Indians celebrate festivals, Australia benefits

21/01/2016 0 Comments read Business and Trade, Diaspora

By Neena Bhandari,

Sydney, 21.01.2016 (Business Standard, India): Come October and with the ripening of mangoes, the Indian community in Australia gears up for festivities that not only provide business opportunities for the Diaspora, but also make a substantial contribution to the local economy.

Diwali has been added to Australia’s multicultural calendar as one of the largest festivals. Organised by the Hindu Council of Australia (HCA) in Sydney and Celebrate India Inc. in Melbourne, the festival provides a platform for corporations and small businesses to showcase their wares. From banks and telecom companies, apparel and cuisine, henna and jewellery to media and entertainment, the festival has also found sponsors in the local and state government organisations.

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Is ayurveda the key to universal healthcare in India?

28/05/2015 0 Comments read Health & Science

Photo Credit: © Neena Bhandari

By Neena Bhandari

Kochi, 28.05.2015 (BMJ): Many Indians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, think that integrating the ancient medical system of ayurveda with allopathic medicine is the key to providing universal healthcare, perhaps because practitioners of traditional medicine remain the primary healthcare providers for millions of people in South East Asia, especially in rural areas.

Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest medical systems. “Ayur” means “life” and “veda” means “knowledge” in Sanskrit. It is based on the concept that each person’s body (prakriti) comprises three doshas or bodily humours (vata, pitta, and kapha) and that disease results from their imbalance. However, there is no conclusive scientific evidence to support the literal existence of doshas. Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe individualised preventive and curative interventions, such as herbal formulations, diet, massage, exercise, yoga, and lifestyle recommendations.1

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India Needs to Focus on Its Polio Survivors

30/04/2015 0 Comments read Disability, Health & Science, Poliomyelitis

By Neena Bhandari

The Indian Government, Non-Governmental Organisations and the larger community must invest in rehabilitating millions of polio survivors facing new physical, social, cultural and economic challenges.

India was certified polio-free by the World Health Organisation on 27 March 2014. Polio immunisation has been a great success story of public-private health partnership, but now we need to replicate this to improving the lives of people living with polio.

Unlike the developed world, millions of polio survivors in India are still very young. They will need treatment and support for many more years to come. Doctors, orthotists and physiotherapists need to be trained to recognise and manage the debilitating effects of Post-Polio Syndrome [PPS]. It is also time to count and document the number of polio survivors and the problems they are facing today.

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