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Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Credit Cards for Paying Medical Expenses

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 13:55:00 +0000

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Ideally, you need to have emergency funds or your insurance ready to pay any kind of medical expenses. This is the conventional wisdom taught in finance.

But we tend to use credit cards for medical expenses due to ease of use or habitually. However, paying medical bills with a credit card has few advantages too.

Here are some potential advantages:

1. Convenience and immediate payment:

Using a credit card allows for quick and easy payment of medical bills. You don't have to carry large amounts of cash or write a cheque.

With a credit card, you can settle your medical expenses immediately, which can be beneficial in emergency situations or when prompt payment is required.

2. Financial flexibility:

You can pay off the balance without incurring any interest charges between the charge date and the due date. This flexibility can be helpful if you manage your cash flow more effectively.

3. Rewards and benefits:

Top credit cards offer rewards programs for every rupee spent. These rewards programs helping you earn cash back, points, or other incentives.

If you have a rewards credit card, paying your medical bills with it can help you accumulate rewards, which can be used for future purchases, travel, or even cash back.

4. Protection and dispute resolution:

Credit cards often provide additional protection and dispute resolution services. If there are any billing errors or fraudulent charges then you can contact your credit card company and dispute them.

In some cases, credit card companies offer purchase protection, extended warranties, or travel insurance, which may provide coverage for certain medical expenses or related situations.

5. Building credit history:

Responsible use of a credit card, including timely payments of medical bills, can help you build a positive credit history.

Regularly paying your credit card bills on time and keeping your credit utilization low can contribute to a good credit score. This can be advantageous when applying for loans, mortgages, or other forms of credit in the future.

Consider your ability to pay off the balance in full and the potential interest charges if you carry a balance.

Disadvantages of Using Credit Cards to Pay Medical Bills

1. Interest charges:

You'll start accruing interest charges if you can't pay off your credit card balance in full by the due date. The interest rates on credit cards are high, which means you may end up paying more in the long run. It's important to understand the interest rates and terms associated with your credit card.

2. Potential debt accumulation

Medical bills can be substantial, and if you're unable to pay off the full balance on your credit card. Carrying a high balance can lead to a debt cycle, making it challenging to pay off the full amount.

3. Impact on credit score

Utilizing a large portion of your available credit or carrying high balances on your credit cards can negatively impact your credit score. High credit utilization can lower your score and make it more difficult to secure favorable loan terms or obtain new credit in the future.

4. Fees and additional costs

Some medical providers may charge convenience fees for credit card payments. These fees can add to the overall cost of your medical bills. You need to check whether the convenience of using a credit card outweighs the additional costs associated with these fees.

5. Temptation for overspending

Having a credit card readily available for medical bill payment may tempt you to overspend or use it for non-essential purchases. It's crucial to exercise discipline and only charge what you can afford to pay off to avoid falling into a cycle of debt.

Before using a credit card to pay medical bills, explore alternative options such as negotiating payment plans with your medical provider or considering medical financing options that may offer more favorable terms.

When You should use a credit card to Pay Medical Bills

Using a credit card to pay medical bills can be a suitable option in certain situations mentioned below -

1. Immediate payment is required:

credit card provides the convenience of instant payment in an urgent medical situation or when you need to pay your medical bills promptly. It ensures that your medical expenses are taken care of without delay.

2. Access to rewards or cash-back programs:

If your credit card provides significant rewards that outweigh any associated fees or interest charges.

3. Short-term financing with a clear repayment plan:

If you have a plan in place to pay off the credit card balance within the due date or within a few months. It allows you to manage your cash flow effectively and spread out the payments over a specific period without incurring excessive interest charges.

4. Emergency situations or unexpected expenses:

In emergency situations when you don't have sufficient cash on hand or alternative payment options. If you need to cover unexpected medical expenses and don't have immediate access to other funds, using a credit card can provide a temporary solution.

You need to exercise caution when using a credit card for medical bills. Consider your ability to repay the balance promptly to avoid high-interest charges or potential debt accumulation. If possible, explore alternative options such as negotiating payment plans or seeking medical financing with more favorable terms.

What are the Other Ways to Pay Medical Bills

1. Health Insurance

Review your policy to understand the coverage details, including any co-payments or deductibles. Ensure that you are aware of the network hospitals and the claim submission process.

2. Government Health Schemes

In India, there are government-sponsored health insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) and state-specific health insurance programs. These schemes aim to provide financial protection for medical expenses. Check if you are eligible for such schemes and understand the coverage they offer.

3. Employee Health Benefits

Check if your employer-sponsored health insurance or reimbursement programs. Many companies offer group health insurance plans or medical reimbursement policies that can help cover your medical expenses.

4. EMI or Instalment Plans

Some hospitals and healthcare providers offer EMI or installment payment options. This allows you to break down your medical bill into manageable monthly payments over a specific period. Inquire with the billing department of the hospital or clinic about this option.

5. Negotiate the Bill

You should negotiate your medical bill with the hospital or healthcare provider. Explain your financial situation and ask if they offer a discount or set up a payment plan. Be prepared to provide the necessary documentation to support your request.

6. Medical Loans

Financial institutions in India offer medical loans specifically for healthcare expenses. Medical loans have lower interest rates compared to credit cards. Research different lenders, compare the interest rates and repayment terms, and apply for a medical loan that suits your needs.

7. Personal Savings or Emergency Funds

Consider using these funds to pay your medical bills. It's important to strike a balance between using your savings and maintaining a financial safety net for future emergencies.

8. Charitable Organizations

There are charitable organizations and NGOs in India that provide financial assistance for medical expenses. Explore local organizations that may offer support and inquire about their application process and eligibility criteria.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Intuition vs. Sensing

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 17:24:00 +0000

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a well-known test that assesses your personality to place you into one of 16 categories. They were created by created by Isabel Myers and Katharine Briggs, based on Carl Jung's theory of psychological types.

Two of the key categories in the MBTI are the Intuition (N) or Sensing (S) personality types. Understanding the distinction between these two personality categories can help you to learn more about yourself and understand where in the MBTI personality types you fall. can provide valuable insights into how individuals perceive and process information.

In this article, we will take a look at both the Sensing vs. Intuition MBTI categories, so you can gain a deeper understanding into your unique personality type and traits.

The Intuition (N) MBTI Category

The Intuition (N) MBTI personality type is a cognitive function that plays a significant role in decision-making, problem-solving, and perception. Individuals who fall into the Intuition (N) in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator often rely on their intuition and instincts (or 'gut feelings') to understand the world around them and take actions in different situations or online when using social media.

Intuitive individuals are insightful, imaginative, and future-oriented. They have a natural inclination to dig deeper into things to find meaning and identify patterns or trends in various situations in their lives. They have a unique skill that enables them to form deep connections between concepts, ideas, and experiences that might seem unrelated to those without the Intuition personality trait.

Those with the (N) MBTI personality type are great at seeing the bigger picture and empathizing with a wide range of perspectives. They can gather information from multiple sources to see all viewpoints in a situation and use this information to take the appropriate actions.

The Sensing (S) MBTI Category

The Sensing (S) MBTI personality trait represents an individual's preference for gathering information using their senses. Sensing personality types focus on observable information and details about their surroundings. They focus on using direct sensory experiences through sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. They use tangible facts to navigate the world around them and focus on the facts less than their instincts.

Sensing individuals are usually described as being practical, observant, and detail oriented. They have a high level of awareness about everything that's going on around them and are able to focus on and recall specific details about each situation.

Sensing individuals are able to notice subtle changes in behaviors or their overall environment. They take a practical approach to situations and use their problem-solving and critical thinking skills to take action. They are cautious and pay attention to detail to identify the potential risks associated with taking a specific action.

Those who fall into the (S) category of the MBTI may be skilled at troubleshooting, identifying practical solutions to immediate problems, and implementing strategies efficiently. They are realistic and practical, but still take a creative and thoughtful approach to every situation or task.

5 Things You Should Know Before Getting a Pet

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 12:37:00 +0000

Pets are a wonderful addition to any home, as they bring joy, love, and companionship. However, it's important to know they are a lot of hard work.

Before taking the plunge and bringing home a furry friend, there are some important steps you should take. A pet is for life, and you'll want to be as prepared as possible.

In this article, we are going to discuss five things that you should know before getting a pet. Sound interesting? Then keep on reading.

They cost a lot

Owning a pet is not cheap. In addition to food, toys, and grooming supplies, you'll also need to budget for vet visits, insurance and potential medical expenses down the road.

Additional costs such as grooming services or professional training classes will also add up over time. Be sure to check your finances before bringing making the big commitment.

You must do your research

When it comes time to select the right pet for your family, it's critical to do plenty of research so that you can make an informed decision. Learn about each breed or species before deciding on one that suits your family.

You'll also have to know what supplies to pick up! A pooch will need one of the best dog harnesses, fish will require a tank and a kitten will require a litter box. There are a lot of things you'll have to get sorted out before their arrival!

Consider your lifestyle

Different types of animals require different levels of care and attention. If you're an active person who loves to get outside and explore, then a dog may be the perfect companion for you.

On the other hand, if you have an office job that requires long hours away from home, then a small rodent may be more suitable. It's important to consider both your activity level and the amount of time available for caring for your pet.

Check that everyone is on board

Having a new pet in the house is a big adjustment. Before getting one, all members of the household must be on board. Otherwise, it could lead to tension and conflict.

Speak to your family and get their thoughts. You don't want to bring an animal home only to find that you aren't allowed to keep it.

Look into adoption

Lastly, instead of shopping at a pet store, adopting an animal from a rescue organization is a cheaper and better option! Check out local shelters near your area and learn about the required steps of the adoption process itself.

Researching online can also help uncover any current promotions or discounts available through certain shelters/rescues. You get to make a best friend, and potentially save their life too!

Final words

And that's it! Ultimately, owning a pet requires careful consideration beforehand if you want everything to go smoothly. By doing research ahead of time, you can ensure that getting a new furry friend will be nothing but a joyful occasion. Good luck!

How India's First Woman Doctor Successfully Healed A Country's Mindset

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 12:24:00 +0000

You know the story. You know the twists.

Life isn't fair.

She lives in a land where women have no legal say.

Life isn't fair.

She is married before she crosses the age of 10. Her husband is 30 and a widower. She has no say in the wedding.

Life isn't fair.

She is 14 when she gives birth to a baby boy. A boy who will have more rights than her as he grows up.

The baby dies on the 10th day due to lack of proper medical care.

Life isn't fair.

Heartbroken but determined now, she wishes to become a doctor to heal others like her who have minimal access to medical aid. She learns new languages, leaves her hometown and applies to various schools. She is turned away by all. She is 15.

Life isn't fair.

Her husband - rough but broadminded - seeks the aid of foreigners to help her dream come true. Their words, written in the gardens of colonized India, find their way to an international magazine and are read by a woman in America awaiting her dental appointment. She is impressed and looks to help the girl attain her dream. This is not met favourably by the locals in India who persecute the wayward girl and her husband for dreaming of being anything more than subservient to society. She is not yet 16.

Life isn't fair.

The fever begins. It is accompanied by bouts of bodyache, headache and breathlessness. Her body is forsaking her.

Life isn't fair.

She addresses the community to explain why she needs to do this. How Indian women would respond better to a woman doctor. Her words touch the hearts of a few across the country but she remains ostracized by those around her.

Life isn't fair.

Years pass and her health continues to deteriorate. An opportunity arises and she takes it, leaving her home country and traveling abroad to join what was only the second women's medical program in the world. She is 18. Her ailment is diagnosed to be tuberculosis. Tuberculosis in a time where death is a certainty.

Life isn't fair.

She does not give up. She studies hard and surpasses everyone's expectations, graduating as a doctor at 21. She receives a grand reception on returning to India, the first Indian woman doctor of modern medicine. She is duly appointed the physician in charge of the women's ward at one of the country's most prestigious hospitals. Her dream to make the lives of women and children in India healthier has finally begun. She is 21. She is still 21 months later when she dies of tuberculosis.

Life isn't fair.

The set of cards dealt by life to Dr Anandibai GopalRao Joshi held no favours for the young girl. Every step was a struggle and there was heartbreak aplenty right till the very end.

And yet, this is a story of triumph... of a woman whose choices 137 years ago at a mere 14 years old changed India. This is the story of how Dr Anandibai GopalRao Joshi succeeded.

Today, you don't think twice before walking into the OPD of a female physician. You don't hesitate when you see a female anaesthesiologist and surgeon come out of the operation theatre to talk to you. Female gynaecologists and radiologists? But of course! Dermatologists & ophthalmologists? Naturally. Microbiologists, pathologists, forensic doctors, urologists, neurosurgeons... there is simply no super specialty in India that doesn't have an Indian woman doctor. Each one of these women have faced their own individual struggles and earned their degrees alongside their male peers... something that means nothing to you today but was considered sacrilege here in India less than 5 generations ago.

And that is where Dr Anandibai succeeded.

Anandibai was an anomaly in the 1880s, the only female Indian doctor of modern medicine. Today, females constitute 50 percent of those joining the medical field every year. Every one of us - at some point or the other in our lives - have been treated or watched our loved ones treated by a female doctor.

That is where Dr Anandibai succeeded.

Hated by her own countrymen for daring to want to be more than just a child bride, when she died she was treated as a national icon by the same nationals for her courage. A 21 year old woman changed India's perception of what a woman could do.

That is where Dr Anandibai succeeded.

Many good men and women have fought their entire lives to change the way patriarchal society thinks. It's easy to say that 2023 is no 1883 and we live in a modern, free thinking society. Except we don't. Not in many parts of the world, not in many parts of our own country. You don't have to look too far to see the discrimination and belittling mindset that is still present in our everyday conversations.

Today, on yet another Women's Day, it is important to understand that this day isn't just about the colourful posts and warm greetings. It is about acknowledging the struggles that exist for women even today because of the unfair world around them and helping them rise to the best of their abilities, even if it means breaking rigid concepts, both around us... and often within us.

This fight for women to be considered equal in a world that regresses to traditional patriarchal concepts at the first sign of any change is a long drawn, often unfair one. But it is one that must continue, nonetheless, even if it seems futile to us right now.

Why? Because every time a woman successfully breaks down a stereotype, she inspires a million more to be better than they ever imagined possible. Just like India's first woman doctor did, nearly 140 years ago.

Having learned from, watched from afar as well as worked beside women doctors whose skills far surpass my own, I can honestly say that the country owes a debt of gratitude to Anandibai.

Dr Anandibai did not get to heal even a dozen patients before she passed away. But her strength against all odds made sure that crores of Indians since then have been healed by the kind nurturing hands and sharp minds of women doctors.

That is where Dr Anandibai succeeded... in healing a country's mindset.

Author's Note:

This post is part of Blogchatter’s CauseAChatter.

This blog post is also part of the Women’s Day Blog Hop, themed on She: A Tribute to Her, hosted by Swarnali Nath

4 Things to Serve for Your Work Buffet

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 07:11:00 +0000

Although it’s not mandatory by law to provide catering services for your employees, doing so is a nice gesture that makes your workers feel valued.

Offering a regular buffet for your staff can create a positive work environment that promotes teamwork and collaboration. Your staff can fill up on delicious food to fuel their workday and boost productivity.

You can even boost employee loyalty and reduce staff turnover rates by investing in ongoing catering services. Whether you offer a daily buffet for your employees or you treat them to a delicious lunch every Friday, you can boost your company culture and build a team of dedicated workers.

What Foods Should You Serve at a Work Buffet?

Figuring out what to serve at your work buffet can be tough. There is an endless number of dishes and desserts that you could serve, but you need to consider the dietary needs and preferences of your team.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of great foods to serve for your employees as part of your catering services. You can choose to serve all of the suggestions we’ve offered or select just a few. It’s good to rotate between different dishes every so often to keep your staff satisfied.

Sandwiches and wraps

You can’t go wrong with the classics! Sandwiches and wraps are the perfect lunchtime snack to serve to your employees. They’re inexpensive to make and there‘s a wide variety of fillings that you can use to meet the individual needs of your staff.

Make sure to offer a selection of meat-based, vegetarian, and vegan options to satisfy every one of your employees. Cheese and tomato, chicken mayo, tuna and sweetcorn, and BBQ tofu are just a few suggestions to consider.

Deli meat selection

For the meat lovers in your workplace, you can provide a wagyu assortment and a selection of deli meats. They can eat these meats in sandwiches or in a pasta dish for lunch, or on their own as a mid-afternoon snack.

Tomato chicken

Chicken is a favorite among meat-eaters. Although simple, tomato chicken is bound to go down a treat with your staff.

Tomato chicken is easy to make in bulk, so it’s perfect if you’ve got a large team of staff. You can offer some pasta, rice, or noodles for your employees to pair with it. Consider offering a meat-free ‘chicken’ option or switching up the sauce to create orange chicken.

Pasta salad

Pasta salad is another highly versatile dish that will meet the dietary needs of most, if not all, of your staff. You can add a number of different sauces and ingredients into pasta salad to create meat-based, vegetarian, and vegan options.

You can either serve a range of pre-made pasta salads to your staff or allow them to create their own from an assortment of ingredients. Ask your staff which they’d prefer so you can cater to their needs and wants.

Fish skin: A breakthrough for burn treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 02:52:00 +0000

Treating patients with burns requires rigorous care. Depending on the degree of the burn, substances such as chlorhexidine or sulfadiazine are used. However, more severe burns such as third-degree burns require more attention, as it is in need of being monitored in a hospital for daily dressings, bandage changes, and careful cleaning of their wounds. However, in order to improve this procedure, specialists with studies similar to Professional Master’s Degree in Major Burns have conducted research into making treatment more feasible for patients.

Treatment of burns can be expensive, which is why studies of Brazilian researchers have sought out more viable options and have found that the skin of fish, specifically tilapia, can be effective in treating these conditions that require specific attention and treatment.

Nile tilapia as a revolutionary measure

Obtaining human skin donors is usually a costly and difficult task, so it was decided to take alternatives to this problem. In this case, the solution was the tilapia, a fish native to Africa that breeds in both fresh and salt water, as in 2011, the plastic surgeon Marcelo Borges devised a treatment for burns in this skin, who would later share his idea with his colleague Edmar Maciel, who would begin to investigate it; since Nile tilapia skin has large layers of collagen, and is characterised by guiding and defining most tissues, as well as being a great biomaterial component, which enables biodegradability and biocompatibility, favouring its application, in addition, the skin of this animal is particularly known for being full of beneficial fatty acids, which help to retain moisture.

Before being placed on the affected area, the skin must go through a cleaning and sterilisation process, which consists of removing the scales, muscle tissue, toxins and, of course, the fish smell, which will be stretched in a press to be cut into 10 cm by 20 cm pieces, thus giving a similarity to human skin, as it is more flexible. The pieces are subsequently stored in a freezer at temperatures between 2° and 4° for up to 2 years.

In order to test its efficacy, the study was conducted at the Dr José Frota Institute's Burn Treatment Centre in Ceará, Brazil; 62 patients hospitalised for burns between October 2016 and September 2017 were selected in the centre.

According to research by João Pessoa University Centre medical student Anna Julie Medeiros Cabral, the following were assessed: the number of times there was an occlusive dressing exchange and days for wound healing, use of analgesics or anaesthetics, pain sensitivity and burn improvement on dressing removal.

Medeiros says the test subjects were randomly divided into two groups: those who were treated with tilapia skin and those who were treated conventionally with sulphadiazine. It is worth mentioning that these groups took into account certain factors such as age, gender, the person responsible for the accident and the segments burned.

The researchers found that patients with the group with severe burns who are treated with tilapia skin have less need for painkillers compared to the group who receive conventional treatments, wound healing is faster, and it benefits the healing process of burns, concretely in the proliferative phase, which increases cell migration and regeneration.

Note: the healing process is mainly divided into: coagulation, inflammation, proliferation and maturation.

Although this type of therapy is still under development, as it is a low-cost application with a guaranteed result, it could become an alternative for the treatment of highly supervised burns, Additionally, specialists are investigating the possibility of further uses in other branches of medicine, such as in gynaecology for endoscopy, and studies will be conducted to evaluate the differences in the treatment of burns between pig, dog, human and tilapia skin.

In conclusion

The Nile tilapia skin, although still in a testing and research phase, could become a revolutionary breakthrough in the world of medicine as it is composed of numerous proteins that bring benefits in the treatment of third-degree burns in particular, but also in other fields, being a more accessible and less painless alternative for its patients.

Easy way to keep my kitchen clean with the best microwave grill cleaner

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 14:42:00 +0000

One of the things I love most about living in Kochi is the amazing array of cuisines that the city offers. Sure, you have your amazing local fare with its blissful splurging of (literally, every part of!) the ubiquitous Kerala coconut and spices in every dish but the gastric joy does not end with just a well-prepared local fish curry meal or beetroot thoran. Being a city that has embraced cultures as diverse as Portuguese and Arabian for centuries, the culinary mark of these foreign countries too is now an ingrained part of our cuisine and features prominently alongside our own traditional fare.

Exploring new dishes

That translates as much in my home cooking as it does in my online food delivery orders and restaurant choices, I realized, over the last few years. From Spanish paellas to Middle Eastern hummus and even American-Chinese dishes like orange chicken, I have been trying my hands on quite a few dishes, with pretty decent results, if I say so myself.

It was while discussing the awesome dishes from other cuisines available in restaurants here in Kochi with my fellow doctors that the topic of al-faham came up. For those who are unaware, al-fahams are a kind of Arabian grilled meat – usually chicken – that is quite popular in Kerala. Served with pickled vegetables, mayonnaise, a garlic paste and quboos (an Arabian bread), they make for a filling dinner option at a reasonable price. What makes it different from traditional grilled foods would be the mix of spices used.

Here, in Kochi, you have easily more than two dozen restaurants that make this tasty dish. My eye though was on a particular variant called Kanthari al-faham chicken. A popular Kerala version of the Arabian dish, this super spicy chicken is prepared by coating – and I do mean, coating – with a bird eye chilli paste that leaves not just your mouth but your eyes watering as well. While not as visually appealing as the traditional al-faham owing to this thick coating on top of the chicken, it was easily the tastier version in my book.

Recreating a traditional delicacy at home

“You better have the best microwave grill cleaner in town,” smirked my colleague when I expressed my desire to try and recreate the dish at home.

“The best microwave grill cleaner? You think so?” In my heart, I knew she was right though.

The microwave would be my first choice for making this dish but it would not be without its drawbacks. There was a high likelihood of the marination sputtering all over inside the microwave oven and creating a mess. This had been a major deterrent in the past while creating some dishes. Things had changed over the last few months since I had gotten the Cif Perfect Finish Oven and Grill Cleaner that removed the toughest of stains and grease but still, that nagging worry lingered at the back of my mind.

Cooking a kanthari al-faham inside a microwave could get really messy and would challenge the best microwave grill cleaner in any kitchen. On the other side, the vision of that amazing home-cooked al-faham sitting on a pristine white plate and the bragging rights that I would get if I got it right beckoned.

“You know what? I’ll do it. I will make this dish. I have all the ingredients at home for a spicy Kanthari Chicken al-faham. And yes, the best microwave grill cleaner I have ever had to date in Cif. Let us see how it fares against this Kerala-Arabia jugalbandi.”

Gathering the ingredients for this dish proved to be child’s play in this city (something I am always eternally grateful for) and that weekend, I set about preparing the al-faham. The chicken was initially coated with a mix of Arabian spices, salt and pepper and left to marinate overnight in the fridge.

After I had prepared my bird eye chilli paste and my mise en place was ready, the chicken was placed in the oven and half-baked before taking it out. The chilli paste was now liberally lathered onto this chicken and then grilled to perfection once more inside the microwave oven. Even before I opened that oven door, the smell wafting throughout the kitchen and even into the dining room was absolutely tantalizing.

Of course, the constant peeps through the grill window to check on the chicken also gave me a glimpse of the tough stains forming inside. This had me go online to the Cif website as the chicken slowly rotated within, more to reassure myself than anything else, I guess.

“…scientifically formulated to cut through burnt-on grease, delivering 100% tough grease removal.” You better be, Cif. Because seeing the stains forming within the oven, I was counting on this being the best microwave grill cleaner indeed.

Of course, all those worries were pushed to the back of my mind once the chicken finally came out of the oven and onto the plate. The chicken was tender and came off the bone with the gentlest of touches. This contrasted beautifully with the big punch of flavours that the kanthari masala provided, leaving your mouth hot and bothered in the best possible way. Having a quboos (or really anything that soaks in that masala well, including rice, appams/ hoppers, idiappams/ string hoppers or rotis) is a must here, offsetting the heat from the chillies. Overall, the Kanthari chicken al-faham was a great success, loved by everyone who had it that night. Pleased with myself, I too retired for the night, content with both my effort as well as the result.

Now, the cleaning bit! Best Microwave Grill Cleaner

Entering the kitchen the next morning, the first thing my eyes fell on was the mess in the kitchen sink from last night. Yes, I had soaked my dishes before going to bed but the microwave was a different matter altogether. The chicken’s revenge was there to see in all its glory within, stains having set upon the grill and window.

“Man, I certainly hope you are the best microwave grill cleaner, Cif, otherwise I am in big trouble here.”

Taking out my Cif Perfect Finish Oven and Grill Cleaner, I quickly perused the instructions at the back of the container. Frankly, the instructions made it seem so easy but then would it be as simple in reality? That was the million-dollar question now.

Making sure the surfaces were cold, I applied the spray all over until it was completely covered.

I took a half-hour break, utilizing that time to get dressed and prepare breakfast before returning to the scene of the crime. Using a clean cloth, I then wiped the surfaces properly and lo! And behold!

The burnt-on bits of food and stains were removed so easily that I was honestly dumbfounded. It is one thing to claim to be the best microwave grill cleaner but this Cif product had actually gone a step beyond, leaving behind a vibrant sparkle that made the oven appear brand new. Honestly, I did not even need to apply a lot of pressure to the grills to remove these stains.

All I did was spray the Cif Perfect Finish Oven and Grill Cleaner, take a break and then wipe it down. The process was so simple and it removed the really tough stains so easily, that I can declare without a doubt that anyone can clean with Cif. If you want to try it too, you can buy the product from here.

Well deserved title - best microwave grill cleaner

Cif really does deserve the title of best microwave grill cleaner that it has earned globally. More than just leaving the kitchen spotless though, it inspires home cooks like me to keep testing our boundaries too, unafraid of the mess we create as we try our hand at new recipes.

As for me, Kanthari al-faham is done from my recipe list. Now, it is onto my next culinary challenge and I have my eye on a traditional Kottayam pork roast recipe. Yes, I already know it is going to be a mess inside that oven but guess what, I have the perfect recipe for getting back that 100% shine as well now, don’t I?

Websites store your payment details in a secure, convenient manner. Why tamper with that?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 02:38:00 +0000

When was the last time you typed in a friend or loved one’s number into a phone from memory before hitting the dial button? I know it has been years in my case. And yet, I am old enough to remember an era before mobile phones existed when we used to pick up the telephone receiver and actually dial in each number individually (yes, kids! Such a world existed not too long ago.) Today, you just find the name of the person you wish to call in your contact folder, hit a single button and abracadabra, even though you don’t know three out of ten digits from their mobile number, you are connected to them every time instantly without fail. Just the thought of dialing ten digits every single time you want to make a phone call seems laborious now, does it not?

The simple fact is that technology improved as the years passed by and made our lives simpler in a million different ways. I remembered this earlier this week while helping my parents set up their accounts for purchasing items via online sites. While the sheer number of options at popular websites left them as giddy as kids in a candy store, there were plenty of doubts too. One key doubt which they had was, of course, related to payments online.

Was it safe?

Should we really type in our entire card number?

Can anyone else see our credit card data?

For a generation that has grown up on cheques and cash transactions during their heyday, the concept of paying by giving details of one’s credit and debit cards to a website can be unquestionably intimidating. More so when you tell them that the websites store your payment details.

PCI DSS

I get their apprehensions. It is a common fear for most of us. The best of these online portals deal in thousands of transactions an hour at the bare minimum. The trust the public has in these online transactions comes from the highest security that these websites offer. Globally, these portals follow the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) to ensure the safety of all data provided by their customers. It is their gold standard.

Do not take my word for it, of course.

Just as I know the curries from two different restaurants differ in taste and ingredients, so too I am aware that online portals too can be different. So while websites store your payment details, unsafe websites may not encode your information and yes, phishing sites do exist. It makes it all the more important to focus on the most trusted websites.

So how can you know which web portal to trust?

Go to the online merchant you use most frequently and find the link to their privacy statement page (usually at the bottom of the page). Read up on what data they accumulate, how it is stored and the standards they follow to protect the data you store with them. Take the time to understand how important they value your trust in them.

For these e-commerce sites, your overall experience matters. In the end, they need you as much as you need them and they work hard to make sure you come back. They cannot afford to lose your trust with a goof-up and so even when these websites store your payment details, they take care to protect the data of their customers with the highest security possible. Irrespective of whether you do your purchase from a computer, mobile app or tablet, the security at the best online portals are geared to deal with ransomware attacks and malware.

When trusted online portals and websites store your payment details or save your credit card details, it should be seen for what it is – the next step in human convenience.

Stored payment information allows for a smoother transaction and checkout as opposed to constantly reaching into your wallet for the physical card every single time to type in the 16-digit account number and multiple codes that follow. In a world where time is money, being able to complete my purchase with one click of a button matters. It makes the entire process a positive experience and one that I would look forward to again in the future.

It also makes the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) recent stance short-sighted and arbitrary. The idea they are pushing for banning the storage of card data on e-commerce portals is a major step back for both the consumer as well as the sites, in my opinion. True, security matters but to punish all the sites including those who adhere to the highest global standards demanded by the PCI DSS is a gross unfairness.

Rules and regulations made must focus on the consumer as well as the e-commerce sites, offering a simple, secure, fast and pleasant experience. When websites store your payment details, it is for the convenience of the consumer. In banning the storage of data, the RBI instead ignores the safety measures taken by these portals while simultaneously affecting the consumer experience adversely.

Typing a 16-digit card number every single time one wants to purchase an item online will only drive the public away from these sites.

Having enjoyed a safe and satisfactory one-click purchase experience all these years at these trusted websites, to go back to typing 16 digits is as big a leap backward as going back to the era of dial-up telephones once more. This is a generation that walks out of a store leaving their grocery carts if they see long queues at the cash counter. Why would we ever want to create an online version of that?

Especially considering how much we hype our Digital India goals, steps like this need to be scrutinized more carefully and course corrections should be taken at the earliest. In a world where digital payments are now the norm, large-scale restrictions should be imposed only when there is no alternative available, which is not the situation here. You do not cut your nose to spite your face.

Frankly, the very purpose seems unclear at this point. If you claim this is about safety, then the standards set by the PCI DSS are globally acknowledged and accepted and India should be no different. If instead, it is about websites accessing the data stored by customers, then that is a matter for India’s data laws which are still in the process of being finalized. So then what was the need for such a step, at all?

'Tokenization'

The solution offered by the RBI is ‘tokenization’ of payment which basically means that these e-commerce sites would have to team up with card networks that will issue them ‘tokens’ linked to an individual card number, tokens that cannot be used by anyone else. The tokenization will create problems for returns/exchange as also for buying goods on EMI, it is not a fool proof system but a work in progress approach which the industry has to work together to fine tune it to make it workable. Any solution that gets tested on the public will create chaos and wholesale disruptions.

Does this in any way sound convenient and simpler to you? It certainly does not to me. Why fix something that is not broken… and end up actually breaking it?

At the end of the day, we want an easy, convenient and secure checkout process when we go in for purchases. The best online portals currently functioning in India all offer that. This is easily verifiable.

One can only hope better sense prevails and the powers that be review their decisions and choose to make the lives of citizens better instead of crippling the digital e-commerce industry with no discernible solution in mind.

The Hidden Benefits of Oolong Tea

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 02:39:00 +0000

Source: unsplash.com – Drew Jemmet

If you don't like the taste of plain water, tea is another healthy beverage alternative. There are numerous studies that demonstrate the health benefits of drinking tea and it's still a nice refresher whether it's hot or cold. While green tea is becoming increasingly popular, oolong is a spectacular alternative that can also benefit your health.

What is Oolong tea?

Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea produced from a plant called Camellia sinensis, which is known to also produce green and black tea. The distinction lies in the way the tea is prepared. Oolong tea, like black and green tea, provides a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Although all authentic tea originates from the same plant, the harvesting and processing methods differ. Black tea is

completely fermented, whereas oolong tea is only partially fermented.

What’s the benefit of this tea?

Assists in boosting your metabolism which promotes weight loss

Oolong tea boosts your metabolism for up to two hours after you consume it, which would help you burn fat faster. Oolong also comprises polyphenols, which can inhibit fat-producing enzymes. This indicates that oolong tea can help with weight loss if you don't add any processed sugar or artificial sweeteners to it. If you prefer sweet tea, try adding a little bit of pure honey, stevia, or agave syrup—all of which are low-glycaemic-index sweeteners.

Lower the risk of cancer

There is a well-established association between tea consumption and a reduced risk of cancer. This is

because the presence of polyphenol in oolong tea causes apoptosis which would destroy any cancer cell growth. This polyphenolic compound can also be used as a chemo preventive tool to help prevent the development of other malignancies.

Increases your alertness

Source: unsplash.com – Rajat Sarki

As oolong tea also has caffeine, this soothing hot beverage is proven to improve cognitive alertness and performance. If you're sensitive to caffeine, try to stick to one lightly brewed cup of oolong tea per day or several times per week.

Encourages hair growth

Oolong tea can help prevent any unwanted hair loss due to its high level of antioxidant contents. All you have to do is just simply make a tea rinse out of all the leaves and rinse your scalp with water. As a result, your hair will appear thicker and shinier. Another best part of this is that it could also soften and make your hair look more radiant and healthier.

Reduces dental plaque and help prevent tooth decay

Consuming oolong tea before and after a meal may aid in the maintenance of healthy teeth. Fluoride is found in oolong tea, which effectively prevents tooth decay. Fluoride is a component found in water and most meals that helps to restore tooth enamel. It's a popular ingredient in toothpaste. The tea can also keep you from getting cavities by decreasing the acidity and managing all the bacteria in your mouth.

The best way to make oolong tea?

Source: pexels.com – Evalina Zhu

Fill a tea kettle halfway with water and heat it on the stove to approximately 200°F. If you do not own a thermometer to measure the temperature, just boil the water normally and set it aside for at least 2 minutes. Alternatively, you could also pour some ready-made hot water from your water dispenser.
Fill the teapot or cup with a bit of boiling water to heat the cup. Dump away the water after the pot or cup is warm enough. Use around 1 teaspoon of oolong tea if the tea is rolled into balls or 2 tablespoons if it is made up of large and open leaves.
Place the tea leaves straight in the pot or cup and pour some of the hot water. Afterwards, cover the teapot with a lid and let it sit for about 1 to 5 minutes depending on the types of tea you’re using. It takes less time for the tea to infuse if you use leaf-style tea instead of rolled-style. After 1 minute of letting it seep, taste the tea once in a while till it's up to your preference.
Remove the leaves as soon as the tea is ready with a strainer and serve with your favorite cup.

As we age why do we need to take extra care of our nutritional intake?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 08:26:00 +0000

A recent health scare that left me hospitalized a few months ago ended up having a side effect that I did not anticipate and ironically had even hoped for a very long time. Before you let your imaginations run wild, allow me to just lay it out on the table – I lost over six kilograms in just over a fortnight, a feat that I probably could not accomplish over the last six years.

Being slightly less obese than usual should have been a cause for celebration, right? It was not. There were days when I could feel my limbs trembling just doing basic household chores like lifting a bucket of water. Cooking a simple omelette would leave me exhausted and hunting for the bed to take a break and lie down.

One saving grace was that I did not have to leave the house during this time to purchase essentials. Unlike a decade ago, now everything can be purchased online and delivered directly to our doorstep, making life easier. Using Activated You deals helped me save a few valuable rupees during this phase.

Yes, other organs and even my immunity were affected by the disease but my muscle health took a major beating during that fortnight. There was visible loss of muscle mass as well as strength and the challenge for me now lay in not simply regaining my lost weight but instead strengthening myself both from within as well as outside.

The reality is that our muscles are often older than we are, ageing more rapidly. Muscles account for 60 percent of our body’s protein stores and progressive loss of muscle mass and strength – medically termed sarcopenia – can result in increased likelihoods of adverse outcomes ranging from physical disabilities to poor quality of life. As you can imagine, this gets worse as one ages making it essential that one focuses more acutely on their nutritional intake with age in India.

A health scare can compromise one’s immunity as well as weaken these muscles further.

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A post shared by @pythoroshan

There are multiple aspects to staying ahead of the ravages of ageing and muscle mass loss. In my case, the focus in the days following my discharge from the hospital were on maintaining an active lifestyle, doing quite a bit of resistance exercise and most importantly, altering my diet to include a better protein rich diet while also keeping in mind the need for other nutrients that aid in muscle and immunity building.

For me as well as colleagues of mine who contracted the same illness, this involved adding supplements like Ensure to our daily diet, knowing that it provided over 32 nutrients including not just proteins but also calcium, Vitamins A, C, E & D, folic acid, selenium, iron, and manganese. Other supplements, such as natural testosterone boosters like Testogen help reduce the steady state of decline of the body which can be extremely beneficial as we age.

What was the end result of struggling so hard to ensure the right balanced diet and supplements were a part of my diet, you may ask?

Well, I joined back at work (yes, into the very same ICU where I got the dreaded disease from) a lot earlier than anyone expected me to, for starters. While I have not gained the lost weight, my muscle mass has increased and I feel healthier within too. More importantly, I do not feel exhausted even after a gruelling night shift and have not picked up secondary illnesses in the months since.

We can neither stop the ageing process nor completely avoid getting diseases in our lifetime. But what we can do is provide ourselves with the best fighting chance to not just survive but stay strong both mentally as well as physically as the years go by.

Take the muscle age test to check your muscle age today.

Why the yearly flu shot is beneficial and protective

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 04:37:00 +0000

What a year it has been!

Our lives have been altered over the course of the last year and half in ways none of us imagined when we entered the new decade. Every aspect of our former lives – from our busy work schedules and grocery shopping to basic things like our children getting dressed and going to school – has been turned on its head and we have, in many ways, gotten used to this new lifestyle routine too.

Some things though must remain constant. Maintaining proper hygiene, eating well and studying come to mind for children. In the same way, getting your child vaccinated this year is your responsibility and it is one you cannot afford to ignore right now.

It is easy to think of the corona virus when we discuss vaccinations but no, I am referring to the annual flu vaccine that is due around this time of the year.

Transmitted easily through the air up to a distance of six feet when an infected person sneezes, influenza can present with fever, chills, headache and generalized body ache. Up until a year ago, people would mistake the early symptoms of this disease for the common cold but now, our minds would definitely wander to far more grave conclusions in the post-corona era.

Either way, do not take this virus lightly. It has been around us for far longer and has resulted in significant annual morbidities and mortalities. There are over 30 to 50 lakh cases of severe episodes (8 lakh being children under the age of 5 years) of influenza with nearly 2.9 – 6.5 lakh people dying of this disease every single year. The infection tends to be worse in countries like ours that have tropical climates, often present throughout the year.

The good news for parents is that vaccines are already available for the flu. However, this being a virus, mutations tend to occur regularly and hence the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System5 (GISRS) monitors the influenza virus across the world and keeps updating the composition of the vaccines twice a year so that they are effective against the new strains.

Right flu vaccine, at the right time

As per WHO, India is categorised under Southern Hemisphere Tropical Asia Vaccination zone. The best time to vaccinate is during the monsoon.

The WHO has recommended that the Southern Hemisphere (SH) vaccine is the ideal vaccine for India. Influenza vaccination is most effective when local circulating viruses are well-matched with vaccine antigens for SH. Since the peak season of flu in the larger part of the country starts between mid-summer to monsoons, now is the right time to vaccinate against flu for effective protection.

Flu vaccine should be taken annually. However, getting vaccinated early for subsequent seasons is likely to be associated with reduced protection against flu infection later in the flu season, particularly among older adults says CDC. Protection fades over time, so not getting vaccinated with the vaccine containing the right seasonal strains may leave one more vulnerable. Vaccination can be done throughout the SH flu season, into September or later.

This is why yearly flu shot is beneficial in India. As the restrictions across the country eases and the children come out of their houses once more, they are at a high risk of being exposed to the virus. Yes, we can inculcate the importance of social distancing and wearing a mask at all times but their young minds in the end are just delighted to be finally reunited with their friends after all this time apart.

The responsibility of ensuring they are safe thus is upon us as parents. Vaccinating your child and encouraging parents of other children to do the same ensures all the children remain protected from the worst effects of the virus this year while also providing protection to those around them, including adults, who may have been living with conditions like diabetes and asthma.

It is up to us to prevent what can be prevented. We have truly learned the importance of this fact over the last year. Now, it is time to apply it in real life. So, pick up the phone and contact your paediatrician to get your child’s annual flu vaccine at the earliest.

We must #PreventWhatCanBePrevented because flu is preventable with vaccination.

Medical Negligence vs Medical Complications: The Need to Understand the Difference

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 09:32:00 +0000

Not a month goes by since I started working as an anaesthesiologist over a decade ago that an article about a case of medical negligence does not cross my timeline. The rise of social media over these years has resulted in a complimentary rise in the number of articles and events that now come before us, offering us a huge gamut of tragic deaths and complications across hospitals not just in India, but across the globe.

One thing that does stand out though is how in India the emotional aspect of the news article (and these days, social media post, I guess) often cloaks the factual aspects of the case. Yes, in almost every case, there is a death involved of a loved one but to assign the words “medical negligence” to every case is not just superfluous but as the years have gone by, extremely detrimental to future patients as well.

In this article, I will try to help you understand the difference in simple terms between medical negligence and medical/surgical complications and why not knowing the difference between the two can have a horrible impact for your loved ones.

What Constitutes Medical Negligence

When a patient comes to a hospital or doctor, they expect

to receive medical treatment befitting the skill and knowledge of the concerned doctors and healthcare workers and secondly,
that there will be no harm done to them due to carelessness, reckless decisions or negligent behaviour of the staff in the hospital.

Failure of the hospital to provide this care constitutes medical negligence.

Some examples to help you understand include:

The infamous incident of a doctor operating on the wrong side of the brain of Mrs Rajeshwari Ayyappan, the mother of the deceased Indian actress Sridevi back in 1995 was a clear-cut case of medical negligence, what we know as ‘res ipsa loquitor’ – the facts speak for themselves.

An intoxicated doctor performing a surgery even if the operation goes well,
a surgeon leaving a foreign object inside the body during a surgery,
a doctor administering the wrong medication to the patient.
Even a medical professional providing a healthcare service he is not trained for (for example, a quack doing a surgery) is a case of medical negligence.

Even though in all the examples above, nobody died, yet there was an obvious dereliction of duty involved. These are all cases of medical negligence.

What needs to be proved in medical negligence is that no doctor in his/her ordinary senses would have performed or omitted to perform the act resulting in the deterioration.

What about when there are multiple therapeutic options available for the doctor but the one he/she chooses results in the deterioration of the patient? It is important you realize that this is NOT medical negligence.

An error in judgment on the part of the doctor is NOT medical negligence.

Known Complications a.k.a. the Value of Consent

What actually happens when a patient goes in for a surgery and comes out with new complications or worse, dies after the surgery. The surgery definitely had a role in the deterioration of the condition so does this constitute medical negligence?

This is where the term “consent” – one of the most important terms in the modern-day doctor-patient relationship comes into play. A consent is often both verbal as well as written (for medico-legal purposes) and involves the doctor explaining what they intend to do as well as what are the possible complications because of this surgery.

In an elective surgery, the patient has every right to object and say no after hearing the complications.
For me as an anaesthesiologist, a patient has every right to refuse spinal anaesthesia or an upper limb block if they have apprehensions for the same. In an emergency, things may not be so clear cut with surrogate consent (consent signed by a guardian) coming into the equation if the patient is not physically or mentally able to understand.
When it is an abdominal surgery, the surgeon explains that there is a likelihood of there being pain, adhesions or infections in the post-operative period which could result in complications in the future.
An obstetrician will explain the possibility of there being excessive bleeding after delivery of a baby following a caesarean section if the uterus remains flabby.
For us anaesthesiologists, complications following general anaesthesia can range from a sore throat to actual cardiac arrest during surgeries.
Working in the ICU, I am obligated to inform and take the consent of the guardian when I do an advanced procedure, from placing the patient on ventilatory support to inserting a central line.

If adequate care was maintained during all the above procedures and appropriate clinical skills were used with the aim of saving/healing the patient and yet a complication - or even death - occurs, they are NOT cases of medical negligence.

To quote from the Supreme Court judgment of Kusum Sharma vs Batra Hospital (a case where the patient’s condition deteriorated significantly post-surgery resulting eventually in death),

“The medical professional is often called upon to adopt a procedure which involves higher element of risk, but which he honestly believes as providing greater chances of success for the patient rather than a procedure involving lesser risk but higher chances of failure.

Just because a professional looking to the gravity of illness has taken higher element of risk to redeem the patient out of his/her suffering which did not yield the desired result may not amount to negligence.”

You see, the final outcome - a dead patient or a botched surgical job, though obviously visible to the naked eye - is not what determines the term 'Medical Negligence'.

Impact of Calling Medical Complications as Cases of Medical Negligence

In India, especially in this country which wears its emotions on its sleeves, the heart-breaking wails of the bereaved and the vicious growls of the enraged are sounds that have echoed through the walls of every single hospital – from primary to tertiary care.

Violence against healthcare workers, though not new, is now more frequent and visual, thanks to the ‘boon’ of social media. It ignores the distinct line between medical negligence and known complications, choosing indignation and retribution over a calm, understanding approach. Prolonged legal cases and social ignominy invariably ensures that though the law is with the doctor both in terms of the case as well as the violence that followed, in the end, it is he who looks to settle.

Doctors are not looking to harm patients. We get nothing out of it (if you don’t count the assaults). Complications definitely occur, though. In a country like ours with frugal healthcare resources be it doctors, hospitals, beds, ICUs or ventilators, there will always be losses that could have been avoidable in more healthcare-friendly nations. And yes, the loved ones suffer the worst loss but it is wrong to assume that the doctor does not carry the weight of the patients he could not heal.

Yes, we smile remembering the difficult cases we successfully handled but in quieter tones as the day ends, our minds fall back to the ones we could not save. The ‘what ifs’ and ‘if onlys’ and ‘I should haves’ remain, festering wounds that never heal. Just as a single insult outweighs a hundred compliments, we relive a single death over the joy of aiding a dozen recovering patients.

The impact of claiming medical negligence for every complication and leaving it upon the doctor to fend for all the brickbats in the media, social media and society goes well beyond the individual doctor.

I spoke about it years ago (in an article "Who Tends to the Healer's Scars" that for awhile was in the Huffington Post) and it remains relevant today.

In a nutshell, if I see that a doctor in Kanpur is beaten up by a mob following the occurrence of a known complication after a procedure and know he/she received no justice, then even though I – here in Kerala - am skilled in performing the same procedure and have done it a 100 times before, the next time I will hesitate. “Is it worth the risk of violence or legal cases” will float around ominously in my mind as I consider driving the patient away to a higher center away from me.

Who is the loser in the end here? Not you, right?

Unfortunately, that is myopic thinking. Because irrespective of how fit you and your loved ones are today, a medical emergency can happen to anyone of us. And at that time, the actions of a violent mob in Kanpur could be the reason why a hospital near you today chooses not to admit you but refers you elsewhere. The loss – precious time, higher expenses, even life – is invariably yours.

The doctor-patient relationship is a fractured bone in India.

It has been for long. The path to uniting it – if that is what you desire – lies, as it always does, in education. Educate yourself and understand the difference between a known medical complication and medical negligence.

If instead, you choose the emotional gratification of revenge and violence against a healthcare worker for not giving you a 100 percent perfect result or for the loss of a loved one - if the satisfaction of destroying the career of a doctor is all that matters - as we are seeing in India every day, understand that just as it emboldens others across India every day to be violent against doctors in their hometown, so too the converse – it discourages doctors every day too from taking risky patients.

That scenario - the path India has confidently been walking along for over a tragic decade and more now - sadly will never end well.

Low Physical Activity & Stress are Exacerbating India’s Non-communicable Disease Burden

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 13:05:00 +0000

Low physical activity and stress is a worldwide problem. It is particularly acute in a developing nation like India where lifestyle is changing at a fast pace and people are relatively less conscious about their health.

In the current times, people are stressed as the fear of contracting the coronavirus is accompanied by significant changes to our daily lives. Our movements are restricted in support of efforts to contain and slow down the spread of the virus. We are faced with new realities of working from home, temporary unemployment, home-schooling of children, and lack of physical contact with other family members, friends, and colleagues.

Symptoms of stress

Different symptoms of stress include

Cognitive symptoms such as being pessimistic or seeing only the negative side of things, poor judgment, inability to focus, forgetfulness and disorganization.
Behavioural symptoms of stress like exhibiting more nervous behaviours such as pacing, fidgeting and nail-biting and
Physical symptoms such as an upset stomach, headaches, low energy, aches, pains, tense muscles, rapid heartbeat, and chest pain, frequent colds and infections.

Impact of Stress on Health

High stress levels which may be highly correlated with high blood pressure and low physical activity are important lifestyle risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

As per the recent pan India survey - covering a massive 233672 people and 673 public health offices in 21 states - conducted by Assocham India and TARI (Though Arbitrage Research Institute) on NCDs, 44% of India’s population have a prevalence of risk of high stress which gradually increases with an increase in age.

Also, low physical activity and stress, increasing rapidly among the population due to hectic daily schedules, are the second and fourth most important risk factor for NCDs at 66.50% and 44% respectively.

People suffering from high-stress levels are highly prone to developing heart diseases. As per survey report, the probability of contracting heart ailment is 37% more among people with severe levels of stress in comparison to a person not suffering from any stress. Similarly, people with low physical activity are 8% more likely to suffer from heart diseases.

In modern healthcare, stress is among the most common patient complaints. This has been acknowledged by specialists who claim that emotional or psychological stress may increase the risk of heart disease. The popularity of weed, and the various weed flavor profiles that are out there to choose from, when it comes to battling stress has grown manifold in recent years, and for good reasons. Hopefully, this trend will continue around the world and more and more places will legalize it in order to give people even more choice when it comes to managing both their mental and physical health.

In fact, the negative effects of acute and chronic stress on the cardiovascular system are much more serious than often thought. Recent research and experience show that emotional stress may increase blood pressure and cholesterol. It may constrict arteries, promote arterial inflammation, blood clotting, and increase the risk of heart attack and sudden death.

Stress & Diabetes

The report says that individuals who suffer from high stress levels face 9% higher risk of developing diabetes. This is due to an increase in the level of counter-regulatory hormones which opposes the action of insulin and increases the blood sugar with stress.

If the levels of these hormones are persistently elevated, this can precipitate diabetes in a prone individual or worsen the diabetes control in someone who already has the disorder. The likelihood of developing diabetes is found to be even higher at 38% among people with low physical activity as it has a positive association with high body mass index which increases the risk of diabetes significantly.

Stress & Digestive Disorders

High stress levels also increase the chances of developing digestive disorders by 25%. This is because our brain and gut work in sync which causes our gastrointestinal system to be sensitive to emotions and reactions such as stress. When we are stressed, the brain sends signals for chemicals such as adrenaline, serotonin (a hormone that affects mood and is found in the digestive system) as well as the stress hormone cortisol to be released. These hormones can cause adverse reactions.

Stress negatively affects the digestive system in many other ways too. It can cause a decrease in blood and oxygen flow to the stomach, cramping, an imbalance in gut bacteria, and inflammation. These symptoms can further develop into gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), irritable bowel disease (IBD), peptic ulcers, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Stress & Skin Disorders

High levels of stress increase the vulnerability of a person to skin diseases by 24%. Stress affects the whole body, including hair, nails, and skin. It causes a chemical response in the body that makes the skin more sensitive and reactive.

Stress makes it harder for skin problems to heal. It causes the body to make hormones like cortisol, which tells glands in the skin to make more oil. Oily skin is more prone to acne, a skin condition common among teenagers, and other skin problems.

Low physical activity is found to increase the chances of developing skin diseases significantly by 37%. By increasing blood flow, exercise helps nourish skin cells and keep them vital. In addition to providing oxygen, blood flow also helps carry away waste products, including free radicals, from working cells. Exercise also helps to ease stress and thus improve some conditions like acne and eczema that can be exacerbated by stress.

Stress & Hypertension

Low physical activity increases the chances of developing cancer and hypertension most by 40% and 36% respectively.

This is mainly because of the role of exercise in negatively impacting cancer development and progression. Many studies show that physically active women have a lower risk of breast cancer than inactive women. Women who increase their physical activity after menopause have a lower risk of breast cancer than women who do not.

Exercise is a key component of lifestyle therapy for the primary prevention and treatment of hypertension due to its role in immediate significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood. More frequent or chronic exercise results in more sustained reductions in blood pressure.

Conclusion

Stress and low physical activity have become an integral aspect of the modern-day lifestyle in the contemporary age. It is important to make a conscious effort to break free from these and bring in behavioural and attitudinal changes like healthy eating and living habits, positive social interactions, etc. to neutralize the ill-effects of this lifestyle and keep the body healthy.

The importance of complete nutrition while you’re recovering from COVID-19

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 05:21:00 +0000

It has been tough.

Just when we thought we had gotten through the worst of the coronavirus pandemic that had changed the world, we were forced to deal with the reality that what we had survived was but the first wave and in less than a fortnight, the second wave had already engulfed us with a far greater wrath.

Global and India’s own statistics reveal what we always suspected – that the aged and elderly are the most vulnerable to the corona virus, more so when they have pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

Where I work, the intensive care unit (ICU) beds have been filled for over a month now. It is disheartening to lose even a single patient in these hard times, and we often comfort ourselves at the end of a long shift by remembering those men and women who successfully leave our ICU and eventually our hospital, having survived COVID-19.

The days ahead for those recovering following the infection are crucial and our team makes the extra effort to counsel them before they leave the hospital.

It matters because they need to rebuild their strength, both from within and outside, to avoid further complications in the days ahead.

Helping them recover requires one to make certain that

they have adequate rest at home,
are placed in a positive frame of mind after this harrowing experience,
receive their medication on time and of course,
get a proper balanced diet.

The importance of complete nutrition while you are recovering from COVID-19 India cannot be over-emphasized. Complete and balanced nutrition like Ensure gives you high values of protein and vitamins while also helping to improve muscle and bone strength. They are also a good option for those who may be edentulous and have difficulty chewing solid foods. Liposomal vitamin c benefits including increasing immunity and aiding in detox make it an essential part of the recovery process too.

All this holds true even for those who have not been infected to date, of course. Just because your test has become negative does not mean you let your guard down and forego things like any immunity help supplements you take because you don't think it will get to you because it still hasn't yet. Remain motivated, take all precautions, maintain social distancing and yes, build a strong immunity for yourselves and your loved ones.

True, these are troubling times but honestly, we are actually better off today than we were a year ago. Our knowledge about the virus has increased manifold and we know what steps to take not just to avoid getting infected but also to boost our immunity as well.

The key from here on will be to ensure we implement these steps devotedly so that both we and everyone around us who matters to us gets through this safe and sound.

50 More Acts of Kindness Caught on Camera

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 01:34:00 +0000

In my previous post, I showcased 15 acts of kindness caught on camera. I felt that was a lot... so like any good future politician, I doubled down. Here's 50 more acts of kindness from across the world.

The truth is there are literally thousands more and watching them can be the most uplifting thing you do for yourself at the end of a bad day.

In today's acts of kindness from across the world caught on camera, you will find:

The young boy who braved teasing by his friends for two years to grow and donate his hair for his friend suffering from a genetic condition leaving her bald.
a daughter doing sign language for the entire lyrics as the band played so that her deaf dad could enjoy a rock concert.
A crowd lifting an entire bus to save a cyclist.
Helping the elderly cross a busy street.
Helping a fellow athlete who has collapsed finish the race.
Cafe keeps doors open after night to keep stray dogs safe during the freezing winters.

There's also (take a really deep breath):

the stranger who gives a piggy back ride to the elderly man who is stuck in between busy traffic.
the boyfriend who shaves his head off in solidarity with his girlfriend suffering from cancer.
animal rescues galore.
the simple act of giving an impoverished child a doll and witnessing her joy.
a young man struggling financially himself taking the time out to buy breakfast for the homeless in his neighbourhood.

That's 50 acts in all that you got to witness in just 20 minutes. See how simple most of them were and yet, how amazing it feels to the receiver of the kindness.

Even the simplest act of kindness can have a bigger impact than you will ever know. Never forget that, no matter how dark the world outside appears.

Author's note:

Since 2017, every year, I take up the #BlogchatterA2Z challenge and focus on showcasing lovely real-life heroes from around the world. The aim is to remind you that there is still plenty of good human beings all around you... to inspire you to smile once more.

Want more stories of compassion?

I have Hundreds of 'Heroes of Kindness' to brighten your day here. Earlier editions can be viewed from the links below:

2017 edition (Articles - 40, Heroes - 67)

2018 edition (Articles - 34, Heroes - 52)

2019 edition (Articles - 31, Heroes - 42)

2020 edition (Articles - 30, Heroes - 64)

2021 edition

Indian edition

My Interviews

The 2020 Edition is also available as a book on Kindle too, if you want it that wayyy! (India/ US)

15 Acts of Kindness Caught on Camera

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 01:23:00 +0000

I have been capturing stories of kindness for more than half a decade now and it never fails to bring a smile on my face when I find a new one. Many often assume that kindness needs to be a grand gesture that makes every ailment in the world vanish.

While it would be awesome if life worked that way, real life is very different. And that is okay too. You can be a hero of kindness just by doing one good deed for someone else. You never know who is watching... you never know who it will impact.

Today is video day at Heroes of Kindness and I promise you, these videos will make you smile. They are tiny moments of kindness from across the world which made a world of difference.

From:

a police officer who stopped a student who was speeding and ending up helping him fix his tie for an event to
all the children in a school rugby match conspiring to help a special needs boy score to
all the commuters of a metro train using their might to free a man stuck in the rails to
teen employees at a diner offering to pray with a distraught customer for her recently departed husband (even though only one of the teenagers was actually religious by nature) to comfort her,

kindness takes many forms.

It is the woman who jumps into a freezing swimming pool to save a dog.

It is in high school football players rallying around a cheerleader who was diagnosed with leukemia and letting her know she matters to them.

It is in students conspiring to add colour into the life of their colourblind teacher.

It can be in as simple an act as holding an umbrella for a stranger.

So what's your excuse for not being kind today?

Author's note:

Want more stories of compassion?

I have Hundreds of 'Heroes of Kindness' to brighten your day here. Earlier editions can be viewed from the links below:

2017 edition (Articles - 40, Heroes - 67)

2018 edition (Articles - 34, Heroes - 52)

2019 edition (Articles - 31, Heroes - 42)

2020 edition (Articles - 30, Heroes - 64)

2021 edition

Indian edition

My Interviews

The 2020 Edition is also available as a book on Kindle too, if you want it that wayyy! (India/ US)

Rival Colleges Have 'Tipping' Challenge to Help Restaurant Workers

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 01:26:00 +0000

We have all seen popular college rivalries in our lives, based on academics and sports, ideally. Two colleges in Ohio, located 3 miles apart, decided to have a very unique challenge though this January.

It all began when a Xavier College alum left an astounding $1000 (Rs 75,000) tip on a bill of just $54 (Rs 4050) at Zip's cafe, leaving a message on a napkin that simply said "Please share this tip with all your employees as they work so hard and are dealing with COVID. Go, Xavier!”

This is the perfect chance for us to say, thank you! To our long time regulars and friends and to those of you finding...
Posted by Zip's Mt Lookout on Saturday, January 9, 2021

A week after the image of the napkin and the tip went viral, two students from the neighbouring University of Cincinnati left a tip of $1,001 at the nearby Keystone Bar & Grill. This time the note read “Earlier this week I saw a Xavier fan tip $1,000 at Zip’s. I believe now more than ever we need to support our local restaurants. Let’s see how long we can keep this going … Bearcats up by 1!!”

Wow, we are so thankful and incredibly lucky to have amazing customers and friends. 🥰 Last week, Zip's Mt Lookout...
Posted by Keystone Bar & Grill - Clifton on Friday, January 15, 2021

Keystone put up the note on their social media explaining that the alumni preferred to remain anonymous but indeed wanted to highlight the challenge between the two colleges, ending with the statement “It’s your turn, Xavier fans! Who will be one-upping the Bearcats by leaving a $1,002 tip at your favorite local bar or restaurant?”

The challenge would indeed be accepted by alumni of both colleges in the days ahead as they continued to one-up each other, with local restaurant workers benefitting.

“I think the proximity has definitely helped drive the traction on this very generous, feel-good movement. Money aside, I know this has put smiles on faces of everyone impacted and even put smiles on faces of those not directly involved,” Burke added. “I have to say, we could all certainly use some more smiles these days.”

- Zip’s Café owner Mike Burke

As for the impact: In just one month, the 'rivalry' between these two colleges has ended up tipping over $34,000 (Rs 25 lakhs) helping hundreds of local restaurant workers who had suffered terrible financial losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Author's note:

Want more stories of compassion?

I have Hundreds of 'Heroes of Kindness' to brighten your day here. Earlier editions can be viewed from the links below:

2017 edition (Articles - 40, Heroes - 67)

2018 edition (Articles - 34, Heroes - 52)

2019 edition (Articles - 31, Heroes - 42)

2020 edition (Articles - 30, Heroes - 64)

2021 edition

Indian edition

My Interviews

The 2020 Edition is also available as a book on Kindle too, if you want it that wayyy! (India/ US)

Viral Inspirational Yard Signs Help Raise Hope Across the Country

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 01:48:00 +0000

“Don’t Give Up.”

“You Matter.”

These yard signs messages may seem mundane to many but the story behind their appearance across neighbourhoods in Seattle certainly is not.

As per 2020 statistics, 132 Americans die of suicide every day. It is the second leading cause of death for ages 10 – 34. Worried because of the rising spate of teenage suicides in his area, Colby Wallace, the father of 5- and 9-year-old daughters, decided to start a system of positivity.

To do this, he got in touch with Amy Wolff, a mother who had started a non-profit organization Don’t Give Up after she too head about the rising rates of teen suicides in her area. Wallace ordered 15 signs and 200 bracelets initially and on Mother’s Day, went around with his family planting these signs in public spaces around his daughter’s elementary school, inspired by Amy.

Trying to put a little positivity out there on this Mother’s Day! Reach out if you want to get involved. @ Coe Elementary School
Posted by Colby Wallace on Sunday, May 12, 2019

Amy Wolff had been extremely skeptical herself when she started the Don’t Give Up venture from her home. Along with her own husband and children, she had placed 20 such signs anonymously in 2017 in neighbour’s yards.

Just as it was with Amy, Wallace’s deeds resulted in an overwhelming positive response from both teenagers and parents, motivating Wallace to purchase 200 more signs a few months later and place them all over the city.

Amy ended up being swamped herself as orders started pouring in from across the nation, inspired by images of Wallace’s signposts across Seattle.

"What's beautiful is that there are several people with Colby’s big heart around the country doing the same thing. I’m overwhelmed by the impact of the movement."

- Amy Wolff

Having accidentally started what is today a global movement, Amy Wolff is now a TEDx speaker coach and even has her own inspirational book Signs of Hope which features stories from her life as well as showcases the stories of people impacted by her actions.

As for Wallace, he is happy that his daughter are helping him in this endeavour and realizing at an early age the positive impact their deeds can have on society.

"Its roots come from suicide but its message is across so many different things. If the signs can turn someone’s mindset around so that maybe they act more kind throughout the world, it could create some healing to make the world a little better place."

- Wallace

Author's note:

Want more stories of compassion?

I have Hundreds of 'Heroes of Kindness' to brighten your day here. Earlier editions can be viewed from the links below:

2017 edition (Articles - 40, Heroes - 67)

2018 edition (Articles - 34, Heroes - 52)

2019 edition (Articles - 31, Heroes - 42)

2020 edition (Articles - 30, Heroes - 64)

2021 edition

Indian edition

My Interviews

The 2020 Edition is also available as a book on Kindle too, if you want it that wayyy! (India/ US)

Operation Valentine Bombards 104-year-old War Veteran… with 70,000 Love Letters

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 18:38:00 +0000

104-year-old US Marine veteran William White – who fought at Iwo Jima during World War 2 – today lives in an assisted living facility in Stockton, California. A beloved member there, he keeps everyone’s mood happy with his tales and personality.

One of the more curious anecdotes that William shared with a hint of regret was that even when his wife of 42 years had been alive, the two of them had never really celebrated Valentine’s day with cards or love letters.

This anecdote inspired a fellow resident at the facility to actually launch a social media campaign without the knowledge of William. Codenamed ‘Operation Valentine’, he looked to recruit friends, family members and strangers to send a love letter to William for the coming Valentine’s Day.

He hoped to get around 50 to 100 cards to make the veteran’s day. In the end, he was off by a few.

Over 70,000 greeting cards and love letters poured in not only from all 50 states of America but also from foreign countries.

As was to be expected, the 104 year old was absolutely overwhelmed by the bombardment, with volunteers turning up at the facility to help him open and read all the lovely letters from across the world.

“It’s just too fantastic. It’s something I’ve never heard of or seen. All of a sudden here, like a ton of bricks. I’m sort of speechless.”

- William White

You can check out his video here:

Author's note:

Want more stories of compassion?

I have Hundreds of 'Heroes of Kindness' to brighten your day here. Earlier editions can be viewed from the links below:

2017 edition (Articles - 40, Heroes - 67)

2018 edition (Articles - 34, Heroes - 52)

2019 edition (Articles - 31, Heroes - 42)

2020 edition (Articles - 30, Heroes - 64)

2021 edition

Indian edition

My Interviews

The 2020 Edition is also available as a book on Kindle too, if you want it that wayyy! (India/ US)

Fighting Breast Cancer, Scientist Drives an Uber to Deliver Meals to the Homeless

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 01:16:00 +0000

At first glance, she may just be another Uber driver making a living off trips she makes in Tennessee. In reality, Kerry Wiles works full time as an actual scientist. The story behind her rides is quite endearing.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, Kerry took up a side job with Lyft and Uber to fulfill her love of interacting with people and getting to know their stories. She did not stop there though.

Kerry - a scientist at the Cooperative Human Tissue Network at Vanderbilt University Medical Center - uses her Uber money to make homemade lunch packages and deliver them to the homeless across the city.

The backseat of her car on the weekend is a unique sight

And guess what? It gets even better. Kerry has found an ally too.

Chatting up her customers during her Uber rides, Kerry’s initiative caught the fancy of a young 24-year-old local, Ryan Caldwell, who decided to help her.

From peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to turkey rolls, the unlikely pair of friends deliver food to around a 100 homeless people during the weekend. In addition, they are also making a list of shoe sizes that the homeless they come across may need so that they can get boots for them before winter arrives.

“Small steps in a larger problem can make a beautiful impression on your heart and soul.”

- Kerry Wiles

You can check out her story here:

Author's note:

Want more stories of compassion?

I have Hundreds of 'Heroes of Kindness' to brighten your day here. Earlier editions can be viewed from the links below:

2017 edition (Articles - 40, Heroes - 67)

2018 edition (Articles - 34, Heroes - 52)

2019 edition (Articles - 31, Heroes - 42)

2020 edition (Articles - 30, Heroes - 64)

2021 edition

Indian edition

My Interviews

The 2020 Edition is also available as a book on Kindle too, if you want it that wayyy! (India/ US)

Townsfolk Buy Pizza Delivery Man a New Car as Tip for 30 Years of Service with a Smile

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 01:39:00 +0000

It is kind of ironic that this story is about an awesome tip given by the good people of a town named TIP-ton.

Being a pizza delivery man may not be an unusual occupation but doing it for 31 years certainly is. That has never deterred Robert Peters from the town of Tipton, Indiana though.

Folks in Tipton had literally grown up to the familiar sight of Peters driving down to their house in his 28-year-old Oldsmobile car, serving them their Pizza Hut pizzas with a cheery grin. Yes, the tips he received were a welcome bonus but Peters never angled for getting an extra buck from the townsfolk.

"It’s my purpose in life—trying to make people happy. You know, when you’re delivering to somebody, you may be the only face they see all day.”

- Robert Peters

The people in Tipton agreed and even called him ‘Mr Smiley’ for his positive nature and kindness. When news got around that Peters old car was no longer running, the people of Tiptown decided they wanted to give their favourite pizza delivery man a tip greater than any he had received in his near 3 decades career.

Mr Peter's car had definitely seen better days

Within just three days, Tiptonites raised nearly $19,000 and ended up not just getting Peters a new Red Chevy Malibu but also covered taxes and insurance and left him plenty of money for gas money too.

Tanner Langley who started the GoFundMe page handing over the car to the pizza delivery man he had been getting his pizzas from for decades, Mr Robert Smiley Peters

Not a bad tip at all, eh?

“I just hope that all those who made this happen will be blessed as much as they have blessed me. This has really been an awesome experience that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

- Robert Peters

You can check out the video of Peters getting his new car here:

Author's note:

Want more stories of compassion?

I have Hundreds of 'Heroes of Kindness' to brighten your day here. Earlier editions can be viewed from the links below:

2017 edition (Articles - 40, Heroes - 67)

2018 edition (Articles - 34, Heroes - 52)

2019 edition (Articles - 31, Heroes - 42)

2020 edition (Articles - 30, Heroes - 64)

2021 edition

Indian edition

My Interviews

The 2020 Edition is also available as a book on Kindle too, if you want it that wayyy! (India/ US)

Yemeni Doctor treats the Poor for Free from His Car

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 01:22:00 +0000

"Stop Me if You Need a Medical Consultation."

The sticker on the back of a Toyota Prado went viral in 2020 with even the WHO featuring the man behind the wheel.

And deservedly so.

With civil war now in its seventh year in Yemen, more than half of the country's medical facilities have been plundered and nearly 20 million people are facing famine. Its infrastructure in tatters, Yemen struggled to deal with the pandemic that hit in 2020. There are no doctors in 18 percent of the districts in the country and most healthcare personnel have not received salaries for over 2 years.

During the 2020 corona virus pandemic, 28-year old Yemeni doctor Sami Yahya al-Hajj ran a consultation clinic with a difference. Every day, after completing his obligations at his workplace, he would drive around town and park his car on the roadside, allowing strangers to come to him for free medical consultations.

Sami started this service because he was used to getting multiple phone calls a day during the early phases of the pandemic asking for medical consultations for various ailments from folk who were too scared to travel to the hospital.

It occurred to him that so many were there on the streets who did not have access to phones or the internet but needed medical advice too, something he was willing to offer.

Sami regularly gets flagged down while driving, often by pedestrians on the road but also by fellow drivers, seeking advice. He offers medical prescriptions and advice for free and sends the more serious cases to hospitals for urgent care.

“People are scared. Many are unable to stay quarantined due to their financial situation. So they go out to their jobs knowing they are at high risk of infection. I wanted to be closer to them – easier to reach – whenever needed, to discuss a medical issue.”

- Dr Sami Yahya al-Hajj

Author's note:

Want more stories of compassion?

I have Hundreds of 'Heroes of Kindness' to brighten your day here. Earlier editions can be viewed from the links below:

2017 edition (Articles - 40, Heroes - 67)

2018 edition (Articles - 34, Heroes - 52)

2019 edition (Articles - 31, Heroes - 42)

2020 edition (Articles - 30, Heroes - 64)

2021 edition

Indian edition

My Interviews

The 2020 Edition is also available as a book on Kindle too, if you want it that wayyy! (India/ US)

The Teenager Inspiring Children to Save the World

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 01:53:00 +0000

Community service is something that Rylee Brooke Kamahele from Hawai has been doing ever since she was a little girl along with her parents. 5 years ago, she decided she wanted to do even more.

Since then, she has (take a deep breath...)

provided food and gifts to needy children in Hawaii every Christmas since 2017,
worked to build kids into future leaders by turning a child’s passion into an advocate for change,
reduced single plastic use in the state,
lobbied for bills related to ocean conservation and wildlife protection,
provided a support system for children in the LGBTQ community and
run a unique anti-bullying campaign.

She’s ALSO been (take a deep breath once more...)

a runway model,
an actor,
hosted 3 local tv shows,
managing 18 pets,
was one of the top 10 at the 2018 Miss Hawaii Pre-Teen United States and
was named one of America’s Top Youth Volunteers by the 2020 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

Makes you wonder what she will do when she turns 14, eh? Oh, right. Did I forget to mention…

Rylee Brooke Kamahele has achieved all of this by the 'extremely old’ age of 13!!

I got to chatting with this insanely talented young woman to find out how she does it all.

You have been helping people for years now. Can you tell us how it all began?

I grew up volunteering with my parents. You could kind of say that I was born into a life where we always served the community. I used to make care packages for the homeless when I was 4 years old and my mom would take me out to give them to people living on the street.

When I was 8, I won the title, Miss Hawaii Elementary America 2016 and learned that it was very hard for kids to volunteer with organizations here in Hawaii.

We had to fight for me to get involved because programs didn’t want to “babysit” kids during community service. With persistence and proving my work ethic, different organizations would allow me to volunteer with them.

This was the start of my first organization, the Love is a Verb Foundation. I currently partner with 20+ organizations who trust that the kids I bring under me will reflect that same kind of work ethic.

I co-founded The Secret Santa Project Hawaii in 2016 after my mom tasked me with finding a way to use my Christmas to bless other people. This came after my family had gone through our own hardships due to a car accident my dad was in. We nearly lost everything and because my brother and I grew up living a more privileged life, we actually behaved ungratefully when we had our first Christmas with just one present donated by the Angel Tree.

When my parents saw that behavior, they kind of cancelled Christmas as we knew it for us and told us we needed to create a new Christmas tradition that was about us giving back to others. I did my first donation drive and brought gifts to children in a shelter and my heart broke when it didn’t feel like Christmas at the shelter.

When I gave out gifts the kids were excited for even the smallest things. I was so moved that I decided to create my second organization.

Through LIAVF, I found that community service was not enough to create the impact and change I wanted to see. I knew that I needed to do more and decided that the best way to do that is by reaching the public, speaking to people in power, and advocating for new laws.

Could you tell me about 'The Catalyst Club'

The Catalystʻs Club (TCC) mission is to empower, equip, and enable kids to be a catalyst for change in the world. TCC serves as an umbrella covering three separate running organizations:

Secret Santa Project Hawaii (SSPH),
Love is a Verb Foundation (LIAVF), and
Promise To Our Keiki (PTOK).

LIAVF is probably my most complicated organization to explain. LIAVF’s mission is to build youth into leaders and provide opportunities to take what they love and turn that into action through training, education, community service, internships, mentorship, and a leadership program where they can start their own initiatives, projects, businesses, or organizations.

I really focus on setting the kids who participate up for success. That means first placing them in work that they love, understanding their capabilities, and finding ways for them to participate that highlight their strengths.

The mission of SSPH is to bring Christmas to Hawaii’s children in need. We run drives and do direct outreach during Christmas, spending time and running activities for families in shelters, camps, or programs.

PTOK’s mission is to create young leaders around the world and promote global change through education about the effects humans have on the planet through motivational speaking, advocacy, eventually documentaries produced by youth, and civics.

The question on every parent's mind, I guess - how do you find time in between studies to do so much for so many?

I am homeschooled, so that helps with my schedule a lot. I am able to do school on our own time and I incorporate my work into my schooling. For example, instead of writing an English paper, I draft bills, proposals, and articles like this.

I have a lot of real-life experience as well from working on hands on projects. I have been able to incorporate math into proposal and grant writing work, created and executed programs or events, and been actively involved in many different, educationally enriching activities.

I also love that my curriculum is very flexible in a sense that I get to dig deeper into subjects that are relevant for the work I do. For example, researching for my program, The Plastics Project, and doing hands on plastic pollution work has been a science topic that I am always involved in.

Doing animal rescue and rehabilitation and working with partnering animal rescues and veterinarians has given me hands on learning experiences with animal care and the biology of different animals. I have learned to do IV, vaccines, microchips, wound cleaning, and many other rescue treatments and I learned a lot about things like sterilization and health.

What do you reckon is your proudest moment till date?

I think my proudest moments are when I see other kids being confident in using their voices and pursuing things they are passionate about.

There are a few kids who have worked with me since I started and some of them have started to arrange their own community service projects. I even have a girl who is talking to us about starting her own nonprofit!

I think those are some of the most rewarding moments for me because I know that I cannot make a big enough impact on this world alone. The more people work to make the world a better place, the better. Seeing other kids pursue their own passion is definitely exciting for me.

What message do you have for all of us?

The change starts with each of us wanting to do better and then actually taking a step to make it so. My advice is always to find what you are passionate about because your purpose is tied to your passion. Everyone is equipped with gifts and talents, so find ways to put those to work in what you’re passionate about.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rylee Brooke Kamahele (@ryleebrooke_official)

I think people overthink sometimes or they want to do the big things, but even the smallest gestures are impactful. Everyone has the means to do something, you just have to be creative and go for it!

Author's note:

Want more stories of compassion?

I have Hundreds of 'Heroes of Kindness' to brighten your day here. Earlier editions can be viewed from the links below:

2017 edition (Articles - 40, Heroes - 67)

2018 edition (Articles - 34, Heroes - 52)

2019 edition (Articles - 31, Heroes - 42)

2020 edition (Articles - 30, Heroes - 64)

2021 edition

Indian edition

My Interviews

Quietly, Be Kind

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 19:17:00 +0000

Over the years, I have collected hundreds of stories of kindness from around the world. Because of the format of the A2Z blogging challenge, I then sort them out alphabetically before choosing which story to highlight for which alphabet.

So many awesome stories tend to get left out because of this. For example, I may have no great story of kindness from anyone whose name starts with the letter E (Damn you all, you evil Ezekiels and Ebeneezers!) but have plenty from folk starting with the letter A.

One thing that gets missed in all this hunt for people's names is the random kind deeds done by people across the world where there ISN'T a name to go with the compassion. The act may be captured in a simple image from afar or even in a description by an observer of the kindness.

Does that mean it does not count enough for an article? I don't think so. Sometimes, an image itself is enough to show you the good nature of a person, even if you cannot put a name or face to the individual.

Here are 10 such images that will bring a smile on your face, just as they lit up the receivers of these wonderful acts of kindness.

Like Posts with Just Images?

Over the years, I have compiled other articles on Heroes of Kindness too that had less of my chatter and were exclusively about the images themselves. You can find them here:

Quietly, Become a Hero of Kindness

Kindness Trumps Xenophobia

It Costs Zero to Be Kind

Kindness from Strangers

Compassion from Strangers and

The World is Not a Bad Place, the 2015 article which inspired me to keep searching for Heroes of Kindness.

Author's note:

Want more stories of compassion?

I have Hundreds of 'Heroes of Kindness' to brighten your day here. Earlier editions can be viewed from the links below:

2017 edition (Articles - 40, Heroes - 67)

2018 edition (Articles - 34, Heroes - 52)

2019 edition (Articles - 31, Heroes - 42)

2020 edition (Articles - 30, Heroes - 64)

2021 edition

Indian edition

My Interviews

The 2020 Edition is also available as a book on Kindle too, if you want it that wayyy! (India/ US)

Cop Runs a Kilometre with 10 kg Bomb On his Shoulder to Save 400 Schoolchildren

noreply@blogger.com (Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan) — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 01:26:00 +0000

On August 2017, the police in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district received a call about the presence of a bomb inside a school in Chitora village.

Reaching the school, the policemen realized that curiosity over the object had drawn a huge crowd to the school. 32-year-old head constable Abhishek Patel was among the first to step in to investigate and what he saw absolutely terrified him.

The huge object in the school was a live shell which could detonate at any second, the blast radius of which could destroy the entire school as well as the nearby populated neighbourhood, he realized. Things got worse for him as the bomb dispatch informed him that they would not arrive for at least an hour and so he had to evacuate as much of the area as possible.

With the lives of hundreds of villagers and over 400 schoolchildren at stake, Patel realized that there was not enough time to get everyone to safety. The decision he took stunned even the two policemen beside him.

In seconds, Patel placed the 10 kg bomb on his shoulder and began sprinting away from the school even as his fellow officers started to guide the huge crowd in the opposite direction.

“I was scared to death. But it was about risking one life as opposed to risking hundreds. I know I did the right thing.”

- Abhishek Patel

The policeman ran as fast as he could, carrying the 10 kg bomb for a kilometre in 15 minutes until he reached an empty field. Gasping for breath, he gently placed the explosive on the ground before running away. The bomb squad arrived in due time and secured the device without it detonating.

Abhishek Patel’s brave act that morning saved the lives of the children and received national applause though he admits his wife (and mother of his two children) was hysterical when she met him later that evening.

“Didn’t the faces of your children flash in front of your eyes before you picked up that bomb?” she had asked him. Patel’s reply was simple. “It is when I looked at the faces of hundreds of children in the school that I decided to do it.”

You can watch the police officer run away with the bomb and speak about his experience here:

Author's note:

Want more stories of compassion?

I have Hundreds of 'Heroes of Kindness' to brighten your day here. Earlier editions can be viewed from the links below:

2017 edition (Articles - 40, Heroes - 67)

2018 edition (Articles - 34, Heroes - 52)

2019 edition (Articles - 31, Heroes - 42)

2020 edition (Articles - 30, Heroes - 64)

2021 edition

Indian edition

My Interviews