5 'Very Indian’ Habits that are spreading Covid-19

Usually, it takes around 18 to 254 days to form a new habit, and around 66 days for a new behaviour to convert into a habit. The period of lockdown in India gave a break to our normal routines, and provided an opportunity to unlearn some things, while forming new habits that would help contain the spread of corona virus. These included habits like washing hands frequently, wearing a mask when going out, maintaining social distance.

But even as people adapt to this change, there are certain ‘Indian’ habits that have not changed, and would not help the curve to flatten anytime soon. Let’s see what these are-

1) Spitting in public: This also includes those who like chewing beetle leaves and painting the town red with ‘pan peek’. No matter where you go, you can see people pulling down their masks and spitting with no consideration whatsoever. In June, Delhi police registered 1272 cases of spitting in public, and started levying a fine of Rs.1000. In one unique case, 3 people beat a police constable when he objected their action of spitting on roadside!

2) Congregating at places of worship: Be it Tabligi Jamaat or people thronging in temples during the holy month of Savan for pooja, or be it attending Sunday mass in church- social distancing goes for a toss in such places. It is more likely that you are closer to Coronavirus than God at a crowded place. 

3) Believing you have better immunity than foreigners: Just because you have eaten aalo tikki chat, chowmein, paani puri and so for from a roadside stall and not fallen sick doesn’t guarantee protection from Corona virus. This virus is highly mutable and there is no medical evidence to prove that Indians have a better immune system than people of other nationalities. 

4) Wearing mask on chin – Indians may have learned to wear masks, but some are yet to learn to put it properly on their face! People are often spotted with masks pulled down to their chin while talking or walking, because apparently it is ‘easier to breath’ that way.Pic:Reddit.com

5) Visiting/meeting friends and relatives during lockdown- When the government ordered a lockdown, the intention was to keep people from moving from one place to another, unless a medical emergency. But many took this as an opportunity to catch up with old friends and visiting relatives. There have been cases reported wherein wedding parties booked two adjacent rooms in a banquet hall to accommodate more baratis and fool the police. Asking only 50 guests too attend your marriage is just so unIndian! Phew….

 Pic: Pinterest

Digital Healthcare : The new ‘Safety Valve’ of India

Even as the world is reeling under the healthcare challenges posed by Covid -19, digital healthcare has emerged as a beacon of hope in this unprecedented situation. Although the technology was there for past two decades, it is more relevant now than ever. In a developing country like India where there is 1 doctor per 1500 people, telemedicine is reducing the burden on medical staff, ensuring that only the critically ill patients visit the hospital or clinic.            Pic:Wikicommons

Today a plethora of healthcare apps are available like Aarogya Setu, Practo, Docprime, Medlife etc. that can help you monitor health, get online consultation in the comfort of your home or get medicines delivered at your doorstep. And what’s endearing is that Indians, who are traditionally used to getting consultation in a clinic and in-person, are adapting quickly to these new-age norms.

Infact, data supports this transition. India ranks second in the world, next only to China, with maximum number of internet subscribers (560 million), surpassing even USA! According to a Pricewaterhouse Cooper 2014 report, 80% of Indians would have access to the internet by 2034, and much of it will be rural Internet users, which are growing annually at 58%. Besides, the political will exhibited by the government with projects like National Digital Health Mission would further boost telemedicine growth in India, which is expected to hit $5.4billion in next five years.

Amidst these positive indicators, telemedicine can become the aorta of India’s heart, a safety valve that can unburden the current strained medical ecosystem, and extend urban medical facilities to rural areas. It can save poor man’s money and time on travel to cities, lest he gets timely diagnosis and right prescription at the beginning of a disease by a certified medical practitioner. In case of pandemics, telehealth apps and network can work in collaboration with government to disseminate authentic information and real time trends. Furthermore, their role will evolve from online consultations to patient care, education, and eventually incorporate research and public health administration too.Pic:GlobalGiving.org

However, this great responsibility is not without challenges. Ensuring patient data security, compliance with digital health standards set by NABH & MoHFW, and doing due diligence before listing doctors on the apps/online portals are imperative measures. Thankfully the telemedicine industry is already geared up to ride the wave with panache! What do you think?

The Uncanny Resemblance Of Darwin's Theory Of Evolution With Vishnu's 10 Avatars Will Raise Your Eyebrows!

Looks like Indian mythology is more than just a myth. It is rooted in logic and science. The other day while I was reading up more on the intriguing avatars of Lord Vishnu, the biology lover inside me yelped in excitement. To me, they resembled more like Darwin’s Theory Of Evolution, only given 1000 of years before.

Darwin's Theory of Evolution states that human beings have descended from a common ancestor. This means complex living beings have evolved from simplistic creatures like fish, amphibians, reptiles etc. naturally over time. Owing to genetic mutations, the beneficial mutations are preserved because they aid survival. This is called 'natural selection.'
 
In a nutshell, Darwin's theory says that life first emerged in water. Gradually, amphibians arrived who could survive both on land as well as in water. This, the process continued to become more complex with the evolution of mammals. Slowly, one species of apes evolved to stand on two feet rather than walking on four limbs. The earliest of humans were short in height, and gradually became taller with time.
 
Now let us compare this with different avatars of Lord Vishnu.
 
First avatar: Matsya or Fish
Lord Vishnu's first avatar on Earth was in the form of a fish during the Satyug. According to Darwin, life first originated in water and then moved to land.

Second avatar: Kurma or Turtle

This incarnation of Vishnu can be compared with the organisms advancing to amphibians. A turtle can survive both on land and in water.

Third avatar: Varaha or Boar
Boar is a mammal that lives on land and walks on all four limbs. In this avatar, Lord Vishnu slayed the demon Hiranyaksha.

This avatar suggests that advanced life is terrestrial and quadruped.

Fourth avatar: Narasimha
Now, this avatar of Vishnu is half animal and half human, suggesting the natural course of evolution that would give rise to human race.

Fifth avatar: Vamana or Dwarf
This was the first incarnation of Lord Vishnu as a human being. This happened in the Treta yuga. Vamana was small built, with short limbs and body.

Sixth avatar: Parshuram
This avatar of Lord Vishnu is a full grown man, but he is ferocious in nature, lives in wild, and leads a secluded life. He can be compared to an early man. This signifies that although man has evolved now, his qualities are not refined yet. 

Seventh avatar: Lord Rama
In this avatar, Lord Vishnu incarnates as human with refined manners and emotions. Lord Rama is a family man, has wife and kids. As the king of Ayodhaya, he is 'maryada purushotam' and straight-forward in giving judgment.

Eighth avatar: Lord Krishna
This avatar of Lord Vishnu came in Dwapar yug. Now, Lord Krishna is shrewd and clever minded. He does not hesitate in playing tricks on people or double-crossing them when it comes to making war strategies. He is diplomatic rather than an idealist. This shows mental evolution of human beings.

Ninth avatar: Buddha
Some religious texts consider Buddha as the ninth avatar of Lord Vishnu. He propagates peace in a world where violence is slowly taking roots. Totally relevant to what is happening in present times!

Tenth avatar: Kalki
Kalki is touted to be the last avatar of Vishnu, who would appear to restore order and dharma in the world. Interestingly, some features of this avatar are stated in Bhagwad Geeta. Let’s see what he would look like:

He will be short in height, with a pot belly, curly hair and piercing sharp eyes. His face and lips will at times be of the color copper, black, yellow and rose. His feet will look like that of a young woman.

To read this article in detail and know how the FUTURE MAN WILL LOOK LIKE, click here.