Venezuela because of sugar shortage

Melting of Totten Glacier due to global warming could raise sea levels by three meters


Moody’s mind flits from Black Money to White House (satire)

Lord Shiva and Durga on home delivery and drones (satire)

Didi plans new conquests via Rabindrasangeet (satire)


Daniel Craig is through with James Bond - turns down £68 million offer from MGM

Snoop Dogg and Lucy Liu will be seen together in thriller 'Future World'

Kavita Kaushik to play the role of an Army doctor in TV show “Dr. Bhanumati on Duty”


Was the EgyptAir crash an act of terrorism by the ISIS?

Suicide bombings in Baghdad kill 43 - brings total death in 7 days to more than 145

One more Chibok girl rescued - she was kidnapped along with 275 others in April 2014

Boiled, baked or mashed potatoes in high quantities increase risks of hypertension

Study carried out by US researchers and published online in the British Medical Journal has revealed that a weekly diet which includes at least four servings of the humble potato is linked to an increase in the risk of high blood pressure. They have found that adults who had a higher intake of boiled, baked or mashed spuds and fries had an increased risk of hypertension.
This has been reported in nzherald.co.nz dated 18 May 2016.

The study has suggested that by substituting one serving a day of boiled, baked, or mashed potatoes with one serving of a non-starchy vegetable could reduce risk of developing hypertension. Potatoes have a high glycaemic index as compared with other vegetables, and this can trigger a sharp rise in blood sugar levels which could explain the findings.


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Some more interesting links -

Cruise ship Harmony of the Seas can accommodate more than 8,000 passengers and crew

Leopards in search of food on the prowl in streets of Gujarat

Bust the obesity timebomb with grapes and oranges


Monsoons and Didi’s flipflops aka Hawaii chappals (satire)

Chopper scam and Moody’s questions (satire)

Baba Someday, his yoga and Pat & Jolie face cream (satire)


High alert in Cannes for the film festival where 45000 people would attend

Kavita Kaushik to play the role of an Army doctor in TV show “Dr. Bhanumati on Duty”

Lady Gaga to portray legendary singer Dionne Warwick in 'Dionne'


Bombs rock Baghdad - ISIS car bombs kill at least 89

No buyers for Zimmerman's gun that killed Trayvon Martin in 2012

Australian police arrest five men who planned to go to Syria by boat to join ISIS

Bust the obesity timebomb with grapes and oranges

A research has concluded that oranges and grapes could be a key to fighting the obesity crisis because, chemicals present in these two humble fruits could, when combined, help combat diabetes and heart disease. This has been revealed by experts of Warwick University who have taken trans-resveratrol, a compound found in red grapes, and hesperetin, a substance in oranges, and combined them in a pill. That pill, in the opinion of scientists, could in the future offer a new treatment to fight the three killer diseases.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 13 May 2016.

Professor Paul Thornally, who led the research, has indicated that this find is an incredibly exciting development and could have a massive impact on our ability to treat these diseases because apart from diabetes and heart disease it could take care of obesity.
When administered in tandem, the two compounds decreased blood glucose, improved the action of insulin and improved the health of arteries. However, these compounds should be taken in pharmaceutical doses. Otherwise, if consumed directly from oranges and red grapes, the average daily intake for a person would be about 10 litres of orange juice and grape juice.


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Some more interesting links -

Baya weaver birds return to Ganjam district in Odisha

28 thrillseekers stuck in Alton Towers Galactica rollercoaster ride for 40 minutes

Walking is the best exercise in polluted cities


Moody wonders why American space research firms are jittery (satire)

Lord Shiva and Durga on home delivery and drones (satire)

Sujjo Kanto and Ritu Bruto on free LPG connections (satire)


ISIS still holding 30 workers out of 300 kidnapped from cement factory in Dumeir

Another Bangladeshi blogger killed in Dhaka because of his views on religion

Florida hunters bag a 15-foot 800-pound massive alligator


Michael Fassbender to portray the role of a serial killer in 'Entering Hades'

Disney plans live action fairytales for 2017, 2018 and 2019 - specific films not disclosed

Matt Damon to return in new Jason Bourne film

Restaurants asked to give tap water free to its customers to check obesity

Restaurants have a habit of offering tap water to customers only when requested for and offer sugary drinks which leads to obesity - therefore, restaurants are being urged to "take responsibility" and offer tap water freely to families so they can they need not consume sugary drink.
It seems the existing trend is to offer tap water on request even though there is a legal requirement that licensed premises must provide it. This has been revealed in a survey for the Local Government Association, which represents more than 370 councils. As per the poll, eight out of 10 people usually drink tap water at home, but, when dining out, only a third do so.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 23 April 2016.

Other findings are - 15% of those who usually drink tap water at home never think of asking for water in cafes or restaurants, while 13% said it made them feel awkward. Therefore, the LGA wants the Government to use its forthcoming childhood obesity strategy to encourage restaurateurs to offer parents and children the choice of tap water.
Childhood obesity can be tackled by offering tap water to families. A glass of tap water should not be something one has to ask for but, it should be by default because water brings with it important health benefits and keeps people hydrated.
Children will take it as an alternative to a sugary drink, and the adults might take the tap water instead of another alcoholic drink.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Some more interesting links -

Didi wants to move around fast and wants a solution (satire)

Lord Shiva intrigued by the writing on the walls (satire)

Moody hates hotels and feels more at home in his aircraft (satire)


Taj Mumbai welcomes Prince William and Kate, the fourth generation of British monarchy

Huge 26ft python found in Penang - could become a new a Guinness Record holder

Lok Sabha ethics committee probing Narada sting feels the videos are genuine


ISIS still holding 30 workers out of 300 kidnapped from cement factory in Dumeir

Another Bangladeshi blogger killed in Dhaka because of his views on religion

Florida hunters bag a 15-foot 800-pound massive alligator


James Cameron, writer director of Avatar, promises his fans four sequels

'Deadpool' sequel planned and in the pipeline with Ryan Reynolds

Indonesian pop star dies after being bitten by a cobra on stage

Walk to work or go by cycle and shed those kilos to ensure a long healthy life

Walking to work or going by bicycle and even taking public transport are all good habits when one needs to shed the kilos and live a long life - scrapping the car can reap huge health benefits to those who usually drive to work. These are the findings of a new research conducted on more than 150,000 British adults in the age group 40 to 69.
It was found that the average male cyclist weighed 5kg (11lbs) less than men who took their car. As for the women, those who cycled were typically 4.4kg (9.7lbs) lighter than their motoring counterparts. Cyclists also benefited from reduced body fat - male bikers had 2.75% less fat as compared to those who traveled by car, and women 3.26% less.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 17 March 2016.

The study was carried out by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine who also discovered that drivers were more likely to have a higher Body Mass Index than cyclists. As one of the researchers have indicated - many people live too far from their workplace for walking or cycling to be feasible. For them, physical activity involved in public transport can have an important effect.
In England and Wales, nearly two-thirds of the 23.7 million people regularly commute to work by car. And, in England, two-thirds of adults do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity. Incidentally, out of those who took part in the massive study, only 4% of men and 2% of women cycled to their office - or combined cycling and walking.
It has been recommended that those in mid-life should be encouraging to use public transport and go in for active commuting because mid-life is the period when obesity becomes an increasing problem.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Some more interesting links -

Lord Shiva does the treadmill as Sarasawti advises students (satire)

Moody & Co to invite Eskimos for the Yoga meet (satire)

Didi announces holiday for Maha Shivratri (satire)


Jaipur Railway Station goes solar - will mean annual savings of Rs 7.2 lakh on power bills

Alphonso mango, the King of Fruits, make its appearance in Mumbai

Legalise cannabis and pick up £1bn a year in taxes


Tila Tequila evicted from Celebrity Big Brother because of her praise of Hitler

West Bengal tourism to ride piggy-back on Amitabh Bachhan starrer 'Te3n'

‘Heidi’ based on the children’s novel of 1881 becoming a movie from Hollywood


Russia to train five dolphins for its underwater combat fleet

Iran gets ready to launch its Somorgh missile into outer space

Mastermind of Paris terror attacks entered Britain through Dover easily

Health drive for Britons - leave the couch and cut down on fatty foods

Britain has taken a positive step to improve the health of its people - it is encouraging middle-aged Britons to leave the sofa and cut down on fatty foods, as a part of the biggest health drive by the Government. The initiative is costing the taxpayer almost £3.5m and it urges people to eat better, exercise more so that they can get rid of the unwanted pounds.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 7 March 2016.

A 51-year-old has already made a number of lifestyle changes by starting to go to the gym to lose weight. She wants to keep fit and does not want a gradual deterioration in her health and fitness levels and also go overweight. Available evidence tends to suggest that living healthily in midlife can double the chances of being healthy beyond the age of 70.
Incidentally, the NHS spends more than £11bn each year to treat illnesses resulting from smoking, poor diets and inactivity. In order to introduce the changes, TV and online adverts are part of the latest initiative, called One You. The problem is that many adults know what they should be doing, but are busy looking after their children, their parents, and are busy at work. To them, online campaigns provides a number of tools to make better choices.
As part of the campaign, the supermarket ASDA has chipped in with a free blood pressure check service at its stores and in-store pharmacies.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Some more interesting links -

Didi knows that ghosts have their uses (satire)

‘Make in India’ concept to market Ganga water (satire)

Moody throws light on conversion and smartness (satire)


Loss of bees and butterflies is disturbing the ecological balance

Madhya Pradesh to promote tiger tourism

China wants to fight terrorism in Xinjiang with entertainment, singing and dancing


Quantum jump for Priyanka Chopra from Quantico to Baywatch

Kissing scenes in movies – why this fad has never caught on in Bollywood

British actor Tom Hardy could become the new face of James Bond after Daniel Craig


Airstrikes in Syria target schools and hospitals - nearly 50 children killed

F-22 Stealth Bombers of the US fly low over South Korea skies

North Korea plans to carry out terror attacks on South Korea

Regular intake of nuts could add years to your life

A study has shown that nuts, when taken regularly, can add years to one's life. One handful (or about 30 grams) of nuts for five or more days a week could do wonders to your longevity. The study carried out by Harvard University has revealed that those who eat nuts tend to live longer and suffer fewer deaths from cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 2 March 2016.

For women, eating just two handfuls of nuts a week may extend their lives as much as by jogging four hours a week. The researchers also established that women at high risk of heart disease who consumed a tablespoon of peanut butter five or more days a week appeared to nearly halve their risk of suffering a heart attack as compared to women who ate one serving or less per week.
as to the possibility of putting on weight by consuming nuts, that is a misconception - around 20 clinical trials have been carried out on nuts and weight, and not a single one has shown the weight gain one might expect. In short, those who ate a handful or two a day either had less weight gain than predicted, no weight gain at all, or actually lost weight.
The reason for this is that nuts can make you feel full faster than some other foods and the ability of nuts to boost metabolism — hence, when you eat nuts, you burn more of your own fat.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Some more interesting links -

Didi knows that ghosts have their uses (satire)

‘Make in India’ concept to market Ganga water (satire)

Moody throws light on conversion and smartness (satire)


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Air fresheners, cleaning products and scented candles are dangerous to health

A study has revealed that pollution from household products like air fresheners, cleaning products and scented candles are not good for health - these are putting lives of people at risk. These everyday items carry harmful particles that can contribute to breathing problems, stress on the heart and even cancer. The report is by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
This has been revealed in news.sky.com dated 23 February 2016.

The study has indicated that air pollution is contributing to as many as 40,000 deaths in the UK every year - and, out of these, indoor air pollution alone might be responsible for 99,000 deaths in a year across Europe. The conclusion is that while being indoors offers some sort of protection against outdoor air pollution, it can also expose us to other sources of air pollution.
The lemon and pine scents that we use to make our homes smell fresh can react chemically to generate air pollutants. Moreover, ozone-based air fresheners can also give rise to indoor air pollution. Others in the list are joss sticks, cookers, boilers, open fires and portable gas or paraffin heaters. The effects of such forms of air pollution begin as early as development in the womb and such pollution can damage the development of the foetus, including its lung and kidney development.


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Sugar is bad for health - how to reduce sugar intake

#diabetes #bloodsugar #obesity #health It is common knowledge that sugar is bad for health because it is not just poison for diabetics but also makes one obese. But, we cannot keep away from sweets and, it is no secret that all of us consume far more sugar than we should. More intake of sugar affects children and adults alike and, all of us want to cut out in intake of sugar.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 12 February 2016.

Apart from adding to ones weight, excess of sugar is bad for your teeth, liver, and has even been linked to some types of cancer. Unfortunately, plenty of sugar is hidden in so many of our kitchen cupboard favorites, and, in the opinion of experts, the secret lies in making simple changes to our eating habits and control the intake.
It seems it is possible to reduce your sugar intake by 30 per cent even while going in for homemade cakes, porridge and even peanut butter on toast. As an expert says - by swapping cereal for porridge and by using ginger in your baking and avoiding supposedly 'savoury' sauces, the results will be favorable.
- Swap sugary cereal for unsweetened porridge mixed with a handful of berries - it will cut your sugar intake by over 30 per cent
- Instead of sugary drinks go in for water or sugar-free drinks
- When making milkshakes use fresh fruit rather than powder for less added sugar
- At breakfast time enjoy toast with a savoury topping such as marmite or peanut butter instead of jam, honey or syrup
- Avoid hidden sources of sugar like processed soups, takeaways, pizza and savoury sauces
- Eat regularly because structured eating helps to ensure that your blood sugar levels do not go too low and cause sugar cravings
- Cut sugar in homemade bakes and cakes by adding vanilla, orange or lemon extract or ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg - A tasty hot drink can help to keep your mind off sugar.


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Obesity leads to cardiovascular diseases - reduce weight, stay healthy

#cardiovasculardiseases #kolkata #health #obesity Obesity is the curse of today and twenty per cent of Indian adults are obese while India ranks third in terms of the number of obese people. Therefore, it is but natural that diseases to the heart are rampant in the country. Kolkata is no exception, especially among those below 40 years of age.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 6 February 2016.

The reason for increase of cardiovascular diseases in India in the decade between 2005 and 2015 is because of obesity, sedentary lifestyle, poor eating habits and stress. These and other such important and relevant findings were shared by cardiologists on the first day of the 6th Bangla Interventional Therapeutics (BIT-2016) meet at Vedic Village on Friday.
The meet had more than 500 cardiologists from not only India but foreign countries like Bangladesh, South Africa, France, Bhutan, Nepal, the US and the UK. They will discuss trends, treatment methods and case studies. In the past, BIT meets had representatives from only Bangladesh and Bengal but, the scope has been extended to cover other countries as well.
BIT was set up in 2010 as a common platform to share knowledge and the first ever meet of BIT was held in Dhaka the next year. This year, experts from the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) of New York have joined to share their case studies and global trends. The importance cannot be overemphasized because patients are getting younger. Young women are also suffering from heart ailments. Hence, there is a need for a global education platform where doctors can teach doctors.


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Foods that help to lower cholesterol levels and control heart disease

#heart #health #cholesterol It is a well known fact that certain types of foods have the power to decrease heart disease risk by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and raising HDL (good) cholesterol. Cholesterol-busting powers of fish, oatmeal, red wine, beans, and olive oil is not new but, there are other foods that can also help the cause.
This has been reported in foxnews.com dated 23 January 2016.

Some of other foods that can help reduce bad cholesterol are Indian gooseberry (amla), barley, avocado, strawberries, probiotics and grapes.
Indian Gooseberry - it is a round, green fruit that is sour, bitter, and quite fibrous. It is found in India, the Middle East, and some southeast Asian countries and is used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It functions by reducing total cholesterol levels, including the fatty acids called triglycerides, without affecting levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. It can be eaten fresh, as chutney added to steamed vegetables, or in powdered form added to a smoothie.
Barley - we know that oatmeal has numerous benefits because it lowers blood cholesterol levels, but barley is equally good. Like oatmeal, barley is high in soluble fiber which helps to reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood. Barley can be taken at breakfast time. Or - cold barley salad tossed with some olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh herbs for a tasty cholesterol-lowering lunch. It is also delicious in soups and can be eaten for breakfast with a splash of milk and honey instead of oatmeal.
Avocado - it is a high-fat food but could be considered for inclusion in a cholesterol-lowering menu. Go in for avocado instead of mayonnaise on your sandwich, topping off your omelet with avocado slices, or making a guacamole to snack on with high-fiber crackers or sliced vegetables.
Strawberries - it is sweet and, while the berry season is in the summer, frozen berries are an affordable substitute that can be enjoyed all year long.
Probiotics - these are live microorganisms that naturally occur. Yogurt falls in this category. Other common sources of probiotics include kefir, and fermented foods (like sauerkraut, tempeh, and pickles).
Grapes - red wine is said to be good for the heart. Grapes are not far behind. The heart-healthy polyphenol found in red wine, resveratrol, is also found in grapes of all colors. Moreover, fresh grapes provide other heart-protective nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and flavonoids.

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