rain clouds - we saw on a travel..

diamond..

me look upon the sky -
sunlight
through the leaves..

A chat with Dr.Devi Shetty, Narayana Hrudayalaya
(Heart Specialist) Bangalore was arranged by WIPRO for its employees .
The transcript of the chat is given below. Useful for everyone.


Qn: What are the thumb rules for a layman to take care of his heart?

Ans:
1. Diet - Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil
2. Exercise - Half an hour's walk, at least five days a week; avoid lifts and avoid sitting for a longtime
3. Quit smoking
4. Control weight
5. Control blood pressure and sugar

Qn: Is eating non-veg food (fish) good for the heart?

Ans: No

Qn: It's still a grave shock to hear that some apparently healthy person
gets a cardiac arrest. How do we understand it in perspective?

Ans: This is called silent attack; that is why we recommend everyone past the age of 30 to undergo routine health checkups.

Qn: Are heart diseases hereditary?

Ans: Yes

Qn: What are the ways in which the heart is stressed? What practices do you suggest to de-stress?

Ans: Change your attitude towards life. Do not look for perfection in everything in life.

Qn: Is walking better than jogging or is more intensive exercise required to keep a healthy heart?

Ans: Walking is better than jogging since jogging leads to early fatigue and injury to joints

Qn: You have done so much for the poor and needy. What has inspired you to do so?

Ans: Mother Theresa , who was my patient

Qn: Can people with low blood pressure suffer heart diseases?

Ans: Extremely rare

Qn: Does cholesterol accumulates right from an early age
(I'm currently only 22) or do you have to worry about it only after you are above 30 years of age?

Ans: Cholesterol accumulates from childhood.

Qn: How do irregular eating habits affect the heart ?

Ans: You tend to eat junk food when the habits are irregular and your body's enzyme release for digestion gets confused.

Qn: How can I control cholesterol content without using medicines?

Ans: Control diet, walk and eat walnut.

Qn: Can yoga prevent heart ailments?

Ans: Yoga helps.

Qn: Which is the best and worst food for the heart?

Ans: Fruits and vegetables are the best and the worst is oil.

Qn: Which oil is better - groundnut, sunflower, olive?

Ans: All oils are bad .

Qn: What is the routine checkup one should go through? Is there any specific test?

Ans: Routine blood test to ensure sugar, cholesterol is ok. Check BP, Treadmill test after an echo.

Qn: What are the first aid steps to be taken on a heart attack?

Ans: Help the person into a sleeping position , place an aspirin tablet under the tongue with a sorbitrate tablet if available, and rush him to a coronary care unit since the maximum casualty takes place within the first hour.

Qn: How do you differentiate between pain caused by a heart attack and that caused due to gastric trouble?

Ans: Extremely difficult without ECG.

Qn: What is the main cause of a steep increase in heart problems amongst youngsters? I see people of about 30-40 yrs of age having heart attacks and serious heart problems.

Ans: Increased awareness has increased incidents. Also, s edentary lifestyles, smoking, junk food, lack of exercise in a country where people are genetically three times more vulnerable for heart attacks than Europeans and Americans.

Qn: Is it possible for a person to have BP outside the normal range of 120/80 and yet be perfectly healthy?

Ans: Yes.

Qn: Marriages within close relatives can lead to heart problems for the child. Is it true?

Ans : Yes, co-sanguinity leads to congenital abnormalities and you may not have a software engineer as a child

Qn: Many of us have an irregular daily routine and many a times we have to stay late nights in office. Does this affect our heart ? What precautions would you recommend?

Ans : When you are young, nature protects you against all these irregularities. However, as you grow older, respect the biological clock.

Qn: Will taking anti-hypertensive drugs cause some other complications (short / long term)?

Ans : Yes, most drugs have some side effects. However, modern anti-hypertensive drugs are extremely safe.

Qn: Will consuming more coffee/tea lead to heart attacks?

Ans : No.

Qn: Are asthma patients more prone to heart disease?

Ans : No.

Qn: How would you define junk food?

Ans : Fried food like Kentucky , McDonalds , samosas, and even masala dosas.

Qn: You mentioned that Indians are three times more vulnerable. What is the reason for this, as Europeans and Americans also eat a lot of junk food?

Ans: Every race is vulnerable to some disease and unfortunately, Indians are vulnerable for the most expensive disease.

Qn: Does consuming bananas help reduce hypertension?

Ans : No.

Qn: Can a person help himself during a heart attack (Because we see a lot of forwarded emails on this)?

Ans : Yes. Lie down comfortably and put an aspirin tablet of any description under the tongue and ask someone to take you to the nearest coronary care unit without any delay and do not wait for the ambulance since most of the time, the ambulance does not turn up.

Qn: Do, in any way, low white blood cells and low hemoglobin count lead to heart problems?

Ans : No. But it is ideal to have normal hemoglobin level to increase your exercise capacity.

Qn: Sometimes, due to the hectic schedule we are not able to exercise. So, does walking while doing daily chores at home or climbing the stairs in the house, work as a substitute for exercise?

Ans : Certainly. Avoid sitting continuously for more than half an hour and even the act of getting out of the chair and going to another chair and sitting helps a lot.

Qn: Is there a relation between heart problems and blood sugar?

Ans: Yes. A strong relationship since diabetics are more vulnerable to heart attacks than non-diabetics.

Qn: What are the things one needs to take care of after a heart operation?

Ans : Diet, exercise, drugs on time , Control cholesterol, BP, weight.

Qn: Are people working on night shifts more vulnerable to heart disease when compared to day shift workers?

Ans : No.

Qn: What are the modern anti-hypertensive drugs?

Ans : There are hundreds of drugs and your doctor will chose the right combination for your problem, but my suggestion is to avoid the drugs and go for natural ways of controlling blood pressure by walk, diet to
reduce weight and changing attitudes towards lifestyles.

Qn: Does dispirin or similar headache pills increase the risk of heart attacks?

Ans : No.

Qn: Why is the rate of heart attacks more in men than in women?

Ans : Nature protects women till the age of 45. (Present Global census show that the Percentage of heart disease in women has increased than in men )
Qn: How can one keep the heart in a good condition?

Ans : Eat a healthy diet, avoid junk food, exercise everyday, do not smoke and, go for health checkup s if you are past the age of 30 ( once in six months recommended) ....

who care?

fell down flowers..
felt by the
little span
butterfly..

she..

me -
the falling leaf..

still loving that
beautiful tree..

nice sunlights..

aphelion

she going away further
tears erupt
as rains..

the mysterious life is in front;
just in front or within..
with its claws - gravity and atmosphere..

changing moods by way of breath -
never revealing - "for what?"

drinking the life by the breath -
whatever the out come - is the mystery..

sun rays..

sparks
flowing
from fights..

found that lost friend

me again fall into the silence..
where ever me go -
it uses to follow me..

it is so beautiful -
a childhood friend..
me used to talk to it always..
it used to hold my hands -
and took me to the great valley of life;
where me care the trees, flowers, their smells,
the fruits, honey, snails, butterflies, ants;
where me used to see everything with my widen eyes..

the livelihood broke my friendship..
it demands talks, to be talkative..
it not needs silence, no, no way..
if you have - you become a mystery there..
it needs talks, actions, movings, performances..
no need of silence there -
except in some notes of the musician..

me again fall in the friendship again..
but it needs greatest efforts of me -
to keep the friendship this time..
not so natural as of earlier - a struggle now..
every minute when me with it -
me become restless..

it just hold my hands with tears,
"be a friend of me;
if not so -
you may meet me again
only in the end of your life.."

an intimate lover of earth.. - gravity..

me complained her a day..

"you have an intimate lover within you..
which never allow me to fly..
where ever me go, he always controlling me..
are me imprisoned by him?"

she laughed at me..
"why you want to go away from me?
me provide you air,
get you water,
for you - rowing in the sunlight,
give you food and rest..
why you want to go away from me?"

"you are my mother..
where me go?
but how long may I remain in my mother's lap?"

"then go away - with joy.."

"how to go away?
your b/f held me tightly with you?"

"yes.. he might..
he always tightly held anything..
even he held myself in composition..
without him - me may not;
be spread in the whole universe on particles..
but he is so kind hearted..
held me..
held me - composed -
however me so wild.."

tree..

they are cutting that tree -
in front of me;

it is a tall tree –
very tall –
as if to touch the sky;

it is so strong in its soul –
evident by its flowering;

it has a beautiful existence within it –
as existence so lovely;

it likes to live its life –
with all others..
with the leaves..
with the branches..
with the flowers..
with the birds..
with the nests..
with the ants..
with all its dependents..

--00--

it always provides a cool shadow -
a shadow that is heartful..
they are cutting it – right in front of me..

--00--

its stem so hard as of rock -
the axe broken within the second blow..
they examining and finding ways to cut it with ease..

--00--

me go near the tree..
as usual it greets me –
with its dancing leaves in the wind..
me caress it with my looks;
feel its firmness - with tears;
me stand there still -
without knowing - what to do?
me see a leaf falling, flying towards me..
“a token of affection..”
immersing myself in that moment..

--00--

they start their wish..
take their own time -
they too hard triers –
as of this tree..
with lot of sweat –
they are cutting the sweet tree..
the axe piercing its laps, its waist..
stopping hands are cut down with vigour..
they pull it down –
just pull down it in the floor..

they are going for rest –
after resting the tree on earth..

--00--

deep hurt drag me towards the tree..
just look at the spot – where they cut..
me see the sign – of the blood flow within the tree..
a dark brown colour – in the core of the wood..
the veins built up by the tree – over the years -
shattered down by the axe of the men..

--00--

my hands touch that spot..
my senses stop working, my mind too..
me stand still..
me feel – me have to lie on the tree and me DID..

--00--

me may expect a leaf to fall and fly towards me..
as
“a token of affection”
from above..
from the sky..
me may expect -
till my death..

--00--

(tribute to my dad -
on his death anniversary..)

--00--

"The Child Who Was Always Asking Question"

Questions children want to ask:

Where do we go after we die?
Why are we afraid of death?
Why do accidents happen even
to people who belive in god?
What does God mean?
Why are we born if we all die in the end?
How many stars are there in the sky?
Who invented war and happiness?
Does God also listen to people
who don't belive in the same God?
Why are there poor people and ill people?
Why did God create mosquitos and flies?
Why isn't guardian angel beside us when we're sad?
Why do we love some people and hate others?
Who named the different colours?
If God is in Heaven and my mother is there too
becuase she died, HOW COME HE'S ALIVE?

excerpt from Paulo Coelho "Like the Flowing River"

breath..

without breath
my lungs
operating my heart..

no need for breath..

your memory is enough..

life

the earth revolving
faster and faster..
pushing me
away and away -
like ur silence..

the gravity
pulling me
nearer and nearer -
as of ur beauty..

me stranding
here and there..
away and near..
as such the 'LIFE'..

silence..

the wall of silence
in between us so long..

me never find a way
to get past..

me never dare
to climb across..

me start digging..

without awaring that -
"YOU ARE ADDING MORE SILENCE
ON YOUR SIDE OF THE WALL.."

monsoon

south west monsoon
pours wind
as of my love on you..

me request the
north east monsoon
to suck away
your SILENCE..

earth quake

bird's nest
on a
windy day..

You..

me lastly found
"hurt"
is derived from
"heart"

because of
the missing letter -
yo"U"..

playfulness..

from the birth
me started loving..
my mum, dad
brother, sisters,
relatives,
my grandma,
friends,
teachers,
the places me gone
with my parents,
the picnics,
the tours,
the hotels,
cinemas,
temples,
marriages,
receptions,
their fights,
school trips,
my first girl friend,
the poem me wrote for her,
my college,
the lonely library,
all my lecturers - their lectures
my minute study of their studies..
the cycle trip of 7 km to college,
the ice creams me shared with my friends,
the tour of colleges,
first visit of Tajmahal,
prayer for her at (heart!) – a temple
the various film directors,
their various styles of narration,
story writers,
music directors,
the trips to grandma's house,
the first love movie –
first job,
the tearful separation from home..
first salary,
first minor chain,
first moustaque,
for the first time -
received the marriage invitation of her..
wobbling..
wobbling.
came back to home town..
wobbling.
the new friends..
practicing basket ball,
basket ball tournaments,
playing cricket,
cricket tournaments,
met a small kid running
before me and my friend at an exhibition..
me just calling her - "hi"
and took her on my arms..
"where is ur mother?"
SHE stood,
me just place down the kid
and left - the last look..
wobbling..
just the death of dear one..
a big resolution to move away
from home town..
and went away - wild..
no job security..
no need..
just know - how to work?
wandered in the vast world..

a marriage
and a kid!
a run away to a different state..
different language,
different people,
nothing known..
all unknown..
sincere - work..
that alone - the knower of the hour..
learned new studies..
a bit of dedication - everyone called..
no.. that alone me know..
a lot of interesting places..
me enjoyed those places..
a lone help - playing basketball..
another lone help of a little heart..
life is moving fast - but me tied it in my wrist..

again searched for a new job..
a small consolation by god..
nothing turned back by me.
just run with big leaps..

just just came across one another love..
me just forgot every thing..
me nvr want to repeat anything again..
still that marriage invitation is with me..
but my suppression of love so long explode..
me more matured as the pain given by life,,
me more childish - on came across her..

me again enjoyed the long forgotten music,
long ago forgotten readings,
life became more easy for me,
till she left..as usual..

me tried to relate with everything..
relate with the mother earth,
day sun,
beautiful moon,
the vast sky,
stars - those winking on my mother earth,
the winds,
seas,
rivers,
hills,
the trees,
the bushes,
the flowers,
the honey bees,
the butterflies,
the squirrels,
the dogs,
the beautiful cuckoo,
those peacocks, minas everything..

lost my dad..
who introduce me all those things..
my love..

again lost interest..
again become alone in the vast world..
everybody now calling even our love too as obligation..
but how it would be?
no.. its not an obligation..
its the flowering of the heart..

the jealous,
the emotions,
the fights,
the forgets,
the ignoring,
just iron my heart
without any wrinkles..

from the birth me started loving..
nvr learn – how to hate.


----0000------


the life after passing so much of places
may concave on a particular point
at some times..
DEATH..
LOVE..

so much concentration on those particular points
in the vast world..

what is the excess of love over death -
though the both are the concentration of us on a particular point..
there is some excess..
some excess..
in love over death..

PLAYFUL NESS..

Yes..
playing with
one’s own soul and with the other..
just so madly..
just with joy,.
just with fun..
that point then flow like a endless vertical line – become so big..
just the playfulness – make u to be so near to u..

smile..

for her smile
me put
all my pains!

leaves

falied
attempt
of a bush
to be a FLOWER..

work-in-progress

bunch of flowers..
on closer look me saw
bunch of buds too..

flowering..

me knelt before
that little bush..
asked her with eager
"how easy for you
to flower..
its so natural
and beautiful..
but me never know
how to flower
my little heart?"

she giggled:
"me strived my
whole life for
flowering alone..
r u ever struggle
for the flowering
of ur heart?"

"is a flower sweet?"

how to ask
this to a
honey bee!

waves..

me asked the sea:
"why waves?"

she:
"as me alive.."

mist on grass..

not because of love..
but because of
her GASP..

honey comb..

bees
too start
BANKING..

have some love..

rabindra nath tagore - 150th year of his birth anniversary- 07-05-1841

I Am Restless

I am restless.
I am athirst for far-away things.
My soul goes out in a longing
to touch the skirt of the dim distance.
O Great Beyond, O the keen call of thy flute!
I forget, I ever forget,
that I have no wings to fly,
that I am bound in this spot evermore.

I am eager and wakeful,
I am a stranger in a strange land.
Thy breath comes to me whispering an impossible hope.
Thy tongue is known to my heart as its very own.
O Far-to-seek, O the keen call of thy flute!
I forget, I ever forget,
that I know not the way,
that I have not the winged horse.

I am listless,
I am a wanderer in my heart.
In the sunny haze of the languid hours,
what vast vision of thine takes shape in the blue of the sky!
O Farthest end, O the keen call of thy flute!
I forget, I ever forget,
that the gates are shut everywhere in the house
where I dwell alone!

-Rabindranath Tagore

-0000-


Lover's Gifts IV: She Is Near to My Heart


She is near to my heart
as the meadow-flower to the earth;
she is sweet to me
as sleep is to tired limbs.

My love for her is my life
flowing in its fullness,
like a river in autumn flood,
running with serene abandonment.

My songs are one with my love,
like the murmur of a stream,
that sings with all its waves and current.

-Rabindranath Tagore

-0000-

Death


O thou the last fulfilment of life,
Death, my death, come and whisper to me!

Day after day I have kept watch for thee;
for thee have I borne the joys and pangs of life.

All that I am, that I have, that I hope and all my love
have ever flowed towards thee in depth of secrecy.

One final glance from thine eyes
and my life will be ever thine own.

The flowers have been woven
and the garland is ready for the bridegroom.

After the wedding the bride shall leave her home
and meet her lord alone in the solitude of night.

-Rabindranath Tagore

-0000-

silence - heart..

"r u ever silent?"
me asked my heart..

it laughingly runs -
"tick..tick..tick.."

yin-yang..

me came to you - to pacify you..
you angered over me and cried,
"never come nearer.. we are strangers.."

that word hit me..
strangers..
strangers..
me stonned there for long..

-000-

stranger..
yes..
we strange - in our thoughts..
we strange - in our likeness..
we strange - in our feelings..
we strange - in our interests..
we strange - in our status..
we strange - in our emotions..
we strange - in our lives..
but..
but..
stranges alone get fit in a yin-yang;
not the SAME!!

-000-

Rose..

me dancing with the rose bush..
"how the stems are growing?"

she glared with widen eyes..
she huskily said,
"it depends on factors..
wetness of the soil -
like my feel when me near you..
moistures in the air -
like my breath when you hold me..
hotness of the sun -
like your looks..
whenever opportunity arise - me grow..
me too selfish.."

me exclaimed,"ho, is it?"

"yes.. but don't ask me -
HOW THE ROSE HAS COME?"

me token her with a kiss..

"while sun teases the earth - she blush;
when she BLUSH -
me yield a ROSE.."

you - the beautiful - moon..

Me glancing the deep darkness of the sky..
Me wonder –
in the other side of the earth is waves of sun light -
here the deep dark..

-000-

The darkness is the shadow of the earth –
shadow standing tall – till the sunlight reach..
The visible stars and other planets are those –
which are within the boundary of sunlight..
The invisible may be still large – very much unconscious..

-000-

Me see the sky so deep..
If it is so dark – then what’s the evidence -
that the sunlight is in the other side now..
a moon comes – evidencing that..

-000-

Me try to relate everything..
the sunlight, the shadow of earth, stars and the moon light..
Could not relate anything..

-000-


You are that full moon..
and brings all those lights –
till you left..
After you left – me very lonely..
Its pain to think -
at least moon may come every month.. but you never..
You left..

-000-

Me again try to relate everything..

The beautiful star(y) sky..

Me close my eyes and feel me inside -
a deep darkness – like the deep dark sky -
it is the shadow..

nothing visible except lot of thinkings –
like the stars - they glitters..

me search for the light..
where is it?
any evidence of a light at all?

It may like the same way -
me sit in the other side of the earth –
seeking the sunlight..

if any light there at all?
At that time – you came as a moon – as a love -
evidencing that the light is somewhere around..

ho.. its from the heart..
the sun presents the light..
the heart presents the love – the light..
will it reach the dark sky – and make it brighter?

-000-


Me wondering over it..
and lay in the darkness for the whole month..
for the entire month..
The moon comes again..
and you never came!!

-000-