Author: Anil Malik

It is a general tendency of all people to take their sleep for granted. Some of us get to sleep when we are not supposed to sleep, and some of us do not get it when we want to. Sleep-related problems are common in most adults. Perhaps, the only time we humans sleep peacefully is during infancy, which is why the age-old adage of ‘sleep like a baby’ came into use. It is said that adults of any age, including elders, need anywhere between 6 to 8 hours of sleep every day. While elder people openly acknowledge or comment on lack of sleep, many young people do not even understand that they are getting less sleep. A slight sleepy feeling is normal after lunch, even according to experts. And a catnap at that time is rejuvenating for most people. However, feeling sleepy throughout the day, not being able to focus…

PROBIOTICS are known as “healthy bacteria” and refer to the live microorganisms that are present in fermented foods and cultured milk. When consumed in sufficient amounts, they exhibit favourable properties towards health, right from benefitting the skin to enhancing the immune system. Types of Probiotics Lactobacillus species-this refers to a group of lactic-acid-producing bacteria in the human gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. They are considered friendly bacteria and provide nutritional benefits like increasing the bioavailability of minerals. Bifidobacterium species- It uses glucose and, as a result, produces lactic and acetic acids in the form of by-products. Bacillus species- It is a lactic acid-producing bacteria, which might reduce harmful bacteria from taking charge and dominating our system Probiotic-rich foods 1 Yoghurt– It is a popular fermented dairy product, and is one of the best sources of probiotics as a carrier food. Apart from providing almost all the essential amino acids that our…

Old-time memories linger on and on, and you generally become happy while remembering those incidents, happenings and other things. There are certain things which become associated with your old memories, and one of them is Consumer Brands of good old days, which you may or may not see in the market now, but your memories are attached to those brands. I am listing below a few commercial brands which were quite popular in the 1970s and1980s: 1 Binaca Toothpaste This toothpaste was launched in  1950 in the country, and it was one of the top toothpaste brands till the 1980s. There was one more reason for the Binaca brand becoming popular was the radio program ‘Binaca Geetmala’, which was a weekly hit parade of Hindi film songs. In the 1990s, this brand was sold to some other consumer company, and this product/brand is extinct now. 2 Gold Spot It was…

Last Thursday (3rd August 2023), I wrote about why we should have General Physician (GP) and especially for seniors. In continuation of that, today I am writing about what to look for in GP, before you finalise him/her for yourself or for some other senior person. The tradition of having a family doctor is still practiced in many parts of our country. A family doctor is almost always a Physician who can understand the problem at hand and treat it or suggest which specialist you need to consult. Over the years these family doctors will get to know you and your family members and learn the medical history of each family member. If you have access to a family doctor you are one of the lucky ones. However, in times of urbanization, when people migrate to different cities, they might have to look for a GP with whom they can…

Mohd Rafi & RD Burman Fans of singer Rafi allege that RD Burman and his preference for Kishore Kumar spelled the lull in the career of Rafi, after Aaradhana (1969). It probably says something about how fate plays its hand and as portend of things to come, that a song composed by RD Burman sung by Rafi for Guru Dutt film remained unreleased, with the tune finding its way to Dev Anand’s Jewel Thief and becoming a blockbuster in the voice of  Kishore Kumar. It is true that right through the 1970s RD gave the majority of his songs to Kishore. It is also true that when Rafi’s career as a singer is mentioned, the composers who come to mind are Naushad, Madan Mohan, Shankar Jaikishan, Ravi, OP Nayyar, and SD Burman. RD rarely finds a mention. However, that is an incomplete understanding. Rafi won his only National Award as…

Why a General Physician General Physicians (GPs), also known as primary care doctors or family doctors, are crucial for providing all-around healthcare, especially to elderly patients. Going to a specialist doctor always might not be the best course of action, even though specialists have in-depth knowledge and competence in particular fields of medicine, there are some circumstances in which a GP may be more appropriate than a specialist. So, why is a general physician better suited than a specialist, especially for seniors? 1 Continuity of care and personalised treatment One of the primary benefits of GPs for elderly patients in India lies in the continuity of care they provide. By building enduring relationships, GPs offer individualized care that considers the overall health of the patient and any urgent medical concerns. By building long-term relationships with patients and their families, GPs become familiar with their medical history, lifestyle, and specific needs….

Our history has been distorted so much post-independence, that the generations which were born post-independence are unaware of the actual ancient history of our great civilization. These so-called great historians told us that it was the Brahmin community that deprived education to other castes of Hindus in the olden days, but the same historians never told us about the atrocities committed by Mughal Kings and Britishers on Hindus during their reign. As per these historians, we Hindus were not educated in the good old days. Now consider these facts, which are coming out from our history and were not even considered to be included in our education curriculum. 1 We were not educated then how come Shivkar B Talpade made the model of the modern airplane and flew the same on the banks of Chowpatty in Mumbai in the year 1897, in the presence of Bombay High Court justice MG…

We, Indians are quite familiar with GHEE-almost all our households have it in our kitchen. It is generally made in our Indian kitchens from the good olden days by removing the milk solids through skimming and straining to obtain ghee or clarified butter. Our ancestors knew the true value of pure ghee. The best ghee is the one that is made at home as it is pure and does not have any additives or preservatives, and it is often called desi ghee. As per our ancestor’s guidelines, ghee has to be consumed in moderation, not more than two or three teaspoons a day. It imparts multiple health benefits only if we eat it in moderation and with the right type of foods, which offer essential nutrients and minerals. After independence, the multinational companies started a narrative saying that ghee harms our overall health, makes us obese, can cause heart attack,…

In today’s weekend blog, I am writing about tennis, and the topic is the top ten men players who have won the most titles conducted by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) in the open era. The titles include Grand Slam titles and other tournaments run by ATP. 9 Ilie Nastase (Romania) and Pete Sampras (USA)- 64 titles. Nastase competed on the amateur tour before turning professional in 1969, and in the same year, he won his first title. He went on to lift another 63 trophies including the 1972 US Open and the 1973 French Open. Pete Sampras’s first ever ATP title came at the US Pro Indoor in Feb 1990, and 12 years later he would retire after winning title No. 64 at US Open. He, of course, left the game with 14 Grand Slams, which was an open-era record at that time. 8 Bjorn Borg (Sweeden)- 66…

Eating nutritious food is essential for your body’s longevity, but many assume that a healthy diet is expensive, but in reality in the long run it s cost-effective. Without further ado, these healthy ingredients are ones you should consider adding to your daily grocery list. Not only they will save you money and drastically improve your quality of life, but they can also be delicious too. 1 Kiwi– This fruit has the power to boost our immune system. It is so high in Vitamin C that one is enough to cover 85% of the recommended dietary intake. The fruit is rich in Vitamin E also, which is an antioxidant. High in fibres, low in calories, and full of vitamins, this fruit is a great addition to your everyday diet. 2 Spinach– It contains vitamins and minerals like Vitamin E and magnesium that work wonders in supporting your immune system. This…