World Diabetes Day

On 14th of November today, the entire world under the auspices of the UN joins hands together to create awareness about the killing disease of diabetes. The disease has far reaching ramification not only the life of the patient, but the entire family and the society as well. As of today, more than 250 million people are suffering at the hands of this disease. There may be many more who may not be knowing that they have silently contracted the disease. The figure is likely to soar to almost 400 million (380 million to be exact) by 2025 as each year some 7 million are added to the list of the sufferers.

As I said before, it is a killer disease, which eats up some 3.8 million patients suffering from diabetes and its related side effects. A study shows that the death rate equals that of AIDS and HIV, which we otherwise think to be the number one killer disease.

While most of the patients carry Type-2 symptoms mainly caused by obesity, stress and overwork and sedentary lifestyle, Type-1 which targets the youth is rising at an alarming rate of 3% per annum. While the AIDS has yet to find a suitable drug to harness the disease, diabetes can at best be controlled but not completely cured.

I have seen my mother in law and my brother falling prey to this disease and know how it pains to one’s near and dear ones withering away by diabetes. A stage comes when no medicine seems to be working, the kidneys slowly dying and finally leading to the painful departures.

Owing to the seriousness of the disease and it impact on people and the society, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on 20 December 2006on World Diabetes Day. The Unite for Diabetes campaign, led by the International Diabetes Federation in collaboration with the global diabetes community, has thus been able to get a UN resolution according to which 14 November has been designated as the World Diabetes Day. The day is being observed since 2007 by all members of the UN.

I also join hands with the world community to raise my voice and create awareness through this post and would appeal to everyone reading this to join the blue circle and spread the word and help people who are suffering from diabetes in any way that is possible.

PS: Originally published at Fire Within

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Blog Action Day 2010 – Water

Have you ever wondered that while you can buy bottled safe drinking water from the market, more than one billion people around the world cannot afford this luxury of clean drinking water? Join countless bloggers around the world to participate in the Blog Action Day to raise awareness about the clean and safe drinking water for those who cannot afford it or don’t have access to it. Remember access to clean water is not just a human rights issue – it is an environmental, animal welfare, and sustainability issue. Water is a global issue, and affects all of us.

Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day with the aim of sparking a global discussion and driving collective action. So be part of the fifth Blog action Day 2010 which is dedicated to the accessibility to clean drinking water. The theme was chosen by vote on Change.org’s blog, with Collis and Cyan Ta’eed as its co-creators.

Those who haven’t heard of the Blog Action Day, may I add for their information that it is all about grass root level activism, based on the philosophy that ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference. Join the cause and celebrate the day with your own post at your own blog, as I have.

Photo courtesy: Diets in Review.com

Workplace Wellness – World Heart Day 2010

The theme for Word Heart Day this year was something that is needed the year round: Workplace Wellness. We bring home an ailing heart form our workplaces where pressures, intensity of work, bullying by bosses and intrigues by colleagues make people sick, morose and pulled down. The depressive tendencies finally take a toll of our heart and add to lifelong miseries. The theme of 2010 thus aimed at promoting better behaviours at our workplaces to prevent or at least reduce chances of a stroke or depression that may lead to a stroke.

It is our collective responsibility to ensure that we provide congenial work environment to our colleagues and subordinates. And if one happens to be the CEO, then his responsibility to enforce a healthy work framework in his organization so that subordinates do not take a heavy heart back home. As a sick workplace not only affects the overall working environment of the organization but the productivity as well. It also affects the families back home and ultimately adds to an unhealthy society.

We need to help each other, providing a helping hand whenever we can. We need to reach out to people finding it difficult to cope with the intensity of work and try helping them in carrying on. Smiles at workplace enhance healthy environment, specially when schedules are tight and everyone is glued to the seats rather than finding a break.

We must also bring physical activity to our workplace. Take stairs rather than elevators, go for a walk during breaks and encourage others as well. Physical active people are not only active, but also are able to take stresses more than those who are inactive. Take files to others rather than others coming to you to collect their share. This will not only induce personal touch but would also allow you a break from your seat.

Also encourage stress free moments. Instead of having a snack at your desk during breaks, go out, take a stroll while munching. A fresh air breathing would ensure filling in fresh air into your lungs and airing out that stuffy and cramped air of enclosed offices.

Be happy yourself and make others happy around you – it will keep your heart smiling!!