ORBIT's contribution

Another Press report says :

ORBIT ( Organisation of Retired Bankers in Trivandrum) has donated Rs. 50,000/- to 111 economically backward individuals for an Insurance cover of total of Rs. 55 Lakhs, under the "Cancer Care for Life" scheme of Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum.  Kerala State Minister for Health handed over the sum to the RCC Director, recently.

State Pensioners

A press report says that The Kerala State Service Pensioners' Association have demanded that the pensionary benefits offered to the Central Govt pensioners ( vide the recent Pay Commission recommendations) should be made applicable to the State pensioners too. 

Preferential treatment to Senior Citizens

Malayala Manorama, on 18th august, had an article "preferential treatment to Senior Citizens". This appeared in the financial pages , under the title "Smart Money".

The article is about handling you money. About pension, bank deposits, nomination facilities, and new offers from the Banks.  Worth reading. ( Please enlarge the picture below (both are same) to read).

Health tips : Omega3 Fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids

I am sure, all of us are very careful in our health and so in the food habits. Most of us are very knowledgeable in the related matters. So, Omega-3 will not be something new for you. However, let me jot down a few points. I pray they be useful to all.

Omega-3s are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids; one of the four types of fats our body gets through the food. Omega-3s are essential fats for the body, as the body cannot make these fatty acids on its own. They are to be obtained from our essential foods. 

Omega-3s are beneficial to us in more ways than one. The main benefit is to a healthy heart. It helps to lower cholesterol and triglycerides. It can reverse and prevent high blood pressure, and reduces the risk of a stroke.
Omega3-s can decrease pain and inflammation in the body. It can also play a crucial role in preventing depression and other mental health challenges.
Omega3-s improve the body’s response to insulin by stimulating the secretion of leptin (a hormone that helps regulate not only food intake, but body weight and metabolism as well).

The main source of Omega-3 fatty acids is FISH. They are more concentrated in fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and herring. That’s for the Non-veggies. For the Veggies, leafy vegetables, soya beans, yogurt, and nuts (like almonds and walnuts) are the main sources. 

So, if you are a Non-Veggie, eat “Chaala (Mathi)” !

If you are a Veggie, eat “Cheera, Muringayila, ...”  !

CHSS - Hospital rates

As we all know, there are a number of Hospitals and Clinics approved under the CHSS. When any of us are referred to a Hospital (by the respective AMO), they are expected to treat us and charge the Dept of the services they do, based on the approved rates. The applicable rates have been revised recently (about an year ago), and those are (supposed to be) applicable now.
Unfortunately, these Hospitals are not offering their services at the contractual terms. They are demanding excess money, direct from the patient (CHSS beneficiary). They demand that the excess money they asked for, be paid in advance, and without a cash receipt.

When I had to go for a surgical treatment, I approached two of the Hospitals. Both of them demanded extra money (payable in advance and in lumpsum). They said that the approved rates are not valid and they are at a loss. Therefore, I have to pay the excess money (over what the Dept will pay them) in advance. Finally I had to pay the extra money they had asked for !

This is a serious problem. It's a case of breach of contract by the Hospitals. I wish, the Dept take up the issue and sort out immediately. Is it not unfair and injustice to extract such excess money from the retired persons ? It's injustice. Let's appeal and pray; Let justice prevail here.

.

ISRO and Society

I have today, something on “Telemedicine’. It's one of the shining contributions of ISRO to the society. Certainly, ISRO is indebted to the society. This is one of the ways in which ISRO pays back.

I am quoting a few points from an article titled “Healthcare for the other India”, appeared in the Business Today magazine ((Aug 10, 2008 issue).

"

Telemedicine is the delivery of health services through telecommunication networks.

Six years since ISRO launched a national Telemedicine project to reach quality healthcare to rural India, there are four states that have “wired up” all their district hospitals. So, what has been the impact on the lives of the poor in these states ?

ISRO’s telemedicine project has benefited three lakh people. ISRO’s capability to provide connectivity to far-flung and remote places through satellites has been effectively utilized. ISRO is driving the project by providing software, hardware, communication equipment and satellite bandwidth, all free of cost. As many as 263 district/taluk hospitals across the country are linked to 43 super-speciality hospitals via ISRO’s satellite based network, and the benefit has reached three lakh people.

Kerala, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Karnataka stand out because all their district hospitals are under this network.

Now, patients from Lakshadweep, effortlessly, albeit virtually, walk into Amritha Institute of Medical Sciences at Kochi, and meet up with specialist doctors.

Kerala : first in Telemedicine. Yet, the project is limping or dysfunctional in districts such as Idukki, Wayanad, Aalappuzha, Kasargod, etc. ISRO’s equipments are available in all places, but it is often not put to the best use. *

Andhra Pradesh : Eight years on, after 40,000 consultations, telemedicine in AP is a resounding success.
Chattisgarh : The telecom facilities remain idle because the Naxals threaten doctors and there is no power supply.
“

A great gesture indeed !

A gesture towards Senior Citizens.
A newspaper report says :
“Collecting monthly pension from the Treasury in the city has always been an ordeal for senior citizens (Kerala State pensioners).   The old benches there have been replaced with new chairs. So the elderly persons can now rest their tired limbs.”

Oh… a great gesture to the Senior Citizens !

Government of India and Senior Citizens

Govt of India, in its web-site, gives a description about Senior citizens. Here is the quote :

http://india.gov.in/citizen/senior_citizen/
“
Senior Citizen Corner
Senior Citizens are a treasure to our society. They have worked hard all these years for the development of the nation as well as the community. They possess a vast experience in different walks of life. The youth of today can gain from the experience of the senior citizens in taking the nation to greater heights. At this age of their life, they need to be taken care of and made to feel special. Indian Government provides several benefits through its schemes in various sectors of development.

With various tax benefits, travel and health care facilities provisioned for them, Indian Government has created reasons for Senior Citizens to feel happy. This corner on Senior Citizens is aimed at providing details on various aspects concerning them.
“

http://socialjustice.nic.in/social/sdcop/benefits.htm

Another Government sponsored agency (Social justice) lists the facilities/benefits given to Senior Citizens by different Ministries/Departments.

Eg. Ministry of Railways 
"
Indian Railways provide 30% concession in all classes and trains including Rajdhani/Shatabadi trains for both males and females aged 60 years and above.
Indian Railways also have the facility of separate counters for Senior Citizens for purchase/booking/cancellation of tickets.
"
How do you feel ? As a Senior Citizen, do you feel that Govt of India is giving due care and importance to the Senior Citizens ?
If YES, kindly tell us why  and how ?
If NO, please tell us why ?

08-08-08

Hello  fellow senior citizens,

I think we all should find out occassions and reasons to celebrate. Infact, everyday should be a celebration.  Make your life a celebration !

So, there is a reason for you to celebrate on next Friday ( that's on , 8th August, 2008).  It's 08-08-08 !   Let's celebrate !!  8 is a lucky number too.

Hygiene factors.

Today, I’ve an interesting topic for you. 
Today's “The Hindu”  has an article titled “Hygiene hypothesis and the perils of being squeaky clean”.
The article presents, based on a study by American Journal of Gastroenterology, a few interesting findings.

“

Children who grow up in spick-and-span home may have a higher risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a chronic inflammation of the intestines, leading to abdominal pain and diarrhea, and caused due to the overreaction of the immune system. This is an allergic disease.

The study says that :
Children who are exposed to viruses and other microorganisms (like in a daycare centre) are less likely to develop allergies than their peers.
Its about how hygienic a child’s upbringing was, including no of siblings and whether rural or urban. 
Those with one sibling are two to three times more likely to have IBD than with five or more siblings.

Those living in urban settings are 38% more likely to suffer from IBD then their counterparts.

”

I remember to have read (a couple of years back) about a similar finding on Asthma (another allergic disease).

What does this suggest us ? Expose the children to harmless microbes to help regulate their immune system. In simple words, let children live in a bit of dirt !

And, this is NOT applicable to Senior Citizens.... Don't start living in dirt !  But take care of your grand-children !!

Plight of Senior Citizens

I have an interesting scrap here. Its about an article appeared in the 'Open page' columns of "The Hindu" dated 20 July, 2008, by one Mr. K Anantharaman.  To ease my job, let me quote from his article.
"
Plight of Senior Citizens
Property rich but cash poor
The senior citizens in the country are facing a number of serious practical problems, in the evening of their lives. Neglect from all sides, children and relatives, Government, investment market, and now the rising prices is making their lives not worth living atall. Some of them have reasonably good income from various investments and pension schemes but most of the senior citizens are not able to cope with the rising pruices.  .....
.......
Maintaining such assets are expensive and such costs will go up in the years to come. It would be advisable for them to sell off those residential or land assets and switchover to small apartments .......     The sales realisations can be invested in long term instruments.....    A number of senior citizens have already done this and feel much safer financially.   ......
Reverse mortgaging...   the concept of monthly income ... and how to resolve family politics on wealth.    .....
Senior Citizens' housing complexes are coming up in different parts of the country ... .....
India today has the largest population of senior citizens and it is the duty of everybody to look after them by providing reasonable convieniences at costs they can afford.
"
Sri. Anantharaman presents here the problem of  "having high value assets".  His second part of the article talks about the advantages of having Housing complexes that meet the special requirements of Senior Citizens.