Affluent Class children can be malnourished

By Sanjeev Shekhar

Recurrent complaints of having less food or no food by the well to do children have kept the research analysts and parents on toes. It’s a matter of concern and distress for young and working parents, who are more busy with their working lifestyle than anything this world.

A case in point-Arnav (name changed) is a 14-year old boy studying in Class Eight. He belongs to an affluent family of this city. He is from a well to do family dwelling in an urban area. He has a variety of options when it comes to food. Of late, Arnav has been feeling lethargic and weak. He is not being able to perform well in school. Initially the doctors could not infer the reason for his plight. Later they found that he suffered from anemia due to micronutrient deficiency.

It might sound surprising but it’s true. Even the city children from affluent class can be malnourished.

The case of Arnav is not in isolation, as doctors claim that the recent trend suggests that a major chunk of affluent class of children are malnourished. Clinically this is evident in famished children residing in poor and rural areas, who are deprived lot in terms of food. But in urban setting there is a “hidden hunger”.

“We may think that children are eating healthy but they may not be consuming the required amount of vitamins and minerals on a daily basis, which may cause deficiency of micronutrients (nutrients required for life in small quantities),” said a dietician working in the private hospital of the city at Bariatu.

Interestingly a section of parents believes that if the children are eating any form of food, they are having their full and healthy. According to the report of the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau of India, over 50 percent of apparently healthy looking children have sub clinical and biochemical deficiencies of micronutrients (like Vitamin A, B2, B12, Vitamin C, iron, trace minerals like iodine, zinc, etc).

Recently a report published stated that various studies like one conducted by the National Institute of Nutrition in schoolchildren aged 6 to 16 years have demonstrated sub-clinical micronutrient deficiencies (inadequacy of about 66% for vitamins B2 and B6, 60% for vitamin C and 33 – 55% for vitamin A and iron) even among apparently healthy school age. This figure might vary from state to state and Jharkhand is no exception to this.

According to the child specialist, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, working in RIMS, “One of the reasons may be that the children eat a limited portion or variety of food items, also referred to as Picky eating. In addition to this factors like frequent childhood infections may further restrict optimal food intake for meeting nutrient requirement. Inappropriate eating practices, cooking patterns and lifestyle further compound this nutritional insult.” The fat and cholesterol content of the food we consume is much higher than that of essential micronutrients. This can be attributed to the lack of a balanced diet.
Hidden hunger’ or micronutrient deficiency, as it has aptly been called is a problem that looms large and will almost certainly overwhelm us if it remains unaddressed, said Dr. N. Kinjalk. Bringing about simple changes of diversification and fortification in the dietary pattern and lifestyle modification can help radically improve the current scenario. “Effective implementation of these strategies is both the challenge and the need of the hour,” the doctor said.


Micronutrient deficiency is not just threat to children but it is spread across all age groups. In the contemporary times, every person faces onslaught of junk food, unprecedented levels of stress, lack of time and lifestyle induced diseases. Eating healthy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle with moderate exercise, are more critical than ever before.
Doctors believe that the parents need to be made more aware about the improved dietary intake or inclusion of micronutrient may help in meeting nutritional (micronutrient) requirements.

Sanjeev Shekhar

PR/Media Consultant

Drama Festival of Ranchi University- a tribute to Munsi Premchand

By Sanjeev Shekhar
To mark the golden jubilee celebration-2010 of the Ranchi University, the four-day drama festival based on the stories of legendary Hindi writer Munshi Premchand kick started on Tuesday at Maulana Azad Senate Hall on the University campus.
The drama festival rechristened as ‘Prem Utsav-2010’ evoked positive response from the students and teachers of the university alike. On the occasion of the 130th birth anniversary of Dhanpat Rai Srivastava – better known as Munshi Premchand–Mujeeb Khan is championing the foremost Urdu-Hindi writer's stories through a theatre festival. His theatre group Ideal Drama and Entertainment Academy (IDEA) would stage as many as 15 plays during the four-day festival.
Inaugurating the Utsav, the secretary of the HRD Mridula Sinha pointed out that the classic stories of Munshi Premchand are still relevant in the Indian context. “The presentation of the stories in the form of drama would help in awakening of youth and society. Such shows or act should be promoted in the interest of all,” she said.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, A.A.Khan deliberated on the life and writings of Munsi Premchand. He said plays based on stories of Premchand would bring about change in values in the contemporary life of youth. “The stories of the great writer successfully outlined and depict the Indian values that will have an impact on the thought pattern of the society as well,” Khan said.
The foremost Urdu-Hindi writer, Mujeeb Khan said "we have meticulously selected these 15 stories of Premchand for the festival from the total collection of 283 stories keeping in mind of the scenario in Jharkhand. All the plays will minutely depict crisis from which Jharkhand is passing through and also the ray of hope that we have in our life," said Khan. He owns the group IDEA, based in Mumbai.
On the first day of the festival five plays were staged by the artists, which included prominently Qatil, Prem ka Uday and Satgati.
Qatil is a serious play that outlined the pain of a mother who loses her son during the British rule. The mother loses her only son when he struggles to fight the British. The play brings about the human pain for a lost relationship.
In Satgati, the necessary evil of the society based on caste and class divide is nicely depicted. It brings about the fact to the fore the obnoxious feeling of the upper caste towards the low caste person, who serves and is loyal to his master till the end. The person even sacrifices his life to remain obedient to his master.

Children's Day celebrated with pomp and show at Rashmirathi Society

By Sanjeev Shekhar
Children Day celebration to mark the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru or “Chacha Nehru” as they fondly call the first Prime Minister of the country was unique at the Rashmi Rathi Society (RRS) on Kanke road in every manner on Sunday morning.

The tree plantation carried out by children witnessed the first ever innovation of naming the plants after the child. The plants were known as Om, Sumantu, Paakhi, Yuvraj, Saanvi, Kavya, Shayonee, Raj etc, which may sound ridiculous at the first place but it’s true to the core. The reason being these plants have been given the first name of the child putting up in the campus, and from now onwards they will no more be an ordinary plant but will hold special position in the minds and heart of the children and parents here.

The society devised the concept to inculcate the feeling among the children to develop love for plants and environment and thus decided to name the plant after their first name following plantation campaign.

“The idea is to generate awareness among the children regarding the protection of plants by them. The children have planted Arika Palm that will make the campus green and at the same time, they will develop the sense of belongingness for their plant as it bears their name,” said the President of the Rashmi Rathi Society R R Mishra.

The President of the RRS conceived the idea of christening the plant after children name so that they develop respect for greenery from within. Around 55 children participated in the programme for tree plantation from 1-year to 15 year studying in premiere schools of the city.

The society had all the ingredients to entertain them. Snacks and the cartoon characters roaming inside the campus regaled the children and the residents simultaneously. The cartoon Charlie Chaplin and Donald Duck remained the cynosure of the entire show. Children stood beside the cartoon characters to get their photograph clicked.


Tree plantations followed by sit and draw competition for children above five years. They used pastel, camel and water colours to give shape to their imagination. Beautiful scenery to drawing of contemporary living in the apartments were the varied subjects the children covered on their own.

“We did not give them any subject, as it would have confined their imagination. We allowed them to paint whatever they wanted. A team of jury would select three best paintings from each category and would be framed to place the paintings at strategic locations of the Society wall,” Mishra stated.

Sponsored by telecom company Vodafone, the children were given gifts and prizes who won the competition. “Our intention is to connect children with the mission of generating awareness towards protection of plant and help in making the campus green,” said the official of the organizing committee of Vodafone.
The company official were overwhelmed with the response for the programme and said that this unique style of celebration of the Children Day would be locked in everybody’s memory forever. “We look forward for organizing many such events in the apartments of Ranchi, as it connects us directly with the customers as well as help in brand building of the company,” the Vodafone official said.

Prizes were distributed by the past president of the RRS, Mr. V.N.Jha and senior members of the society like Mr. V.D.Singh and Mr. Bartiar.

Sanjeev Shekhar

Media Consultant and Journalist

Formation of government-history scripted through paper clippings

The journalist-cum-former Press Advisor to the Chief Minister Harendra Singh released the book on “Jharkhand mein lokpriya sarkar ka gathan-media ki nazar mein” recently. The book is a mirror of the fast changing political scenario in between September 7-15 in the state of Jharkhand, wherein political instability has been the hallmark since its inception in 2000.

The writer, Harendra Singh, applauded the chief minister Arjun Munda for his sharp acumen and insight on the politics of this state. He observed the fast forward game of political melodrama that eventually led to the formation of the government in the state. Democratic process is always preferred by the common man but unfortunately the state has witnessed time and again President’s rule, thereby putting the election process in quandary.

The compilation of newspaper clippings by the writer to tell the story of government formation under the dynamic leadership of Arjun Munda, the tribal leader and two- time Chief Minister reveals that though the matter was being reported but Munda took everybody by storm.

“Drought and naxalism coupled with exodus, poverty, unemployment and other related problems would remain with open mouth. The new government would face stiff challenge on this front. The leadership of Arjun Munda would certainly deal with such issues and would try to give new shape to development,” the writer Harendra affirmed.

If the formation is concerned directly with the voters then the making is concerned with the honorable MLAs of 81-Vidhan Sabha areas (of Jharkhand), wrote Vidhyanath Jha ‘Vidhit’. In the present circumstances, the ‘mandate’ should be treated as such that they expect from their politicians to form the coalition government with the magic figure and also bring pace in the development, Vidhit wrote while analyzing the subject in the writer’s collection of political events.

The clippings of various newspapers mention the sudden development wherein Arjun Munda takes over the reign and rope in the support of 45 MLAs including the legislators of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU). On September 7, 2010, the happenings on the political front keeps everybody guessing that Munda is a new leader of the state and this actually happens the following day after the BJP stake claim to form the government.

Even the senior Journalists wrote in their reporting that Munda displayed acumen and wisdom in every step. His master stroke to emerge out of the blue to form the government reflects the maturity of Arjun Munda. The newspaper clippings have been used by Mr. Harendra to tell the story in a simple manner.

This is for the first time that any author has used such clippings to script History of any state. The best part of the entire work is that the headlines of different newspapers are telling the story of political developments.

The book is an important document that could be used by researchers for tracing the socio-political condition of a particular period. It concludes with photo cartoon of CM Arjun Munda in the middle, deputy CMs Hemant Soren and Sudesh Mahato on two sides projecting love for 'jal jungle and jameen'(water, forests and land).

Sanjeev Shekhar

Kitty is good time-pass for women

By Sanjeev Shekhar

Ranchi-
In smaller cities, men are busy with their official assignments. But, what about women? Even they want to socialize and entertain themselves particularly in a place like Ranchi where means of amusement is limited. Kitty parties are essentially a good time pass and the best mode to interact with each other.

“It’s a platform for us to play games, involve in gossips and even exhibit the best clothes or jewellery,” stated Nisha, the member of the Harmu Housing Colony kitty here. In fact, there is a growing trend of kitty parties in this city for reasons galore. A random survey of the different colonies revealed that nearly 60 percent of them are having kitty group, wherein the women are even going out to have things in their own way.

One thing that was common everywhere that the women here generally prefer to enjoy kitty in the noon or afternoon, as they want to ensure that they are home before their hubbies make it from office.

Not only housewives, but working women too keenly join in on lovely afternoons for delicious snacks and lunch. Earlier, kitty parties used to be in-house affair, but nowadays ladies have started enjoying the freedom of not cooking at least once or twice a month.

“It’s a good outing and this way we get a chance to visit different restaurants in town and explore more and more food, places and people. Those women who hardly get a chance to move out of their homes enjoy kitties the most," says Ms Gunjan, an avid kitty member.
Kitty parties are something that makes men frown, as they see it a total wastage of time and energy. For women it’s a best time to drape in the nicest clothes that are locked in the cupboard for months together, devour delicious snacks, have a chit fund that fetch a handsome sum running in several thousands and even in lakhs depending on the amount contributed by each member once a year and go home.

Preparations for kitty are done beforehand. As Ms Anita Shekhar of Rashmirathi Ladies Club Kitty pointed out that, they announce theme and even organize games during their party. These games are interesting like blow the candle in a single minute, fill the bucket with water with the help of sponge, or open the locks etc. “The games are real fun and the teams playing it are fully engrossed to an extent that they forget to see their watch,” said Mrs Y.N.Singh, the chief coordinator of the kitty on Kanke Road.

To keep the kitty party well-organised, the ladies have rules. For example, any member who reaches late than the decided time, must cough-up Rs 10-25 as fine. Also, the menu for lunch is pre-determined. “It might sound strange, but rules are important, even at a kitty party. If we don’t maintain discipline, people will just walk in at their own sweet time & will. That defeats the whole purpose,” says Ms Shikha, a member.

Another young member, Namita says, "At least now, we can have a life that we can call our own apart from family". She describes her kitty group as one where there is "lots of eating and lots of chatting". The chatting is light-hearted, with no heavy duty stuff. " It could be anything else... shopping, movies or recipes, but there's generally no serious talk," she adds.
At times a dress code is decided by the lady who organizes the kitty party and all members have to dress up and join the party. "Women from different backgrounds and age groups who meet every month for their kitty party learn so much from each other regarding socializing, etiquettes, culture etc," said Mrs Anita Mishra.

Sanjeev Shekhar

PR/Media Consultant/Journalist

Raavan impact on child mind

By Sanjeev Shekhar

Ranchi-

Recently when the Press asked the legendary hero Amitabh Bachchan that whom shall he blame for the debacle of Raavan? He sportingly said that he would ask Sidharth Basu to put that question in the KBC-4. Mr. Bachchan was addressing the media persons during the launch of KBC-4 at Mumbai.

Raavan, the much-hyped movie, has Abhishek Bachchan playing a powerful title role. I haven’t seen the film but certainly I saw the promo in the television. To my mind, Abhishek had different make-up portraying some villager or tribal may be.

But his expressions in the promo was apparently horrifying. It was not I, who used to feel it but even my daughter who is hardly two and half year old used to feel the same. She used to jump in my lap initially on seeing Abhishek in the horrifying make-up and hide her face.

It hardly took us time to understand that she is petrified whenever the promo was shown in the TV. Gradually, she started fearing the sight of Abhishek Bachchan, who is otherwise handsome and one of the most sought after star for the movie-makers.

The other day when I was driving in the city with my family, my daughter suddenly started shouting, “Papa, gana bandh karo” (please stop the music). I could not understand till my wife intervened and said the music of Raavan is being played in FM and she is fearing that Raavan might appear. I eventually switched off the music for some time.

Either the TV was put off or the music was turned off at my place on daily basis these days whenever the Raavan promo comes or the music is played. My wife used to frighten her by saying “if you don’t have food, Raavan aa jayega (Raavan will come)”, or “if you don’t sleep, Raavan ko bula denge (will call Raavan).”

It became a tool for my wife to make her eat, sleep or prevent her daughter of any mischievous act. However, I was not liking whatever was happening. The reason is simple my wife and I am a great fan of Amitabh Bachchan and his family. Abhishek Bachchan is an actor who has proved his mettle in the industry. His sight not liked by my daughter was difficult to swallow by us.

I’m helpless. I don’t know how to convince the innocuous brain that Abhishek has only played the role and is not the same in the real life. It was an argument that was beyond the understanding of my daughter.

The love and affection for the Bachchan family perhaps does not allow our conscience to see or hear anything bad about them. We used to pity as why it’s happening with our daughter that she is not enjoying Abhishek.

On the other hand, she enjoys seeing Aamir Khan and Harman Joshi as she loves 3-idiot. The sight of Kareena Kapoor is being loved and adored to the brim. She recognizes Aamir as “doobi-doobi uncle” and Kareena as “doobi-doobi auntie”. She calls Harman as Raju and gets excited on seeing the movie. She has watched it once in the movie hall and I don’t know how many times on the DVD? She remembers the song “doobi-doobi” and simply shakes her hips as like Aamir and Kareena to copy their dancing style.

I still do not know what she understands at this stage and what her young developing brain is observing or thinking. It’s a matter of study or research of child psychology?

Sanjeev Shekhar

(PR, Journalist)

Anemia hits Jharkhand

Sanjeev Shekhar

With nearly 73 percent of the girls & 68 percent of boys in Jharkhand suffering from anemia, the UNICEF is extending its support to the Human Resource Department (HRD) of the state government to effectively implement Iron Deficiency Programme (IDP) here.

Giving this information during the sidelines of the national conference of the Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine, the nationally acclaimed specialist in anemia Dr. P.V.Kotecha pointed out that this state has largest number of anemic patients among the adolescent. Dr. Kotecha and UNICEF Programme officer Deepika Mehrish Sharma made the presentation on pilot project of providing iron tablet once a week instead of everyday.

“The thrust of the conference was pertaining to youth friendly health services. The IDP has been executed in Jharkhand and the “modus operandi” is simple. The HRD department with the help of UNICEF distribute iron tablet among the girls students in schools once a week. On evaluation of this programme, it has come to our knowledge that the number of anemic patients and severity of anemia has declined to a great extent,” the Delhi based specialist Dr. Kotecha & Deepika said.

The National Health Family Survey-3 revealed that Jharkhand has got highest percentage of anemic patients and the programme of IDP has been executed in five districts of the state. Doctors at the convergence meet expressed their happiness over the result and strongly felt that there is a need to lay emphasis on public health.

The Director National Institute of Health & Family Welfare, Dr Devki Nandan stressed the need of introducing public health teaching in medical undergraduates. He said that the country is presently going through “epidemio logical transition,” thereby meaning that the numbers of communicable and non-communicable disease patients are increasing in the country posing challenge before the medical fraternity to develop better understanding of the public health.

“Infectious diseases like diarrhea, cholera, tuberculosis, malaria and non-communicable diseases like cancer, heart, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease & diabetes to name are a few are growing parallel and the medical practitioners need to devise and analyse ways to control the menace in the interest of humanity,” Dr. Nandan said.

According to him there is a need for on-the-job training to for medical practioners and health personnel for combating the newer issues and challenges that arise in day to day life.

Sanjeev Shekhar

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Mutton & Rice can defeat all management norms

By Sanjeev Shekhar

There are certain mode of operation in field that are outside management norms or ethics. For the top brass of SAIL, little bit of encouragement and pat on the shoulder coupled with a promise to treat everybody at the workshop with ‘rice and mutton’ if the machine becomes operational at the earliest following breakdown at the shop floor.

Such promises used to create wonders and normalcy was restored much in advance, stated A.S.Mathur, the executive director (in-charge) of Research & Development Centre of Iron and Steel (RDCIS), SAIL. Mathur held a sentimental point in high priority to get the work done from the colleagues & subordinates, and advocated that it’s pertinent to touch the heart of people. “If you touch the heart you get the results but at the same time it’s necessary to have trustful transparency,” said Mathur.

He was speaking at a function recently wherein there was an elitist conglomeration of the corporate leaders discussing on managing of human resources.

Mathur on his felicitation recalled his days when he was heading the cold rolling mill of the company. He said that whenever there was a breakdown, the managers used to give the time limit of nearly 5-6 hours to overcome the problem. “I used to go to the ground level technicians and ask them as to how much time will they take to make the machine functional. Even they used to set time on the higher side. At this, I used to give them little bit of allurement by saying, if you repair it at the earliest, I’ll treat you with mutton and rice. This used to make the work done before time,” he said.

“Next day we all used to enjoy mutton and rice praising the efforts of the staff members,” Mathur said leaving the gathering in guffaw. According to the top brass of the SAIL human should not be condemned. It’s the respect for individual and power to influence that takes the leaders ahead, Mathur believed.

Corporate leaders of public and private sectors have their own though pattern of achieving success. While competitiveness and enhancement of ability remains the fulcrum of accomplishment for all, a section of them believe that it could be possible due to transparency and trust on colleagues while others believed it’s possible only through integrity, honesty & management of human resources judiciously.

For senior Vice-President (works), Usha Martin, Rajesh Sharma it’s the hard work, passion & dream translated with vision that makes puts you at the higher pedestal. “It’s a random believe that whatever good has happened has happened on its own, whatever bad has happened has happened due to human mistake. This needs to be changed. If you can see bad, you should have the decency and appreciate the good as well,” Sharma said.

Revealing his own mantra of success, Sharma said that he never forget the three-Ts while working thereby meaning trust, teachings of seniors and transparency at the work place is necessary ingredients to achieve a goal.

However, the Executive Director (Safety), Centre for Engineering and Techinical (CET), SAIL, H.K.Jain considered the democratic process of doing the work in achieving the common goal. Recalling the days at Rourkela Steel plant he said that it’s pertinent to seek suggestions from all for enhancing the productivity and smooth functioning of the plant. “I used to seek suggestions from all employees in writing and the best of it were implemented in a phase-wise manner for the betterment of all,” he stated.

He agreed that management by values, transparency and clarity in decision making are the important tools in any organization but practically the involvement of all in democratic manner could bring wonders to the organization. He stressed the need of automation to keep pace with the developed nations.

The Executive Director of the Management Training Institute (MTI), SAIL, S.P.Patnaik, who is also the chairman of the National (HRD) Network, Ranchi chapter strongly felt that commitment to human development through education, training, research and sharing of experience helps each other to give their best to the society.

Sanjeev Shekhar

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Prevention is better than cure-say doctors

By Sanjeev Shekhar

With dipping mercury costing human lives in the state, well acclaimed medical practitioners have advised that precautionary and preventive measures should be the ‘mantra’ to combat cold wave. The doctors believe that elderly people and children are the worst affected in the given situation and thus should be protected by remaining indoors.

The sudden dip in temperature or excessive cold can cause human ailments ranging from brain hemorrhage or brain attack to heart attack and even viral infection commonly known as influenza. “Those suffering blood pressure or are borderline cases they are more prone to Infarc (i.e brainstroke or brain attack) and heart attack. Despite the fact they appear healthy but sudden change in the temperature might prove fatal for such patients,” said the neuro-surgeon Dr. Sanjay Kumar of Apollo Hospital.

Dr Sanjay has recently won accolades at the national forum for recognition of his outstanding contribution in up-liftment of Neuro-surgery facilities in poor states like Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa. He firmly held that instead of experimenting, which is common among elders it’s better to take precaution in order to remain safe. “Elders in the village-side take cold water bath in order to prove they are healthy. This is wrong because such type of experiments might prove danger to life. Also, they should avoid morning walk and wait for the sunrise before setting out,” he asserted.

However, the noted cardio-physician and top-notch specialist Dr. Rai Chandi Nath Sahay strongly believed that chances of getting chest infection including Pneumonia and fear of getting paralyses are much higher at this time. “My advice is to keep the face & ears well covered, keep the room temperature warm and always cover the head during such excessive cold,” said Dr. Sahay.

Diseases like influenza and hypothermia (sudden fall in body temperature) are likely to hit the patients badly. “If it’s raining outside during winter, one should avoid going out in any case,” informed Dr. Sahay.

Though the district administration has issued notice to change the school timing for the safety of kids, it’s also necessary that parents should take utmost care and keep them properly covered when they are going out. The doctors believe that kids should avoid going out early morning or late evening, as they are more prone to respiratory tract infection.

Two types of infection are commonly observed among the children. According to the noted pediatric of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Dr Rajiv Kumar children are commonly affected with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) that causes high fever, vomiting and loose motion. “Broncho-pneumonia is very common among children and there is a rise in such cases during winter. Elders sneeze out the cough through nose but the children are unable to do so. Hence, the cough is driven through intestine during their defecation,” stated Dr. Rajiv.

He pointed out that there are certain side effects as there is connectivity of mouth with ears. “Generally children complain of ear pain and at times fluid flows from ear due to acute infection. This can only be avoided by covering them properly,” said the child specialist.

Five-point precautions to be taken during cold wave/winter-
For old people/elders
1. Keep the room temperature warm/use heater
2. Always cover yourself fully.Wear caps for covering head, hand-gloves and socks
3. Avoid as much as possible to set out when it’s raining during winter
4. Old people must avoid morning walk, must avoid exercise in the open & must take adequate rest
5. Regular check-up of blood pressure those suffering from the disease
For children/kids-
1. Must avoid going out early morning and late evening
2. Must cover fully particularly head and ears
3. Should not take cold water bath
4. Should not drink cold water, avoid fruits and curd (dahi)
5. Always give warm milk and warm food to children

Warm Regards---Sanjeev Shekhar (Journalist & Media Consultant)