Cardamom or Elettaria Cardamomum Maton is one of the most highly prized and exotic spices and rightly deserves the name “queen of spices”. It is also commonly referred to as the “green cardamom” or the “true cardamom”, and belongs to the family of ginger. The use of this spice dates back to at least 4000 years. This is one spice that is simply unbeatable in taste, flavour, and aroma. One has to experience it to explain it. Originally, cardamom grew wildly along the Western Ghats in South India. This region even to this day is known as Cardamom Hills. Later in 1914, the cardamom travelled a bit. A German coffee planter by the name of Oscar Majus Klöffer decided to take it with him to Guatemala. Today this country tops the list of exporters, with India coming a close second. Price wise, cardamom ranks right at the top alongside other spices like vanilla and saffron. However, when it comes to the honours for popularity, nothing can beat this multi-faceted spice. It fits in brilliantly with both sweet and savouries, and from Finnish bread to Bangladeshi tea, one cannot miss its presence.

Cultivation

The planting of cardamom should be well planned. Shady trees like balangi, cedar and elangi should be grown first, as these form a canopy under which the cardamom plants grow. Cultivation is done through seeds or propagation by vegetative means through suckers. The latter is the most preferred method. Long, trailing leafy stalks grow from the base of the plant, and they are the bearers of the fruit. The cardamom flower is green in colour with a white purple veined tip. The fruit is known as a “capsule” and these are harvested only when they ripen. These crops thrive best in temperatures between 15 degrees and 35 degrees. Monsoons are the apt planting time, as these plants grow best in light drizzles and cloudy conditions. Cardamom plants are “high maintenance”. Regular weeding, frequent watering during the hot summer months, ensuring sufficient light during the monsoons, ample shade during the summers and organic moisturising are round the year activities that take place on a cardamom plantation. Apart from this, fertilisers are used to keep pests away from the fruit.

The plants start bearing fruit in the 2nd or 3rd year of plantation. They are harvested when the fruits reach the ripened stage. This is one fruit which to-date is harvested by hand. This is the primary reason why it is so expensive. Once harvested, these capsules are then sun-dried or machine-dried depending on the weather conditions. Cardamom is graded on the basis of size and colour. In order to retain their green colour, once dry, they are packed in black polythene bags. Cardamom requires a lot of care and timing is a very crucial factor. So, the next time you come across one in your plate, remember that it took a lot to reach you.

Uses

Cardamom, in spite of being pricey and exclusive, is a much-wanted ingredient, not just from a gastronomical but also from a medicinal perspective. It is also a sought-after remedy for dental issues like gum and teeth infections. It is used as an antidote for both snake and scorpion venom. Traditional Indian medicine also makes use of this spice in a variety of ways. Today there is a lot of speculation that it may also help fight cancer. The versatile spice even finds its way into perfumeries.

Black Cardamom

There are two versions of this wondrous spice called cardamom. While one is green, small, petite, delicate and totally consumable, the other is dark brown, big, has a hard exterior and only its seeds can be eaten. Another interesting fact is that the black cardamom is 3 times the size of the green one. Called amomum subulatum/amomum costatum scientifically, it’s grown mainly in the Eastern Himalayas – the region comprising Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan. This cardamom plant can grow up to 5 feet in height. Black cardamom pods have thick, dried and wrinkled skin and are often referred to as the large cardamom or Moti Elaichi due its size.
 

 

 

 

 Assamese food has an interesting flavor profile owing to the unique ingredients and the different ways food dishes are prepared. The style of cooking in Assamese food dishes is a mix of preferences favoured by those in the hills that involve fermentation and those of the plains, which comprises local fresh produce and an abundance of fish.

 

Components of a typical Assamese Meal

Typically, a local Assamese meal consists of many things such as bhat (rice) with dal (lentils), masor jhol (fish stew), mangxô (meat stew), and stir-fried greens or herbs and vegetables. The two main characteristics of a traditional meal in Assam are khar (or alkali, named after its main ingredient) and tenga (preparations bearing a characteristically rich and tangy flavor). Khorika is smoked or fire-grilled meat eaten with meals. Commonly consumed varieties of meat including mutton, fowl, duck/goose, fish, pigeon, pork, and beef (among Muslim, Christian, and indigenous Assamese communities). Grasshoppers, locusts, silkworms, snails, eels, wildfowl, squab and other birds, and venison are also eaten, albeit in moderation

Another interesting ingredient of Assamese food is khorisa (fermented bamboo shoots), which are used at times to flavour curries. They can also be preserved and made into pickles. Koldil (banana flower) and squash are also used in popular culinary preparations of Assamese food dishes.

A variety of different rice cultivars are grown and consumed in different ways, viz roasted ground, boiled, or just soaked.

The star of Assamese food is fish. Fish curries made of free-range wild fish as well as Bôralí, rôu, illish, or sitôl are the most popular in Assamese food dishes.

Another favourite food combination is luchi (fried flatbread) and curry.

Assamese food is often served in bell metal dishes and platters like Kanhi and Maihang.

Home-brewed Drinks

Many indigenous Assamese communities’ households still continue to brew their traditional alcoholic beverages such as Laupani, Xaaj, Paniyo, Jou, Joumai, Hor, and Apang. Such local beverages are served during traditional festivities. Declining them is considered socially offensive.

  10 DISHES TO TRY IN ASSAMESE CUISINE

 1. Lai xaak (Food of Assam)

 Assam is known for its unique collection of leafy greens that are not available elsewhere. Lai xaak is one of them. Pork with lai xaak is an unusual yet delicious combination enjoyed by the Assamese people. 

 2. Dal Kosu Xaak (Food of Assam)

 Kosu xaak is another green leaf that is cooked with dal. This food has a creamy consistency and is best served with rotis.

 3. Sunga Chicken (Food of Assam)

 The uniqueness of this food dish is in the method of food preparation. Minced and marinated chicken is stuffed and served in a bamboo hollow.

 4. Jute Leaf Curry (Food of Assam)

 The use of unique herbs and leaves is an interesting part of Assamese food. Unlike elsewhere, the Assamese use jute leaves to form a puree, which is then consumed either as a soup or a curry. 

 5. Ouu Katha (Food of Assam)

 Ouu katha, known as elephant apple, is a unique food ingredient used to prepare a sweetish sour chutney. This chutney is then added to dal. 

 6. Kumurat diya Hanhor Mangxo/Duck meat curry (Food of Assam)

Duck meat is cooked with ash gourd that gives it its unique taste. A prominent spice is black pepper.

7. Silkworms (Food of Assam)

Silkworms are coated in spices and then deep-fried, resulting in a crunchy exterior and juicy inside. Some say its taste is similar to a mix of pork and chicken.

8. Baanhgajor Lagor Kukura (Food of Assam) 

A traditional food item, this food dish is made up of chicken, lentils, and bamboo shoots. The chicken and bamboo shoots are boiled separately first before finally cooking them together.

9. Masor Tenga (Food of Assam) 

 Masor Tenga is a sour and tangy fish curry usually accompanied by rice. This is a staple food dish of Assam. The tangy flavor usually comes from the addition of lemon or mangosteen or tomato.

10. Khar (Food of Assam)

Khar is an ingredient that is added in different Assamese food items. Khar is prepared by filtering water through the ashes of the sun-dried skin of bananas. Khar can be used with raw papaya, pulses, and vegetables. It can also be used with fish.                                                                                                   

 Regular physical activity, including lighter intensity activities such as walking, is associated with reduced risk of hip and total fracture in postmenopausal women, according to new research from the University at Buffalo.

Nutmeg is a spice that was once upon a time hailed the world over as “worth its weight in gold”. In fact, the phrase “money doesn’t grow on trees” was just not applicable to this spice. One tree, but two incredibly different spices. Yes, the nutmeg tree is this huge evergreen tree, which produces both nutmeg and mace. The nutmeg is the seed kernel found inside the fruit, while mace is the lacy covering (aril) on the kernel. This nutmeg tree owes its origin to Banda, the largest of the Molucca spice islands of Indonesia. However, the word “nutmeg”, comes from the Latin nux, meaning nut, and muscat, meaning musky. The history of this spice can be traced to the 1st century CE when the Roman author Pliny spoke about this one tree which bears two nuts with two distinct flavours. Its ticket to fame was in the 1600s when the Dutch waged an all-out war on the island of Banda, just to control nutmeg production in the East Indies. Later, the Dutch even went to the extent of trading the Island of Manhattan, for control over a nutmeg-producing island owned by the British.

Cultivation

 

Since nutmeg and mace are practically a 2 in 1 spice, their cultivation, growth and harvest are the same. Nutmeg trees are usually propagated through seeds. First, the seeds are sprouted into saplings in a tray. Once the saplings start to grow, they are then transplanted to pits. The monsoons are the most ideal planting season. It’s during the summer months that they need a little shade and proper irrigation, especially during their early years. Normally, fast-growing shade plants like banana, Erythrina, etc. are grown a few months prior to the nutmeg planting season. Trees that grow from seedlings start yielding in 7 to 8 years. They reach their full bearing stage after 15 to 20 years. Nutmeg trees have a phenomenal life span, close to 60 years! The beauty of these trees is that they flower throughout the year. The nutmeg tree can reach a height of at least 66 feet. The fruit that it produces resembles a peach in shape and is known as the “nutmeg apple”. Most often, the fruit is discarded and the seed (nut) is retained. Once it is dried, we get both the nutmeg and the mace.

Uses

The essential oil from the spice is obtained by steam distillation of ground nutmeg and is used extensively by perfumeries and pharmaceuticals. It helps in treating diarrhoea, nausea, stomach spasms and pain, and intestinal gas. It is also used for treating cancer, rheumatism, kidney disease, and insomnia. This oil is used to relieve muscular aches and pains too.

Both nutmeg and mace are used both in sweet and savoury dishes. This is one spice that integrates the world – the Indian garam masala, the Canadian eggnog, the Italian tortellini, the American pumpkin pie, the Irish mulled cider, the Scottish haggis – the nutmeg is an essential component of all of them. There are unconfirmed reports which state that nutmeg is one of the mysterious ingredients in Coca-Cola.

Nutmeg is surprisingly a very strong narcotic when used in excessive doses. It contains myristicin – a natural compound which if taken in large doses has a heady effect. This buzz can last for a couple of days and it can be hallucinogenic, much like the infamous LSD. In fact, in Eastern countries, it is used as a drug because of its stimulant, carminative, astringent and aphrodisiac properties. Nutmeg is an absolute no-no for canines, as it causes seizures, tremors and nervous system disorders which can be fatal for them.

Nutmeg and Mace – two spices that are not spicy at all! In taste that is! To quote a religious preacher who once said, ‘the taste of your life depends on the spices you use to brew it’.

 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are less effective against Omicron infections than other variants. A study publishing December 1 in the open access journal PLOS Medicine by Margaret L. Lind at the Yale School of Public Health, U.S. and colleagues suggests that the additional protection offered by the initial booster shot may be reduced among people with a previous COVID-19 infection.

 By discovering a potential new cellular mechanism for migraines, researchers may have also found a new way to treat chronic migraine.

 Brassica nigra, popularly known as mustard, is one of the oldest spices known. It is one of the most widely used spices in the world. The mustard in fact has quite a story to tell. It finds multiple mentions in the Bible. It has been used as a figure of speech to imply the potential of faith to grow strong and wide, just like the tiny seeds of mustard that grow into strong shrubs. Narratives about its origin are numerous. Archaeologists and botanists claim that mustard seeds have been discovered in Stone age settlements. There is evidence to show that in ancient times the Egyptians used it to flavor their food and the Romans ground them with wine. Its use then spread to Gaul, took root in Europe and kept expanding till it reached the Indian shores with Vasco de Gama in the 16th century. In South Asia, mustard is predominantly used as a spice. But in the West, it is used as a condiment (after being ground with water or vinegar). It ranks in the top 5 list of the world’s most popular condiments. There are three varieties of mustard, the most common being the black, closely followed by the brown and then the yellow.

Cultivation

Mustard is a crop that grows best in cool weather. In warm weather, it tends to flower very quickly, resulting in poor quality flowers and seeds. These plants require very minimal care. The flowers of the mustard plant are generally yellow but some varieties have white flowers too. After the mustard flower grows and matures, it forms pods. The pods gradually turn brown. Harvest time is indicated when the leaves start to turn yellow. If the pods on the mustard seed plant are left for too long, they will burst open when fully ripe and the seeds will be lost. Harvesting calls for the seeds to be removed from the pods. This can be done by hand or the flower heads can be put into a paper bag and allowed to mature. Within a week, a gentle shake of the bag will release most of the mustard seeds. The seeds then have to be properly dried to ensure shelf life.

Uses

As early as the sixth century B.C., Pythagoras recommended mustard as a remedy for scorpion stings. Hippocrates used mustard in medicines and poultices. Though these are ancient practices, mustard is still valued for not just the flavour it adds to food, but also for its anti-inflammatory properties, and its ability to relieve the symptoms of arthritis, migraines and asthma. To top it, all the three versions of mustard contain a very significant amount of edible oil and high-quality protein. In India, these seeds are the second most important source of edible vegetable oil and the residual cakes are used as animal feed. The leaves or mustard greens too are a household staple in India. Popular belief prescribes that a sprinkling of mustard seeds in the courtyard helps to ward off evil spirits.

 Turmeric is best known as the most powerful natural antibiotic that has ever existed. People from around the globe keep referring to it as the ‘nature’s most precious gift’. And yet it seems that in the western society the famed herb started to gain popularity only relatively recently.

In short, it’s ginger’s older sister and its main qualities go well past just adding color and flavor to your favorite meals. It is a healing food of medicinal value thanks to its main compound – curcumin. The latter has long been under a watchful eye of the researchers for having undeniable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

And when you pair turmeric with milk you enhance its healing qualities and get yourself a delicious cocktail loaded with immunity-enhancing qualities. The ‘golden drink’, as it’s sometimes called, is traditional for many cultures, especially India where it’s been used for over 5,000 years for treating ailments and strengthening overall health.

एड्स एक ऐसी बीमारी है जो HIV नामक वायरस के शरीर में आ जाने से होती है। इसका फ़ुल फ़ार्म एक्वायर्ड एमीनों डेफिशियेन्सी सिंड्रोम (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) होता है। एड्स से पीड़ित व्यक्ति का इम्यून सिस्टम कमज़ोर हो जाता है।

एड्स क्या है

एड्स (एक्वायर्ड इम्यूनो डेफिसिएंसी सिंड्रोम) एचआईवी संक्रमण का उन्नत चरण है। यहां शरीर की प्रतिरक्षा प्रणाली कमजोर या विफल हो जाती है। जब कोई कीड़ा काटता है, विशेष रूप से कोई मच्छर, तो यह आपके खून को चूसता है ना कि आपके शरीर में आपके पहले काटे हुए व्यक्ति से चूसे गए खून को इंजेक्ट करता है।

एड्स के जनक कौन है?

ऐसा माना जाता है कि एचआईवी एड्स सबसे पहले कॉन्गो में 1920 के आसपास एक चिंपांजी की वजह से हुआ। बताया जाता है कि कैमरून के जंगलों में एक घायल चिंपांजी ने एक शिकारी को खरोंचा और काट खाया था। इससे शिकारी के शरीर पर भी गहरे जख्म हो गए। इसी दौरान घायल चिंपाजी का खून शिकारी के शरीर में जा मिला और इससे एचआईवी का इंफेक्शन फैल गया।

पहला मामला 'गैटन दुगास' नामक व्यक्ति में मिला। गैटन पेशे से एक कैनेडियन फ्लाइट अटेंडेंट था। माना जाता है कि उसने अमेरिका के कई लोगों को संक्रमित करने के लिए जानबूझकर संबंध बनाए थे। इसी कारण उसे 'पेशेंट जीरो' का नाम दिया गया था

भारत में एड्स का खोज कब हुआ?

भारत में एचआईवी का पहला मामला 1986 में सामने आया। इसके पश्चात यह पूरे देश भर में तेजी से फैल गया एवं जल्द-ही इसके 135 और मामले सामने आये जिसमें 14 एड्स2 के मामले थे। यहाँ एचआईवी/एड्स के ज्यादातर मामले यौनकर्मियों में पाए गए हैं। इस दिशा में सरकार ने पहला कदम यह उठाया कि अलग-अलह जगहों पर जाँच केन्द्रों की स्थापना की गई।

भारत में एड्स का पहला मरीज कौन है?

प्रशिक्षण और सेवाओं के बाद डॉक्टर और माइक्रोबॉयोलॉजिस्ट सुनीति सोलोमन ने विदेशों में लंबे समय तक भारत लौटने का फैसला किया और मद्रास मेडिकल कॉलेज में प्रोफेसर बनीं. 1981 से ही सुनीति एड्स को लेकर हो रहे शोधों से लगातार जुड़ी हुई थीं.एचआईवी की खोज और तकनीकें आ जाने के बाद 1986 में सुनीति ने अपनी स्टूडेंट डॉक्टर सेल्लप्पन निर्मला के साथ मिलकर भारत में एड्स का खतरा जानने का सफर शुरू किया. दोनों ने मिलकर 1986 में चेन्नई की सेक्स वर्कर महिलाओं की बस्तियों से करीब 200 ब्लड सैंपल इकट्ठे किए से 6 सैंपल में एचआईवी की पुष्टि हुई. लेकिन, सुनीति इस टेस्ट को निश्चित करना चाहती थीं इसलिए उन्होंने ये सैंपल अमेरिका की जॉन होपकिन्स यूनिवर्सिटी की लैब तक पहुंचवाए और जांच में एचआईवी की पुष्टि हुई.

पीएम तक पहुंची थी खबर
ये भारत का वो दस्तावेज़ी वाकया है, जहां देश में पहली बार एड्स मरीज़ मिलने का इतिहास मिलता है. इसके बाद हुआ ये था कि एचआईवी के मरीज़ों के बारे में मेडिकल रिसर्च काउंसिल को सूचना दी गई और उसके ज़रिए तत्कालीन प्रधानमंत्री राजीव गांधी तक सूचना पहुंची. इसके बाद अगले कुछ ही सालों में एड्स भारत में बड़ी बीमारी के रूप में फैलने वाला संक्रमण पाया गया. 90 के दशक के आधे बीत जाने के बाद देशव्यापी स्तर पर जागरूकता कार्यक्रम शुरू हुए.

एड्स के बारे में आम गलत धारणा

दुनिया भर में लोगों को एड्स के बारे में कई गलत धारणाएं हैं। ये भ्रांतियां केवल अनपढ़ जनता तक ही सीमित नहीं हैं, बल्कि दुनिया भर के शिक्षित और साक्षर लोग भी एड्स के बारे में विभिन्न मिथकों में विश्वास करते हैं। इसके परिणामस्वरूप एड्स से पीड़ित लोगों के साथ अनुचित भेदभाव हुआ है।

 भारत को 2030 तक एड्स मुक्त बनाने का प्रयास

 

 

 

 

गौरतलब है कि वर्ष 2000 में यू.एन.एस.सी. (United Nations Security Council (UNSC) द्वारा 1308 नामक एक संकल्प को अपनाया गया| इस संकल्प को अपनाने का मुख्य कारण ‘तत्काल एवं असाधारण कार्यवाही’ के माध्यम से एचआईवी/एड्स के कारण उत्पन्न होने वाले खतरों को कम करने का प्रयास आरंभ करना था| इन तात्कालिक एवं असाधारण कार्यवाहियों को एचआईवी/एड्स से होने वाले दुष्परिणामों की रोकथाम हेतु शुरू किया गया था| ध्यातव्य है कि एचआईवी/एड्स यू.एन.एस.सी. प्रस्ताव में वर्णित सबसे पहली बीमारी है, यही मुख्य कारण रहा कि एचआईवी/एड्स के विरुद्ध शुरू की गई इस जंग में अंतर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर असाधारण सहयोग प्राप्त हुआ|   

धन कटौती का मुद्दा

जैसा की हम सभी जानते हैं कि विकासशील देशों में एचआईवी/एड्स के विरुद्ध जंग में अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संस्थाओं एवं द्विपक्षीय सरकारों द्वारा प्रदत्त समर्थन के बलबूते ही यह मुकाम हासिल हो पाया है, विश्व इस जंग को अंतिम आकार देने की ओर अग्रसर हो पाया है|

हालाँकि यह और बात है कि इस जंग के विरुद्ध जिस स्तर की तैयारी राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर होनी चाहिये थी, वैसी तैयारी और मेहनत कर पाने में भारत असफल रहा है| यह कोई फौरी जानकारी नहीं हैं| इसका प्रत्यक्ष प्रमाण हमें देश की स्वास्थ्य व्यवस्था, इसके एचआईवी/एड्स के प्रति नरम रवैये एवं अनिश्चित फंडिंग से प्राप्त होता है|

वस्तुतः जिसका सीधा असर होता है देश की उस गरीब जनता पर, जिसके पास न तो अपना इलाज कराने के लिये पर्याप्त धन ही उपलब्ध है और न ही संसाधन| 

इन सबमें सबसे महत्त्वपूर्ण बात यह है कि पिछले कुछ वर्षों से वैश्विक स्तर पर एचआईवी/एड्स के संबंध में आवंटित धनराशी के प्रसार में उल्लेखनीय कमी आई है| 

आँकड़ों से प्राप्त जानकारी के अनुसार, वर्ष 2012 से अधिकतर यूरोपियन देशों की एचआईवी/एड्स संबंधी वित्तीय प्रतिबद्धताओं में उल्लेखनीय कमी आई है|

इसके अलावा, भारत तथा चीन जैसी उभरती हुई अर्थव्यवस्थाओं को एचआईवी/एड्स से उत्पन्न होने वाली बिमारियों के विरुद्ध जंग हेतु प्रदत्त होने वाली फंडिंग के संबंध में भी विदेशी रुख में परिवर्तन आया है|

एक जानकारी के अनुसार, समस्त विदेशी शक्तियों द्वारा एक मत से यह राय प्रस्तुत की गई है कि भारत एवं चीन को अब सहायता राशी लेने के स्थान पर दूसरे गरीब देशों को अनुदान राशी आवंटित करनी चाहिये|

स्वास्थ्य प्रणालियों में एकता 

ध्यातव्य है कि बदलते वैश्विक स्वास्थ्य परिदृश्य में एचआईवी/एड्स से उत्पन्न होने वाली बिमारियों से जूझते अधिकतर देशों ने अपनी राष्ट्रीय स्वास्थ्य योजनाओं में ही एचआईवी/एड्स संबंधी योजनाओं को समाहित कर दिया है| 

वस्तुतः यही कारण है कि वैश्विक समुदाय अब इन देशों को अनुदान राशी देने में टालमटोल कर रहा है| 

इसे भारत के संदर्भ में समझते है| जैसा की हम सभी जानते हैं कि वर्ष 2010 से ही भारत में एचआईवी/एड्स से उत्पन्न होने वाली बिमारियों के संबंध में आरंभ की गई पहलों को अन्य प्राथमिक स्तरीय स्वास्थ्य परियोजनाओं के साथ संबद्ध कर दिया गया है| उदाहरण के तौर पर, राष्ट्रीय एड्स नियंत्रण कार्यक्रम (एन.ए.सी.पी.) को राष्ट्रीय ग्रामीण स्वास्थ्य मिशन (एन.आर.एच.एम.) के साथ समाहित कर दिया गया| 

ऐसा किये जाने का परिणाम यह हुआ कि इन दोनों परियोजनाओं के साथ-साथ इनमें एकीकृत परामर्श और परीक्षण केंद्र (आई.सी.टी.सी.), माता-पिता से बच्चे में ट्रांसमिशन होने (पी.पी.टी.सी.टी.) से रोकथाम, रक्त सुरक्षा, यौन संचरित संक्रमण (एस.टी.आई.) सेवाएँ, साथ ही कंडोम संबंधी प्रोग्राम, एक साथ एंटीरेट्रोवाइरल उपचार (ए.आर.टी.) के साथ-साथ कईं अन्य व्यवस्थाओं को भी एक साथ जोड़ दिया गया|

इससे न केवल इसमें लगने वाली धनराशी में कमी आई बल्कि देश की स्वास्थ्य परियोजनाओं ने भी बहुआयामी आकार ले लिया| परिणामतः इसका सबसे अधिक लाभ देश की जनता को ही प्राप्त हुआ|

मिशन 2030

गौरतलब है कि वर्ष 2016 में संयुक्त राष्ट्र महासभा की एक उच्च स्तरीय सभा में, भारत ने एचआईवी/एड्स को सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य के खतरे के रूप में प्रस्तुत करते हुए अगले पाँच सालों में इसके संबंध में तेज़ गति से कार्यवाही करने और वर्ष 2030 तक इस महामारी को समाप्त करने का वचन दिया है|

उल्लेखनीय है कि भारत सरकार ने अपनी इस प्रतिबद्धता को पूर्ण करने के उद्देश्य से एचआईवी/एड्स संबंधी कार्यक्रमों को अधिक से अधिक वित्त प्रदान कर इस महामारी को नष्ट करने का निर्णय लिया है|

यहाँ यह स्पष्ट करना अत्यंत आवश्यक है कि भारत ने अपने एचआईवी/एड्स कार्यक्रम के संबंध में बहुत पहले ही विदेशी सहायता पर अपनी निर्भरता को कम कर दिया है| साथ ही बजट एवं अन्य राष्ट्रीय अनुदान राशियों के माध्यम से इस क्षेत्र में फंडिंग को बढ़ाने का निर्णय लिया है|

स्पष्ट है कि इस क्षेत्र में बढती फंडिंग से यह साफ पता चलता है कि भारत में न केवल नीतिगत स्तर पर अपनी प्रतिबद्धता को पूर्ण करने की क्षमता विद्यमान है बल्कि ज़मीनी स्तर पर भी (आर्थिक स्तर) यह एचआईवी/एड्स से निपटने के लिये पूरी तरह से सक्षम है। लेकिन एचआईवी/एड्स संबंधी कार्यक्रमों में हस्तक्षेप करने एवं अन्य स्वास्थ्य कार्यक्रमों को पहले की भाँति सुचारू रूप से संचालित करने में बहुत सावधानी बरतने की आवश्यकता है|

हालाँकि, यहाँ यह भी गौर करने लायक है कि भारत में स्वास्थ्य देखभाल कार्यक्रम कभी भी देश के नीतिगत निर्णयों की प्राथमिकता नहीं रहे है। यही कारण है कि पिछले दो दशकों में तेजी से आर्थिक विकास होने के बावजूद, भारत में जीडीपी के अनुपात में स्वास्थ्य देखभाल पर सार्वजनिक व्यय दुनिया में सबसे कम है।

जागरूकता बनाम कलंक 

गौरतलब है कि संयुक्त राष्ट्र द्वारा प्रस्तुत एक रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, एचआईवी/एड्स से पीड़ित लोगों की तीसरी सबसे बड़ी आबादी भारत में निवास करती है| यहाँ प्रत्येक 10 में से 4 व्यक्ति एचआईवी/एड्स से पीड़ित है| 

स्पष्ट है कि ऐसी स्थिति में यदि भारत 2030 तक एचआईवी/एड्स को खत्म करने का लक्ष्य बनता है, तो इसे ने केवल अपने सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य कार्यक्रमों पर अधिक से अधिक धन व्यय करने की आवश्यकता है बल्कि इस दिशा में और अधिक केंद्रित जागरूकता कार्यक्रम एवं प्रभावी प्रबंध करने की भी आवश्यकता है|

जैसा की हम सभी जानते हैं कि भारत में कई गैर-सरकारी और सामुदायिक आधारित संगठनों द्वारा स्थानीय/राज्य और राष्ट्रीय स्तरों पर एचआईवी/एड्स के बारे में जागरूकता फैलाने के लिये बहुत सी पहलें आरंभ कर रखी हैं|

कई संगठनों द्वारा इस रोग से ग्रसित लोगों के साथ होने वाले असामाजिक व्यवहार एवं उपेक्षाओं और भेदभाव से निपटने के लिये कईं प्रकार के जागरूकता कार्यक्रम भी शुरू किये गए हैं| इन सभी प्रयासों का उद्देश्य अधिक से अधिक लोगों को इस बीमारी के प्रति जागरूक करना तथा अधिक से अधिक लोगों को उपचार करने के प्रोत्साहित करना है|

हालाँकि एक अत्यंत प्रभावी तरीके से इस बीमारी के विरूद्ध जारी की गई जंग को जारी रखना तथा आम जनता को जागरूक करने के साथ-साथ दवाओं की समुचित व्यवस्था करना सरकार के लिये एक चुनौतीपूर्ण कार्य है| तथापि ‘जहाँ चाह वहाँ राह’ की तर्ज़ पर यदि सरकार इस दिशा में वास्तविक कार्यवाही (यानी ज़मीनी स्तर पर प्रभावी कार्यवाही) करती हैं तो 2030 तक इस लक्ष्य को हासिल कर पाना कोई कठिन कार्य नहीं होगा|

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 If you’re browsing for an effective diet plan for weight loss, the words ‘keto’ and ‘Atkins’ will inevitably come up in the search results. The two have a well-earned reputation for being weight-loss-friendly and good for the overall health. The gist of both diets is low-carb intake and lower insulin levels as a result. But in spite of being so similar, there’s more to it. Read on to find out where you stand on ‘ketogenic diet versus Atkins’.

What is Atkins?

No weight loss goal is the reason to deprive our body of vital nutrients and vitamins to a point of starvation. You can feel full and satisfied and still lose weight. And this is the first thing that you need to know about the Atkins diet.

There are two types of it: Atkins 20 and Atkins 40. The former is the original one and helps if you’re planning to lose more than 40 pounds, while the latter is less strict and works great is you want to get rid of 40 pounds and less.

History behind it

Everything has a backstory. Well, here it goes: the Atkins Diet was introduced by a doctor. Back in the 1960s Dr. Robert Coleman Atkins published a book where he explained how low-carb eating can be more effective than any low-fat diet. The book was widely acclaimed and studied for years to come.

How does it work?

Both Atkins diet plans start you off with a moderate carb intake (20 grams in the case of ’20’ plan and 40 grams in Atkins 40), which you are allowed to increase along the way.

When you begin eating less carbs your insulin levels plummet, and your body starts using fat for fuel instead of sugar. This leaves less room for fat storage, hence, you slim down a lot faster.

Carb-wise the original '20' diet is divided into 4 phases:

Phase 1

20-25g of carbs (nuts and seeds, green veggies like broccoli, celery, cucumbers, green beans).

Time frame: First 1-2 weeks.

Phase 2

25-50g of carbs (nuts, seeds, green veggies, tomatoes, legumes, berries, melon, milk and yogurt, cottage cheese).  

Time frame: Until you’re 10 pounds away from your target weight.

Phase 3

50-80g of carbs (nuts, seeds, green veggies, tomatoes, legumes, berries, milk and yogurt, cottage cheese, fruit, starchy vegetables, whole grains).

Time frame: Until you reach your goal weight.

Phase 4 

80-100g of carbs (same as during the third Phase).

Time frame: This phase lasts for as long as you want, preferably a lifetime to maintain your weight just as you left it during Phase three.

Other foods you're allowed to eat: protein at every meal (fish, poultry, meat, eggs, dairy), healthy fats.

Foods to avoid at all times: sugars (including honey and sweeteners), refined oils, trans fats, all types of processed foods and alcohol.

Atkins 40

It is somewhat similar to the ‘20’ plan. The difference is that in the original diet you gradually add more different carbs making it more versatile. And in the adjusted one you can eat all healthy carbs from the beginning while increasing your carb serving size. You start with eating 40 grams of net carbs a day. Once you’re only 10 pounds away from your goal, you're allowed to add 10 grams each week. But mind that the total carb intake should never exceed 100 grams.

What is keto?

Unlike Atkins, keto (or ketogenic) diet allows scarcely any carbs for as long as you stick to it. In a nutshell it is a high-fat/low-carb diet, with adequate amounts of protein in between.

 

One of the goals of the keto diet is to boost metabolism. This makes it easier for your body to swap sugar burning for fat burning. As a result you get faster weight loss.

History behind it

Ketogenic diet was introduced back in the 1920s as a cure for childhood epilepsy. It was discovered then that a low-carb diet causes ketosis – a metabolic state in which the body burns fat at an extremely high rate.

How does it work?

Here you get 5-10% of your energy from carbs, 20-30% - from proteins, and the rest 65-80% comes from fats.

When you go low-carb, your body doesn’t get enough sugar to fuel itself. When our body lacks sugar to turn it into energy, it uses fat instead. Your liver then converts fat into ketones – type of acid that your body later uses for fuel. Ketones are considered a cleaner energy source compared to carbs. On a plus side, ketosis also means lower risk of heart disease and improved brain function.

Your ketogenic diet should include:

1. Low-carb veggies: broccoli, spinach, kale, cauliflower, asparagus.
2. Fatty fish and meat: herring, ground beef, salmon, caviar, sardines, mackerel.
3. Full-fat dairy: whole milk, Greek yogurt, cheeses.
4. Berries and some fruit: blueberries, raspberries, melons.
5. Healthy fats: olive and sesame oil, avocado and coconut oil, butter.

What keto and Atkins have in common

1. Both lower sugar levels and use fat as body fuel.
2. Keep your carb intake very low.
3. The main goal of both diets is to help you lose weight and keep it off.
4. You still eat enough protein and fat to keep your body satisfied.
5. The two don't allow you eat processed and refined foods.

What is the difference between keto and Atkins?

It may seem that keto diet is the same as Atkins. But have a closer look:

1. Though both diets focus of weight loss, keto is a little more aggressive than Atkins and shows faster results. All because in keto you eat the same amount of carbs every step of the way. Meanwhile Atkins saves you more of those for later.
2. You don’t exclude fat or protein from either diet. However, in keto most of your calories come from fat. Meanwhile in Atkins you add equal amounts of protein and fats.
3. Eventually your body will run on ketones and fat, if we talk about keto diet. In Atkins your body can also shift to nutritional ketosis but only during its initial phase. If you don’t want this to happen, simply eat larger quantities of protein.

4. Which one is better for me?

   When it comes to weight loss, keto diet takes the cake. It also keeps your weight steady in a longer run should you stick to it. Many believe it’s because keto is more consistent with carbohydrates than Atkins.

   Although the keto diet is more efficient for losing weight, it’s also a real challenge to stick to it, because the amount of carbs you're allowed to eat is simply too low. Not many can find it in them to give up on so many foods for good.

   Atkins diet is less rigid, so it may be a good alternative if you’re after weight loss. If we talk about other goals, keto has additional long-term benefits for your health. It can so much as help halt the growth of cancer cells, boost your mental health and prevent or reverse type 2 diabetes.

   It all boils down to these three factors that should influence your decision: your body constitution, the state of your health and the goals you pursue. You need to remember that change of a diet is a serious undertaking, and not necessarily what your body needs right now. So, it’s always best to consult with your health care provider before you decide to give either diet a shot.

   If you do give any low-carb diet a go, and then decide it’s not for you after all, remember that going back takes time. Don’t rush to ramp up your carbohydrate intake. Especially when pulling away from the keto diet. Going back to larger carb portions overnight leads to spikes in insulin levels and weight gain because of all the sugar your body is no longer used to. What you need to do is gradually increase the amount of carbs per serving.