Lifestyle

By Kumar Vikram
New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) While the authorities have swung into action and ordered a detailed investigation into the cough syrups produced and exported to Gambia by an Indian company, government data revealed that 384 persons were arrested after 462 samples of medicines were declared adulterated or spurious during 2019-21.


A total of 81,329 drug samples were tested in 2019-20 out of which 2497 samples were declared as not being of standard quality and 199 were declared of spurious nature. Similarly, in 2020-21, out of the total 84874 samples lifted for testing, 2652 samples were declared not of standard quality while 263 were found to be spurious. A total of 220 and 164 people were arrested in 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively.

Officials said that the government has taken a series of measures including strengthening of legal provisions, workshops and training programmes for manufacturers and regulatory officials and steps such as risk based inspection.

As per a recent Parliament reply, the government has taken various regulatory measures since 2019 to ensure the quality of medicines in the country. The Drugs Rules, 1945 were amended providing that every Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (bulk drug) manufactured or imported in India shall bear Quick Response Code on its label. The stored data or information shall include the minimum particulars including unique product identification code, Batch No, manufacturing date, expiry date.

The Drugs Rules, 1945 were amended providing that any person who sells or distributes any drug shall be responsible for the quality of that drug as well as other regulatory compliances along with the manufacturer under these rules.

The rules were amended providing that "in case the applicant intends to market the drug under a brand name or trade name, the applicant shall furnish an undertaking in Form 51 to the Licensing Authority to the effect that to the best of his knowledge based on search in trademarks registry, central database for brand name or trade name of drugs maintained by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, literature and reference books on details of drug formulations in India, and internet, such or similar brand name or trade name is not already in existence with respect to any drug in the country and the proposed brand name or trade name shall not lead to any confusion or deception in the market," said the reply by the Ministry of Health.

The regulatory control over the manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs in the country is exercised through a system of licensing and inspection by the State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) appointed by the state governments.

Earlier this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning about drugs manufactured by a Haryana-based pharmaceutical company following which the Union government initiated a probe. The cough syrups have been linked with the death of over 60 children in Gambia. An initial enquiry has found that these drugs were not sold in India and were meant for export. The government has also said that the samples of the four syrups have been sent for testing and action will be initiated after the test results.

--IANS
kvm/bg

By IANSlife
New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANSlife) Time to break up with the typical vegetarian protein sources and give your taste senses a much-needed break. Hello Tempayy, a super bean-based, simple-to-cook dish that can be altered across cuisines, meal occasions, and cooking methods, has been introduced in New Delhi and Gurgaon by Vegolution, a Bengaluru-based food startup. The brand's successful launches in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Coimbatore, Kochi, and Mumbai in its first year of business follow closely on the heels of this expansion.


Tempayy (also known as Tempeh or Tempe) is a delicious, nutritious, wholesome and 100 per cent vegetarian protein-rich food made by fermenting the best quality non-GMO soybeans. This tasty, ready-to-cook offering is a new source of balanced nutrition for vegetarians and conscious foodies seeking to add variety to their meals. Hello Tempayy, is currently available in six variants: Natural, Spicy Peri Peri, Simply Sriracha, Peppery Szechuan Chilli, Roasted Chettinad and Spiced Tawa Masala. The bold flavours developed by Vegolution will reveal new and unexplored tastes to the modern Indian palate through its range of Hello Tempayy ready-to-cook products.

Data from the Indian Dietetic Association (IDA) in 2018 indicates that at least 84 percent of Indians are protein deficient, which leads to associated health conditions. Through this new age offering, the brand offers the perfect mix of great taste, versatility, and balanced nutrition to break the monotony of vegetarian protein options on the main plate. Numerous other reports over the years also highlight that Indian vegetarians have poor levels of Vitamin B-12 and more than 50 per cent of the women in India are iron deficient. Rounding out its nutrition profile, the products are fortified with Vitamin B-12 and iron, making them a one-of-their-kind superfood. With great flavour absorption, a hearty texture, and a mild nutty flavour, this is the perfect ingredient to add variety to daily diets. It is easy to cook and can be seamlessly incorporated into a variety of cuisines making it perfect for curries, stir-fries, kebabs, rolls and so much more.

Here are some flavourful recipes by Hello Tempayy:

TEMPAYY BHURJI

Ingredients:

Tempayy cubes
Turmeric powder
Fresh ginger
Onions
Fresh coriander leaves
Milk
Black pepper powder
Oil
Salt to taste
Preparation:

Tempayy:

Crumble the Tempayy cubes by hand and set aside
Finely chop onions, green chillies, ginger and coriander leaves and keep aside.
Cooking:

Heat oil in a pan.
Add chopped ginger and saute for 30 seconds
Add chopped onions and saute for 5 mins or until they turn translucent.
Add chopped green chillies, turmeric powder and crumbled Tempayy. Saute for 7 mins.
Add salt, black pepper powder and fresh coriander leaves. Saute for 02 more minutes. Add salt to taste.
Pour milk and saute for 2 more minutes.
Serve hot with some pao or sliced bread of your choice.


TEMPAYY KATHI ROLL

Ingredients:

Tempayy cubes
Broken Cashew paste
Sliced onions
Sliced coloured peppers
Jeera powder
Chat masala
Kashmiri chilli powder
Tomato ketchup
Salt to taste
Oil
Fresh coriander
Ginger garlic paste
Curd
Kasurimethi
Roti/ Indian Bread of your choice
For the onion tomato masala

Onion
Tomato
Tomato puree
Ginger garlic paste
Kashmiri chilli powder
Turmeric powder
Bayleaf
Cardamom green
Cinnamon
Oil
Preparations:

Unbox the Hello Tempayy natural cubes (OR) Hello Tempayy Tawa Masala Cubes
Marinate the cubes with turmeric powder, Kashmiri chilli powder, ginger garlic paste, curd and salt. Skip step 2 if using marinated cubes.
Slice onions and peppers.
Onion Tomato masala:

Finely chop onions and tomatoes.
Heat some oil in a pan. Add bay leaf, cardamom and cinnamon to it. Once they start to splutter, add the onions and fry till golden brown.
Take ginger garlic paste in a different bowl. Add Kashmiri chilli powder, turmeric powder along with little water to form a thick paste.
Pour the paste into the onions and cook for 05 minutes.
Add chopped tomatoes and cook for 05 mins.
Add the tomato puree and cook for 10 minutes.
Once the oil separates, switch off the gas and the gravy is ready for use.
Procedure (filling):

Heat some oil in pan.
Add sliced onions and saute for 5 mins.
Add pepper and saute for 5 mins.
Add jeera powder, chat masala, tomato ketchup, onion tomato masala, cashew paste and fresh coriander. Stir well.
Cook for 5 mins.
Keep aside and let it cool
Kathi roll:

Saute the Hello Tempayy cubes
Add the filling and sauteed cubes on one side of the roti.
Fold inwards at the bottom and then fold from both sides to form a drum shape.
Cut into two and serve


Siddharth Ramasubramanian, Founder and CEO of Vegolution, said, "In-depth primary research has shown us that vegetarian Indian consumers crave variety and are usually unable to meet their daily protein requirement. Vegolution's Hello Tempayy will offer vegetarians, fitness enthusiasts and people who want to make conscious food choices, a range of products suitable across meals and cuisines. More importantly, it will bring flavours and textures that fit the Indian taste profile. We are focused on encouraging people from all walks of life to build a healthy and enthusiastic relationship with food."

Aiming to take people from protein-deficient to protein-positive with a product range that can be embraced as a staple by conscious foodies, the products are manufactured in custom-built facilities in Bengaluru and more recently in Pune.



(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
ianslife/tb

London, Oct 6 (IANS) The number of people diagnosed with or dying from primary liver cancer per year could rise by more than 55 per cent by 2040, reveals a new analysis.

According to a new report, published in the Journal of Hepatology, countries must achieve at least a 3 per cent annual decrease in liver cancer incidence and mortality rates to avoid this increase.

"Liver cancer causes a huge burden of disease globally each year," said researcher Isabelle Soerjomataram, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), Cancer Surveillance Branch, Lyon, France.

"It is also largely preventable if control efforts are prioritised -- major risk factors include hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, alcohol consumption, excess body weight, and metabolic conditions including type 2 diabetes," Soerjomataram added.

For the research, the team extracted data on primary liver cancer cases and deaths from the International Agency for Research on Cancer's GLOBOCAN 2020 database, which produces cancer incidence and mortality estimates for 36 cancer types in 185 countries worldwide.

The predicted change in the number of cancer cases or deaths by the year 2040 was estimated using population projections produced by the UN.

Results showed that in 2020, an estimated 905,700 individuals were diagnosed with liver cancer and 830,200 died from liver cancer globally.

According to these data, liver cancer is now among the top three causes of cancer death in 46 countries and is among the top five causes of cancer death in nearly 100 countries, including several high-income countries.

Liver cancer incidence and mortality rates were highest in Eastern Asia, Northern Africa, and South-Eastern Asia. Investigators predict the annual number of new cases and deaths from liver cancer will rise by more than 55 per cent over the next 20 years, assuming current rates do not change.

--IANS
vc/svn/

Seoul, Oct 5 (IANS) A satirical cartoon about South Korea President Yoon Suk-yeol has sparked a debate about freedom of expression after the culture ministry expressed regret and issued a warning to the organiser of a cartoon festival that awarded a prize to it.

Drawn by a high school student, the cartoon, titled "Yoon Suk-yeol Train," went viral on the internet this week after it was displayed along with other prize-winning works at the Bucheon International Comics Festival, which ran from Friday to Monday, Yonhap news agency reported.

On Tuesday, the culture ministry, which sponsored the contest, expressed regret and issued a "stern warning" to the organiser, the Korea Manhwa Contents Agency, which is affiliated with the city of Bucheon, just west of Seoul.

"Selecting and displaying the work that explicitly deals with political topics in a national cartoon contest for middle and high school students goes against the event's purpose of inspiring students' desire for creating cartoons," the ministry said.

The ministry claimed the agency violated the terms of sponsorship, under which works with sexually explicit, violent and political content should be disqualified.

The ministry said it will take appropriate measures after investigating the selection process. It noted the government provides about 10.2 billion won (US$ 7.2 million) annually to the agency.

The agency countered that the work has been chosen in a fair process by a jury appointed by random recommendations.

The ministry's statement drew angry reactions from industry organisations and opposition politicians.

The Korea Webtoon Association accused the ministry of oppressing freedom of expression with a veiled threat to freeze the government subsidy.

Cho Kwan-je, chief of the Corea Cartoon Art Association, said some comics organisations are preparing to announce a joint statement against the government move.

"The government has gone too far," he said. "It (the cartoon) may have caused discomfort because of its satire of the president," he said, adding he felt sorry for the student who faces controversy only for expressing his thoughts in the artwork.

Culture Minister Park Bo-gyoon reaffirmed the ministry's position.

"The Yoon Suk-yeol government guarantees freedom of expression and creation as much as possible," he said. "It is not the work that we are taking issue with, but the Korea Manhwa Contents Agency, which politically polluted the student comics contest that has built a reputation for pure artistic sensibility," he said.

--IANS
int/svn/

New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANSlife) As an ode to the beauty rituals and skincare traditions from around the world, Global Beauty Secrets (GBS) and Jean-Claude Biguine (JCB) Salon at Jio World Drive have come together to give you a rejuvenating experience. Global Beauty Secrets's beauty collection is now at Jean-Claude Biguine Salon at Jio World Drive, Mumbai. Ancient beauty is at the heart of the brand, with an ever-evolving skincare selection that focuses on beauty rituals from around the world.

GBS and JCB hosted an experiential for the leading ladies of the beauty industry that kicked off with an assortment of traditional beauty rituals starting from hair, skin as well as beauty tools. The event was co-hosted by beauty editor Aparrna Gupta while recreating natural Sandal Dar Rejuvenating massage, manicure, pedicure, and nail art experiences for the guests with the brand's certified products.

The launch comes at a time when beauty is more important than ever as an expression of personal style, whether the look is natural, classic, or backed by rituals that date back to centuries. Now customers at JCB Salons can experiment with traditional beauty ingredients & formulas from all over the world. "When I started Global Beauty Secrets, I always wanted to recreate ancient beauty rituals. As a global brand, we look forward to this collaboration and are super excited to offer the Rituals to everyone." says Aishwarya Nir, Founder of Global Beauty Secrets."

Speaking about the collaboration, Samir Srivastav, CEO, Jean-Claude Biguine India said: "As thought leaders, JCB Salons is always scouting for new beauty concepts that deliver efficacious results but also transform how clients view beauty. Women today have taken over the reins and are leading the transformation in the beauty & wellness space. And of course, the economic success couldn't be more evident. JCB Salons looks forward to partnering with home-grown brands led by women entrepreneurs and therefore happy to collaborate with Aishwarya Nir of Global Beauty Secrets."

(IANSlife can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in)

--IANS
ianslife/tb

New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANSlife) Nothing gets the day off to a better start than a cup of freshly brewed coffee! The top travel company, Booking.com, has put together a list of coffee estates in India where visitors may participate in the selection of coffee beans, have tastings, and get a much-needed caffeine boost on this International Coffee Day.

These coffee plantations, which span for miles, are primarily located in the mountainous regions of South India in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. If you enjoy coffee, mark these locations on your calendar for a guaranteed caffeine surge!

Coorg, Karnataka

Surrounded by numerous lakes, lush green hills, rich flora and fauna, Coorg, is known for its Arabica and Robusta brews. Almost 40 percent of India's coffee is grown in Coorg, and it plays a significant role in the local economy. November is the best time to visit this hill station as coffee lovers will be able to witness berry picking during this time. Some of the places that you could visit during your stay at Coorg include Abbey Falls, mini Tibet of Bylakuppe, Virajpet and Mandalpatti.

Chikmagalur, Karnataka

Known as the 'Coffee Land of Karnataka' Chikmagalur is a must visit for coffee enthusiasts. When the British Raj introduced coffee to India, it all began at Chikmagalur. Additionally, it is from here that the bulk of the nation's coffee is produced. You can hire a tour guide to show you around this lush, mountainous region and explain how coffee is made, or you can hike through it to learn more about the plantations or just back and simply enjoy a warm cup of coffee. In Chikmagalur, you may discover a lot of resorts surrounded by coffee plantations. You don't have to travel far to look for or smell fresh coffee beans.

Palani Hills, Tamil Nadu

The Palani Hills, a continuation of the Western Ghats, are home to elegant mansions on coffee estates. Along with coffee, the area is renowned for its avocado, pepper, and lime plantations. The Rajakkad Estate has a hotel that dates back to the 18th century, which takes pride in serving freshly ground coffee. Guided tours of the coffee estate are also available.

Wayanad, Kerala

Apart from the beautiful coffee plantations, Wayanad also provides multiple other activities to do that will make your visit worthwhile. If you travel in November or December, you may gather berries, go bird watching, hike up to the Edakkal caves, which have inscriptions that date back 8,000 years, or go rafting on the Kuruva Dweep river. Don't forget to visit a handful of the country's biggest waterfalls, which can be found in Wayanad.

Chikhaldara, Maharashtra

One of the only coffee plantations in Maharashtra, Chikhaldara is about 600kms from Pune. Pretty lakes, waterfalls, and the hilly terrains of Amravati. It is a bird watcher's paradise with several old forts to keep the history nerds engaged. As it is still relatively unknown on the tourist map, this plantation should be on your itinerary for a peaceful holiday away from the hustle bustle.

Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh

Araku Valley is a beautiful hill station in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. Located along the Eastern Ghats, the area is home to numerous tribes, all of whom are involved in the cultivation of coffee. The local tribes have their own brand of brilliant organic coffee called Araku Emerald claimed to be the first organic coffee by a tribe in India. Visitors can buy from them and enjoy the local taste of this famous coffee. Other regions in Andhra Pradesh that produce some great coffee are Chintapalli, Paderu and Maredumilli.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
ianslife/tb

New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANSlife) Indian festivals are authentic to the country's aesthetic culture and traditions; people have indelible memories and attachments to them. While different parts of India celebrate festivals like Navratri and Durga Pujo, their spirit is the same. Sharing a festive feast across the table with your loved ones is one of the many joys of the holiday, deeply rooted in our tradition and culture.

With guests arriving and numerous preparations to make, the search for delectable snacks and meals appropriate for the occasion is endless. With guests arriving and numerous preparations to make, the search for delectable snacks and meals appropriate for the occasion is endless. While sweets are the highlight of the holiday season, savoury snacks become a staple during the festivities as well. Don't those chatpata, tasty, tangy, quick and easy bites make us all drool? So, this holiday season, get creative with your snacks.

Saffola Masala Oats, with their perfect blend of desi Indian masalas, will add a chatpata twist to your favourite snack recipes and up the yum factor. Here are some of Chef Kunal Kapur's lip smacking festive recipes that you must try!

Oats Masala Dhokla

Ingredients:
1 Cup Rice
1 Cup Masala Oats
1 Cup sour yoghurt
1 tsp ginger and green chili paste
2 tsp ghee
4 curry leaves
1 tsp sesame seeds
Salt to taste
Garnishing – grated coconut and coriander

Method:
Roast Masala Oats in a pan till aromatic
In a bowl add rice and soak it for 40 mins and keep it aside
In a separate bowl, add rice and oats, yoghurt, ginger and green chili paste, 2 tsp ghee, Salt to taste. grind it into a thick batter
Grease a tin with ghee and add the batter into it
Place the tin into the steamer and let cook for 20 mins
In a pan add 1 teaspoon oil, when it sizzles add curry leaves, sesame seeds and grated coconut.
Once Masala Oats Dhokla is ready, garnish it with curry leaves, sesame seeds and grated coconut.

Moong Dal and Matar Ghugra

Ingredients for the outer crust:
2 cups maida (all-purpose flour)
1/2 cup ghee
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Water
1 tablespoon Oil

Ingredients for the filling:
1 cup Masala Oats
1 cup Green Moong Dal, soaked and steamed
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon hing
1 teaspoon amchur (dry mango powder)
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
2 Green chilies, finely chopped
Salt to taste

Method:

Soak the moong dal and masala oats in 2 cups of water for about 3 to 4 hours. Once soaked, drain any excess water and keep it aside.
Heat oil in a non-stick pan on medium heat; add the cumin seeds, fennel seeds, sesame seeds, hing and allow them to crackle.
Stir in the cooked green moong dal and add mouthwatering Masala Oats
Allow the moong dal and oats mixture to cool and divide into 20 portions
In the next step we will make the dough for the pastry crust for the ghugras
Combine the maida, ghee and salt in a bowl. Work the ghee into the flour with your fingers until the mixture resembles a coarse meal.
Sprinkle water onto the crumbly dough and with your hands push the dough from the sides to the middle of the bowl to form a ball that holds together.
Be careful to add a little water at a time, and not allow the dough to become soggy. Knead well with your hands until the dough becomes a firm ball of dough.
Once rested, make 20 small portions of the ghughra dough and roll into a small 3-inch circle.
Place a teaspoon full of moong dal and Masala Oats' mixture onto one half of the circle. Wet your fingers into the bowl of water and spread a little water around the edges of the circle.
Gently fold the circle into a semi-circle, seal the edges so that the dough sticks to each other making sure all the filling is concealed inside.
Preheat the oil for deep frying and deep fry these ghugras on medium heat
Serve the Moong Dal Oats ghugras along with green chutney and chai for tea time snacks

Baked Pudina Oats Broken Wheat Tikki

Ingredients:
1 Sweet Potato, boiled and peeled
200 grams Paneer, crumbled
2 cups Masala Oats
1 inch ginger, grated
2 green chilies, finely chopped
1 Onion, finely chopped
Pudina (Mint Leaves)
Oil for cooking tikkis
Salt

Method:
To begin making the recipe, first get all the ingredients prepped, boil the sweet potatoes.
Add in both the boiled sweet potatoes, paneer, grated ginger, green chilies, onion, mint leaves and the key ingredient Masala Oats
Blend the ingredients until the potatoes are coarsely mashed and all the ingredients come together. Open the processor and give the mixture a stir halfway through so the ingredients come together and blend again.
Transfer the tikki dough into a bowl. Check the salt and add more only if you feel you require it as the masala oats also have salt in them.
Grease your fingers with a little oil and shape the pudina oat & broken wheat dough into bite size tikkis.
Preheat a skillet on medium heat.
Place a few pudina oat tikkis at a time on the skillet, drizzle a few drops of oil on each of the Pudina Oat & Broken Wheat Tikki and cook them on low to medium heat until browned and crisp on both sides.
Remove onto an oil absorbent paper and serve

Oats Kathi Roll

Ingredients for Kathi Rolls:
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon oil
1 teaspoon salt

Ingredients for filling:
1/2 teaspoon oil
2 cups Masala Oats
1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
1 cup sliced onion
3 stalks finely chopped spring onion
1 teaspoon mustard

Method:
In a large bowl, add wheat flour, oil and salt and mix it well. Knead the mixture by adding a little water and prepare a firm dough. Cover it and keep it aside for 10mins
Divide the dough into 3 big portions.
Roll the dough portions into balls and flatten them with the palm of your hand. Toss them in flour and roll them out into circles
Put skillet on medium heat. Rolled out dough keep it on the skillet and cook it. Flip it after 2 mins and sprinkle some oil.
Once ready remove from the skillet and keep it aside, repeat the same with other dough portions
Next step is to prepare Masala Oats filling. Take a bowl, add spring onions, salt to taste and raw masala oats, and mix the ingredients well.
Take a pan, preheat on medium flame, sprinkle some oil and add the masala oats mixture and allow it to cook on medium flame for 3 mins
Once masala oats filling is ready, Place paratha on board, add the filling portion onto it. Add a few sliced onions, drizzle some tomato ketchup and mustard, tightly wrap the filling and serve it.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
ianslife/tb

New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) September is observed as 'Heart Month' every year. During this month a lot of activities are organised to sensitise people about heart health and the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle in the fight against cardiac diseases.

However, as the awareness activities get over, most people fail to keep up the momentum and lean back to their routine inactive lifestyle. At the conclusion of World Heart Month, cardiologists have unanimously highlighted the importance of an active lifestyle and activities like stair climbing for indicative assessment and maintaining heart health.

#heart2heartchallengeIndia is an initiative that urges people to climb stairs in one minute for heart health. Maintaining momentum in such initiatives can play a pivotal role in adopting active lifestyle habits at a mass level for better heart health.

"Heart attack and stroke account for 85 per cent of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)-related mortality. One of the leading behavioural risk factors is physical inactivity and lack of exercise. Hence, climbing stairs is one of the many forms of exercise that has been scientifically proven to be beneficial for one's heart. The stair climbing test is an easy way to check one's heart health at no cost. The 'Heart2Heart' campaign is an initiative that needs to be propagated in India to prevent future cardiac problems," said Jamshed J. Dalal, Director, Centre for Cardiac Sciences, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute, Mumbai.

Ajay Mahajan, Professor and Head of Cardiology at KEM hospital, Mumbai, said, "The overall mortality of heart attacks is 13 per cent and it is higher in women than the men. Compounding problems are the fact that sudden cardiac death occurs for 10 per cent in age groups less than 40 years. This leads to a loss of productivity and has a profound socio-economic impact. A large-scale primary prevention initiative dealing with lifestyle changes of regular exercise, consumption of a balanced and healthy diet and tobacco cessation is required. Training of personnel in resuscitation is also needed. To spread awareness, the 'Heart2Heart' campaign 'Healthy Heart' challenge is the need of the hour."

P.K. Hazra, Cardiologist, Head of the Department, AMRI hospitals, Kolkata, said, "People in India are genetically predisposed to develop coronary heart diseases. But the lack of awareness and access to preventive care often leads to late diagnosis and poor outcomes among the patients. Understanding the risk factors and seeking preventive and timely care to manage heart disease calls for raising awareness among the masses. It is very important to understand that the role of exercise (get-moving) plays a pivotal role in debunking the onset of heart diseases. Any form of exercise is beneficial for heart health like climbing stairs, walking to the bus-stop, cycling, according to studies."

C.N. Manjunath, Cardiologist, Director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bangalore, said, "The mission of the European Society of Cardiology was to devise a method that is both simple and free of cost for determining the health of an individual's heart. People who can climb four flights of stairs in one minute have a significantly reduced risk of having abnormal cardiac function. The findings add legitimacy to the concept of using the stair test as a quick and easy method for individuals to evaluate the state of their cardiovascular health. It has the potential to assist in preventing CVDs, which are major causes of mortality in India. However, if a person is getting chest pain or a burning sensation while climbing stairs, it could be an early sign of blockage of the artery."

A. George Koshy, Cardiologist, Tiruvananthapuram, said, "India has one of the highest burdens of CVDs worldwide as every fourth death has been occurring due to it. Hypertensive cardiovascular disease can lead to heart failure, heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths. People with uncontrolled blood pressure, blood sugar, high blood cholesterol and unhealthy lifestyles like smoking, junk food and lack of physical exercise are at high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and consequent disabilities at a young age. In this direction, the 'Heart2Heart' campaign of climbing stairs to check heart health is a much-needed stimulus toward spreading awareness around heart health, and reducing the incidence of heart diseases."

The conclusion of Heart Month should be seen as the beginning of a new year that sees maximum people adopting healthy heart habits.

#heart2heartchallengeindia can be a torch bearer that has motivated thousands of people to take the challenge of climbing six-steps in a minute and adopt stair climbing in their routine lives.

--IANS
san/khz/

By IANSlife
New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANSlife) One of the country's busiest seasons, Navratri also brings with it a tradition of fasting and feasting. In addition to fasting on nine auspicious nights, many mouthwatering dishes are also cooked, including sabudana khichdi, fruit chaat, and kheer to kuttu ki poori and aloo kadhi.



Adults are advised to fast occasionally as it gives their digestive systems a break and aids in the body's detoxification process. However, if necessary precautions are not followed regarding the type of foods consumed, particularly if the person has diabetes, fasting and consuming a restricted diet for 9 to 10 days consistently can endanger one's health.

Dr. Sunil M Jain, Endocrinologist , TOTALL Diabetes Hormone Insitute, Indoresays, "Diabetes management during Navratri fasting is important owing to the change in food patterns, nature of the fast, and the food items allowed. People with diabetes must eat at regular intervals to maintain optimum blood glucose levels and consume foods, which have a low glycemic index, before beginning the fast. It is key to check blood glucose levels a few times during the day. Today, there are continuous glucose monitoring devices that are easily accessible and do not involve any pricks. These devices show real-time glucose results and a directional trend arrow showing where glucose levels are headed, that help make informed dietary decisions by the person."

Here are some suggestions for navigating the holidays without jeopardising your health, even if managing diabetes is more difficult when fasting is followed by a feast.

Eat the right foods – Due to the dietary restrictions and altered food patterns, it is possible that blood sugar levels could fluctuate. Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor about your plan for fasting, which should include the number of fasting days, eating frequency and timings, and foods that can be consumed, as that will help regulate glucose fluctuations and boost overall health. One can opt for foods rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, protein, and fiber, which facilitate in controlling blood glucose levels.

Consumption of roasted makhana, nuts, and pumpkin cutlets can make for good snackable satiety during fasting, as they also meet protein requirements. Additionally, vitamin C and fiber-rich fruits such as orange and kiwi are good for consumption as they help manage the insulin fluctuations in the body.

Keep Track of Your Counts - Knowing when to check your blood glucose levels during fasting is key. Keeping a home glucose monitoring system will help you track your glucose levels from time to time. Today there are sensor-based devices such as Freestyle Libre, that provide actionable trends and patterns that help you make better decisions about your health. It is also important to monitor glucose levels during fasting, to ensure you avoid a hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia attack.

Maintain Hydration: Dehydration during fasting is troublesome for those with diabetes. Consumption of at least 2 to 3 liters of water is a must while fasting. Buttermilk without salt and low-calorie drinks like nimbu pani, green tea, mint water, cardamom tea, smoothies, and coconut water can help combat dehydration during Navratri. It is better to have fruits like apples in the smoothie instead of bananas. You can also add 2 tsp of flaxseeds and chia seeds to your smoothie as they help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and diabetes complications.

Exercising – People with diabetes can exercise during fasting, however, it needs to be done at a low pace. It is important to not strain yourself during this time. One can go for short walks and include stretching exercises in their routine. You can also ditch the exercises during Navratri and enjoy yourself to the tunes of Garba.

Eating an hour before Garba will not make you feel heavy during the dance and will also ensure that you are not low on energy. For people with diabetes, having a combination of proteins and the right carbohydrates keeps you going for a long period. You can opt for a dry fruit milkshake or a buckwheat pancake with some cottage cheese cubes in such cases.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
ianslife/tb/

By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe
New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANSlife) An online exhibition features strikingly vibrant paintings that focus on Kumbakonam, a temple capital, and an artist's other travel expeditions across India with its undocumented culture. Artflute, presents 'Country Beats', a curated collection of the most recent works by the watercolorist, Sivabalan.



"Artflute has always been about showcasing art that is honest and leaves an impact on the viewer. Sivabalan's world of unsuspecting portraits and everyday celebration draws patrons into his painting and lets them revel in it. The showcase helps in drawing attention to the joy and happiness that can be found in what we consider as 'ordinary' life," says Padmaja Nagarur, Co-founder, of Artflute on Sivabalan's latest collection

Watercolorist Sivabalan
The artist's latest collection is a travelogue of his journey within the country and exploring his hometown of Kumbakonam further. Sivabalan's paintings also toy with nativity and rural villages, especially scenes from the southern villages he grew up around. His works capture everyday scenes and movements, without filters or divulging too many details.

Everyday Blessings by Watercolorist Sivabalan

Sivabalan's work is all about flirting with opposites. With his signature style of white background in his watercolor works, he captures the authenticity, realism, and heterogenicity of the rural portraits. His paintings depict scenes such as elephant procession, everyday prayers, women carrying pots, and festive carnivals. The artworks bring alive the animated hustle and are an ode to India and its many nuances.


The Carnival Begins by Watercolorist Sivabalan
Commenting on the collection Sivabalan adds, "I believe I can transmit my own personal feelings about people and their lifestyles through my paintings and connect the rarity of our culture to generations."

The collection can be viewed on Artflute.com until the 30th of September, 2022 on www.artflute.com

(N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in)

--IANS
lh/tb/