Friday 24 October 2008
Where to invest your money?
Where to invest your money?With the stock market in the grip of a severe bear grip, chances are you aren't too sure of your equity investments. Debt-oriented mutual funds too are giving low returns. In such a scenario, bank fixed deposits look like safe investments. Moreover, Indian banks are more secure than their Western counterparts, making FDs a safe bet.
Tuesday 7 October 2008
Obama's tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on 2nd October - Gandhi's 139th birth anniversary
October 2, 2008
Gandhi Service Day
Dear Friends,
It's a pleasure for me to join today in commemorating Mahatma Gandhi's day of birth, celebrated across America and around the world by service to our neighbors and other good works. Gandhi's commitment to creating positive change by bringing people together peacefully to demand it resonate as strongly today as they did during his lifetime. Through the power of his example and his own unshakeable spirit, he inspired a people to resist oppression, sparking a revolution that freed a nation from colonial rule. In formulating his strategy to achieve freedom, Gandhi had a choice, and he chose courage over fear.
America faces many choices as we work to address the challenges of our time. We must act from a place of strength and conviction to reclaim the high road and position of moral leadership that has defined the United States at its best.
Gandhi's significance is universal. Countless people around the world have been touched by his spirit and example – his victory in turn inspired a generation of young Americans to peacefully wipe out a system of overt oppression that had endured for a century, and more recently led to velvet revolutions in Eastern Europe and extinguished apartheid in South Africa. Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke of their great debt to Gandhi. His portrait hangs in my office to remind me that real change will not come from Washington - it will come when the people, united, bring it to Washington.
This is a pivotal election. This is our time for change. For far too long, we've watched as ordinary Americans work harder and harder for less and less. We've watched our standing in the world erode as we continue to lose American lives in a war that should've never been authorized and never been waged. I need you to stand up and work for change. Let us all rededicate ourselves, every day from now until November 4th, and beyond, to living Gandhi's call to be the change we wish to see in the world.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
Gandhi Service Day
Dear Friends,
It's a pleasure for me to join today in commemorating Mahatma Gandhi's day of birth, celebrated across America and around the world by service to our neighbors and other good works. Gandhi's commitment to creating positive change by bringing people together peacefully to demand it resonate as strongly today as they did during his lifetime. Through the power of his example and his own unshakeable spirit, he inspired a people to resist oppression, sparking a revolution that freed a nation from colonial rule. In formulating his strategy to achieve freedom, Gandhi had a choice, and he chose courage over fear.
America faces many choices as we work to address the challenges of our time. We must act from a place of strength and conviction to reclaim the high road and position of moral leadership that has defined the United States at its best.
Gandhi's significance is universal. Countless people around the world have been touched by his spirit and example – his victory in turn inspired a generation of young Americans to peacefully wipe out a system of overt oppression that had endured for a century, and more recently led to velvet revolutions in Eastern Europe and extinguished apartheid in South Africa. Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke of their great debt to Gandhi. His portrait hangs in my office to remind me that real change will not come from Washington - it will come when the people, united, bring it to Washington.
This is a pivotal election. This is our time for change. For far too long, we've watched as ordinary Americans work harder and harder for less and less. We've watched our standing in the world erode as we continue to lose American lives in a war that should've never been authorized and never been waged. I need you to stand up and work for change. Let us all rededicate ourselves, every day from now until November 4th, and beyond, to living Gandhi's call to be the change we wish to see in the world.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
Thursday 2 October 2008
ON THE OCCASSION OF 139th BIRTHDAY OF MAHATMA GANDHI
On the occassion of 139th Birthday of Mahatma GandhiGandhi's Talisman
With warm regards, peace and love,
robert dmello
Monday 29 September 2008
World credit crisis roils Indian equities; Sensex below 13K
World credit crisis roils Indian equities; Sensex below 13K ; 29 Sep, 2008, 1651 hrs IST, ECONOMICTIMES.COM
MUMBAI: Equities ended on a bleak note Monday, tracking the fall of European financial giants like UK’s Bradford & Bingley Plc, Belgium’s Fortis Financial, and Germany’s Hypo Real Estate Holding AG swept in the wake of the US credit crisis. National Stock Exchange’s Nifty ended at 3869.65, down 115.6 points or 2.90 per cent from Friday’s close. The 50-share index sank to a low of 3777.30 intraday. Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensex closed at 12,629.60, below the 13K level, losing 472.58 points or 3.61 per cent. It slumped to the day’s low of 12,402.84. All eyes are on the financial market turmoil sweeping across the world. Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Bros, AIG, Washington Mutual, Fortis Financial, Bradford & Bingley... and more are expected to join this list of banks and investment firms seeking bailout. In the latest development, the UK government seized the biggest lender to landlords after its failure to get funds and competitors refused to buy mortgage loans gone bad. It is the second British bank after Northern Rock Plc to be nationalised this year. Spain's Banco Santander has agreed to pay 612 million pounds ($1.1 billion) for Bradford & Bingley's 197 branches and 20 billion pounds of deposits. Meanwhile, regulators in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg injected 11.2 billion euros ($16.3 billion) to save Fortis. In Washington, the House of Republicans authorised spending $700 billion to buy assets impaired by the collapse of the subprime mortgage market. Banks worldwide have reported writedowns and loan losses $554 billion since the crisis started. Back home, the losers were led by ICICI Bank (-12.11%), JP Associates (-11.85%), Satyam Computer (9.13%), TCS (-8.4%), Tata Power (-6.95%), among others. Hindustan Unilever was the only stock standing among the 30 index components. It was up 0.79 per cent. Advances across BSE were 357 against declines of 2,287. Stocks unchanged were 41. (All figures provisional)
MUMBAI: Equities ended on a bleak note Monday, tracking the fall of European financial giants like UK’s Bradford & Bingley Plc, Belgium’s Fortis Financial, and Germany’s Hypo Real Estate Holding AG swept in the wake of the US credit crisis. National Stock Exchange’s Nifty ended at 3869.65, down 115.6 points or 2.90 per cent from Friday’s close. The 50-share index sank to a low of 3777.30 intraday. Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensex closed at 12,629.60, below the 13K level, losing 472.58 points or 3.61 per cent. It slumped to the day’s low of 12,402.84. All eyes are on the financial market turmoil sweeping across the world. Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Bros, AIG, Washington Mutual, Fortis Financial, Bradford & Bingley... and more are expected to join this list of banks and investment firms seeking bailout. In the latest development, the UK government seized the biggest lender to landlords after its failure to get funds and competitors refused to buy mortgage loans gone bad. It is the second British bank after Northern Rock Plc to be nationalised this year. Spain's Banco Santander has agreed to pay 612 million pounds ($1.1 billion) for Bradford & Bingley's 197 branches and 20 billion pounds of deposits. Meanwhile, regulators in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg injected 11.2 billion euros ($16.3 billion) to save Fortis. In Washington, the House of Republicans authorised spending $700 billion to buy assets impaired by the collapse of the subprime mortgage market. Banks worldwide have reported writedowns and loan losses $554 billion since the crisis started. Back home, the losers were led by ICICI Bank (-12.11%), JP Associates (-11.85%), Satyam Computer (9.13%), TCS (-8.4%), Tata Power (-6.95%), among others. Hindustan Unilever was the only stock standing among the 30 index components. It was up 0.79 per cent. Advances across BSE were 357 against declines of 2,287. Stocks unchanged were 41. (All figures provisional)
RUPEE FALLS past 47.04 to 5-year low
Rupee falls past 47.04 to 5-year low
29 Sep 2008, 1512 hrs IST,REUTERS
MUMBAI: The rupee fell past 47.04 per dollar to its weakest since June 2003 on Monday as month-end dollar demand from importers and oil refiners weig hed and sharp losses in the share market raised worries about capital outflows.
At 2:37 p.m. (0907 GMT), the partially convertible rupee was at 47.10/11 per dollar, its weakest since June 2, 2003, and more than 1 per cent weaker than its close of 46.545/555 per dollar on Friday, data showed. India's main share index was down more than 5 per cent, hitting its lowest in 1-½ years.
Oil firms, the largest buyers of dollars in the domestic market, usually make payments for their imports at the end of each month. Oil was trading around $104 per barrel.
- 'TIMES OF INDIA'
29 Sep 2008, 1512 hrs IST,REUTERS
MUMBAI: The rupee fell past 47.04 per dollar to its weakest since June 2003 on Monday as month-end dollar demand from importers and oil refiners weig hed and sharp losses in the share market raised worries about capital outflows.
At 2:37 p.m. (0907 GMT), the partially convertible rupee was at 47.10/11 per dollar, its weakest since June 2, 2003, and more than 1 per cent weaker than its close of 46.545/555 per dollar on Friday, data showed. India's main share index was down more than 5 per cent, hitting its lowest in 1-½ years.
Oil firms, the largest buyers of dollars in the domestic market, usually make payments for their imports at the end of each month. Oil was trading around $104 per barrel.
- 'TIMES OF INDIA'
Sunday 28 September 2008
KNOW YOUR FINANCES
Cash-crunch to cash-Rich
KNOW YOUR FINANCES
Meenakshi Subramaniam / Mumbai September 28, 2008, 0:54 IST
www.business-standard.com
In times of rising interest cost and prices, falling cash balances are a common feature. There are times when one finds oneself in a situation where raising cash becomes a serious problem. At such times, some people go the whole hog and break their fixed deposit, withdraw from provident fund, exit from existing mutual funds and even go for a personal loan. These are methods that are quick-fix solutions that provide immediate liquidity, but they hurt your finances in the long run.
Holding on to your investments, as far as possible, will help in ensuring that you provide for extreme situations. Also, going for a personal loan will mean paying interest at 18-20 per cent a year – something that may provide immediate relief, but hits your bank balance in the months and years to come. In dire need, if you want to make use of the investment portfolio, here’s how to do it to ensure lower interest payout. Besides, it does not erode the value of your asset completely.
Property: If you have a second property, don’t put it on the block. Instead, if you are earning rent on it, borrow against rent receivables. Banks give a lump-sum loan to the extent of 80 per cent of the rent amount. This arrangement can be continued for 1-3 years. And it’s still your house.
Salary: If it is a short-term need, just for a month, approach the bank where salary gets deposited every month. Banks usually grant you an overdraft of the entire one month's pay. Of course, that implies that the next month they would recover the entire sum and the interest charged is high. But the advantage is that it solves you immediate cash needs.
Fixed deposits: If you have a fixed deposit with a bank, utilise the option of taking an overdraft against it and do not break it. The overdraft facility allows you to get 80-85 per cent of the deposit amount and the interest charged will be only on that amount. That is, if you have Rs 50,000 in a fixed deposit and you withdraw Rs 20,000 as an overdraft, you would have to pay interest only on Rs 20,000. The good news is that the fixed deposit will continue to earn interest, albeit a lower one on the remaining balance.
Insurance: Another method of raising cash is through borrowing against the insurance policy. Once the insurance policy reaches a surrender value, usually after three years with private insurers and five years with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), you can borrow up to 85 per cent of the surrender value from the insurance company. The interest rate charged is as low as 10-11 per cent. Better still, you can take time to repay the loan.
In case of a simple LIC policy, there is no repayment hassle either. If you are unable to repay, the balance can be deducted, when the policy matures. But you need to be punctual in paying the half-yearly interest amount. You can also take a loan on policy to pay premiums and invest the rest in better-paying schemes like gold exchange-traded funds.
Provident fund: Do not fold up the provident fund, at any cost. Take a loan against it, if you have held it for over 3-6 years and repay the amount in a long duration of three years. The sum sanctioned is 25 per cent of the balance standing to your account at end of the first year. The best part is the interest to be paid is just 1 per cent a year! Delay is no problem, as the interest goes only up to 6 per cent.
In case there is a cash crunch, another way to keep the provident fund going is by withdrawing the amount in the eighth year and reinvesting the same for the remaining 7 years. Thus you can escape making fresh contributions for all those years. The provident fund remains the most important asset because even if all assets are liquidated, it can't be attached, even through a court decree.
Small savings: As it's easy to invest in small savings, enter schemes with proper planning. For instance, invest in National Savings Certificate and Kisan Vikas Patra every month for 6 years and reinvest maturity amounts. You can earn a monthly sum, as they keep on maturing. What happens is that the same maturity amount keeps on getting invested. In this way, your funds are not under any pressure on a monthly basis.
Another way is to invest in Post Office Monthly Income Scheme and
Senior Citizens’ Savings Scheme every month and transfer interest to a recurring deposit, as both schemes give a 10.5 per cent return.
And now a few do nots. Pensioners should, by no means, take an overdraft against their pension money, as the repayment duration is just 2-3 months. The penalty is stiff, also touching a hefty 2 per cent a month. Also, it is not too smart to take a loan against gold. The cost works out to more than interest you can earn on gold investment.
Be active, while investing, but don't be anxious to withdraw. A sale of any asset can hurt. You need not sell your car too, as you can get an overdraft against the car from Rs 50,000 to Rs 7 lakh, if required. It is more important that you unlock the wealth of your assets, rather than sell them.
KNOW YOUR FINANCES
Meenakshi Subramaniam / Mumbai September 28, 2008, 0:54 IST
www.business-standard.com
In times of rising interest cost and prices, falling cash balances are a common feature. There are times when one finds oneself in a situation where raising cash becomes a serious problem. At such times, some people go the whole hog and break their fixed deposit, withdraw from provident fund, exit from existing mutual funds and even go for a personal loan. These are methods that are quick-fix solutions that provide immediate liquidity, but they hurt your finances in the long run.
Holding on to your investments, as far as possible, will help in ensuring that you provide for extreme situations. Also, going for a personal loan will mean paying interest at 18-20 per cent a year – something that may provide immediate relief, but hits your bank balance in the months and years to come. In dire need, if you want to make use of the investment portfolio, here’s how to do it to ensure lower interest payout. Besides, it does not erode the value of your asset completely.
Property: If you have a second property, don’t put it on the block. Instead, if you are earning rent on it, borrow against rent receivables. Banks give a lump-sum loan to the extent of 80 per cent of the rent amount. This arrangement can be continued for 1-3 years. And it’s still your house.
Salary: If it is a short-term need, just for a month, approach the bank where salary gets deposited every month. Banks usually grant you an overdraft of the entire one month's pay. Of course, that implies that the next month they would recover the entire sum and the interest charged is high. But the advantage is that it solves you immediate cash needs.
Fixed deposits: If you have a fixed deposit with a bank, utilise the option of taking an overdraft against it and do not break it. The overdraft facility allows you to get 80-85 per cent of the deposit amount and the interest charged will be only on that amount. That is, if you have Rs 50,000 in a fixed deposit and you withdraw Rs 20,000 as an overdraft, you would have to pay interest only on Rs 20,000. The good news is that the fixed deposit will continue to earn interest, albeit a lower one on the remaining balance.
Insurance: Another method of raising cash is through borrowing against the insurance policy. Once the insurance policy reaches a surrender value, usually after three years with private insurers and five years with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), you can borrow up to 85 per cent of the surrender value from the insurance company. The interest rate charged is as low as 10-11 per cent. Better still, you can take time to repay the loan.
In case of a simple LIC policy, there is no repayment hassle either. If you are unable to repay, the balance can be deducted, when the policy matures. But you need to be punctual in paying the half-yearly interest amount. You can also take a loan on policy to pay premiums and invest the rest in better-paying schemes like gold exchange-traded funds.
Provident fund: Do not fold up the provident fund, at any cost. Take a loan against it, if you have held it for over 3-6 years and repay the amount in a long duration of three years. The sum sanctioned is 25 per cent of the balance standing to your account at end of the first year. The best part is the interest to be paid is just 1 per cent a year! Delay is no problem, as the interest goes only up to 6 per cent.
In case there is a cash crunch, another way to keep the provident fund going is by withdrawing the amount in the eighth year and reinvesting the same for the remaining 7 years. Thus you can escape making fresh contributions for all those years. The provident fund remains the most important asset because even if all assets are liquidated, it can't be attached, even through a court decree.
Small savings: As it's easy to invest in small savings, enter schemes with proper planning. For instance, invest in National Savings Certificate and Kisan Vikas Patra every month for 6 years and reinvest maturity amounts. You can earn a monthly sum, as they keep on maturing. What happens is that the same maturity amount keeps on getting invested. In this way, your funds are not under any pressure on a monthly basis.
Another way is to invest in Post Office Monthly Income Scheme and
Senior Citizens’ Savings Scheme every month and transfer interest to a recurring deposit, as both schemes give a 10.5 per cent return.
And now a few do nots. Pensioners should, by no means, take an overdraft against their pension money, as the repayment duration is just 2-3 months. The penalty is stiff, also touching a hefty 2 per cent a month. Also, it is not too smart to take a loan against gold. The cost works out to more than interest you can earn on gold investment.
Be active, while investing, but don't be anxious to withdraw. A sale of any asset can hurt. You need not sell your car too, as you can get an overdraft against the car from Rs 50,000 to Rs 7 lakh, if required. It is more important that you unlock the wealth of your assets, rather than sell them.
EVERY NEW DAY...
“Every new day begins with possibilities. It’s up to us to fill it with things that move us toward progress and peace!”
SOME QUOTES BY MOTHER TERESA:
“We can do no great things; only small things with great love”.
“I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love”.
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving”.
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop”.
“Give all that He takes and take all that He gives, with a smile. That is holiness”.
“There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread”.
“I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love”.
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving”.
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop”.
“Give all that He takes and take all that He gives, with a smile. That is holiness”.
“There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread”.
‘Know your risk’; Unhealthy diets, smoking main causes
WORLD HEART DAY is an annual event that aims to increase public awareness of the threat of heart disease and stroke and the importance of a healthy lifestyle, so that children, adolescents and adults all over the world can live better, longer and healthy life. World Heart Day 2008 – “Know Your Risk” – is a call to action to help people understand their personal risk to cardiovascular disease, including hypertension (high blood pressure).
The “World Heart Day” is being held on Sept 28. Unhealthy diets, smoking and physical inactivity are the leading causes of heart disease and stroke. Any one of these risk factors, or a combination, can make you vulnerable to heart diseases and stroke. That is why World Heart Day 2008 focuses on helping you to identify your overall risk and to take action to control it.
In its ninth year, World Heart Day is run by the World Heart Federation’s member organizations in over 100 countries with many thousands of people expected to join this year. The World Heart Federation is a nongovernment organization based in Geneva Switzerland dedicated to the prevention and control of heart disease and stroke, with a focus on low and middle income countries. World Heart Day activities will include health checks, organized walks, runs and fitness sessions, public talks and sports tournaments.
Obesity
Globally, 22 million children under the age of five are obese and many more are overweight warns the World Heart Federation. The prevalence of obesity is rising at an alarming rate in both developed and less developed countries around the world. There are 400 million adults worldwide who are obese and 1.6 billion who are overweight. Children are getting fatter too. Worldwide, 155 million children are overweight, including 30-40 million obese children. Obesity levels have risen sharply across the globe. Even in those countries that have historically had lower rates of obesity, there is now evidence of increasing overweight. People have become fatter because increased calorie intake, in fact globally humanity is becoming more physically inactive. Being overweight raises the risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and stiff, clogged arteries, all risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
Risk factors for heart disease and stroke include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high glucose levels, smoking, inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables, overweight, obesity and physical inactivity. Taken together, these major risk factors account for 80 percent of deaths from heart disease and stroke. A diet high in saturated fats and trans fats lead to abnormal blood liquids. Eating a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables promotes heart health. Low fruit and vegetable intake accounts for about 20 percent of cardiovascular disease worldwide.
High blood pressure or hypertension is the biggest single risk factor for heart disease and stroke and currently affects more than a billion worldwide. However by the year 2025 it is estimated more than 1.5 billion people or nearly one in three adults over the age of 25, will have high blood pressure. This is why this year’s World Heart Day is urging people to take action and visit their health-care professional to “Know Your Risk”. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A diet high in sodium increases the risk of developing hypertension. It has been estimated that a 3 gram reduction in a person’s dietary intake of salt would lead to a 50 percent reduction in the number of people needing treatment for hypertension. As heart disease and stroke are the world’s number one killer, causing 17.5 million deaths every year, eating half a teaspoon less of salt each day could save million of lives.
Avoiding foods high in salt, refraining from adding salt and being aware of the salt content of food in restaurants and processed foods, could potentially reduce salt consumption by 3 grams a day. Since the 60s the average daily calorie intake has increased across the globe. The consumption of foods high in fats and sweeteners is increasing throughout the developing world, while the share of cereals is declining, intake of fruits and vegetables remains inadequate. Commercially prepared food is higher in fat and sugar. The portions in fast food restaurants across the globe are 2 to 5 times larger than 2 decades ago. The consumption of chips/crackers/popcorn has tripled from mid 1970s to mid 1990s and soft drinks intake has doubled.
Unhealthy
If this trend in unhealthy lifestyles continues, children will be more likely to develop heart disease and stroke later in life, significantly reducing their life expectancy. “The World Heart Federation and its member societies in 100 countries are extremely concerned about the world-wide obesity pandemic and are actively encouraging action by the public, governments and industry to stop and reverse this trend. We must protect children from an environment that leads to obesity by teaching life-long healthy eating habits and limiting exposure to unhealthy food. Increasing levels of physical activity is also a priority as two thirds of children worldwide are insufficiently active for their health. Heart disease and stroke is the number one killer among adults in Kuwait. Lot of improvement has been made in the management of this disease.
Inauguration of new Chese Hospital with the latest technology in cardiovascular surgeries has started working. There is increase in the number of bypass surgeries along with cardiac catheterization. In spite of all this good management, reduction in the mortality and improvement in the quality of life among heart disease patients, more new case of heart disease are being seen especially among younger age group in Kuwait. More attention needs to be given for hypertension, diabetes and obesity among young people, along with lifestyle changes. We hold World Heart Day to encourage the our community to lead a healthier lifestyle by taking more physical exercise and reducing the risk of heart disease through smoke-free living, healthy nutrition and weight control, amongst other measures. Children and adolescents who have balanced, nutritious diets, exercise regularly and resist the pressure to start smoking should grow into fit, healthy adults.
On behalf of Kuwait Heart Foundation my advice for heart healthy families is:
* Increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and decrease sugar and salt intake, for example by limiting sweets, soft drinks and manufactured snacks and using less salt when cooking.
* Limit energy intake from fats and shift consumption away from saturated fats such as butter, palm and coconut oils to unsaturated fats such as spreads.
* Prepare meals that are well-balanced and high in nutrition and include whole grains, lean meat and fish.
* Make exercise a part of your life. Enjoy at least 30 minutes of activity that raises your heartbeat each day and encourage children to participate in sports groups.
* If you are a smoker, try to quit or avoid smoking in the presence of your children — allow them to live in a smoke-free environment. Discuss the impact of tobacco on health with your children before they are faced with making their own decisions about smoking and warn them about the marketing tactics of the tobacco industry.
By finding out your level of risk you are taking a simple but significant step towards living a longer and better life. The only way to know if you are at risk is to visit a health-care professional for a check-up. Heart disease and stroke cause the equivalent of more than one death every two seconds, as many as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and diabetes, all forms of cancer and chronic respiratory disease combined.
-"Arab Times"
The “World Heart Day” is being held on Sept 28. Unhealthy diets, smoking and physical inactivity are the leading causes of heart disease and stroke. Any one of these risk factors, or a combination, can make you vulnerable to heart diseases and stroke. That is why World Heart Day 2008 focuses on helping you to identify your overall risk and to take action to control it.
In its ninth year, World Heart Day is run by the World Heart Federation’s member organizations in over 100 countries with many thousands of people expected to join this year. The World Heart Federation is a nongovernment organization based in Geneva Switzerland dedicated to the prevention and control of heart disease and stroke, with a focus on low and middle income countries. World Heart Day activities will include health checks, organized walks, runs and fitness sessions, public talks and sports tournaments.
Obesity
Globally, 22 million children under the age of five are obese and many more are overweight warns the World Heart Federation. The prevalence of obesity is rising at an alarming rate in both developed and less developed countries around the world. There are 400 million adults worldwide who are obese and 1.6 billion who are overweight. Children are getting fatter too. Worldwide, 155 million children are overweight, including 30-40 million obese children. Obesity levels have risen sharply across the globe. Even in those countries that have historically had lower rates of obesity, there is now evidence of increasing overweight. People have become fatter because increased calorie intake, in fact globally humanity is becoming more physically inactive. Being overweight raises the risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and stiff, clogged arteries, all risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
Risk factors for heart disease and stroke include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high glucose levels, smoking, inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables, overweight, obesity and physical inactivity. Taken together, these major risk factors account for 80 percent of deaths from heart disease and stroke. A diet high in saturated fats and trans fats lead to abnormal blood liquids. Eating a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables promotes heart health. Low fruit and vegetable intake accounts for about 20 percent of cardiovascular disease worldwide.
High blood pressure or hypertension is the biggest single risk factor for heart disease and stroke and currently affects more than a billion worldwide. However by the year 2025 it is estimated more than 1.5 billion people or nearly one in three adults over the age of 25, will have high blood pressure. This is why this year’s World Heart Day is urging people to take action and visit their health-care professional to “Know Your Risk”. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A diet high in sodium increases the risk of developing hypertension. It has been estimated that a 3 gram reduction in a person’s dietary intake of salt would lead to a 50 percent reduction in the number of people needing treatment for hypertension. As heart disease and stroke are the world’s number one killer, causing 17.5 million deaths every year, eating half a teaspoon less of salt each day could save million of lives.
Avoiding foods high in salt, refraining from adding salt and being aware of the salt content of food in restaurants and processed foods, could potentially reduce salt consumption by 3 grams a day. Since the 60s the average daily calorie intake has increased across the globe. The consumption of foods high in fats and sweeteners is increasing throughout the developing world, while the share of cereals is declining, intake of fruits and vegetables remains inadequate. Commercially prepared food is higher in fat and sugar. The portions in fast food restaurants across the globe are 2 to 5 times larger than 2 decades ago. The consumption of chips/crackers/popcorn has tripled from mid 1970s to mid 1990s and soft drinks intake has doubled.
Unhealthy
If this trend in unhealthy lifestyles continues, children will be more likely to develop heart disease and stroke later in life, significantly reducing their life expectancy. “The World Heart Federation and its member societies in 100 countries are extremely concerned about the world-wide obesity pandemic and are actively encouraging action by the public, governments and industry to stop and reverse this trend. We must protect children from an environment that leads to obesity by teaching life-long healthy eating habits and limiting exposure to unhealthy food. Increasing levels of physical activity is also a priority as two thirds of children worldwide are insufficiently active for their health. Heart disease and stroke is the number one killer among adults in Kuwait. Lot of improvement has been made in the management of this disease.
Inauguration of new Chese Hospital with the latest technology in cardiovascular surgeries has started working. There is increase in the number of bypass surgeries along with cardiac catheterization. In spite of all this good management, reduction in the mortality and improvement in the quality of life among heart disease patients, more new case of heart disease are being seen especially among younger age group in Kuwait. More attention needs to be given for hypertension, diabetes and obesity among young people, along with lifestyle changes. We hold World Heart Day to encourage the our community to lead a healthier lifestyle by taking more physical exercise and reducing the risk of heart disease through smoke-free living, healthy nutrition and weight control, amongst other measures. Children and adolescents who have balanced, nutritious diets, exercise regularly and resist the pressure to start smoking should grow into fit, healthy adults.
On behalf of Kuwait Heart Foundation my advice for heart healthy families is:
* Increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and decrease sugar and salt intake, for example by limiting sweets, soft drinks and manufactured snacks and using less salt when cooking.
* Limit energy intake from fats and shift consumption away from saturated fats such as butter, palm and coconut oils to unsaturated fats such as spreads.
* Prepare meals that are well-balanced and high in nutrition and include whole grains, lean meat and fish.
* Make exercise a part of your life. Enjoy at least 30 minutes of activity that raises your heartbeat each day and encourage children to participate in sports groups.
* If you are a smoker, try to quit or avoid smoking in the presence of your children — allow them to live in a smoke-free environment. Discuss the impact of tobacco on health with your children before they are faced with making their own decisions about smoking and warn them about the marketing tactics of the tobacco industry.
By finding out your level of risk you are taking a simple but significant step towards living a longer and better life. The only way to know if you are at risk is to visit a health-care professional for a check-up. Heart disease and stroke cause the equivalent of more than one death every two seconds, as many as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and diabetes, all forms of cancer and chronic respiratory disease combined.
-"Arab Times"
Friday 26 September 2008
WE ARE ALL EQUAL
We all have weaknesses and strengths. Good parts and not-so-good parts. No human being is perfect. Some people can do certain things better than others. He/she is not BETTER than you - merely DIFFERENT from you!.
All human beings are good. None is better than any other. We are all equal. We are all made in the image of GOD. "Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created all of us?"
All human beings are good. None is better than any other. We are all equal. We are all made in the image of GOD. "Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created all of us?"
PRAYER - May Peace Prevail on Earth
The Institute for World Peace through Prayer and Meditation organized a world-wide prayer and meditation effort. They attempted to synchronize the effort of over a billion people who are willing to pray or meditate for a half hour starting at 11:45 on 1998-DEC-31, Eastern (New York) time. This translates to 05:00 hr. on JAN-5, U.T. They have the same goal for future New Years Eves.
From their news release:
"Many of the great religions of the world believe that when groups of people come together to pray and meditate it has a powerful, positive and cohesive affect on the environment.
All of us are too aware that we live in troubled times - from crime in our neighborhoods to the breakup of many families to tension in the family of Nations. Too often we feel helpless - that we do not possess the tools or the talents to solve these problems.
Here is a wonderful opportunity for us all to come together for the greater good for ourselves, our families, our nation, and for all life on this planet. "
The institute suggests the following:
The following is a sample prayer but please feel free to create your own prayer as an individual or as a family or pick a prayer that you find personally meaningful.
How to Create a Prayer:
A prayer starts with Praise toward the Creator of the Universe.
Now is the time to ask the Creator of the Universe for what is important to you, your family, your nation and the world.
Next, it is good to give thanks to the Creator of the Universe.
Finally, give Praise to the Creator of the Universe.
Sample Prayer:
Dear God-
Praised are You who created the universe.
Thank You for giving me and my family life. Thank You Dear God for creating such glorious beauty in this world and thank You for giving me the ability to appreciate Your creation.
Please Dear God, I humbly ask You to shine Your love on me, my family and all people and may Your love bring perfect holiness, perfect health and peace, peace in my heart and soul, peace in my family, peace in my nation, and peace in the entire world.
Please Dear God, help me to know my highest purpose and to realize total success. Please grant me wisdom in order to best serve You here on earth.
Please Dear God, forgive me for my shortcomings in the past and help me to walk in Your ways from this day forward.
Thank You God for hearing my prayer and for giving me and all life, holiness, perfect health, peace, wisdom, success, and forgiveness.
Praise You Dear God who loves His creation and brings peace, love and holiness to all life.
May peace prevail on Earth.
Amen.
The Institute for World Peace through Prayer and Meditation is located in Seattle, WA:
President: Robert Max Schoenfeld.
Address: PO Box 18499, Seattle, WA 98118, USA
Phone: 206-721-1800
FAX: 206-721-3200
Email: RSchoenfeld@instituteforworldpeace.com
URL: http://www.instituteforworldpeace.com/index.html
From their news release:
"Many of the great religions of the world believe that when groups of people come together to pray and meditate it has a powerful, positive and cohesive affect on the environment.
All of us are too aware that we live in troubled times - from crime in our neighborhoods to the breakup of many families to tension in the family of Nations. Too often we feel helpless - that we do not possess the tools or the talents to solve these problems.
Here is a wonderful opportunity for us all to come together for the greater good for ourselves, our families, our nation, and for all life on this planet. "
The institute suggests the following:
The following is a sample prayer but please feel free to create your own prayer as an individual or as a family or pick a prayer that you find personally meaningful.
How to Create a Prayer:
A prayer starts with Praise toward the Creator of the Universe.
Now is the time to ask the Creator of the Universe for what is important to you, your family, your nation and the world.
Next, it is good to give thanks to the Creator of the Universe.
Finally, give Praise to the Creator of the Universe.
Sample Prayer:
Dear God-
Praised are You who created the universe.
Thank You for giving me and my family life. Thank You Dear God for creating such glorious beauty in this world and thank You for giving me the ability to appreciate Your creation.
Please Dear God, I humbly ask You to shine Your love on me, my family and all people and may Your love bring perfect holiness, perfect health and peace, peace in my heart and soul, peace in my family, peace in my nation, and peace in the entire world.
Please Dear God, help me to know my highest purpose and to realize total success. Please grant me wisdom in order to best serve You here on earth.
Please Dear God, forgive me for my shortcomings in the past and help me to walk in Your ways from this day forward.
Thank You God for hearing my prayer and for giving me and all life, holiness, perfect health, peace, wisdom, success, and forgiveness.
Praise You Dear God who loves His creation and brings peace, love and holiness to all life.
May peace prevail on Earth.
Amen.
The Institute for World Peace through Prayer and Meditation is located in Seattle, WA:
President: Robert Max Schoenfeld.
Address: PO Box 18499, Seattle, WA 98118, USA
Phone: 206-721-1800
FAX: 206-721-3200
Email: RSchoenfeld@instituteforworldpeace.com
URL: http://www.instituteforworldpeace.com/index.html
From BELIEF to LIFE.........
This for me is religion;
one God, one Race and one Belief.
“Do unto others without expectation and make sure that it is always for the good of society as a whole”.
one God, one Race and one Belief.
“Do unto others without expectation and make sure that it is always for the good of society as a whole”.
Thursday 25 September 2008
WAY OF LIFE
Way of Life
of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Blessed Mother Teresa Bojaxhiu of Calcutta, M.C.
People are often unreasonable, illogical,and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today,people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have,and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis,it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.
of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Blessed Mother Teresa Bojaxhiu of Calcutta, M.C.
People are often unreasonable, illogical,and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today,people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have,and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis,it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.
Right now!, my brother and sister... right now!
Don’t wait for your parents to die to shed tears of love,
… love them "right now"!
Don’t wait for the funeral of your neighborto talk well about him,
… do it "right now"!
Right now!, my brother and sister... right now!
… love them "right now"!
Don’t wait for the funeral of your neighborto talk well about him,
… do it "right now"!
Right now!, my brother and sister... right now!
Choice
"In every moment you have a CHOICE. You can choose to see the good or bad in people. Choose looking at someone's goodness, you will attract more of those qualities from others throughout your day. Choose looking at someone's badness, you will attract people who possess those qualities. So make up your mind. Do you feel like having a good or bad day? It's your CHOICE."
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