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Every year, on December 3rd, the world comes together to observe International Day of Persons with Disabilities, also known as World Disability Day. This day is a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing, understanding, and advocating for the rights and well-being of people with disabilities.

The theme of World Disability Day varies from year to year, reflecting the diverse challenges and opportunities faced by individuals with disabilities worldwide. However, the overarching goal remains constant: to promote inclusivity, raise awareness, and foster a more accessible and equitable society for all.


Embracing Diversity:

One of the most profound aspects of World Disability Day is its celebration of diversity. Disabilities come in many forms, ranging from physical impairments to cognitive, sensory, and intellectual challenges. Each person’s experience is unique, shaped by their individual circumstances, abilities, and aspirations.

By acknowledging and embracing this diversity, World Disability Day highlights the richness and complexity of the human experience. It reminds us that disability is a natural part of the human condition, and it does not define a person’s worth or potential.


Promoting Inclusion:

Inclusion lies at the heart of the disability rights movement. It’s about creating environments where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can fully participate, contribute, and thrive. This involves not only removing physical barriers but also addressing social, cultural, and attitudinal obstacles that can marginalize people with disabilities.

World Disability Day serves as a catalyst for action, inspiring individuals, communities, and policymakers to work towards greater inclusivity. It calls attention to the importance of accessible infrastructure, inclusive education, equal employment opportunities, and meaningful participation in all aspects of society.


Raising Awareness:

Awareness is a powerful tool for change. World Disability Day provides a platform to educate the public about the realities of living with disabilities and the barriers that many individuals face on a daily basis. It challenges stereotypes, dispels myths, and fosters empathy and understanding.

Through storytelling, advocacy campaigns, and educational initiatives, World Disability Day amplifies the voices of people with disabilities and their allies. It encourages open dialogue and promotes a more nuanced understanding of disability as a social and human rights issue.


Building a More Inclusive Future:

As we commemorate World Disability Day, we are reminded of the progress that has been made in advancing disability rights and accessibility. However, we also recognize that there is still much work to be done.

Building a more inclusive future requires collective effort and commitment. It requires us to listen to the needs and perspectives of people with disabilities, involve them in decisionmaking processes, and ensure that their rights are upheld and respected.

On this World Disability Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equality for all. Let us strive to create a world where every person, regardless of their abilities, can live with dignity, autonomy, and full participation in society. Together, we can make a difference and build a more inclusive and equitable world for generations to come.

In a world where fast food joints seem to outnumber grocery stores and sedentary lifestyles are becoming the norm, the battle against obesity has never been more crucial. World Obesity Day serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need to address this global epidemic. With rates skyrocketing worldwide, it is imperative that we come together to tackle this issue head-on. In this blog, we will delve into the complexities of obesity, its far-reaching consequences, and what steps we can take to combat it effectively.


Understanding Obesity

Obesity is not just about carrying a few extra pounds; it is a complex medical condition characterized by excessive body fat accumulation. While genetics and metabolic factors play a role, lifestyle choices such as diet and physical activity levels are major contributors. Unfortunately, obesity does not discriminate—it affects people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds.


The Consequences of Obesity

The impact of obesity extends far beyond physical appearance. It significantly increases the risk of developing serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, and respiratory issues. Moreover, obesity can take a toll on mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The economic burden is also substantial, with healthcare costs associated with obesity soaring into the billions annually.


Addressing the Root Causes

To effectively combat obesity, we must address its root causes. This involves implementing comprehensive strategies that promote healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and improved access to nutritious foods. Additionally, addressing environmental factors such as food deserts and the prevalence of processed foods is crucial in creating environments that support healthy choices.


Promoting Healthy Lifestyles

Encouraging individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles is key to preventing and managing obesity. Educating people about nutrition, portion control, and the importance of regular exercise empowers them to take control of their health. Moreover, promoting policies that make healthy foods more accessible and affordable can have a significant impact on community health.


Building Supportive Communities

Creating supportive environments that foster healthy behaviours is essential in the fight against obesity. This includes initiatives such as building safe spaces for physical activity, implementing workplace wellness programs, and providing education and resources to schools and communities. By working together, we can create environments that make the healthy choice the easy choice for everyone.


Empowering Individuals

At the heart of the obesity epidemic are individuals struggling to make healthier choices in a world filled with obstacles. Empowering individuals to take charge of their health is paramount. This involves providing access to resources such as nutrition counselling, exercise programs, and support groups. By offering guidance and encouragement, we can help individuals overcome barriers and achieve their health goals.


Conclusion

As we observe World Obesity Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to combating this global epidemic. By raising awareness, advocating for policy change, and empowering individuals, we can make significant strides towards a healthier future for all. Together, let us take a stand against obesity and build a world where everyone has the opportunity to lead a happy, healthy life.

Cancer, a term that echoes with both fear and resilience, is a complex and pervasive group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and division of cells. At its core, cancer begins when normal cellular processes are disrupted, leading to genetic mutations that prompt cells to evade the body's usual checks and balances.

Cancer's diversity is staggering, encompassing over 100 different types, each with distinct characteristics and behaviors. As mutations accumulate, cells can acquire characteristics that enable them to invade surrounding tissues and, in some cases, metastasize to distant organs through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This metastatic spread is a hallmark of advanced cancer and poses significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment.

Developing of cancer:

• Genetic Alterations: Cancer often begins with genetic mutations that disrupt the normal regulatory mechanisms controlling cell growth and division.Certain genes, called proto-oncogenes, can transform into oncogenes when mutated, promoting uncontrolled cell growth.
• Cellular Proliferation: Mutated cells experience unregulated proliferation due to alterations in signaling pathways and cell cycle control.
• Tumor Formation: Mutated cells accumulate, forming a mass known as a tumor. This can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
• Metastasis: Cancer cells acquire the ability to invade surrounding tissues, breaking through normal barriers. Malignant cells may enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, spreading to distant organs and forming secondary tumors.
• Immune Evasion: Cancer cells can evade detection and destruction by the immune system, allowing them to persist and proliferate.

Cancer is caused by certain changes to genes, the basic physical units of inheritance. Genes are arranged in long strands of tightly packed DNA called chromosomes.

Credit: © Terese Winslow

Cancer guidance screening:

• Early Detection: Cancer guidance screening facilitates the early detection of cancer conditions, which often leads to more successful treatment outcomes, as interventions can be implemented at a stage when the disease is more manageable.
• Risk Assessment: Through screening, individuals can assess their risk factors for specific types of cancer. This allows for targeted preventive measures and lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of developing cancer.
• Personalized Prevention Plans: Cancer guidance screening helps in creating personalized prevention plans based on an individual's health history, genetics, and lifestyle factors. This proactive approach empowers individuals to take steps to minimize their cancer risk.
• Improved Treatment Planning: For individuals diagnosed with cancer, guidance screening can provide valuable information about the characteristics of the cancer, aiding healthcare professionals in devising more targeted and effective treatment plans.
• Psychosocial Support: A cancer diagnosis can be emotionally challenging. Cancer guidance screening may involve counseling and support services, helping individuals and their families navigate the emotional aspects of cancer and cope with the challenges associated with diagnosis and treatment.
• Public Health Impact: Population-wide cancer guidance screening initiatives contribute to public health by identifying trends, risk factors, and areas where targeted interventions are needed. This information informs public health policies and strategies for cancer prevention and control.

A large population-based study showed that increased mobile phone use reduces sperm concentration and total sperm count.

• For over a half-century, medical experts have been looking for environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to decreasing male sperm count.
• Some experts suggest that low-level radiofrequency electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones may have an effect on male fertility.
• A large Swiss population study revealed decreased sperm concentration and total sperm count with increased mobile phone use.
• The findings indicate that advanced phone technologies may have less impact on sperm quality.

• radiation exposure
• endocrine disruptors
• lifestyle habitsTrusted Source (i.e., diet, stress, alcohol, drugs, and smoking)

Do cellphones have an impact on male infertility?

Does it matter where you carry your phone?

Why is male sperm count going down?

• drug use (prescription and illegal)
• alcohol use
• tobacco use
• stress
• physical inactivity

Does cell phone radiation have long-term effects?

Older cell phones may be harmful to reproductive health.

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. It occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. People can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. Anthrax can cause severe illness in both humans and animals. Anthrax is not contagious, which means you can’t catch it from another person like the cold or flu.

The symptoms of anthrax depend on the type of infection and can take anywhere from 1 day to more than 2 months to appear. All types of anthrax have the potential, if untreated, to spread throughout the body and cause severe illness and even death.

Cutaneous anthrax symptoms can include:

• A group of small blisters or bumps that may itch
• Swelling can occur around the sore
• A painless skin sore (ulcer) with a black centre that appears after the small blisters or bumps
  • • Most often the sore will be on the face, neck, arms, or hand
• Fever and chills
• Chest Discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion or dizziness
• Cough
• Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains
• Headache
• Sweats (often drenching)
• Extreme tiredness
• Body aches

• Central and South America
• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Central and southwestern Asia
• Southern and eastern Europe
• The Caribbean

• Animals from the United States
• Animals that were imported with an international veterinary certificate showing that they have undergone the appropriate government inspection

Have you ever heard of polio? If you are living in a developed country, chances are you have not. But polio was once a dreaded disease that paralyzed and killed millions of people around the world, especially children under 5 years of age. In this blog post, we will explore what polio is, how it spreads, what its symptoms are, how it can be diagnosed, prevented and treated, and what the current status of polio eradication is.

What is polio?
Polio, short for poliomyelitis, is an infectious disease caused by a virus called poliovirus. It belongs to a group of diseases known as enteroviruses, which infect the gastrointestinal tract and can sometimes invade the nervous system. Polio has been around for a long time, dating back to ancient times. There are records of polio outbreaks in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The disease was also called Heine-Medin disease or infantile paralysis because it mainly affected young children and caused muscle weakness and paralysis.

Polio became a major public health problem in the 20th century, when it caused large-scale epidemics in many countries. The disease reached its peak incidence in the United States in 1952, with 20,000 cases of paralytic poliomyelitis. In developing countries today polio remains a major cause of disability.

There are three types of poliovirus: type 1, type 2 and type 3. All three types can cause paralysis, but type 1 is the most common and virulent. Type 2 was eradicated in 1999 and type 3 was eradicated in 2020. As of 2022, only type 1 remains endemic in two countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan.

How does polio spread?
Polio is highly contagious and spreads mainly through person-to-person contact. The virus lives in the throat and intestines of infected people and can be transmitted through fecal-oral routes or oral-oral routes. This means that people can get infected by swallowing contaminated food or water, or by coming into contact with the saliva or feces of an infected person. The virus can also spread through respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes.

People who are infected with polio can spread the virus for up to six weeks even if they do not show any symptoms. About 90% of people who are infected with polio do not develop any symptoms at all. This makes it harder to detect and stop the transmission of the virus.

What are the symptoms of polio?
Polio can cause different types of symptoms depending on whether it affects the central nervous system (CNS) or not. The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord and controls most of the body's functions.

The two major types of polio are abortive polio and paralytic or nonparalytic polio. Abortive polio does not affect the CNS and usually causes mild flu-like symptoms such as sore throat, fever, headache, vomiting, weakness and fatigue. These symptoms tend to be temporary and the patient can make a full recovery within two weeks.

Paralytic or nonparalytic polio affects the CNS and can cause more serious complications. Nonparalytic polio causes inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), which can lead to symptoms such as headache, neck, back, abdominal and extremity pain, fever, vomiting, stomach pain, lethargy and irritability.

Paralytic polio causes damage to the nerve cells that control muscle movement (motor neurons), which can result in muscle weakness, loss of reflexes and paralysis. Paralysis usually affects the legs but can also affect the arms, trunk or face. In some cases, paralysis can affect the muscles that control breathing (respiratory muscles), which can be fatal. Paralysis can be temporary or permanent.

About one in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis. Among those paralyzed, 5–10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilized.


Some people who have had paralytic polio may develop a condition called post-polio syndrome (PPS) years or decades later. PPS is characterized by new or worsening muscle weakness, fatigue, pain and joint problems. The exact cause of PPS is not known, but it may be related to the aging of the nerve cells that survived the initial infection.

How is polio diagnosed?
Polio can be diagnosed by testing samples of throat washings, stool or spinal fluid for the presence of the virus. This can be done by culture or by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which amplifies the genetic material of the virus. Another way to diagnose polio is by measuring the level of antibodies against the virus in the blood. Antibodies are proteins that the immune system produces to fight off infections. A high level of antibodies indicates a recent or past exposure to the virus.

How can polio be prevented?
The best way to prevent polio is by vaccination. There are two types of polio vaccines available: oral polio vaccine (OPV) and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).

OPV is a live attenuated vaccine, which means it contains a weakened form of the virus that can stimulate immunity but cannot cause disease. OPV is given as drops in the mouth and can provide protection for both the individual and the community. OPV can prevent most cases of paralytic polio, but in rare cases it can revert to a virulent form and cause vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP) or circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV).

IPV is a killed vaccine, which means it contains an inactivated form of the virus that cannot cause disease but can still induce immunity. IPV is given as an injection in the arm or leg and can provide protection for the individual but not for the community. IPV can prevent all types of polio, but it cannot stop the transmission of the virus.


Both OPV and IPV are safe and effective, and both are used in different combinations worldwide, depending on local epidemiological and programmatic circumstances, to ensure the best possible protection to populations. Multiple doses of either vaccine are required for lifelong immunity.

Other ways to prevent polio include improving public sanitation, maintaining proper personal hygiene, avoiding contact with infected people or contaminated objects, and seeking medical attention if symptoms occur.

How is polio treated?
There is no cure for polio, only supportive care. The aim of treatment is to prevent or reduce the symptoms and complications of the disease. Treatment may include:

• Antibiotics to prevent secondary infections in weakened muscles.
• Analgesics to relieve pain and inflammation.
• Antispasmodics to relax muscle spasms.
• Ventilators to assist breathing if respiratory muscles are paralyzed.
• Physical therapy to maintain muscle function and prevent deformities.
• Occupational therapy to help with daily activities and self-care.
• Braces, corrective shoes and orthopedic surgery to correct limb deformities.
• A balanced and nutritious diet to support recovery and health.
• Bed rest to ease the symptoms associated with the condition.

• Interrupt transmission of all polioviruses by strengthening immunization systems and reaching every child with multiple doses of polio vaccine.
• Contain and certify poliovirus eradication by ensuring safe handling and destruction of poliovirus materials in laboratories and vaccine facilities.
• Integrate polio functions into health systems by transitioning the polio assets and infrastructure to support other health priorities and emergencies.
• Certify and celebrate a polio-free world by engaging communities, leaders and partners to recognize and sustain this historic achievement.

Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance. They are the deadliest animals on the planet, responsible for millions of deaths every year. In India, mosquitoes pose a serious threat to public health and development, as they transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, and lymphatic filariasis.

The Numbers are Alarming
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India accounts for 83% of all malaria cases and 82% of all malaria deaths in the South-East Asia region. Malaria is endemic in most parts of the country, especially in the northeastern and central regions.

Dengue is another major mosquito-borne disease in India, with an estimated 200 thousand cases and 100 deaths in 2022. Dengue outbreaks occur frequently during the monsoon season, when rainfall creates favorable conditions for mosquito breeding.

Chikungunya is a viral disease that causes fever and joint pain. It is transmitted by the same mosquitoes that carry dengue. In 2016, India witnessed a massive outbreak of chikungunya, with over 64,000 cases reported across the country.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection that affects the brain and can cause death or disability. It is transmitted by mosquitoes that breed in rice fields and pig farms. JE is endemic in 171 districts of 19 states and union territories in India, with an estimated 10,000 cases and 1,000 deaths every year.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a parasitic infection that causes swelling of the limbs and genitals, leading to disability and social stigma. It is transmitted by mosquitoes that bite at night. India has the highest burden of LF in the world, with about 650 million people at risk and 31 million infected.

The Impact is Devastating
Mosquito-borne diseases not only affect the health of individuals, but also the economy and development of the country. They cause loss of productivity, absenteeism from work and school, increased health care costs, reduced tourism, and lower quality of life.

According to a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), malaria alone costs India about $1.94 billion. The study also estimated that if these diseases were eliminated by 2030, India could save $10.7 billion in direct costs and $62.8 billion in indirect costs.

Mosquito-borne diseases also hamper the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. For example, malaria alone can reduce economic growth by up to 1.3% per year in high-burden countries.

The Balance is Important
While mosquitoes are harmful to humans, they are also important for the ecosystem. They serve as food for many animals, such as birds, bats, frogs, fish, and spiders. They also pollinate some plants, such as orchids and cacao. They are part of the natural cycle of life and death.

Therefore, we cannot completely eliminate mosquitoes from the environment. We can only reduce their numbers and their impact on human health. We need to find a balance between protecting ourselves from mosquitoes and respecting their role in nature.

The Solution is Possible
The good news is that mosquito-borne diseases are preventable and treatable. There are effective tools and strategies available to control mosquitoes and their diseases, such as larval source management, environmental sanitation, vector surveillance, mass drug administration, vaccines, and community awareness.

However, these interventions require sustained political commitment, adequate funding, intersectoral collaboration, community participation, and innovation. India has made significant progress in reducing the burden of mosquito-borne diseases in recent years, but there is still a long way to go.

The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) is the nodal agency for the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases in India. It implements various programmes and activities to combat malaria, dengue, chikungunya, JE, and LF.

Some of the achievements of NVBDCP include:

• Elimination of malaria from Lakshadweep islands.
• Reduction of malaria cases by 83.34% and deaths by 92% between 2000 and 2019
• Reduction of LF prevalence by 43% between 2004 and 2018
• Introduction of JE vaccine in endemic districts since 2006
• Launch of National Dengue Day on May 16 every year since 2016

Breaking the Silence: How Smoking, Alcohol and Illicit Drug Use Affect Us All

I know, I know, this is a taboo topic. “This is just some ancient curse that has plagued humanity for centuries and you can’t do anything about it, Chinmoy!” Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it all before. But humor me for a moment, will you?

We have the power to make a difference in the world. Over the years, we have used social media to raise our voices for various causes and to celebrate our achievements in advancing social justice. But when it comes to smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use, we have always stayed quiet. All my life, I’ve witnessed only negative things about them. Yet they have become a norm for all people, regardless of race, caste or gender. Why is that? My elders, my peers, and my juniors, all have suffered. Human culture values positivity and yet, they justify such poison as a necessity? No. I refuse to accept that. It is a choice. And we cannot rely on governments and organizations to solve this crisis without our involvement. This is something where we have to take charge of our own actions and choices that affect the ones we love.

Every year, 11.8 million lives are cut short by smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use. This is more than the total deaths from all cancers combined. Many of those who succumb to alcohol or drug overdoses are in the prime of their lives, under 50 years old. But the damage does not end there. Countless families are shattered by the loss of their loved ones. Children who grow up with parents who smoke, drink or use drugs are more likely to suffer from physical and mental health problems, poor academic performance, antisocial behavior and substance use disorders themselves. Parents who lose their children to overdoses are left with grief, guilt and anger that can last a lifetime. Spouses who struggle with their partners’ addiction are faced with stress, conflict and violence that can tear apart their relationship. Siblings who watch their brothers or sisters fall into the trap of substance use are filled with fear, sadness and helplessness that can affect their own well-being. And it’s a tragedy that we waste billions of dollars on these deadly substances, money that could have been invested in a much nobler cause.

So what is the solution? How can we free ourselves and our planet from this deadly trap? For an individual, the answer is simple. Just say no to smoking, drinking and drugs. That's all you need to do. And yet it is one of the most courageous and powerful things one could do. You can protect your health, your mood, your relationships, and your goals from the harmful effects of these substances. You can also seek professional help if you have trouble quitting or reducing your substance use. There are medications and therapies that can help you cope with cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and underlying issues. Meanwhile, as a species, we must unite against its existence. We must educate ourselves and others about the dangers of alcohol, smoking and drugs. We must support each other in making healthy choices and staying away from these harmful substances. We must create a culture that values wellness and well-being over addiction and escapism. And don't be discouraged. You are not alone in this struggle. Every social change in human history started from the passion of a few individuals who had a vision of a better world. A world without cigarettes, without booze, without any of that poison that clouds our minds and bodies. A world where we can have all the fun, all the happiness, all the freedom that we dream of without harming ourselves and others. A clean and peaceful life with no regrets whatsoever. Don't you want that? Don't you want to make a difference? Don't you want to be a hero? Then join me in saying no to smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use. Together, we can make it happen. Together, we can create a better world for ourselves and for generations to come.

Society, in the present day, is a lot more different from the society our grandparents and probably our parents lived in back in their times. The kind of lifestyle they lived included activities which were not only beneficial for their physical growth but also made them well aware of different sports and knowledge related to them. However, the scenario has drastically changed today.

With societies evolving rapidly, people's lifestyle transformation is quite observable. Humans are compared to machines for we have been running round the clock every day not saving up enough time for our “self-care”. The food we eat is usually processed, thus, the amount of nutrients is very low in our diets. According to recent data, around 38% of the Indian population have a desk job, which proves a low physical activity involvement.

Living in the digital age has its own set of boons and curses. While having access to technology makes our life easier, it also brings about some undesirable changes which have long-term effects. Parents tend to use mobile phones or other digital devices to let their children play or remain distracted to keep themselves free. This is where everything goes down the hill. Children become more and more engrossed in the screens, playing online games or chatting with their peers over different social media platforms, thus, spending the majority of their time indoors. It is therefore our responsibility to engage ourselves, and also motivate the younger generation, to come out of their screens and enjoy the “real” world.

Sports is such an activity which not only improves our physical growth but also strengthens our mental health. Through sports, one can learn integral values like cooperation, sportsmanship spirit, discipline and other important ethics. Being involved in sports also means having a proper diet with adequate nutrients. The individuals are conscious of their physical and mental health which keeps them aloof from the majority of illnesses. Sports prevent various lifestyle diseases like hypertension, Diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, etc, ensuring endurance and greater lifespan.

The Covid-19 pandemic is a recent example of how important it is to keep ourselves fit and resistant to any diseases. It was a testimony of the famous line “survival of the fittest”. Millions of people perished due to weak immune systems. Despite having advanced science, the mortality rate was at its peak for the poor lifestyle of human beings.

It’s high time we understand the value of Sports and Health and pledge to make changes in our daily routines and spare at least an hour for our fitness to live a healthy and disease-free life.

“Chak de India” , “Health is Wealth” are some of the famous saying quotes by people which increases the significance/importance of sports and health. Sport is the most interesting activities which different people love to do in their daily life. It maintains the physical fitness of an individual which makes a man/woman fit. A fit person is a person which is not suffering from any illness or diseases and is physically and mentally strong.

In recent period of time, maintaining a good health has become the first priority of each an individual in these world. Health is the most crucial part of a human life. Since our childhood we have been taught to eat healthy foods and vegetables to stay healthy. Talking in general words, we everybody as an individual love to stay healthy and see our belongings healthy too.
Hence, it can be concluded that sports and health, both are equivalent to each other.

Sport plays a vital role in increasing the respect of an individual. Many sport players who plays for their nation earns respect and faith by the society as well as from his/her nation. Now-a-days, there has been an increasing craze among all children for participating in and playing sports. It increases their efficiency to play in different events of sports organized by the school authority, universities, and various other Non-profit Organization who organize these sports events at different levels for youth to come forward and play for their respective school, district, and state. Different types of sports played and their importance are discussed as under:

1. There are some of the sports like chess, table tennis, etc. which is called indoor sports which increases the mental efficiency of an individual which makes them mentally fit.
2. There are also some of the sports like cricket, hockey, football, basketball, volleyball, etc. which increases the physical efficiency of an individual.
3. Similarly, there are some sports like martial arts, boxing which makes an individual mentally as well as physically strong.
4. Among all other sports, athletics is the most common game played by the participants at Olympics, Commonwealth games, etc.

1. Eat healthy food: More you will eat foods which are good for your health more you will feel your inner strength and you will be mentally fit, on the other hand, more you will consume junk food more there will be the chance of increasing diseases.
2. Listening music: Music which are pleasant to your mind or the music you like to listen will be acting as the best medicine to reduce your mental distress, as it calms you down.
3. Talk to the person you have faith upon: You will surely have at least one person in your life on whom you have a faith upon and can trust the most. Try to talk to them, it will surely reduce the burden in your mind and you shall feel relief.
4. Going for a walk: Precisely there are many people who loves to be alone. They like to go for a morning or evening time This can also be a possible way to eliminate your mental distress.
5. Not to do things which will increase your depression: Try not to think more of what makes you feel depressed. Just be calm, and as everything happens for a reason. May be god has decided something different for you.
6. Cry out: Many people think that men should never cry. But crying can also act as one of the best medicine which will let your stress out of your mind.
7. Watching pleasant drawings: There are various types of drawings like abstract drawings, illustrations, sketches, paintings which is pleasant to see and which also decrease stress of your mind.

1. Do exercise: Doing exercise as a daily routine for almost half-an-hour is a very good thing to do. It will keep your mind fresh.
2. Play outdoor game instead of indoor game: Today, many children love to play game in their phone which is making them lazy. They should be taught the benefits of playing outdoor games.
3. Do not take too much of stress: Now-a-days, people are only busy with their works. Among this they take too much of stress which is not bearable for all of them. People should give importance to their health along with their works.
4. Good food: Have good food in a standard time. You should not eat food too late or too early. It should be in a proper time
5. Discipline: Discipline means the good behaviour of following the rules and regulations in daily life, as there has always been found a new type of diseases till today and there always being fear of being attacked by those diseases. You should always do everything by making a proper plan.

DECODING MENTAL HEALTH: THE PANDEMIC VERSION

The coronavirus pandemic unleashed extraordinary ways of life on every person on this globe. With an entirely new disease unheard of, came a string of unpredictable events that disrupted every activity of human civilization till date; barely an aspect untouched by the pandemic waves. With so much happening at a quick pace, the world outside the human body came to a sudden standstill. But the human mind did not. It began witnessing an assortment of complex emotions- both existent and emerging. These were inescapable states of mind making no person exceptions to mental health imbalances.

Realising the Value
Mental health is a matter of paramount significance. This subject in human health discourses has often been on the underestimated, neglected and ignorant side where people forget to take care of the very engine that drives the body to any movement. Everything that we as human beings experience in our day to day lives has an influence- negatively as well as positively on our cognitive processes and functions. This hub of masterly operations takes responsibility for receiving, extracting, deciphering and responding to every stimulus the body is exposed to. The brain engineers the mind, controlling the body, which is otherwise mere skin. When vital cognitions fail, the mind goes astray followed by mental breakdowns and malfunctions, causing the body to behave in the most bizarre and dangerous ways. Yet, the importance of mental health is meagre.

People are always keen on doing the maximum and spending the best on everything that keeps their bodies distant from diseases and deficiencies; ensuring hygienic environments for cooking, eating and storing, maintaining clean homes and surroundings, and going the extra mile on additional intake of nutritional supplements separately. But for the health-supporting mentally, the pivot of all bodily functions, the count stands at little to nothing.

Mental Health and Pandemic: Hand in Hand
The Covid-19 pandemic has paved paths for infinite problems. The world is in shock and suffering. Humans are not only contracting the coronavirus but have also found themselves in fear, anxiety, stress, trauma, disorders and depression. For people who test positive with the contagion, dreadful times burden them in hospitals. Whereas, people staying at home are strained with new realities like total confinement, work from home, online classes and harsh ones like cuts in salaries, job losses and dropouts. Also, not leaving out fake news, rumours and excessive exaggerations being circulated through various media. All these are new and difficult adaptations. Thus, both physical and mental exhaustion prevail. Every person, if not infected by the virus, have experienced mental issues at some point or the other, as life sets adrift from normalcy.

Circumstances as such make people aware, acknowledge and assess their mental health state. It is evident how a physical ailment can emanate other ailments as well. Mental health is sensitive and fragile to stimuli propelling negative emotions, just like the physical body is acute to pathogens. Numerous courses, webinars, workshops and therapies related to mental healthcare are being organized more than ever before. For decades, the prevalence of mental health conditions has been broadly unchanged; this trend changed in 2020 with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic (2020, OECD). Hence, a genuine demand for mental health resources is at rise as people struggle every day.

Mental Health and Pandemic: Hand in Hand
As days passed and lockdowns extended, staying at home became more troublesome. Different age groups experienced different issues to cope with. They are still being confronted in the present day.

At an age when children should be full of energy, socially active and spirited, they appear withdrawn. Children are now locked in their homes due to school closures having very little room for interaction with their fellow friends. Physical activities are compromised. As a result, they are experiencing loneliness, lack of companionship, boredom, irritation and sadness. During such times, they also fear separation from their parents and loved ones on whom they depend entirely. Children have become restless due to lack of outdoor activities and interactions which they were always accustomed to. In a report, findings reveal that children have felt uncertainty, isolation, poor appetite, agitation, inattention and separation-related anxiety. (2020, PubMed)

Adolescents are facing frequent and enormous emotional instability during the pandemic. Already in an age group, where they pass from numerous physical, hormonal and emotional transitions, the pandemic exerts greater changes on them. Many important settings like classrooms, seminars, competitions and other gatherings have gone virtual. The role of social media platforms is now even more prominent. Young teenagers are burdened with daily flushes of information, academic routines, social isolation, extra-curricular courses followed by mood and eating disorders, panic attacks, persistent stress of a busier life existing virtually, anxiety over balancing every task as a student, inferiority complexes from social media platforms depicting perfection and others. Students have also been anxious over the cancellation of examinations and other disruptions in their educational fields (2020, PubMed). Number of cases with depression, disorders and suicides have shot up. The mental health of adolescents is seriously severed accruing to all the newness.

The mental health status has also taken an unhealthy leap for adults. They are the victims of unemployment and pay cuts. Adults who have lost their jobs are going through heavy mental stress. They are in a very tough position due to financial insecurity which has affected them and also their families. A report by Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) has proved that people who lost their jobs during the pandemic reported greater incidence of anxiety and depressive disorders than those who still had their jobs. Others who are fortunate to retain their jobs with certain pay cuts have been introduced to ‘work from home’. While these have been convenient from home desks, they are also challenging because the division of workplace and household tasks are now converged. Spending hours in front of screens and also making sure household chores are properly done simultaneously creates a pressure of balance between the two. Mostly, women have endured the brunt of this challenge, both working and non-working.

The last age group which has also faced mental health issues are the elderly people. Senior citizens have also suffered from the inability to step outside. At such ages of physical and mental weakness, new rules and health protocols are difficult to process and follow. They depend majorly on external support and require communication. The pandemic has disturbed their social connections with selected family members and friends due to lack of physical contact, they worry about their existing health problems, their medications and treatments along with increased fears of illness and death. Such a period has made them more vulnerable to helplessness.

The Warriors and Grievers
It will be unfair to sideline the mental health conditions of frontline workers who are ensuring the safety of every person, people who are infected with the virus and families of the covid infected patients. Doctors, nurses, medical associates and healthcare workers are drained physically and mentally because of their uninterrupted pursuit of duty. Many have even lost their lives due to the virus, overwork and absence of proper rest. Patients of Covid-19 continuously worry over their speedy recovery. Their families also go through the mental distress of fear and anxiety.

Prioritizing Mental Health
Before the global disease struck, only a section of people prioritized their mental health. Mental health centres, helplines and related assistance operated minimally in countries. Instances of underfunding and zero funding of these provisions were also prominent. With the advent of the virus, these loopholes widened. Although the demand for mental health services expanded, their initial availability and accessibility were not enough. Only with time, has mental health support increased at an impressive pace. During this health crisis, people should indulge in healthy habits that build self-realisation and stay away from any information or habits harming their positive energies and beliefs. Focus should be on the good of oneself as well as others. If professional psychological intervention is required, one must not hesitate to get help. The gravity of mental illnesses and their effects needs to be emphasised. They are not simple or silly. They are indeed as serious as any other physical problem. In light of the pandemic, governments can also play their part in spreading mental health awareness. Just like mandatory basic covid protocols are imparted through various media and communication networks, the same can be done for accentuating mental health advices and details. Thus, dealing with mental wellness as eagerly as with physical. This can produce substantial impacts in a positive direction.

Summing up
The essence of achieving a healthy body will be complete only if one equally prioritises mental and physical health components. All research, findings and practical experiences support the affirmation and adoption mental health awareness. The pandemic is an eye-opener to stereotypes, stigmas and taboos related to mental health. Let us be wise in disseminating the term health in ‘Health is Wealth’. One who embraces good health, nurtures both body and mind.

DECODING MENTAL HEALTH: THE PANDEMIC VERSION

Here’s a quick story of my father battling Covid, before I begin talking about Mental Health. I do not know how short it’s gonna be, but I’m gonna keep it as crisp as possible.

On 10th Oct, 2020 my father was tested positive for Covid-19. It wasn’t as severe as we have seen others suffer so we decided to keep him in isolation in our guest room. As my mother is a Nurse who actively worked on and off on many covid cases, she knew all the procedures required to make anyone feel better. And at that time the vaccines weren't ready yet, so hospitals used the usual medicines for treatment. My father is a very stubborn person by nature, he didn’t want to stay in the hospital ward. So we all collectively decided to keep him home, isolated. Also home quarantine was something many infected people opted for. After a couple of days his body temperature started rising, we fed him the medicines as prescribed and even injected a bottle of saline at midnight at home. On the very next day, his health started deteriorating. We immediately rushed him to the hospital where my mother works, Central Hospital Maligaon, Guwahati. Fortunately due to having connections with the senior doctors at the hospital my father was immediately rushed to the ICU. He was under observation for 24 hours. But the next day one of the doctors who was working in Covid Ward referred my father to GNRC Medical, Amingaon. Stating that it will be quite risky to keep him here for long.

I was there with my mother when he was being shifted to a different hospital. We immediately rushed him to GNRC, in an ambulance. It was my first time stepping inside an ambulance. It’s frightening and scary. My father sat right in front of me with an oxygen mask up on his face. At that moment inside the ambulance I heard nothing but the siren of the ambulance. When the ambulance rushes through chaotic and busy streets, the eyes of pedestrians are on you. I do not remember how I felt at that moment or did I even feel anything? My brain blocked all the emotions and tapped out only the adrenaline. I carried all the essentials and documentation required for the admission with me all the time. I was making calls to my relatives and father’s colleagues, informing them about us being at the hospital. After all the hassle he was finally shifted inside and his treatment began. My body began to ache, I was tired and drenched in sweat. As we had to walk up and down to the 5th floor several times.

One of my aunts called me, when I received the call; I wasn’t able to even utter a single word. I immediately passed my phone to my mother and let her do the talking. Until then I was so busy in fulfilling all the necessities of the hospital required to begin the treatment, I didn't knew what would happen if something went wrong. Suddenly my mind hit me with the thought of living a life ahead without a father. And that’s when the first tear rolled down my cheeks. It took me a while to calm myself down. After a couple of hours one of my cousins showed up at the hospital to be there with us. My mother and cousin decided to stay overnight at the hospital. I returned back home. I freshened myself and immediately laid down on my bed. The relief, stress and tiredness flooded inside, disappeared. After many days of treatment he was tested negative, but they didn’t discharge him for another 3 days. Then he returned home after triumphing covid. It’s been almost 8 months and he is making progress to normal after suffering from post covid complications.

My thoughts on Mental Health during Pandemic
Waking up in total oblivion isn’t a possibility anymore. We’re flooded by the evil tidings. My mind takes endless runs trying to scream and escape the chaos inside. We are all drowning into the ocean of loss, grief and despair. Unable to fathom the grasp of the situation. The stigma of anxiety and apprehension has always been a part throughout my whole childhood. And during this time of crisis, the levels have only peaked. Failing to express myself from beneath got nothing but vague acknowledgement from others. To the point where I start questioning my own sanity, doubting my beliefs and trying to make sense from the most nonsensical occurrences in the surroundings.

We all lost someone; a guardian, a friend, a neighbour and an acquaintance. Witnessing them turn cold in front of our eyes rushed an immense amount of emotions and feelings inside us. To the point where due to the extremely hectic arrangement of cremation or burying, we couldn’t even bid a farewell to them or get a glance through their lifeless faces. Due to the constraints and orders from the authorities, it is quite burdensome to meet someone physically. Especially in these times when you need a shoulder to cry upon, a hug to loose upon and a hand to hold on.

Who do we blame for the loss? What could I’ve done? How long will I need to bear this?These are some of the questions that I've been trying to find answers to. Little did I know, chasing the retort gave nothing but more anger, more instability and insaneness. Living within the four walls for so long, craving for human interaction, suffocating in the chaos, unable to cope with loss and grief made me impatient and restless. I avoided any human contact physically and mentally. The endless scrolling of aimless social media consumed the little leftover inside me.

Fortunately, due to the existence of few people in my life. It wasn't as tough for me as others. As I do not seek any answers anymore. I want someone to just listen and give me the genuine and worthy validation that I want. Before soliciting solutions, the questions need to be addressed first in any circumstances. Writing has immensely helped me to declutter my mind and understand my thought process. This year I started blogging. And I can proudly say that I made some progress, it’s definitely minimal. But, I made it till here. I would like to shamelessly share a few of my small achievements. Published one of my articles on The Assam Tribune and even participated in a writing competition organised by VIT. Now, I have realized; life is a sequence of parables. At one point you’ll be at the deepest trench but the future definitely seems golden. So, just hang on.

DECODING MENTAL HEALTH: THE PANDEMIC VERSION

Here’s a quick story of my father battling Covid, before I begin talking about Mental Health. I do not know how short it’s gonna be, but I’m gonna keep it as crisp as possible.

“MENTAL HEALTH IS NOT A DESTINATION BUT A PROCESS IT’S ABOUT HOW YOU DRIVE, NOT WHERE YOU ARE GOING.”

Mental health – a topic which does not get talked about as often as is needed these days. This concept is still vague for a lot of people even in 2021, an illness because of which people are taking their own lives. The reason for this may be because of the deep rooted stigma of the society that our mental health is not as important as our physical health; seeing is believing, what people cannot see, they tend to not believe that it exists. No one ever feels the need to talk about mental health, “it does not exist”, “i never thought you were so weak”, “you are overthinking”, “it’s not like that” are some of the common dialogues which we have to hear. But people need to realize that our brain, which is the most important organ of our body also needs rest, it needs frequent breaks, it needs to be taken care of the most.

According to a report in google, 46% of the people who commit suicide every year has been suffering mentally and this number is increasng day by day. This phenomenon is occuring worldwide so we cannot limit the consequences to only one country or blame a specific group. It’s a concept which is familiar to all irrespective of age groups but no one is willing to talk about it because of the fear

Of being shamed or being called a lunatic. However, even if a few people do understand the situation, they will give solutions to seek help or to consult a psychiatrist. But most of the times it does not work because the person going through problems already knows that something is not right with them and they need to go for therapy but they cannot because they either fear what the society will think or they are not ready for it.

The covid19 pandemic has made it worse for people who were already suffering from mental health related issues. Staying cooped up in one house with all the family members for almost a year has not been easy for most people. True, they can be considered lucky as compared to the people fighting the virus but not everyone has a loving or supportive family and that has made matters worse. Domestic violence and sexual harrasment cases has increased tenfold during this period and the ignorance of the society during such cases has not done anything to help. People find it hard to express themselves because they will be considered as vulnerable and weak or in some cases as seeking unnecessary attention. Speaking from personal experience, my aunt’s entire family was infected with the virus and her eldest son also went through mental trauma which resulted in him being hospitalized. My cousin could not understand the situation and commented that she never thought he could be so weak. Just because a person does not show does not mean it is not there, he/she may be suffering internally and the people around him would not have a single clue, he/she could be intending self harm and no one would even know. And when we keep bottling things up, there may come a point when our emotions will be at the peak and we will burst out which may harm us more.

Our schools and colleges have contributed a lot in encouraging mental health issues. Coming from a ba student who spent her entire 2nd and 3rd semesters in online classes, this mode of teaching has caused a lot of health related problems (both physical and mental), the latter would not have been a severe case if the teachers would have been more understanding and less dominating or demanding. I have had teachers saying we can go to them if we face any problems, yet at the same time they would not stop spreading negativity, calling us lazy and uncultured and also burdening us with assignments and tests with no regard for our well being. In some cases, i have also seen a few cases where the teacher would ask the student to postpone her medical (blood) test only because she gave a test of 20 marks to be submitted within 45 minutes. All this takes a severe toll on the student. True, in some cases, the teachers may also be suffering but they do need to realize that we are all in this together and we need to help and support each other instead of simply spreading negativity or taking our anger out on people whom we consider to be weaker than us.

Mental health has no regards for our wealth and power; a person who has everything can also be suffering in silence. We never know the inner battles which people have to fight for themselves and many a times if we get to know about them, we tend to ignore or ask them to stop acting like a kid and grow up. People need to realize that anyone, literally anyone regardless Of age, gender, profession, net worth can go through this phrase. The best people can do is to be kind and not spread unnecessary hate. Even if they do not understand what the other person is going through, it is important to ensure that we do not guilt trip the other person into thinking that what they are going through is unusual or cannot be treated. Gaslighting or not letting other people express their opinions freely can also result in mental trauma. In such cases, it is

Necessary to seek help from trusted people. Therapy should be sought by everyone even if they believe that nothing has happened to them, because trust me, everyone is suffering internally and needs help. Also try to be a good listener and always be kind to others; kindness costs nothing.

We say that it is the strength that keeps us going.
It is the will that keeps us going,
It is the aim that keeps us going
It is the faith that keeps us going!

I wonder! What is the truth?
What to believe, and what not to...
I say it is the hope....
Hope brings the will to life,
Hope gives the strength!
Hope brings in the faith,
Hope is the air we breathe.

Hope gives us a new life!
Hope makes the future worth living
The Life, worth living!
Hope! Beginning of always and forever
Have faith with hope!
Bloom and shine!
Till you Rise and Thrive.

....হঠাতে জীৱনলৈ বিপর্যয় নামি আহিল। কি কৰোঁ... কি নকৰোঁ... । মোৰ নিকটতমৰ দুয়োটা বৃক্কই (Kidney) বিকল হ'ল। তাকে৷ ডাক্তৰৰ ভুল ঔষধৰ বাবে। হে ভগৱান... কি কৰোঁ... চকুৰ পানীৰে বাট নেদেখি মই খেপিয়াই ফুৰিছিলো অ'ত ত'ত - জীৱনৰ এয়া নির্মম আঘাত... মোক্ষম আঘাত। তিল তিলকৈ শেষ হৈ গ'ল জীৱনৰ ৰঙীণ সপোন। অথচ সপোন ভাঙিলেও জীৱনৰ ছন্দ হেৰাই যাবলৈ নিদি ঢাপলি মেলিছিলো শুৱাহাটীলৈ.... গুৱাহাটীত চিকিৎসা কৰি সুফল নোপোৱাত গুৱাহাটী চিকিৎসা মহাবিদ্যালয়ৰ সহযোগী অধ্যাপক ডাঃ মঞ্জুৰী শৰ্মাৰ পৰামৰ্শ আৰু দিহামতে চেন্নাইৰ এপ'ল হস্পিতেলৰ ডাঃ ৰাজীৱ এ. আন্নিগিৰি তত্ত্ৱাৱধানত জৰুৰী বিভাগত ভৰ্তি কৰিলো। সেই সময়ৰ কথা – স্মৃতিৰ পেৰাত এনেভাৱে সংৰক্ষণ কৰি ৰাখিছো - এই মুহূর্তত য়া প্ৰকাশ কৰা নিষ্প্রয়োজন। এই ছেগতে আমাৰ দুৰ্দিনৰ সময়ত সহায়ৰ হাত আগবঢ়োৱা সুহৃদসকলক প্রণাম আৰু শ্ৰদ্ধা তথ্য ধন্যবাদ জনালো। একান্ত অভিজ্ঞতাৰ ভিত্তিত এই লেখা প্ৰস্তুত কৰা হৈছে - কোনো সদাশয় ব্যক্তিৰ কিঞ্চিত সহায় হ'লে পৰম কৃতাৰ্থ হ'ম।

বৃক্ক যাক ইংৰাজীত কিডনী (Kidney) বুলি কোৱা হয় - সেয়া মানৱ শৰীৰৰ এনে এটা অংগ - যিটোৱে আমাক জীয়াই থকাত অৰিহনা যোগায় আহিছে। আমাৰ শৰীৰত দুটা বৃক্ক থাকে। ই লেচেৰা মাহৰ গুটিৰ দৰে আকৃতিৰ আৰু মানুহৰ হাতৰ মুঠিটোৰ সমান। মাংসপেশী আৰু কামিহাড়ৰ মাজ আবৃত্ত হৈ থকা বৃক্ক পেটৰ মাজভাগৰ পিছ অংশত অৱস্থিত। মানৱ শৰীৰত বৃক্কৰ প্ৰধান কাম হৈছে তেজত জমা হোৱা টক্সিন আৰু অলাগতিয়াল পানীবোৰ নিৰ্গত কৰা । আমাৰ তেজ বৃক্ক ধমনীৰে প্ৰবেশ কৰি নেফ্ৰনত সোমায় । বৃক্কৰ কাৰ্যকৰী অংশই হৈছে নেফ্ৰন। এই নেফ্ৰনসমূহে চেকনিৰ কাম কৰে। বৃক্কত সাধাৰণতে অসংখ্য নেফ্রন থাকে। নেফ্ৰনবোৰৰ জৰিয়তে বৃক্কই তেজ পৰিশোধন কৰে আৰু দেহৰ পৰা আবর্জনা, অতিৰিক্ত তৰল পদাৰ্থবোৰ মুত্ৰ বা প্ৰস্ৰাৱ হিচাপে দেহৰ পৰা বাহিৰ হয়। এই মূত্ৰ বৃক্কৰ মাজভাগত (Medulla) জমা হৈ বৃক্ক নলীৰে মুত্রাশয়ত জমা হৈ থাকে। সময়ে সময়ে প্ৰস্ৰাৱ হৈ মুত্ৰানলীৰে বাহিৰ হয়। পৰিশোধিত তেজ বৃক্কৰ শিৰাৰে পুনৰ দেহলৈ উভতি যায়। প্ৰস্ৰাৱ বা মুত্ৰ তৈয়াৰ হোৱাতো মানুহৰ দেহৰ অত্যন্ত লাগতিয়াল ব্যবস্থা। এজন সুস্থ মানুহৰ দৈনিক এক লিটাৰৰ পৰা দুই লিটাৰ পর্যন্ত মূত্ৰ তৈয়াৰ হয়। বৃক্কই তেজ পৰিশোধন কৰাৰ উপৰিও মানুহৰ অন্যান্য বছতো প্রয়োজনীয় কার্য নিয়ন্ত্ৰণ কৰে। সাধাৰণতে বৃক্কই প্রতিদিনে প্রায় ২০০ লিটাৰ তেজ পৰিশোধন কৰি পৰিষ্কাৰ কৰে। এই পৰিমান ২০/২১ বাল্টি তেজৰ সমান। বৃক্কই অন্যান্য কাম কৰাৰ উপৰিও মানুহৰ ৰক্তচাপ নিয়ন্ত্রণ কৰে, লোহিত ৰক্ত কনিকা তৈয়াৰ কৰি তেজত হিম'গ্লোবিনৰ পৰিমান সঠিককৈ ৰখাৰ উপৰিও ই শৰীৰত কেলচিয়াম আৰু ফচ'ফৰাচৰ ৰাসায়নিক পৰিবৰ্তনত সহায় কৰি হাড়ৰ গঠন আৰু কাৰ্য নিয়ন্ত্ৰণ কৰে। বৃক্ক সঁচাকৈয়ে শৰীৰৰ এক আচৰিত অংগ – যিয়ে দেহৰ অত্যাৱশকীয় কাম সমাধা কৰে। যদি কোনো কাৰণত এটা বৃক্ক নষ্ট হৈ যায় নাইবা উলিয়াই পেলোৱা হয় - তেতিয়া অন্যটো বৃক্কই সকলো কার্য সম্পন্ন কৰে। যেতিয়া বৃতৰ ৮০% তকৈ অধিক 'কলা' নষ্ট হয়, তেতিয়া কাৰ্য কৰিবলৈ অপাৰগতা আহি পৰে। স্বৰূপাৰ্থত বৃক্ক বিকল হৈ পৰে। এনে সময়তে চিকিৎসাৰ জৰুৰী প্ৰয়োজন আহি পৰে। বৃক্কৰ বিকল অৱস্থা তথা ৰোগ নিৰ্ণয় কৰিবলৈ বিভিন্ন ধৰণৰ পৰীক্ষা-নিৰীক্ষাৰ প্ৰয়োজন - সাধাৰণতে তেজত থকা ইউৰিয়া ক্রিয়েটিনিনৰ পৰিমান নির্ণয় কৰি বৃক্কৰ বিকল অৱস্থা ধৰা পেলোৱাত সহায়ক হয়। এজন সুস্থ মানহৰ তেজত সাধাৰণতে ইউৰিয়াৰ পৰিমান ২০-৪০ মিঃগ্রাঃ শতাংশ আৰু ক্রিয়েটিনিন পৰিমান ০.৫-১, ১-৫ মিঃগ্রাঃ শতাংশ থাকে।

বৃক্কৰ বিকল দুই ধৰণৰ –
১/ হঠাৎ হোৱা বিকল অৱস্থা
২/ দীর্ঘদিনীয়া বৃক্কৰ বিকল অৱস্থা


১/ হঠাৎ হোৱা বিকল অৱস্থাঃ
সাধাৰণতে হঠাতে হোৱা ৰোগ বা ভিতৰত হোৱা ৰোগৰ বাবে নতুবা ঔষধৰ পাশ্ৱক্রিয়া নতুবা অত্যাধিক বিষ নির্মূলৰ (pain killer) বাবে সেৱন কৰা ঔষধৰ বাবে বৃক্ক বিকল হ’ব পাৰে। এনে ক্ষেত্ৰত উচিত সময়ত উচিত চিকিৎসা গ্ৰহণ কৰিলে পুনৰ বৃক্ক সুস্থ অৱস্থালৈ ঘূৰি যোৱাৰ পূৰামাত্ৰাই সম্ভাৱনা থাকে।

২/ দীর্ঘদিনীয়া বৃক্কৰ বিকল অৱস্থাঃ
আমাৰ দেশত সাধাৰণতে দীর্ঘদিনীয়া বৃক্কৰ বিকল অৱস্থা কৰিব পৰা ৰোগসমূহ হ'ল –
১/ Choonic Gomenulo nephrities,
২/ দীর্ঘদিনীয়া উচ্চ ৰক্তচাপ,
৩/ দীর্ঘদিনীয়া বহুমূত্ৰ ৰোগ,
8/ সঘনাই হোৱা বৃক্কৰ সংক্ৰমন ৰোগ,
‌ ৫/ বৃক্কৰ পাথৰজনিত ৰোগ আদি।।

বৃক্ক ৰোগৰ চিকিৎসা বিশ্বত দুই ধৰণে কৰা হয় –
১/ ডায়েলেইছিচ বা পৰিশোধন প্ৰক্ৰিয়া
২/ বৃক্ক সংস্থাপন।

ডায়েলেইছিচ (Dialysis) দই প্ৰকাৰৰ -
১/ হিমোডায়েলেইছিচ অৰ্থাৎ তেজ পৰিশোধন প্রক্রিয়া
২/ পেৰিটেনিয়েল ডায়েলেইছিচ অর্থাৎ পেটৰ পৰা পৰিশোধন কৰা প্রক্রিয়া।

তেজ পৰিশোধন প্ৰক্ৰিয়াটো সম্পন্ন কৰিবলৈ যিটো যন্ত্ৰৰ প্ৰয়োজন তাক তেজ পৰিশোধন যন্ত্ৰ বোলা হয়। শৰীৰৰ পৰা যন্ত্ৰটোলৈ তেজ চলাচল কৰিবলৈ শৰীৰত কিছুমান শিৰাৰ সৈতে পথ সংযোগ কৰিবলগীয়া হয়। যেনে –

ছাবক্লেভিয়ান কেথেটৰ (Sub Clavian Catheter)
১/ ফিষ্টুলা (Fistula)
২/ ছাণ্ট (Shunt)

দীঘদিনীয়া বৃক্কৰ বিকল হোৱা ৰোগীসকলৰ ক্ষেত্ৰত সফল বৃক্ক সংস্থাপনেই উত্তম মাধ্যম। সকলো ৰোগীৰ বৃক্ক সংস্থাপনৰ বাবে উপযুক্ত নহ'ব পাৰে। বৃক্ক সংস্থাপনৰ বাবে চিকিৎসকে কিছুমান যাৱতীয় পৰীক্ষা নিৰীক্ষা কৰি ৰোগীৰ বৃক্ক সংস্থাপন উপযুক্ততাৰ বাবে সিদ্ধান্ত গ্রহণ কৰে। বৃক্ক সংস্থাপন প্রক্রিয়াটো এক অনন্য প্রক্রিয়া। এগৰাকী সুস্থ মানুহৰ পৰা বৃক্ক আনি ৰোগীৰ পেটত সংস্থাপন কৰা কাৰ্য জটিল কর্ম যদিও চিকিৎসকসকলে অধিক নিয়াৰিকৈ সমাপন কৰে। ৰোগীৰ নিজৰ বিকল হোৱা দুয়োটা বৃক্ক তেনেকৈ ৰাখি অন্য বৃক্ক সংস্পপিত কৰা হয়। আজীৱন ৰোগীগৰাকীয়ে সংস্থাপিত বৃক্ক সুন্দৰকৈ ৰাখিবলৈ দৈনিক প্রতিষেধক ঔষধ লোৱাটো একান্ত বাঞ্ছনীয়। ঔষধ সেৱন কৰা জৰুৰী ব্যৱস্থাটোক কোৱা হয় Immun osupressive drugs | এই Immuano লোৱা ঔষধ দুটিমানৰ নাম – Cyclosporin, Tacrolimus, My cophonalate Mefetail, Cyclosporin, Predmisolone আদি। এই ঔষধ প্রত্যেকজন ৰোগীয়ে চিকিৎসকৰ পৰামৰ্শমতে বৃক্ক সংস্থাপনৰ পিছত নিয়মীয়াকৈ লব লাগে। ঔষধবোৰ শক্তিশালী। এই ঔষধবোৰ তেওঁলোকৰ Natural Immunity টো দূৰ্বল কৰি পেলায়। বিশেষকৈ Pneumonia, Virus Infection যেনে: Cytomegalovirus hepatitis B, hepatitis C আদি সংক্রামণ ৰোগবিলাকে অতি সহজে তেওঁলোকক আক্ৰমণ কৰিব পাৰে। সেয়েহে এই ঔষধবোৰ লৈ থকা সময়ত বহুতো সংক্রামণ ৰোগ হ’ব পাৰে – গতিকে ৰোগীয়ে নিজেই সাৱধান হোৱাটো অত্যন্ত প্রয়োজন। ৰোগীয়ে সদায়ে পৰিস্কাৰ পৰিচন্ন তথা সুষম আহাৰ গ্ৰহণ কৰিব লাগে। অস্বাস্থ্যকৰ থকা ঠাই, অস্বাস্থ্যকৰ খাদ্য আৰু অস্বাস্থ্যকৰ পানী সেৱনৰ পৰা বিৰত থাকিব লাগে। বৃক্ক গ্ৰহণ কৰা ৰোগীয়ে মনত ৰখা ভাল – তেওঁ অন্যৰ বৃক্ক লৈ আছে – সেয়েহে সাৱধানে থকাতো বাঞ্ছনীয়। বৃক্ক দান দিয়া ৰোগীৰ কোনোধৰণৰ জটিলতা নাথাকে। তেওঁক বিভিন্ন ধৰণৰ পৰীক্ষা নিৰীক্ষাৰ অন্ততহে বৃক্ক দানৰ বাবে প্ৰস্তুত কৰা হয়। গতিকে ৰোগীগৰাকীয়ে চিকিৎসালয়ৰ পৰা আঁতৰি আহিলেও চিকিৎসকৰ পৰামৰ্শ মানি চলিলে জীৱন সুন্দৰ হৈ পৰিব। গতানুগতিক কর্মসূচীৰ মাজত সোমাই পৰিও বহুলোকক সংসাৰ যাত্ৰা কৰা দেখা যায়। অৱশ্যে যদিহে দৈনিক প্ৰস্ৰাৱৰ পৰিমান কমি গ'লে অথবা ৰোগীয়ে ৪৮ ঘণ্টা বা তাতোধিক জ্বৰত ভোগিলে পনৰ তেজৰ পৰীক্ষা বিশেষকৈ ইউৰিয়া ক্রিয়েটিনিন, হিমগ্লোবিন, শ্বেতৰক্ত কনিকা আৰু প্ৰস্ৰাৱ পৰীক্ষা কৰি থাকিব লাগে আৰু চিকিৎসকৰ পৰামৰ্শ লব লাগে।

খাদ্য আৰু খাদ্য খোৱাৰ পৰিমান :
সাধাৰণতে খাদ্যৰ তালিকা এগৰাকী খাদ্য বিশেষজ্ঞ (Dietition) ৰ জৰিয়তে আলোচনা কৰা যুগুত যদিও সাধাৰণতে -
শুই উঠাৰ পিছত :
পুৱা ৬.০০ বজাঃ চাহ / কফি একাপ (চেনী নোহোৱাকৈ)

পুৱাৰ জলপান :
পুৱা ৮.৩০ বজাঃ ৰুটি (তিনিখন তেল নোহোৱা), পাচলি ডালিয়া (আধা কাপ), ভাত (ডেৰ কাপ), পাচলি (ডেৰ কাপ)

দুপৰীয়া (মধ্যম ভাগ) :
১০.৩০ বজাঃ একাপ চাহ (আধা চামুচ চেনীৰে সৈতে), মেৰী গ’ল্ড নতুবা ডাইজেষ্টি মেৰী গ’ল্ড (এখন/ দুখন)

দুপৰীয়া আহাৰ ১.০০ বজাঃ
১/ দাইল, মাংস (মুর্গী ৫০ গ্রাম), মাছ (৫০ গ্রাম), কণী (বগা অংশ এটা)
২/ সেউজীয়া পাচলিৰ লগতে চালাড (সিদ্ধ কৰা)
৩/ অলপ ফলমূল
8/ ভাত কমকৈ/ ৰুটী

আবেলিৰ চাহ ৪.০০ বজাঃ
১/ চাহ/ কফি (চেনী নোহোৱাকৈ)
২/ সিদ্ধ চানা/ ম আদি (আধা কাপ)
নাইবা
মেৰীগ’ল্ড বিস্কুট/ এৰো’ৰট বিস্কুট

নিশাৰ আহাৰ ৮.০০/৯.০০ বজাঃ
পুৱাৰ আহাৰ/ জলপানৰ দৰে,
পাৰিলে শোৱাৰ সময়ত আধাকাপ গাখীৰ

বিশেষ উল্লেখযোগ্য :
1 Cup: 150 ml. capacity
1 glass 200 ml. capacity
1 teaspoon : 5 gm
(এই খাদ্যৰ তালিকা চেন্নাই এপ’ল হস্পিতেলৰ খাদ্য বিশেষজ্ঞই দিয়া তালিকা। এই তালিকা ৰোগী চাই ঠাইভেদে হীন ভেঢ়িও হ’ব পাৰে।)

বৃক্ক দান মহৎ দান :
যি গৰাকীয়ে নিজৰ এটা বৃক্ক অন্যক দান কৰে তেওঁক ড’নাৰ (Doner) বুলি কোৱা হয়। সাধাৰণতে তেজৰ সম্পৰ্ক থকা জীৱিত অথবা তেজৰ সম্বন্ধ থকা মৃত (৪৮ ঘণ্টাৰ ভিতৰত দূৰ্ঘটনা জনিত) নতুবা তেজৰ সম্পৰ্ক নথকা জীৱিত মানুহৰ পৰা অথবা সদ্য মৃত মানুহৰ (Cadaver) পৰা বৃক্ক গ্ৰহণ কৰি ৰোগীৰ দেহত সংস্থাপন কৰা হয়। সাধাৰণতে তেজৰ সম্পৰ্ক থকা ব্যক্তিৰ পৰা বৃক্ক সংস্থাপন কৰিলে ৰোগীয়ে দীর্ঘজীৱন পোৱাৰ উপৰিও স্বাস্থ্য উন্নত হয় আৰু স্বাভাৱিক জীৱন-যাপন কৰিব পাৰে। অবিবাহিত সকলেও বিবাহবাৰু কৰিও সন্তান জন্ম দি সুন্দৰ গৃহস্থী কৰি জীৱনটো আনন্দময় কৰি তলিব পাৰে। বৃক্ক ৰোগীয়ে সাধাৰণতে মাক-দেউতাক, পুত্র-পুত্রী, ভায়েক-ভনীয়েক আদি যিকোনো এজনৰ পৰা চিকিৎসকৰ পৰামৰ্শমতে নতুবা অনেক পৰীক্ষা-নিৰীক্ষাৰ পিছত উপযুক্ত হ’লে গ্ৰহণ কৰিব পাৰে। বৃক্ক দাতাকো সুন্দৰকৈ বিভিন্নধৰণৰ পৰীক্ষা-নিৰীক্ষাৰ অন্তত বৃক্ক দান কৰিবলৈ অনুমতি দিয়া হয়। দাতা আৰু ৰোগীৰ মাজত বৃক্কৰ এই মিলক HLA মিল বুলি কোৱা হয়, যাক ইংৰাজীত Tissue matching or HLA Matching বুলি কোৱা হয়। এটি বৃক্ক দান কৰিলেও দাতাৰ একো অসুবিধা নহয় — বৰঞ্চ স্বাচ্ছ্যন্দৰে জীৱন নিৰ্বাহ কৰিব পাৰে। অৱশ্যে বৃক্ক দান দিবলৈ হ'লে কিছুমান আদালতৰ আইনী প্রক্রিয়াও আছে। আপোনসকলৰ ক্ষেত্ৰত কিছু শিথিল যদিও পৰিচয়-পত্ৰ আৰু ৰোগী আৰু দাতাৰ যুগ্ম আলোকচিত্ৰৰ প্ৰয়োজন। (যিটো মোৰ ক্ষেত্ৰত হৈছিল।)

অন্যহাতে সদ্য মৃত ব্যক্তিৰ পৰাও বৃক্ক গ্ৰহণ কৰিব পাৰে - ইয়াক Cadaver doner বুলি কোৱা হয়। Cadaver doner ৰ মগজুৰ মৃত্যু হ'লেও বৃক্ক নতুবা অন্য অংগ ৪৮ ঘণ্টা ভিতৰত সংস্থাপন কৰিব পাৰে। সাধাৰণতে ডাঙৰ হস্পিতেল সমূহত Cadaver ৰ বাবে আগতীয়াকৈ নাম পঞ্জীয়নৰ ব্যৱস্থা আছে আৰু প্ৰয়োজন সাপেক্ষে সময় সুবিধা হ'লে পৰিয়ালক সকাহ দিয়াৰ বাবে হস্পিতেল কর্তৃপক্ষই এনে উৎসৰ পৰা বৃক্ক যোগান ধৰি ৰোগী গৰাকীক আৰোগ্য কৰি তোলে। যদিহে Cadaver Donerনাপায় - তেতিয়া সম্পৰ্কীয় মাহী, পেহী, খুড়া, ভতিজা, ভায়েক আদিৰ পৰা লোৱাৰ ব্যৱস্থা কৰে। বৃক্ক সংস্থাপিত কৰাৰ পিছত ৰোগীসকলে এক নতুন জনম লাভ কৰে – যাৰ বাবে তেওঁলোকৰ জীৱন গতিময় হৈ পৰে।

আমি মনত ৰখা উচিত – ৫০ বছৰৰ উৰ্দ্ধৰ সকলো ব্যক্তিয়ে মাহত এবাৰকৈ হ'লেও Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, Serum Creatinine, Serum urea আদি তেজৰ পৰীক্ষাসমূহ কৰি থাকিবলৈ চিকিৎসকে পৰামর্শ দিয়ে। বৃক্ক ৰোগৰ পৰা হাত সাৰিবলৈ নিমখ, মিঠা, মাদকদ্রব্য, ধুমপান বৰ্জন কৰাৰ উপৰিও শৰীৰৰ ওজন নিয়ন্ত্ৰণ আৰু নিয়মিত ব্যায়াম, খোজকঢ়া আৰু প্ৰাণায়ম কৰিবলৈ চিকিৎসকে পৰামৰ্শ আগবঢ়াই সুন্দৰ জীৱন-যাপন কৰিবলৈ অৰিহনা যোগায়।



একান্ত অনুভৱঃ
চিকিৎসা শাস্ত্ৰৰ মতে বৃক্ক দান মহৎ দান - এই কথাষাৰকে গভীৰভাৱে হৃদয়ংগম কৰি ইং ৮ জুন ২০১১ চনত মোৰ নিকটতম আত্মীয়ক এটি বৃক্ক দান দি Doner নামেৰে এপ’ল হস্পিতেলত ডাক্তৰৰ মাজত পৰিচিত হলো। আমাৰ বৃক্কৰ সম্পৰ্কে একো ধাৰণাই নাছিল। ৰোগীক ধেমাজিৰ দুগৰাকী ডাক্তৰে মাত্র ২ ঘণ্টা সময় হাতত আছে – গুৱাহাটীলৈ এতিয়াই লৈ যাওঁক বুলি কওঁতে দিশহাৰা হৈ পৰিছিলো যদিও উন্নত মানসিকতাৰ বাবেই হয়তো বৃক্ক কি? ই কেনেকৈ সংৰোপন কৰা হয়? বৃক্ক দান দিলে উপকাৰ অপকাৰসমূহ Internet ৰ জৰিয়তে জনাৰ পিছত মই যেন কার্যক্ষম হৈ পৰিছিলো। সূদীর্ঘ দিন ডায়েলেইছিচ কৰাৰ পিছত, বহু লোকৰ সৈতে আইনী কাকজ-পত্ৰ কৰাৰ পিছতো শেষ সময়ত দেহৰ Tissue ৰোগীৰ লগত নিমিলাৰ বাবে তেওঁলোকক বিদায় দিবলগীয়া হৈছিল। তাৰপিছত Cadaver ৰ বাবে নাম পঞ্জীয়ন আৰু শেষত নিজে দিয়াৰ সিদ্ধান্ত লোৱাত চিকিৎসকৰ আদৰণীয় পদক্ষেপ আদিয়ে সময়বোৰ যদিও দীঘলীয়া হৈছিল তথাপিও নিজে বৃক্ক দান কৰি গৌৰৱ অনুভৱ কৰাৰ লগতে চিকিৎসকৰ সৌহাদ্যপূর্ণ ব্যৱহাৰত পোহৰৰ মুখ দেখিছিলো। মোৰ চাৰ্জাৰী চিকিৎসক Dr. R. Deepakকে মোৰ লগত তেওঁৰ চেম্বাৰত Councelling কৰি মানসিক শক্তি যোগাইছিল। মই পেচাত এগৰাকী শিক্ষক তেওঁলোকে এই কথা জানিছিল আৰু ঘৰৰ ভিতৰুৱা খবৰ দুই-চাৰিটা জানিছিল সম্ভৱ। চেম্বাৰত মই প্ৰৱেশ কৰাৰ লগে লগে সৌজন্যপূৰ্ণভাৱে তেওঁ নিজৰ আসনৰ পৰা উঠি মোক প্রণাম জনাই আসনগ্ৰহণ কৰিবলৈ অনুৰোধ জনাই কৈছিল আপুনি এগৰাকী শিক্ষক, মই আপোনাক শিক্ষক হিচাপে প্ৰণাম জনাইছো। তেতিয়া মই কৈছিলো আমি সৰু শিক্ষক ডাক্তৰ, ডাক্তৰে কৈছিল মই মোৰ সন্তানক সদায়ে কওঁ -আমি আজি শিক্ষকসকলৰ বাবেহে ডাঙৰ মানুহ হ'ব পাৰিছো - গতিকে আপোনাক পুনৰ প্ৰণাম জনাইছো। - আপুনি মহান। দ্বিতীয়তে প্রণাম জনাইছো - আপুনি এগৰাকী মাতৃ আপুনি মাতৃ - হৈও বৃক্ক দান দিবলৈ আগবাঢ়িছে - আপোনাৰ এই মহানতাত দ্বিতীয়বাৰ পুনৰ প্ৰণাম জনাইছো - ডাক্তৰৰ কথাত মই আবেগিক হৈ পৰি কৈছিলো - ডাক্তৰ, মোৰ বৰ ভয় লাগিছে, তেতিয়া ডাঃ দীপকে কৈছিল – আপুনি ভয় নকৰিব - মই আপোনাৰ বাবে ঘৰত ভগৱানৰ ওচৰত পূজা প্রার্থনা কৰি আহিম, আমি মাত্ৰ ইয়াত কেচীহে চলাম..... সঁচাকৈয়ে ডাক্তৰসকলৰ উৎসাহপূৰ্ণ প্ৰেৰণা আৰু ভগৱানৰ আশীৰ্ষ নিৰ্মালী আৰু শুভাকাংখীসকলৰ শুভকামনাৰ বাবেহ আজি ৯ বছৰে বৃক্ক লওতা আৰু দিওতাই কৰ্মঠ হৈ জীয়াই আছো ৷ গতিকে বৃক্ক দান দি আতুৰক সহায় কৰাটো আমাৰ প্ৰত্যেকৰে কৰ্তব্য হোৱা উচিত।

তথ্যৰ উৎস :
চিকিৎসকসকলৰ সৈতে হোৱা কথোপকথন আৰু ইণ্টাৰনেট সেৱাৰ পৰা লোৱা তথ্য ।

Sumi gasped for breath as she gulped the water down her throat. The chilled air conditioned room and a cool dawn couldn't halt her generously forging sweat. As she recalled her dreaded nightmare, she dwelt in actuality, hoping to broaden the thin line of divide between her dream and reality. Swallowing down her hypertension pill, she had a clash of thoughts between overwhelming hopelessness illuminated by her nightmare and a tinge of hope from the will to bring a change which was interrupted by the ring of her phone. She quickly gathered herself and answered the call- “Hello, Dr. Sumi here.” a few seconds of silence which was broken by a ‘ yes I will rush’.

Driving amidst the dark with the tiny beam of the car’s fog lights guiding the way, Sumi again drowned in her pool of thoughts. The silhouettes rushing, commotion of ambulance’s sirens, cries of toddlers and screams of men and women over dead bodies from her dream again started to haunt her. As she drove across a police checkpoint, a policeman shoved his hands gesturing her to stop. Sumi immediately showed her Doctor’s ID to which the policeman greeted with folded hands and a slight bow, motioning her to drive off. Sumi felt a sudden surge of energy within herself. The small gesture from the policeman suddenly ignited the flame of hope which was about to die from the ghastly rushing wind of fear within her. It was as if that small gesture acted as a beam of guiding light amidst all the darkness around.

Sumi pulled off her car and rushed to her cabin. Putting on the PPE kit, she spent a minute in front of the idol of Krishna placed on her table and with a deep sigh raced towards the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). She reminded herself, the struggle was not over yet. She had to constantly fight with her demons within and the demon outside conspiring to bring the whole of humanity to a standstill, as Sumi perceived. Medically termed as Covid 19, this virus was not just physically ailing humans, but also took a great toll on mental health. She thus determined to rest only when the whole world is victorious in this battle against the brutal pandemic. She understood the strive was tough yet not impossible. However, only constant endeavour from everyone could bring an end to the dreaded pandemic. Her motivation from successfully treating 18 patients and sending them back home, well, made her realise how important her own mental strength was. At a time when everyone looks up to the doctors with hope and belief, Sumi affirmed herself that she couldn't lose her strength. It was not only her mere responsibility to treat, but also a stand of humanity to instil hope among the sufferers. She promised herself not to let her agonies work as a blockade towards bettering the condition. Rather, her agonies along with her skills must now be vested in progress; progress towards the cause of the whole of India’s fight against the deadly pandemic.

My name is Tori Morgenstern. And this is my incidents story.

So, yes as I already mentioned my name and I turn 17 this year. I study in St. Peter’s High School. I am a straight studious A1 student . I wear spectacles. I have won many quiz competitions, Olympiads etc. I like to engage with studies and I am quite sincere towards it. I don’t like to party, involved in gatherings and get-togethers , wear expensive fashionable clothes and do dozens of makeup to stand out confidentially. On weekends I like to spend my time peacefully in my room studying or in the library. OK!! So you got a rough picture about me. You may be thinking I am a complete geek or nerd and you are right. But, is it a crime to be a geek or nerd?? I asked you because my fellow mates think that it is a horrible crime. They called me ‘nerdy Tom’. They hate me because I don’t match with them. My social status is in negative, as I hardy use any. In short yes I don’t have friends. I am the school’s punching bag for them. I have been bullied and mentally harassed for last eleven years here. Not a single day passes when I am not bullied and harassed.

You must be thinking why I am even in this school or why I don’t tell my parents about this. You are right to think that. I even thought about it. But it will be worthless, because my talent of being suffer through this kind of situations is not limited to my school only but the whole city and the neighborhood does it to me. And as far complaining I already did that. My parents went to the principal , she suspended the students for two weeks. I was very happy, but after they came back I faced their wrath. They punched me, kicked me and said something that mentally disturbed me a lot. I learnt a lesson thinking of not getting into such worse situation and never complained again in my life.

I nicknamed my bullies as ‘Bulldozers’ just like bulldozers demolish everything they also demolished every part of me.

Once they threw a bucket of paint mixed with rotten eggs. I was now named as ‘Smelly Smurf'. Then in another day, they threw me away in a dumpster because I won every Track event (yes running away from my bulldozers every single day of my life I developed tremendous speed). After I escaped from dumpster, I smelled like rotten garbage for few days. No amount of scrubbing and perfumes could take away that horrible smell from me As expected from then they named me as ‘The Dumpster Girl’.

I don’t even know till now that what’s wrong with me and why that they hate me so much. But deep down the inner me always answered me to this questions that I am a lot better then them. They can never be like me in every way I am therefore they hate me. But I didn’t listen to my inner voice. I am really flattered! I am calm as well as dump to be going through all this and letting them harm me.

But everything was about to change. It was a Friday, I was returning home from school. When suddenly a group of 10 boys surrounded me. I was the only one helpless girl there and prayed to God to give me strength and took two steps for escape. Then one of them came in front of me and said “Hey! Dumpster, where are you going?”. I replied “I am going to a place called home, bulldozer”. He shouted at me and said “ mind your language dumpster”. I again answered him “why don’t you all people mind your head and go back home? “. That must have pissed him as he slapped me hard in my face and came very near to me with some bad intentions. It was enough for me, I can’t tolerate this harassments more and thought of ending this so I fight back. I don’t know at that point what happened to me as I never fight back to such situations before but this time I lift my hands on someone for rescue. I punched him hard and blood came out from his nose. On queue all boys came to attack me. I fought back as much as I could valiantly. But seriously I was easily outnumbered and felt numb when one of them hold and hit me hard towards a wall. I felt dizzy. I could hear some sounds of sirens and see some blurry cops catching the boys.

I recalled one of my fellowmate said to me “ I don’t know why Tori I hate you or the school hate and bullies you, I think they also don’t know. It’s just a sort of entertainment for them and you are an easy target for it”. That hit me today. They hated me, bullied me, harassed me just because Tori Morgenstern is a nerd and I was an easy target for their sort of entertainment.

Now I am in the hospital bed and my breathing slowing down. I knew my time was coming. But I am happy because I went down fighting. My life was a hell on earth. I never witnessed any miracle but I am happy because despite the hard and painful life I went through I never considered of taking my life away and quitting. Today I feel like a huge burden has been lifted up from my body. And then I saw only darkness but inside I was swept away by a flood of bright and warm light. I can’t breath anymore but my last breath was a relief.

I just wish that my story inspires others not to be like me to be in case of getting bullied or harassed instead speak out and fight. Also don’t give up on life if you are having hard time to survive.

And please don’t bully or harassed others mentally or physically because you now know it hurts and it’s hurts too much. Bullying is perhaps the worst form of crime as well as sexual harassments. Not only that harass the person physically but mentally too. Breaking the person from inside. It is a set back for the person’s life, it’s family as well as to the society.

Tori was a brilliant and talented student. She could have contributed a lot to her family and to the society. But her right to life was snatched away from her by the bulldozers. We talk greatly about Human Rights but do we really follow it ? When someone bullies you don’t be silent, fbe brave and fight back. Don’t be a silent observer too. When you watch others harassing and bullying others stop them. Because Dante said “ The darkest places in Hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality at the time of Moral Crises”.

Shining through the windows of dew drops on the leaves and birds chirping in and around marks the fragrance of Ravi. Ravi: The Banyan tree isn't just a religious tree for devotees but also, a part of our extended family and our hearts. Ravi has been sown by Anni; my grandmother, two decades ago. Anni's soft hands would nurture Ravi everyday along with an exchange of serene conversation of love.

As seasons flied by; Ravi grew-up into a toddler, and so did Gauri; Gauri my sister. Every morning I woke-up to see the trio: Ravi, Anni and Gauri playing and giggling together. Anni would make a swing out of the ropes and tie it untill the tallest branches of Ravi. There were times even, when Anni made Gauri crawl till the highest top of Ravi. Ravi, in fact is a home of hundreds of birds and all I saw how every evening Anni and Gauri would rejoice together to the mesmerizing sight of the beautiful birds resting on the branches of Ravi.

Ravi acted as an umbrella of shade, safeguarding people from the scorching rays of the Sun. Children all around from the neighborhood would play under Ravi only to discover that, there were stairs beneath the ground. Fascinatingly, no one knew the mystery of those stairs and it felt veracious to let the unsolved mystery, undiscovered.

Now, whenever I'm cold and numb, I turn back to relish the tales of Ravi, Anni and Gauri; sometimes I feel that twenty long years has gone within a blink of an eye. Gauri has grown-up and isn't my little Gauri anymore. More saddening is that, even Anni has gone faraway from us but all I could feel her is in between Ravi's arms.

Now, whenever nostalgia strikes me I find myself beneath Ravi. A single touch of Ravi makes me alive and relishes the loving memories of Anni and Gauri, leaving behind a bittersweet curve in my heart, left to be imprinted forever.

Do you dream? Everyone does…isn’t it?

But I am not talking about those dreams that you dreamt during your sleep. Those are just memory revisions of your brain. I am talking about your desires! Yes, in a real sense dream is nothing but a desire. You desire to be an actor, to be a doctor, to be a topper in the class, to be a scientist, to be a rich countryman, to be a famous entrepreneur…endlessly it goes on! It is the desire that makes you do all the activities of life. But how? Okay…let me ask you a question! What makes you read this article right now? What makes you get up from the bed and brush your teeth? What makes you eat your breakfast? What makes you go to your workplace? (your job). It’s all your desire that makes you alive. Yes! desire is life. Without desire, you cannot do a thing. Alright, we understand that. Now let me ask you one more question! What is the root cause of all the suffering in human beings? The answer is very simple. It is the Unfulfilled Desires that lies within you. The damn life is not happening the way you want it to be!

Desire is life but it is the source of all your miseries! Let’s say, you seen someone who desired to be a doctor but was unable to do and committed suicide as a result of his frustration, or someone who had great ambition and worked hard to become an IAS officer or gain admission to a prestigious university but was unable to accomplish their goal and end their life because they couldn’t handle distress. These incidents occur around us, sometimes daily. Isn't it true that the root cause of these unfortunate incidents is unfulfilled desire?

Have you ever given a thought to about why we desire? If you see life with necessary awareness you will notice that the very process of life is seeking in nature. It is seeking for something, a certain urge to include, evolve and grow to its ultimate nature. When you analyze your most basic desires such as prosperity, fame, traveling, sexuality, shopping, knowledge, or love, you will notice that the underlying urge is to include something or someone into yourself. Fundamentally, you want to expand your way of being, and it will not going to settle for any amount of expansion. There is a part of you that longs for a boundless experience. It occurs in all aspects of life. For example, take a look at the lives of plants. When you sow a seed, it grows into a sapling,then a plant, and finally a tree. It continues to rise. Would it have been grown upwards if it didn't have the boundlessness?

But why this boundlessness or limitlessness? Because the life you are is infinite or limitless. But the problem is, it is identified with this limited physical body. This infinite life cannot be confined in its limited body therefore, it thirst for more and that is what we call a desire. Take a look at the world's billionaires! Isn't it true that they aspire to be a bit richer every day than they were yesterday? Desire finds different physical expressions. Remember that desire is not for more, it is for “all”. When this craving for oneness or the desire to embrace everything as a part of yourself manifests as a basic physical expression, we can call it sex. When it comes to sex, you're frantically seeking to unite with someone. It doesn't happen how hard you try. Yes, you may believe for a time that you have become one with another person, but you realize that everything is separate. When you try this mentally, it is usually described as avarice, conquest, or ambition. You desire to conquer the world by incorporating everything as a part of yourself. If this finds an emotional expression, we call it love. We call it yoga, when it finds conscious expression. YOGA means union. The whole game is about whether, your desire finds a conscious expression or an unconscious expression. When your desire finds a conscious expression, it makes your life beautiful and finding an unconscious expression, it makes your life ugly.

You want more and more, and because of your wrong identification with your body, you have forgotten that you are infinite in reality. That doesn't mean you don't accomplish anything in life and just say to yourself, "I am infinite! I am infinite!” No, don’t do this. Do everything that you want to do but you just need to desire consciously. If you have a conscious desire, such as"I want to be a good doctor so that I may provide a social contribution to humanity. I will put forth the necessary effort to achieve my goal. And if I don't achieve my goal, that's just fine; I'll do something else to help humanity” . When you become a little conscious, suddenly you can feel the profundity of your life.

Sadhguru, once said something like this: “When Patanjali wrote the yogasutras, he began them in a unique manner, The first chapter of the yogasutras begins with ‘...and now, yoga’—a half-sentence. A great life document begins with a half-sentence. It makes no sense intellectually, but what it means experientially is: "If you still feel that buying a new house, finding a new wife, or getting your daughter married will settle your life, it is not yet time for yoga."

But, if you've seen money, power, wealth, and pleasure, if you've tasted everything in your life, and you've realized that nothing is going to work in the genuine sense and eventually please you, it's time for yoga.”

Yoga is the ultimate tool to raise the human consciousness. Do yoga, be conscious, and experience the profundity of life.

Early to bed and early to rise,
May make you wise and fit;
But if you yearn to be, fine and healthy,
Let your diet be perfect and lit.

Why not to embark the morning,
With a glass of water, warm;
Boosting the functioning of your body,
Thus, engendering to you, no harm.

Power-packed fruits for the breakfast,
With slices of bread, two or three;
A glass of juice and a hard boiled egg,
How appetizing it sounds, don't you see?!

A quarter plate, full of whole grains,
A quarter, inherent of fresh green;
Plenty of daal into a bowl,
Can complete your lunch routine!

The more the salads you have,
The more the nutrients you acquire;
A poultry meat or a fish curry, to boot,
Escalates your alimentative, you require.

A healthy snack is a must,
Can be of a veggie-sandwich or dry fruits;
This helps you from overeating at meal time,
And fulfils your happiness and fancy roots.

How about a cup of tea or coffee,
With a little sugar and a cookie;
To boost up your performance for the day;
Making you enthusiastic and tension-free.

Your dinner should be the lightest meal,
With veggies and vitamin-rich food;
A glass of milk could probably,for the supper,
Complete your daily diet, as it should!

'Skipping meals' is not a good option,
Causing you later, to crave for junks;
Rather, keep yourself sustaining sometimes,
With a mouth-full of yummy chunks.

Exercise brings to you positivity and energy,
A sound sleep brings you overall wit;
But if you yearn to be, fine and healthy,
Let your diet be perfect and lit!