My Birthday wish!!!!!

                       

                               When I was small, I had a wish that every child has:  every day should b my birthday. There was innocence in this wish a I got to wear a new dress to the school, a step out of the daily school uniform; where birthday greetings n wishes made my morning sweetest; beautiful birthday cards with words way too philosophical were my precious treasure; gifts  needed d most received with a big smile……;  celebration with friends n families around, decorated house; birthday cake, sweets, ice creams without restrictions on eating; no scolding n spanking for the whole day no matter how much I play pranks, lots of kisses, hugs and love from parents, grandparents, siblings, relatives so much so that it could last 4 d whole year .  But I never bothered that I was growing up a year with every birthday.

                

                        Now when I am older, I still wish that wish. Not for the innocence, but a silent wish to get out of this humdrum life. Now I wish I would be greeted with a birthday kiss, a hug, greetings from my loved, dear and near ones  through phone, chat, mail or social networking sites ,or some soothing words from friends whom I hear only once a year, who take little bit of their precious time from their busy life on this special day. So I wish for  those gifts which are gifted out of love, not for necessity, those cards whose words really matter to me and mean only 4 me, a cake which I can share with my loved ones, kisses , hugs and love from those whom I miss, whom I lost, which will be never tiring!!!! But I still never bother on aging with every year as I am still child at heart!!!!!

 

                  This is for all those whom I love, care n remember and who love, care n remember me!!!!!!!!!!!

                

Genetically Modified foods (GM foods) - Miracles or Monsters?????

    

                           

                     Genetically Modified foods (or GM foods) are foods derived from genetically modified micro organisms. Genetically modified organisms have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques. These techniques are much more precise than mutagenesis (mutation breeding) where an organism is exposed to radiation or chemicals to create a non-specific but stable change. Other techniques by which humans modify food organisms include selective breeding, plant breeding and animal breeding.

        

                            

                                  GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990's. Typically, genetically modified foods are transgenic plant products: rice, cotton, tomatao, brinjal, soybean, corn, canola, and cotton seed oil, etc. Animal products have also been developed, none are currently on the market. In 2006, a pig was controversially engineered to produce omega-3 fatty acids. Researchers have also developed a genetically-modified breed of pigs that are able to absorb plant phosphorus more efficiently, and as a consequence the phosphorus content of their manure is reduced by as much as 60%. Critics have objected to GM foods on several grounds, including safety issues, ecological concerns, and economic concerns raised by the fact that these organisms are subject to intellectual property law.

     

                      The first commercially grown genetically modified whole food crop was a tomato (called FlavrSavr), which was modified to ripen without softening, by Calgene, later a subsidiary of Monsanto. Calgene took the initiative to obtain FDA approval for its release in 1994 without any special labeling, although legally no such approval was required. It was welcomed by consumers who purchased the fruit at a substantial premium over the price of regular tomatoes. However, production problems and competition from a conventionally bred, longer shelf-life variety prevented the product from becoming profitable.

          A tomato produced using similar technology to the Flavr Savr was used by Zeneca to produce tomato paste which was sold in Europe during the summer of 1996.The labeling and pricing were designed as a marketing experiment, which proved, at the time, that European consumers would accept genetically engineered foods. Currently, there are number of food species in which a genetically modified version exists.

                While it is evident that there is a food supply issue, the question is whether GM can solve world hunger problems, or even if that would be the best way to address the issue. Several scientists argue that in order to meet the demand for food in the developing world, a second Green Revolution with increased use of GM crops is needed. Others argue that there is more than enough food in the world and that the hunger crisis is caused by problems in food distribution and politics, not production. Recently some critics and environmentalists have changed their minds on the issue with respect to the need for additional food supplies. Further, it has been widely noted that there are those who consider over-population the real issue here, and that food production is adequate for any reasonable population size.

         Genetic modification is analogous to nuclear power: nobody loves it, but climate change has made its adoption imperative.    Genetic modification offers both faster crop adaptation and a biological, rather than chemical, approach to yield increase.

         On the other hand, many believe that GM food has not been a success and that we should devote our efforts and money into another solution. “We need biodiversity intensification that works with nature’s nutrient and water cycles, not against them,” says Vandana Shiva, the founder of Navdanya, the movement of 500,000 seed keepers and organic farmers in India, argues that GMF's have not increased yields.

         

                    Some claim that genetically modified food help farmers produce, despite the odds or any environmental barriers. While new technology must be tested before it is commercially released, we should be mindful of the risks of not releasing it at all. Anti-science ideology misguidance and failure by governments to prioritize agricultural and rural development in developing countries brought us the food crisis.

              

         There has been a fair consolidation of the nation's food system into the hands of a few multinationals. Global agricultural companies controls the commercial seed market as they develop, license and market genetically altered corn, soybeans and other crops, manipulating the seed market by buying up independent seed companies, patenting seed products, and then spiking prices.  

                  

             
               Leave apart the GM foods, Think of the poverty stricken and hungry African nations like Somalia. 

            Whether GM foods stay or not, the main question in front of us is how do we combat food crisis in the world??

           The challenge we face is not the challenge of whether we have enough resources to produce, but whether we will change our behavior!!!!!

WOMAN - WHO ARE YOU?

She is conceived a human, born as a girl, called a daughter, becomes a sister, remains a friend for ever, grows up into a wife, transforms into a mother,mother in law and grandmother and so on....... But ultimately everything culminates into this wonderful being called "WOMEN". 

                    





 I SALUTE TO ALL THOSE WONDERFUL WOMEN IN THE WORLD WHO MADE THIS WORLD AND KEEPS IT GOING STRONG AND UNITED NO MATTER WHAT COMES AHEAD!!!!!!

                      BUT WOMAN'S DAY CAN ONLY BE CALLED HAPPY WHEN ATROCITIES AND INEQUALITY TOWARD THEM ENDS AND THEY ARE JUST NOT CONSIDERED AN OBJECT OF ENTERTAINMENT,BUT AN EMBODIMENT OF

W-   WATCHFUL,
O-    OMNIPRESENT,
M-   MENTOR,
E-    ENDURING,
N-    NEUTRAL

HUMAN BEING


JAI MATA!!!

A CURE FOR INCURABLE OBESITY

                 Severe obesity is a chronic condition that is difficult to treat through diet and exercise alone. Bariatric surgery (reducing the size of the stomach) is an option for people who are severely obese and cannot lose weight by traditional means or who suffer from serious obesity-related health problems. The operation promotes weight loss and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by restricting food intake and, in some operations, interrupting the digestive process to prevent the absorption of some calories and nutrients. Recent studies suggest that bariatric surgery may even have a favorable impact on mortality (death) rates in severely obese patients. The best results are achieved when bariatric surgery is followed with healthy eating behaviors and regular physical activity.

             You may be a candidate for surgery if you are an adult with:

1. A body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more or a BMI between 35 and 39.9 and a serious   obesity-related health problem such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, or severe sleep apnea (when breathing stops for short periods during sleep).

     2. Acceptable operative risks.

     3. An ability to participate in treatment and long-term follow-up.

     4. An understanding of the operation and the lifestyle changes you will need to make.

           Normally, as food moves along the digestive tract, digestive juices and enzymes digest and absorb calories and nutrients. After we chew and swallow our food, it moves down the esophagus to the stomach, where a strong acid continues the digestive process. When the stomach contents move to the duodenum, the first segment of the small intestine, bile and pancreatic juice speed up digestion. Most of the iron and calcium in the food we eat is absorbed in the duodenum. The jejunum and ileum, the remaining two segments of the nearly 20 feet of small intestine, complete the absorption of almost all calories and nutrients. The food particles that cannot be digested in the small intestine are stored in the large intestine until eliminated.

Bariatric surgery produces weight loss by restricting food intake and, in some cases, interfering with nutrition through mal-absorption. Patients who undergo bariatric surgery must also commit to a lifetime of healthy eating and regular physical activity. These healthy habits help ensure that the weight loss from surgery is successfully maintained.

There are many types of Bariatric surgery such as adjustable gastric band (AGB), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), etc. Each has its own benefits and risks. To select the option that is best for you, you should consult your physician on each operation’s benefits and risks along with many other factors, including BMI, eating behaviors, obesity-related health conditions, and previous operations.                  Bariatric surgery may be performed through “open” approaches or by laproscopy. Most bariatric surgery today is performed laproscopically because it requires a smaller cut, creates less tissue damage, leads to earlier discharges from the hospital, and has fewer complications, especially postoperative hernias. However, not all patients are suitable for laparoscopy. Patients who are extremely obese, who have had previous abdominal surgery, or have complicating medical problems may require the open approach. But with every advance in science, you get add-on of complications. Early complications of these operations can include bleeding, infection, leaks from the site where the intestines are sewn together, and blood clots in the legs that can progress to the lungs and heart. Complications that may occur later include malnutrition, especially in patients who do not take their prescribed vitamins and minerals. In some cases, if the malnutrition is not addressed promptly, vitamin deficient diseases and malnutrition disorders such as pellagra, Beri- Beri, and kwashiorkor may occur along with permanent damage to the nervous system. Other late complications include strictures (narrowing of the sites where the intestine is joined) and hernias.              Research indicates that about 10 percent of patients who undergo bariatric surgery may have unsatisfactory weight loss or regain much of the weight that they lost. Some behaviors such as frequent snacking on high-calorie foods or lack of exercise can contribute to inadequate weight loss. Technical problems that may occur with the operation, like a stretched pouch or separated stitches, may also contribute to inadequate weight loss. Some patients may also require emotional support to help them through the postoperative changes in body image and personal relationships.                  Rates of obesity among youth are on the rise. Bariatric surgery is sometimes considered as a treatment option for adolescents who have developed extreme obesity. Although it is becoming clear that adolescents can lose weight following bariatric surgery, there are numerous unanswered questions about the long-term effects of these operations on adolescents’ developing bodies and minds.              Experts in pediatric obesity and bariatric surgery recommend that surgical treatment only be considered when adolescents have tried for at least 6 months to lose weight and have not been successful. Candidates should be extremely obese (typically with BMI greater than 40), have reached their adult height (usually 13 or older for girls and 15 or older for boys), and have serious weight-related health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, heart disease, or significant functional or psychosocial impairment. In addition, potential patients and their parents should be evaluated to see how emotionally prepared they are for the operation and the lifestyle changes they will need to make. Patients should be referred to specialized adolescent bariatric surgery centers with a team of experts qualified to meet their unique needs.              A growing body of research suggests that both weight and health of extremely obese youth can be favorably changed by bariatric surgery. Over the years, gastric bypass surgery has been the predominant operation used to treat adolescent extreme obesity. Even though this surgery is gaining momentum internationally, India also has some successful cases of bariatric surgery to its credit mostly involving obese children.

                      But surgery has its own side effects, so it’s always better to lead a healthy life than to go under the knife.

CURRENT TRENDS AND CHALLENGES OF MIDDLE EAST HOSPITALITY SECTOR

Hospitality means providing service to others, demonstrating consistent excellence and quality and profitably providing value at any price level. Holistically, hospitality should be a “place”, where people can still be exceptional individuals. 

The tourism markets of the Middle East might be described as one of the world's first "tourist" and dynamic regional destinations, having served an extraordinary role in the confluence of cultures and religions for thousands of years. With world-class infrastructure, facilities and an excellent geographic location on the world stage, the Middle East is expected to emerge as one of the world’s most competitive landscapes offering value tourism and conference experiences to a worldwide customer base.

                     The landscape is evolving quickly as hotels become more social and engaging in their marketing efforts, best value propositions and property upgrades and improvements. Despite all this, there are some glitches and trends expected to dominate the Middle East hospitality sector in the next five years. One of the important trends is Technology which has become a tourism business activity in development of strategic resources and increasing competitiveness. Effective use of advanced software and communication tools allow enlarging operational efficiency. Decision making through decision support tools, databases and modeling tools assist the manager’s job. Cloud computing and Wireless communication systems such as intelligent system software, lightweight, hands-free or handheld communication devices allow hotel staff to deliver the best customer service. This has led to hotels in the Middle East in embracing new channels to connect with their guests, from Twitter concierge services to smart phone applications for check-in services. But this also brings with it some interesting challenges. Within an on-site, private network, connecting to different applications and systems within that network is a relatively straight-forward process. If each of those applications is outsourced—often to different vendors—connecting them becomes far more challenging. 

                  The second main challenge lies in the increased concern with guests’ safety and security. After decades of political instability, restoring peace offers the exciting prospect of the region regaining its historic prominence with visitors from the "four corners" of the world. Another challenge lies in tapping the broad opportunities for cultural tourism, other types of leisure and recreational travel, and further developing the infrastructure and services to enrich and extend visitations. There is a significant imbalance of hospitality infrastructure relative to growth potential in certain parts of the region - notably Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Iran and Lebanon. 

               Another uphill task is customer satisfaction which has a clear linkage to actual financial outcomes. The hospitality industry, traditionally more focused on the physical product, is waking up to a consumer who is demanding consistent delivery of the brand promise. Getting things right is important such as accurate reservations, check-ins, uninterrupted stay and no billing errors. One of the few constraints to the development of a substantial increase in tourism will be adequate infrastructure. For the Middle East to fully realize its promise, collaboration among tourism agencies and the easing o f travel restrictions also will be of paramount importance. Transportation access continues to be an issue in tourism growth. Inter regional travel has been constrained by virtue of political barriers raised by countries. Lowering of these barriers as the peace negotiations progress would be a boon to tourism, allowing more fluid movement of travelers throughout the Middle East. The correlation between price and value is very important for the perceptive guests of today. In recent years, online consumers have also become increasingly value conscious, with the Internet providing unlimited scope for price comparison and greater transparency of the guest experience on a global scale. 

             Alongside these known challenges and risks, the industry also has to manage the impact of the unknown such as Economic uncertainty, volatile oil prices, fluctuating exchange rates and variable demand present ongoing challenges to owners, operators and investors alike. The next five years will herald the era of a consumer-led brand focus for the Middle east hospitality industry. Despite this optimistic outlook, as economic conditions continue to remain uncertain and governments face an uphill battle to pay off their huge deficits, value-conscious consumers will remain a key feature in the post recessionary landscape across all segments of the market. Finally at the dawn of a new world order for the tourism and hospitality industry, the question is will the Middle East Hospitality sector adopt the right strategy to win an opportunity to be a game changer in the global tourism industry?

                 We will have to wait n watch!!!!!!!!