Posts by Neena Bhandari

Almost Goa

By Neena Bhandari

Diu (India), 22.03.2008 (The Australian): Characterised by its blink-and-miss inconspicuousness, little Diu is just a dot off the west coast of India. The island’s quaint blend of Gujarati culture and Portuguese legacy has long fascinated me, so there is good reason to break our journey in Mumbai and hop on a plane to explore this time-warp ingredient in the cultural melting pot of India.

After a 40-minute flight northwest over the Arabian Sea, we arrive at Diu airport, a small airstrip surrounded by sea and palm trees. With the propellers lazily spinning to a halt, we take a quick picture, only to be ushered aside by security staff. We are told photography at Indian airports is strictly prohibited. Sadly, we have to delete our prized first picture.

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Pay homage to the king

By Neena Bhandari

Sasan Gir (India), 22.03.2008 (The Sunday Age): A lion’s thunderous roar penetrates the quiet, sending me into a spin. The red numerals on the bedside clock are fuzzy at 0400 as I fumble for the torch. A second roar reverberates through the lodge and I try to muffle the sound with a pillow, but all vestiges of sleep have vanished. Fear and excitement grip me at the thought of my first date with the king of the jungle.

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Chronic Diseases Bigger Threat than Terrorism

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 29.02.2008 (IPS): International health experts and activists are calling for immediate global action to avert the looming epidemic of preventable chronic diseases which will kill 388 million people in the next decade, threatening economies in the developed and developing worlds.

Poor diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use are said to be contributing to preventable chronic diseases including heart disease/stroke, diabetes, cancers and chronic lung disease responsible for nearly 60 percent of the world’s
deaths.

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