H1N1 Swine flu or Spine flu?

So Mesothelioma has increased my interest in community health. I had occasion to work with Government sponsored projects in districts but those were mostly related with infrastructural improvement in public hospitals and focused more on mother and child health. Mesothelioma has given me an opportunity to look at entire gamut of health care and community. So today I read about H1N1 virus and swine flu. Contrary to the panic situation prevalent in India, swine flu is not that dangerous. It has symptoms more or less similar to ordinary flu. Only in few cases whose immunity has already been compromised due to some other reasons, the complications develop and then it can prove to be deadly following multiple organ failures.
There is lot of information available on the net. However I have found very comprehensive information on Canadian website http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/faq_rg_swine-eng.php#faq1
Besides, there is some good information available on WHO' website also.
So, one is swine Flu is just like ordinary flu in symptoms and goes away on its own in a week though it is important that person who is carrying the flu keeps him self away from others so that he does not transmit it to others. If shortening in breath and giddiness develops, it is better to visit nearest public health facility than waiting at one's home. It is equally important not to take aspirin category of medications as those medicines lead to complications. I think the source quoted above has good guidelines on what to do.
Lastly, Tamiflu is not the only medicine to treat H1N1, Relenze (zanamivir) is also used for treating H1N1 virus sumptoms. However I am not sure if Relenze is available in India. Most important at this moment is not to panic and co-operate with public health system and listen carefully and follow Government announcements.

'Barobar'

Today I read an interesting article regarding first devaluation of Indian Currency by late Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India. It took me through interesting decision making process and how the policy decisions are taken in the Government setup. It is not that this process is new for me. Having worked in the Government in senior position, I am well aware about how policy decisions are made. However the conduct rules in Government prevent me from spilling the beans :) .

One word which has been used in today's article on devaluation carries interesting meaning. The word used is 'Barobar'. In straight forward sense, it means OK. But if the same word is pronounced differently as 'Baarobaar' would mean bypassing some one. So in that context to say that two Gujaratis in Indira Gandhi Government took the decision to devalue Indian Currency 'Baarobaar' would have meant that late Indira Gandhi took the decision bypassing Kamraj and others as 'Baarobaar'.

Fun aside, few days ago I received one interesting mail which said if the Rupee exchange rate could be fixed by the Government (Till the time liberalization was introduced, it used to be 1 Dollar = 8 Rupees) and if the exchange rate is fixed at say Rupee 1 = Dollar 1, what would be the scenario? Has any body thought about it? So BMW will be sold in India for Rs. 50000, Best quality Laptop will be sold for Rupees 1200...... and so on. But this will not come true as the moment BMW is available for Rs 50000, people would queue up for bookings of the car and soon the demand supply will take the price back to say Rs. one million. Which would also mean that same BMW will be sold in US for one million dollars. and therefore, the good old ford Pontiac will be sold for 300K dollars! In short, if the rupee can ever appreciate ,the affordability of cars and goods for people in India will go up and correspondingly affordability of cars and for the same reason that of other consumer products will go down for people from US and rest of the world. Extending the same logic in respect of currency of all developing countries, one would be tempted to conclude that just by varying the currency exchange rate, countries can change affordability for their citizens and their poverty status. Sounds so simple! is n't it?

If this were so simple, there would have been no world order. The fact of the matter is countries can not manipulate their currencies so easily. The simple explanation is that exchange rates are determined on the basis of strength of their external trade and balance of payments situation. So if there is one country with very strong balance of payment scenario and favorable balance of payments situation on a sustainable basis, that country can definitely readjust its currency and force a different world order. So how do we define such scenarios and can we have standard defined parameters to explain strength of such countries?

Yes we can. I call that unknown variable as Economic Entropy of the nation. I will explain concept of Economic Entropy in next post. 'Barobar ne'.

A new initiative

Mesothelioma is a nasty disease. The studies conducted have shown that this disease is caused due to prolonged exposure to Asbestos. Asbestos in Dungarpur is some thing not known to me. The region is known for mining of Gypsum, Lime stone, Marbles and Black trap. Asbestos, I am not very sure. However the lesson is to further research if Mesothelioma could be caused due to exposure to any other mined products mentioned above or alternatively if Asbestos is also mined in Dungarpur under the guise of any other mineral? What ever it be, the damage has been done and collectively we need to take steps to ensure that there are no more victims.

Yesterday I posted about carrying phenyl tablets whenever visiting public places in India. I have further tried to develop it as to how can community play a role in managing public assets? The state builds many assets which are meant for the society. However there has been a misplaced belief in India, that all assets created by the Government, belong to Government as if it were some individual with ownership rights and along with that obligations. Unfortunately people forget that what is known as Government and the recognizable executive that we identify it with are nothing but managers on behalf of the society which is the ultimate owner of every thing and the so called Government is mere custodian of all Government resources. Short point is whatever assets have been created are for the society and their maintenance and upkeep is our collective responsibility. The Government on behalf of society will definitely shoulder its responsibility but then every one can contribute in it. I have thought if it is possible to constitute informal organizations to be called friends of asset group like "friends of Civil Hospital" and such groups if can take up the responsibility to contribute in upkeep and maintenance? In fact if the group gets further involved in the exercise, then they may be requested to informally help in decision process also. This is just an idea and I would like to see some like minded people to take this idea forward.

Please respond with your thoughts. Together we can bring in lot of change.

New Challenges

For last two months, I have wondered whether I should continue blogging? The difficulty is my current position with the Government does not permit me to express myself on public issues in public domain and for each such publication, I need to take prior permission from the Government. However when said rule was formulated, did the rule makers even thought in their wildest dreams that Internet and world wide web would emerge as powerful tool of self expression and of influencing public opinion? I do not think so. So now I have decided that I will blog and express my self constructively so that public cause can be served.

Over last so many days, I have been through so many ups and downs. I was admitted to the Duke University for their prestigious MBA program and at the last moment when every thing was all set, I had to seek deferment for one year. The University has been kind enough to grant me one year deferral and I hope to be able to attend it next year. One of my close relative has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma. Over last so many days, I have done a lot of research on Mesothelioma.

Large mesothelioma around the right lung (left side of image) on CT scan.

Courtsey : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma

I have consulted many doctors and few of them have told me that this disease is endemic to the place that I come from. Every year the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute (GCRI) receives about 10-12 patients and 8-10 are from Dungarpur district in Rajasthan. It is unfortunate that physicians and specialists working in Dungarpur and Banswara are unaware of this disease and that causes late detection of this disease. The Hon. Secretary of GCRI has consented to attend an awareness workshop on Mesothelioma and I have taken this task of organizing this workshop in consultation with local District Administration. Hopefully I should be able to do it by 15th of next month.

I have taken few visits to the Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. I am awestruck with the facilities, human resources and equipments there. The number of visitors to the hospital means that facilities are over stretched. One thing where I find that social groups and like minded citizens can intervene is in enhancing cleanliness around the campus and within. One would argue that this is the responsibility of Hospital administration and he will be correct. At the same time for any place which is frequented with over 15000 patients and other 50000 attendants daily, then it will be very difficult for its administrator to maintain cleanliness in and around. Can we as a citizen group do some thing to enhance ambiance and cleanliness?

I am willing to take blames and face all ridicules but if you agree with me, would it be possible to take one pledge? Next time if you happen to visit any public place, be it Hospital, Bus Stand, Railway Station or any public place, would you agree to carry few tablets of Phenyl and drop it to their utilities room? Is n't it very easy to do? I will do it next time I visit Civil Hospital. Would you assist me in this small initiative? If you do, please respond to this post as your response will motivate numerous others to follow and do the same.

Belum Caves - The Last Abode

Caves are abodes of Gods and Goddesses. Since ancient times, numerous cave architectures have been developed all over India and likes of Ajanta - Ellora and Elephanta cave systems have been famous across India. But do these cave structures really qualify as cave structures or these are places of intricate carvings through rocks and mountains? Probably the above mentioned caves have become famous for their sculptures and paintings but while I visited Belum caves in Kurnool district, then only I realized what a cave structure is like.
The Belum caves are millions of years old. An exploratory expedition unearthed clay vessels from these caves, dating back to 4500 B.C. The caves were first noticed, surveyed and explored sometime around 1884 by an European H.B. Foote. The latest and detailed exploration was done by a team headed by German speleologist Herbert. Lead by Deniel Gebauer from 1982 to 1984, a team explored and mapped the caves to an extent of nearly three and half kilometers. However currently only one and half kilometers of length is accessible to public. The cave system totally extends to 3225 meters in length, 10 meters high and 40 meters deep from the surface of the earth.
The main passage of the caves is a horizontal one, after a descent of 20 meters. There are three well like cavities which owe to formation of sink holes. One of the sink hole has been used for descending into the caves and after treating the side walls of sink hole, steps have been provided to get down to the cave systems. Using bores through the surface, couple of ventilation cum air circulation mechanism have been set up which provides refreshingly cool air throughout the caves.
As one walks through the caves, it turns out to be a breathtaking experience. On the ceiling and on the floor are the fantastic artworks of nature created by stalactite and stalagmite formations. There are a number of spacious chambers, passage, fresh water galleries and siphons. The soft light illumination adds to the beauty of the formations. There is a small yet perennial stream flowing from the southeast to the northwest, disappearing and believed to be heading towards the well at the Bellum village. A natural lingam is said to have formed at the patalganga.
The natural cave system is probably one of world's largest natural geological formations yet it is unexplored. The different cuts and lacerations through different strata of calcium carbonate and other calcium compounds gives it internal textures and carving. As of now only the caves up to a length of 3225 meters were cleared and thereafter further exploration was stopped. For geologists and researchers, interested in study of sink holes and natural stalactite and stalagmite formation, it is probably the best site in Asia.
The property declared as such as protected area is under administrative and management control of Andhra Pradesh Tourism department and they have done pretty good job of beautifying and managing it. Couple of big halls inside the cave system carry folk lore about deep meditations undertaken by Saints and followers of Buddhism. A giant statute of Lord Buddha symbolizes the connections with Buddhism carried through folklores.
The place can be reached through airports at Hyderabad, Chennai and Tirupati. So any places signifying rich cultural heritage in and around Kadappa!! The place is set for international glory!

Those of you interested in study of geological formations, visit to Bellum caves would be the most enriching experience, I can assure.
Courtsey : Andhra Pradesh Tourism Corporation Ltd.
For more information - APTCL, (+91)8518-250335,252087
Belum Caves (+91) 8510-236633

The Election saga continues... The Gandikota Fort and Belum Caves

We had an eventful election in Kadappa. Living up to its hard earned reputation, Kadappa did offer those stray incidents of violence and breaking up of the Electronic Voting Machines. So, that meant we had to stay a little longer to complete the fresh poll process. We were mentally prepared to have Repoll on 25th and then move back to homes on 26th. The ECI decided otherwise. They fixed date of repoll on 26th holding us for one additional day and at the same time effectively giving us one free day on 25th.

And that's how we planned more excursions in to Rayalseema heartland. The explorations in Kadappa had been eye openers and were contrary to our perception with which we had arrived. We had visualized a dry district which would suffer from prolonged spells of scarcity. However, what we have seen is a district, most parts of which are busy reaping third crop. Well laid out canal irrigation system seemed to be hallmark of the district.

Back to sojourn of 26th, we decided to visit Gandikota fort and thereafter if time permitted, to visit Belum caves. The literature provided by the district administration had mentioned Gandikota fort as historically site built around A.D.1122. It derived its name from "Gandi" meaning Gorges and "Kota" meaning Fort. It is located about 75 kms from Kadappa towards Jammalmadugu and on the bank of river Pennar. Entirely a stone masonary fort built upon a hill along the natural george formation along river Pennar, the construction began in A.D. 1122 and then improvements and additions continued throughout upto 17th century AD. According to Kaiifiyat, a certain Kakaraja is credited with constructing the fort, palace and residential units inside.







The fort has a huge entrance gate of 20 feet high and 101 bastions each over 40 feet high. The front gate is made up of wood and is armored with iron plates. (Probably Indians were experts in use of metal, mechanical instruments like rope, pulleys, wooden rollers till the beginning of 13th century AD, but there after lack of focus on research meant that it stagnated there and European countries took lead in navigation and scientific leading to colonization of so many countries between 18th and middle of 20th century).






Within the fort, there are many interesting places worth seeing. The Ranganatha and Madhava Swamy temples were built during the 15th and 16th centuries are adorned with sculptures of style reminiscent of style of Vijayanagaram emperor. The amazing stone masonry carries trademark pillars with sculptures of a rider riding a lion which is sitting on top of elephant head. It conveyed a message that the ruler not only contains and controlled the mighty like the elephant, but also like the lion. Another interesting sculpture presents view of an ox from one side and elephant from the other side.







There is a large granery which could store food for over two years' requirement. The granery almost 25 feet high had small windows resembling ventillations near top and only one door for the netry. Normally the pheasants were charged 25% of their grains as tax and that was stored from the top into the granery. That ensured that except for those concerned with affairs of granery, no body had any idea of total storage and that helped in keeping the enemy guessing. Ofcourse there after many windows and large entrance gate were added and the granery was converted in to a guest house for visit of company representative (During British rule). Currently there is a marvellous sculpture of Lord Laxman in intact position found during excavation near the river.

Then there are an impressive pigeon tower a palace with plastered decorations, Jumma masjid with towering minerats ensconing a large area(consturcted around 1650 AD) and Rayal Cheruvu with perenial springs, ruins of palace, intact stables and residential rooms for visitors and open air theatre cum wrestling ground for kings' wrestlers. It is said that during Krishnadev rai's time, a strong army of 85000 soldiers used to guard this fort.






The surrounding site with natural deep gorges along the river Pennar and its dark green calm water, Mylavaram dam and surroundign hills offer feast to the eyes.

Kadappa : Sidhout fort

Today I made a visit to Badvel assembly area. I did all election related formalities, which I have decided to keep out of this blog. Besides that, I got an opportunity to visit "Rangamantapa Sidhout Fort". This is ancient ruined city located 25kms from Kadappa along the Tirupati highway. This is originally 10th Century AD fort built originally in mud. Matli kings occupied the area and rebuilt the fort using stones in 1303 AD.




Now the ruins stand on the bank of river Pennar and are spread over 30 acres. Magnificent gateways on two sides have embellished pillars and intricate carvings of Gajalakshmi. The top square bastions which have protected and preserved the area so far offers very good sight. Additional special feature of the fort was provision of an ancillary passage allowing people to enter even when the town and gates were closed.




The Archaeological Survey of India, which possesses the site has recently undertaken renovation of the fort. Not sure whether they intend to restore the fort to its past glory in looks and appearance or it is a case of their plans and designs going awry, but the new renovation gives it altogether different look, then the appearance preserved over close to a thousand years.I have taken couple of snaps and hope these will interest you.