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The Men behind the flying machines

Fighter pilots are a rare breed of human beings. They lead intense lives fully appreciating each moment to its utmost. Up at the crack of dawn, they seem to have an endless store of energy even if called on to work 24X7. Flying over inhospitable terrain or unfriendly/enemy territory actually brings out their best.

One way to recognise a pilot away from his airbase, is from his characteristic Ray-ban Aviator sunglasses. This iconic brand is almost synonymous with pilots. Sunny or cloudy the weather conditions are immaterial…

The use of aeronautical jargon is often carried through into daily lives such as “what time do we leave?” is often replaced with “wheels roll time”; a sudden downpour is due to a CB (cumulonimbus cloud); all procedures need thorough SOPs (standard operating procedure) from making tea to emergencies like a hot water scald; a family picnic needs a ‘briefing’ for all members, each one is “detailed” for a duty (games in-charge, food i/c, tpt i/c)….

There are some other distinguishing personality traits that all of us from the IAF family have experienced. To name a few: attention to detail, a systematic manner of executing tasks (even its just buying subjee), a pathological disregard for inactivity, ready to take a joke about themselves…

Before you think I am prejudiced read these that were part of an email forwarded to me…
Jokes apart, we wouldn’t want things any other way….

Q: How do you know if there is a fighter pilot at your party?

A: He’ll tell you.

Q: What’s the difference between God and fighter pilots?
A: God doesn’t think he’s a fighter pilot.

Q: What’s the difference between a fighter pilot and a jet engine?
A: A jet engine stops whining when the plane shuts down.

08 October is celebrated as Air Force Day in the Indian Air Force.
Happy Landings!

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Apta (Bauhinia racemosa)


In Maharashtra there exists a practice of exchanging ‘apta’ leaves. As always there are several mythological stories associated with this custom, but we shall talk about that another time. Today, the focus is on the tree. In view of extensive tree cutting going on presently, several nature lovers advocate against this practise. I wouldn’t blame them as people usually end up defoliating almost the entire tree and ruthlessly break up branches. It would take another year of growth before the tree regains its glory and by then the next festival is upon us.

Often the more common Kanchan (Bauhinia variegata) is mistaken for the apta (Bauhinia racemosa) tree and meets the same fate. Usually Kanchan is in full bloom in this season but that does not deter enthusiastic Puneites who get taken in by the similar looking two-lobed leaves. Click here to read more about the Bauhinia racemosa (apta). This plant also has several medicinal uses.

Apta trees are still to be found growing in some parts of Pune. Many farmhouses around the city too have this tree growing there. The above photo was taken at one such farmhouse.
Plant a tree. Make your city green.
Stay well!

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Aristolochia bracteolata (batak vel)


This creeper goes by the common name of Batak vel and its botanical name is Aristolochia bracteolata. This beautiful bean shaped purple flower has dark striations and actually looks like a duck (batak). The plant flowers from July to December. The batak vel is said to be popular for these ornamental looking flowers. I am told that a rare variant has red flowers but I could not see that plant.
Seeds and roots of Aristolochia bracteolata are said to have medicinal properties. Click here and here for some more information. This link also has some information.

Cheers!

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The story of Tulsi

Ganesh Chaturthi is an annual festival celebrated with equal fervour in homes and together at a community level.

21 types of leaves (Patri) are one of the various offerings to the Lord on this auspicious day.
Though Tulsi is considered to be a holy plant, Tulsi leaves are never offered to Ganapati except during the ‘pranpratishtha pooja’ on Ganesh Chaturthi day (to ‘breathe life into the idol’). There is an interesting story behind this. The following is the story available on the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple website….

Tulsi, the daughter of Dharmaraja. the God of righteousness, was roaming about in the world in ecstatic devotion to Lord Narayana, in her youthful days White thus going about, she came upon the banks of the sacred river Ganga. There she wandered into a serene ashram full of fragrant flowers and plants swaying in cool breeze. She saw Ganeshji, who was in the prime of his youth, beautifully dressed in yellow silks, and lost in deep contemplation on Lord Krishna. She was captivated by the beauty of Ganeshji, and entreated him to marry her.

Ganeshji turned down the proposal, saying that he was least interested in married life. Tulsi became angry and cursed Ganeshji saying : “You shall surely marry !”, whereupon Ganeshji also pronounced a counter—curse on her : “You too shall get married, but to an Asura, and thereafter you shall be cursed to be born as a plant by the wise men”. Realising her mistake, Tulsi pleaded for mercy, and extolled Ganeshji with divine hymns.

Ganeshji relented and said: “Though you shall be born as a plant, you will inherit the essence of all fragrance. All the gods will be happy with your fragrance, and Lord Hari will be specially glad to receive worship with your leaves. But you shall not be acceptable in the worship offered to me”. So saying, Ganeshji left that place and went to Badrikashram.

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Mask for everyone…

This candid photo from the Times of India dated 10 Aug 2009.

For those of you who want to learn the correct way to wash your hands, follow this link:
http://www.who.int/gpsc/clean_hands_protection/en/index.html

Stay well!

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Medical Consumers

Doctors are paid for their services- very often these are astronomical fees. While the complexities of a human body are certainly governed by an unknown force (some may call it God), medical science will certainly help in a large number of cases. So its natural for a patient to expect relief from their complaints.

Yet in some cases, things go horribly wrong and instead of relief, the patient may land up with something much worse. Then there is talk of ‘suing’ the doctor, taking legal action etc.

So is medicare in India covered under consumer laws?

In Pune, Rida Shaikh succumbed to H1N1 infection. We all grieved for the loss of this young girl on the threshold of her youth. Was Jehangir Hospital at fault? Were her doctors negligent? What test did Ruby Hospital really perform (the results were returned faster than the usual time required for a H1N1 test)?

A television discussion last week dealt with this topic and here is what I understood:
A doctor cannot be sued for error of judgment or difference of opinion. In most cases, it is another team of doctors who investigate and they will always stand by their own. How does one then prove that the doctor was at fault? Read the full discussion here.

Our legal system being what it is, a case will take forever to reach a logical conclusion.

Where does that leave us? Are we not entitled to some legal protection such situations?
What are our rights, if any, as medical consumers?

Other instances of negligence/oversights/mistakes (whatever be the word play used) that may cause death or damage are certainly punished such as the recent Delhi Metro under-construction bridge collapse where Gammon India was to be issued a show-cause notice.

This argument can go on for ever and the issue would still remain unresolved. In the meanwhile, each one of us needs to focus on our health.
Take a rain check of your lifestyle..
Is your diet a healthy one?
Are you exercising regularly?
Do you practise stress-management techniques?
Do you follow basic hygiene practices?

As some one said, one should never have to require services of professionals wearing a black or white coat.
Stay well!

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Phoren or Indian

The H1NI1 outbreak in India surely owes its origins to foreign countries. Many of the positive cases in India are people who have travelled abroad.
Among warnings issued to people to prevent H1N1 infection is to avoid foreign (phoren) travel.

I can’t speak for other parts of India but in Pune certainly, foreign (phoren) returnees are always looked upon in awe. Lets say till this H1N1 outbreak. Suddenly nobody thronged to visit people returning home from visiting their kith and kin or their foreign holiday.
Those who did, were openly asked questions if they suffered from symptoms, did the people they stayed with suffer symptoms and so on….
Discomforting? Certainly…
Embarrassing? Probably…
Arrogant? Certainly not…

The dilemma is worse with visiting foreign (phoren) relatives (particularly those keen for a desi experience in their northern hemisphere summer).

This weekend there are many more people moving around wearing masks on their faces. Pune girls/women are not new to such facial protection used as they are to tying long scarves or dupattas around their heads.
As we try to protect ourselves will the namaste/ namaskar (an Indian form of greeting people with folded hands) be a more hygienic form instead of the foreign (phoren) hand-shake?

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What do we eat?

Dals are an important source of protein for vegetarians. Several experts advice preparing them in different combinations for maximum benefits.
Yet the current situation is hardly conducive to a wholesome vegetarian diet.
Prices of dals have gone through the roof.
Tur dal costs Rs 100 per kilo with some ‘premium’ varieties costing much more.
Other varieties are not far behind.

There are several reasons being thrown around. Some blame it on commodity trading.
Others on inadequate production. Read this Financial Express report.
There are reports of huge stocks of imported dal lying (rotting is the word used by some) at ports across India. Read this India Today report.
Our Parliament too witnessed some action on this issue. Read about it on this report on rediff.com.

Inflation on 30 Jul 2009 stood at minus 1.54%. Read about it at Commodity Online.
Where does that leave the vegetarian common man?
Most are in no mood to be explained intricacies of economics. The people need concrete action.

Marie Antionette supposedly asked people to eat cake if they dont have bread.

What do we eat?

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Why swearing may be good for you…

Cut your hand/ stumbled on a stone and hurt your toe nail/ finger caught in the door hinge…
One usually swears whenever such accidents occur. Ever wondered why?

A study published in the journal NeuroReport by experts from the Keele University found that study participants who cursed freely were able to tolerate pain about 50% more than those who did not swear. Click here to read the full news. Though the exact link between swear words and pain relief was not found, researchers attributed the analgesic (pain relief) effect of ‘colourful’ language to the ‘fight-flight’ response it triggers in our body.

Keeping a ‘stiff upper lip’ while in pain may not be such a good idea after all…
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