Is media hyperventilating Swine Flu?

How loudly should a responsible person shout (or Whisper) “Possible Fire!” in a crowded theatre? Noting can be louder when news channels overreact to almost every crisis they report. This is quite evident when three deaths in Pune, recently, were wrongly ascribed to the Swine Flu without waiting for test results.

We all agree Swine Flu (H1NI) awareness is needed. But is there a need for media to see the world in a tabloid form always? Is there a need to hyperventilate and spread more misconceptions than correct medical position and scientific information on the Flu?

There is an immediate need to balance the act of staying informed about the danger without being carried away by fear created by media’s “over – hyping” of Swine Flu.

What is Influenza?
Influenza commonly referred to as Flu is a seasonal viral infection. We all are affected by it at least once in a year and then become immune to, in most cases, through our natural immunity system. Common symptoms are chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.

How is Swine Flu different?
Influenza A (H1N1) virus is just a subtype of influenza A, the most common cause of flu in humans. Swine Flu refers to influenza caused by any strain of the influenza virus endemic in pigs (swine) and rare in humans. The outbreak of flu due to a new strain of swine-origin H1N1 was responsible for the 2009 flu pandemic. This strain is commonly called "swine flu" or H1N1 flu by media.

How is it transmitted?
Typically, influenza is transmitted through the air by coughs or sneezes. It can also be transmitted by bird droppings, saliva, nasal secretions, feces and blood, contact with these body fluids or through contact with contaminated surfaces. We need to take care of children, elderly and people who have less immunity.

General Precautions.
Basic hygiene, close contact with sick people and avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth, washing our hands often with soap and detergent will help us more to protect us from germs. If affected then it makes more civic sense to stay at home from work for school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Do Face Masks Help?
Use of face masks and respirators do help to some extent but should be combined with other preventive measures for effective prevention and spreading of virus. N95 respirator mask, however are more effective than wearing normal surgical or dental mask as a fashion statement.

If our government is really taking measurable steps to fight H1N1 then these masks should be provided free of cost, if not then certainly not at a premium rate under Drug Act. It is also advisable to avoid crowded places and air-conditioned cinema halls where recalculated air leads to higher multiplication of the virus density.

Treatment
Amantadine and Rimantadine are indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza A or common flu while Antiviral: Oseltamivir (brand name Tami flu®) and Zanamivir (brand name Relenza ®) - are primarily recommended for the treatment and prevention of swine flu H1N1 virus infection.

If we remember two years ago SARS was blown out of proportion and what happened was humans developed immunity to the virus. The same could happen again and who knows our body is already developing the immunity, so why to get panic.

In India, we all know that infections like measles, Tetanus, Anemia, Diarrhea and other respiratory tract infections, unhygienic practices and unsafe drinking water take toll of thousands every year, which media has never hyped about, perhaps .

It is ironical that some of the best medical centers are either still not equipped to handle an emergency case of Swine Flu or perhaps are not willing to attend such cases. The health authorities perhaps have more excuses saying “It is too early to detect the virus or possibly too late”.

In such a situation when public health officials around the world who are trying to stress that people should be prepared for an emergency, even if one never materializes. To continue the metaphor, they are just whispering loudly, “Make sure the theater has fire extinguishers!”

Vodafone - Tired to Help!

Vodafone’s Zoo Zoo’s ads might have made more hits than twenty20 itself. However it has always been more pleasing to watch the commitment coming from Spike – the cute little Pug to the pretty girl - VODAFONE - HAPPY TO HELP

No doubt Vodafone Essar rate themselves as the “Most Creative and Most Effective Advertisement of the Year”

My eagerness to find out this commitment turned out to be a nightmare after I called up Delhi customer care at 111 to reconfirm my payment towards my mobile bills.

I could have avoided this, if had realised that I was roaming in Delhi. What was more surprising was the executive who attended the phone did not recognise my Vodafone no which was registered in Mumbai.

It was even more surprising to know that a Vodafone customer having an account in Mumbai can’t get much assistance in Delhi and has to call Mumbai Customer care at 9820098200 which is a charged call. (I believe this could be a new regulation from TRAI. This is what was told to me by Mr. Neeraj Dubey Supervisor on duty, Vodafone Customer care Mumbai). Another reason could be that they have more than 78.08 million satisfied subscribers.

I being a customer at the mercy of a service provider hoped to get some favourable feedback from the supervisors. However it was more disappointing to the call being dropped while being transferred at least 10 times.

Whether it was intentional or a technical snag still remains a mystery but I am at least happy to recollect the names of customer care executives in Delhi. Vijay, Shefali, Satyanarayan, Iqbal and supervisors like Vipin Kausihik and Ratan Singh. The floor Manager on Duty Mr. Atul Gulati did not care much on the quality control and my concern. Perhaps it was not that important for him to attend. I have no reason to blame if I had understood on my very first call that Essar Vodafone speaks different language and has a different profile in each city.

In spite of keeping a different profile, I sincerely appreciate the uniformity in the verbiage - We ARE HAPPY TO HELP YOU from the equally dissatisfied customer care executives. It is ironical to lean that they are always eager to place a customer on a short hold yet prepared to apologise for their long hold.

Out of desperation, when called Mumbai customer, I was fond that the IVR does not have the facility to reach the customer care directly. One has to complete the entire loop and think where to go next. The easiest way after dialling twice, I thought would be to go through buying a new connection and I was quite lucky to be attended quickly Why not have additional call revenue as well as a prospective client.

Vipin, the customer care execute in Mumbai was quite proactive and helpful and told me the payment has been received and my line would be activated at the earliest. The verbiage of course changed from 2 hours to ASAP as two hours had elapsed since I had made the payment.

I wanted to share my experiences of Delhi Customer Care with the supervisor in Mumbai and Vipin proactively transferred my call to Mr. Neeraj Dubai. Having an account in Mumbai I was hopeful to get a favourable reply. However Mr. Dubey was quite blunt and wanted to make it short and sweet to avoid any further doubts of any kind in future.

Mr. Dubey confirmed as per latest TRAI regulations a customer has to call up the home city for any major concern. He also clarified that it was not necessary for a Delhi customer care executive to recognise a Vodafone no. registered in Mumbai. I was also surprised to know it is no more mandatory for the executives to complete the interaction notes after each call. Most of the system based companies call it CRM; I believe Vodafone calls it something else according to Mr. Dubey. Whatever they name it, I believe customers should make their own records for the safety of their concern and avoid any discrepancy.

Finally but not the least one can be sure of getting marketing calls and messages promptly once you become a customer not only on the mobile but also on your alternate landline. I believe it is high time we have some Data Protection Act, if not the privacy of an individual should be respected.

In love with my God.

Recently I had a very close conversation with God. Everyone seemed to be working against me. Having being unemployed for almost three months finances were bad. Debts were increasing and I was not in a position to do my duties as I wanted. Things at personal front also seemed not to be in my favour. My conversations with God increased and I started falling in love with him as there was something very positive. During these constant conversations I put forward a request to meet him as all seemed virtual.

Soon I started feeling God and the virtual started turning to reality. Whenever I shared my problems, God just smiled and said "Take care of yourself and I will take care of everything. When I asked God how am I going to repay for everything he has done. God only smiled and said “You just love others with compassion, humility and identify love with all and everything will come back to me. He said "Don’t to let any of my words fall on the ground. Let it seep through the fertile heart and reap a harvest of love and joy." These words are still resonating within me with a question what if I fail to repay and at the same time gave me an inspiration to move forward with love and a more positive energy and commitment from my soul.

This is not something new or what we have never experienced. Even before we are born we are in constant conversation with the outside world and the strong vibrations resonating from our mothers touch puts our mind to rest. This conversation becomes more evident and loud the moment we step into this world. They become more frequent and cluttered as we move ahead in life. Things start becoming blurred when we start comparing ourselves with others at the time focused it we look within ourselves.

We are happy the moment things come in our favour and we take pride in our merits and fail to thank God. If things don’t work out in our favour we are upset and conveniently blame it on our destiny. The easier thing to satisfy our ego would be to blame it on others or question God. It is ironical we call him Almighty and still doubt his justice.

Have we ever realised that if everything starts coming our way then we are in the wrong track. Have we failed to realise that we were born out of nothing yet we have a much deeper and unconditional commitment to fulfil our duties towards our own self and others without expectations. If this may be true then what we have to lose. Everything we have with us today is all what we have gained. This is karma, a commitment which steers our life in a particular direction, towards a particular goal which is always positive as it is predefined by God. This goal is virtual and can be termed realistic only if we are contended with the result.

During this course we meet many people during our course of journey. Some bad some good. Some are with us for a moment, some for a short while and some for a longer time. Each one is sent by God for a specific purpose and a particular reason, as angels of god to be with us. If we look back and analyse even our bad or the worst situations, as we felt, were for a purpose to guide us or perhaps teach us something new. It is we who chose what to take and what to leave and if it was our choice why don’t we take the responsibility for what we are today. If we have not gained anything, we can’t deny that they have certainly made us wise.

We all know there are not accidents in this universe. God has no favourites. Every fruit we eat has to be peeled before we enjoy and he gives everyone what they deserve. This is Karma. He also shows us the path of Dharma which is inevitable. It is we who make this process complicated by comparing. It depends on us to choose to be contended by having been gifted with what others don’t have or remain in a conflict and unhappy by choosing to look at what others have without making an positive and measurable effort to do our duties.

If we have to blame God then why we go to bed with plans for tomorrow when we have no assurance to wake up alive the next morning. A young baby does not question you when you throw him in the air, but just laughs because he trust you and knows you will catch him.

I would like to share which was sent by one of my friend “Once, all villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of the prayer all people gathered and only one boy came with an umbrella". This is faith.

Thank god for everything what I have today and love you for being with me today as this is the only true spirit to give oneself a loving identification and implicit obedience of spiritual injunctions.

Eastern & Oriental Express

If the intrigue of Orient - Express can make a perfect setting for Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient- Express", there can’t be anything more parallel to romantic and luxury travel as exploring South East Asia on board the Eastern & Oriental Express.

(Photo courtesy of Orient Express)

South East Asia has always been renowned as a travellers' paradise, a place of intense natural beauty, spiritual tranquillity and historical intrigue. With its inaugural journey in September 1993 the Eastern & Oriental Express quickly built for itself a highly regarded reputation as providing one of the most adventurous and exciting rail journeys in the world.

In 1991, following the success of its European continental train, the Orient-Express company acquired New Zealand’s famed Silver Star, transported it to Southeast Asia and, following refurbishment, re-christened it the Eastern & Oriental Express (E&O). The train maintains the same charm as other Orient-Express products such as the British Pullman, and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

Today, the Eastern & Oriental Express carries passengers in luxury between Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. It runs 1, 262 miles between Singapore's Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and Hua Lamphong, Bangkok, stopping at Kuala Lumpur Sentral, Butterworth and Kanchanaburi on its three days (two nights) Programme.

The Singapore - Bangkok route is one of the most famous routes where the Eastern & Oriental Express train, seen in part stopping at the old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, Malaysia. The station was once an E&O Express stop before the opening of Kuala Lumpur Sentral in 2001. The train travels through dense rainforests and towering mountains past golden temples, rubber plantations and remote towns and villages.

Since 2007, the train has also travelled between Bangkok and Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. Although the train originally ran just between Singapore and Bangkok, today Eastern & Orient Express operates a total of nine new itineraries covering Bangkok-Vientiane, Laos and itineraries including Chiang Mai and varies from 1 - 7 night programmes in luxurious air-conditioned private cabins with private baths, with an option of 36 Pullmans, 28 State Compartments and 2 Presidential Suites. All sleeping compartments are panelled with cherry wood and elm burr and adorned with decorative marquetry and intricate inlays. All have 24-hour service, called by a bell. The program covers all meals and included sightseeing. Prices vary from GBP 740 – 1700 Per person (approx.)
Breakfast and afternoon tea are served in your compartment; lunch and dinner are taken in the two restaurant cars, lavishly decorated with rosewood and elm panelling. Dining on board is a highlight: the train’s food service has received international accolades for the blending of Western and Eastern culinary styles. Food and service are of the high level of all Orient-Express-owned trains and hotels.

Whichever journey one decides to take, they are assured of the highest quality food and service while enjoying dramatic views across the South East Asian landscape.