World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7 April, since 1950, under the sponsorship of the World Health Organisation (WHO).The World Health Day is held to mark WHO''s founding, and is seen as an opportunity by the organisation to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health each year. Since this day is acknowledged by various governments and non-governmental organisations with interests in public health issues, year after year they have picked up globally relevant causes.

I was reading that this year the attention is on Antimicrobial resistance and its global spread.  It’s true that we need to safeguard the new wonder drugs for future generations. Antimicrobial resistance and its global spread threaten the continued effectiveness of many medicines used today to treat the sick, while at the same time it risks jeopardizing important advances being made against major infectious killers. We need to take action today else there will be no cure tomorrow.

Today our lifestyle has changed. We are always working under stress. Even the young adults are now prone to heart attacks due to the stressful life and unhealthy eating habits. Added with no time for physical activity, it only leads to diseases like obesity. Most often one gets caught in a vicious cycle. To fight obesity one follows fad diets or starves oneself again leading to major health issues. New trend is female wanting to go size zero by adapting the ways of the west. Hence diseases like bulimia and anorexia have become common. It is important that we respect our body. Learn to say No to Smoking, No to Substance abuses, No to fad diets. Mind and Body go hand in hand. A healthy mind leads to a healthy body and a fit body helps to keep the mind calm and fight all stress.

On this special day today, I would like to reiterate- Respect your body. Eat healthy & be physically active and you will stay fit and look fab. If you love yourself, the world will love you too. Stay Fit, Stay Happy… It’s the time to ‘Love Yourself’ :)

While each day celebrates the power of a woman, the idea of an International Women''s Day first arose in the 1900’s, almost hundred years ago, which in the industrialized world was a period of expansion and turbulence, booming population growth and radical ideologies.

A woman is unique because of her distinctive ability to care, love and sacrifice for the other. A woman is an all-rounder for all the roles she plays in her daily life. She is a daughter, a sister, a mother, a wife, a friend, a lover, a teacher, a guide and partner from time to time. She can be emotional and vulnerable, she cries a lot when she sees her loved one hut. She lies to hide her pain, she gets attached to people who care even little about her… She is sometimes erratic or calm depending on the situation she is in. Only a woman can display a wonderful range of emotions from being patient to being extremely courageous in times of crisis.

A woman of today can balance her work and personal life beautifully and without a complaint. She is an ace at multi-tasking today and studies show that we women are better than men in terms of playing multiple roles and in multi-tasking.

On one hand our heads raise in pride when we talk about Mother Teresa, Indira Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, Lady Diana, Kiran Bedi, Kalpana Chawla all with respect and dignity while on the other hand, we still read cases of continuing exploitation and injustice against women both in the domestic and work sector even today.

Our society is still marred by heinous crimes against women, including rape, dowry deaths, female infanticide etc… hence the international women’s day holds special implication. While several government and civil society initiatives like girl child education, reservation of seats in local panchayats, etc. have led to empowering the Indian woman today… a lot still needs to be done to give equal rights to women in India.

I am proud to be born as a woman and am happy to see that this day inspires women throughout the world to work towards equality. It marks a celebration of the economic, social, cultural and political achievements made by women over the years.

Take a moment to realize how much effort a woman in your life is putting to help you achieve your dreams. Go ahead, acknowledge it and help her achieve her dream too…Celebrate the day today and live its essence each day.

Happy Happy Women’s day to all the lovely ladies in the world.

Celebrate - today and everyday :)

The announcement of the charity figures for the Airtel Delhi Half marathon 2010 has brought the curtains down in grand fashion on one more memorable edition of this event that simply took my breath away with its sheer scale, the positive energy generated by the thousands of people who ran on Race Day and the manner in it which it portrayed the Capitol city to the rest of the world.

The citizens of Delhi responded in champion fashion to the event by turning up in thousands to participate and cheer, turning race day into a ‘Super Sunday’ and they’ve further proved that they firmly believe in the values that the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon Marathon wishes to promote by raising the maximum funds for charity in the six years of the event’s existence.

I am immensely proud to be the “Face” of this spectacular event that helped raise Rs 3.22 crores in charity, benefiting 40 NGOs, which will go a long way in improving the lives of our lesser fortunate brethren. The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon is one of India’s largest charity raising event and I am confident that very soon the funds raised for charity through this event will increase manifold to compare with the other major distance running events around the world.

Charity plays a big role in my personal life and I doff my hat to each and every Dream Challenger, Dream Maker, I Pledge member, Corporate Challenge Team and NGO, who used this unique platform to raise monies for charity. I urge them to intensify their efforts in the coming years and inspire more people to join them in this noble endeavour, spearheaded by Concern India Foundation, the charity partner of the event.

I just can’t help but relive some of the entirely enjoyable moments I experienced during the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2010. Standing on the grandstand and cheering and encouraging the mass of humanity that participated in the Great Delhi Run and receiving their love and adulation in return was a once in a lifetime experience and, at the same time, truly humbling.
In a short while from now it will be time to begin preparations for the next edition of this unique event. A large number of participants must have already begun training for this and I would like to reach out and say to them, it’s never too early to begin efforts towards raising maximum funds for charity and ensure that 2011 will see a significant increase in the funds raised for charity.

When in school, Republic day was more a compulsory ritual to go for the Flag Hoisting even when we did not know its importance. Out of curiosity I would sit with my dad wanting to know why we celebrated this day. Why was the National flag hoisted with so much of fanfare? Papa explained how the Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. While it was passed by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, it came into effect on 26 January 1950. It  is this law that declares the Union of India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its citizens of justice, equality and liberty & endeavors to promote among them all, fraternity. I feel so proud to be a citizen of the largest democracy in the world, of the land that celebrates unity in diversity.

I use to and still love the grand parade that is held in the capital. It’s synchronised sound of feet, the salute and the dignity with which our soldiers put on a magnificent show. The different regiments of the army, the Navy and the Air force march past in all their finery and official decorations looking regal and suave. The parade is followed by a pageant of spectacular displays from the different states of the country. These moving exhibits depict scenes of activities of people in those states and the music and songs of that particular state accompany each display. I would particular love to see the various dance forms of each state. Every display is different, bringing out the diversity and richness of the culture of India and the whole show lends a festive air to the occasion.

Many gallantry awards are also distributed on this day and the proud recipients are the ones who would have done something very brave to make their state and their country proud of them. Its especially encouraging to see the kids being honoured for their valour, appreciation at young age goes a long way in making them responsible adults. The patriotic fervour of the people on this day brings the whole country together even in her essential diversity. Every part of the country is represented in occasion, which makes the Republic Day the most popular of all the national holidays of India. The enthusiasm is so addictive, it spares no one :-)

This Republic Day let’s pledge to remember that variety is what makes India so wonderful. We should embrace and accept these differences, because they make us who we are – a nation rich in cultures, languages, customs, cuisines and arts.

Saare Jahaan Se Achcha Hindustan Hamara. Jai Hind!

In India, we celebrate the glory of the nature in several festivals and colours. I think that no other country enjoys as long a festive season as we do in India. Our festivals start in August and go on till almost end November, continual celebrations there. Be in Ganesh Chaturthi, Eid, Parsi New Year, Navaratri, Dassera, Dilwali we celebrate it all. Come December and we look forward to Christmas, New Year, Makar Sankranti and many other such festivities are good reason for the endless revelry.

Living in Mumbai, I have learned to appreciate the various hues and colours of our festivals. I really enjoy each and every one of them. It seems that our unity is expressed in the collective celebration of each other’s festivals.  Be it the splash of colours on Holi or the bright colourful rakhis on the wrists of men irrespective of religion or region, add to the hue of happiness in our lives.

Parsis flocking to the fire temple on Pateti in their traditional finery and the warmth with which the tradition dishes are offered to family and friends really captures ones heart.  When Eid is celebrated with elders giving Eedis and servings of sheer-khorma with biryani, it makes one wonder how can we not celebrate with our brethren?

And one can’t miss Ganesh Chaturthi? When the streets are decked up and pandals reverb with the sound of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ for a duration of 9-11 days, the city feels so alive and vibrant.  Followed soon by Dassera, another nine days of festivities with pandals erected to worship Maa Durga, the Khichuri and Paayesh on ashtami, make me nostalgic as I am reminded of Durga Puja at home, Kolkata. My entire family is in Kolkata for the celebrations and today I am going to Kolkata to join them for Navami and Dashmi Pooja. It’s a surprise visit, since it’s my Mom’s b’day too... What fun! I am excited like a little child.

In Mumbai, there is the special Bandra Fest with huge Ferris wheels, amusements and feasts near the Basilica of Mount Mary in Bandra to celebrate the birthday of Virgin Mary. I make a point to visit it every year. The festival of lights Diwali is one of my favourite festivals. I light up the entire house with traditional oil lamps and we have dinner with close friends and family at Mom’s house on Laxmi Poojan day. My Mom is an excellent cook and prepares an elaborate spread herself.  The whole city is lit up, there’s joy and good cheer among everybody, spreading much needed positivity. 
Even though every festival brings in so much happiness and unity among people, it is saddening that most of the festivals contribute towards pollution of the environment. Usually after a festival, the colours used to paint the idols pose a risk by adding to the water contamination in the city. Holi if played with wet colours or water balloon add to the existing water shortage. The chemical colours not only cause harm to our own body but to mother earth too. The streets get crowded increasing the noise levels and bursting of crackers during Diwali increases pollution levels of the air. I love celebrating all festivals, but I do wish that we stop polluting our environment and put an end to the increasing environmental hazards. Lets us take a pledge that this season we will celebrate in an environment friendly way and instead of spreading pollution, let’s spread the true spirit of festival that is love, friendship and tolerance.

Happy Festive Season to all! Love and Luck... Always! :)