Mindful eating – the key to health and happiness
On the occasion of World Liver Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a fervent call for mindful eating and healthier living to the citizens of the country. The human body functions similarly to a well-maintained machine. It simply implies that just like the multiple parts of a machine are kept well-lubricated and serviced, our body too needs the right dose of care and maintenance for it to be disease-free and, most importantly, last long. We need to prefer a diet rich in fresh fruits, green vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, which helps prevent liver diseases and supports liver regeneration. In the editorial 'Mindful Eating', published in your esteemed daily on April 21, it is pointed out that the PM has rightly called upon the citizens to reduce edible oil intake by at least 10 percent in our initial years when we all are 'young and strong', when we tend to get complacent and end up embracing and cultivating all the wrong lifestyle habits – junk food, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol, smoking, drugs, irregular sleep, no physical activity, no exercise, etc. And by the time we realise the importance of inculcating healthy lifestyle habits, we are already caught in a vice-like grip with diseases like hypertension, diabetes, fatty liver, obesity, cardio-vascular diseases, improper kidney functioning, uric acid, insomnia, sleep apnoea, etc. We then immediately hit the treadmill or jog and run on the street with a fat belly or with an unhealthy body, realizing the fact that it is never too late. But unfortunately, here, in this situation, the majority of them are 'actually late and very late'. It is true that most of the diseases cannot be completely cured, either medically or naturally. But with regular exercises and a change in one's food habits, these diseases can certainly be controlled to a large extent. Clearly, one can reach his/her personal fitness goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle through sports even after one has decided to hang up his/her boots. Sports and health must go hand in hand, offering people all over the world of different abilities and ages the chance for happier, healthier and more productive lives, which is important to achieve India's goal of becoming a developed nation – Viksit Bharat – by 2047. So, let's pledge to raise awareness about obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases and their growing impact on our society, as it is a social responsibility of every individual to step forward towards a healthy future.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati.
Cold war?
Of late there is a cold war going on between the Parliament and the Supreme Court. For us the Parliament is a temple of democracy and is bound by India’s constitution. Any bill passed in both houses of parliament becomes a law after being endorsed by the president, and the nation has to abide by the said law. But the other institution named the Supreme Court has its own jurisdiction in implementing the law framed in Parliament as is bound by IPC. The issue is getting murkier as the Waqf (Amendment) Act passed by parliament has been challenged in the Supreme Court.
Who is the authority in making and implementing it? As laymen, we are confused.
Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,
Guwahati.
RIP Pope Francis
Born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis made history as the first Jesuit and the first Latin American to become Pope. He was elected as Pope on March 13, 2013, at the age of 76 after Pope Benedict XVI resigned. He became known for focusing on humility, helping those in need, and fairness.
During his tenure as Pope, he made changes within the Vatican to improve financial transparency and address clerical abuse issues.
He inherited a Church that was under attack over a child sex abuse scandal and torn by infighting in the Vatican bureaucracy and was elected with a clear mandate to restore order.
He was best known for his humility, his strong emphasis on God's mercy, his global visibility, and his commitment to social justice and interreligious dialogue. He's also recognized for his advocacy for the poor, his openness, and his simplified approach to the papacy, choosing to live in a guesthouse rather than the papal residence.
He chose the name Francis in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi, a figure known for his love of the poor and nature. His death on April 21 is a loss to the Catholic Church the world over.
Jubel D'Cruz,
(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)