The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

BODY & MIND
Helping addicts kick cancer sticks
Tripti Nath

Dr Karl Olov Fagerstrom, known the world over as an authority on NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy), was in Delhi recently to address the medical fraternity on the benefits of NRT at a seminar on the ‘Menace of Tobacco’.

A clinical psychologist and recipient of WHO’s Tobacco Free World Medal, Dr Fagerstrom commended Ceejay Healthcare Private Limited for bringing to India a successful NRT product and placing it in the local market.

The Chairman of Ceejay Healthcare, Mr Praful Patel announced the launch of NuLife Good-Kha Chewettes, the country’s first safe and government approved answer to the carcinogenic habit of gutka consumption and cigarette smoking. While NuLife Chewettes are chewing gums available in a ‘Good Kha’ flavour for gutka addicts, the Euco-Mint flavour for smokers will be released soon.

Ceejay Healthcare Private Limited is a joint venture between New York-based Positive Healthcare LLC and Mumbai-based Ceejay Group.

Making a presentation at the seminar on ‘Menace of Tobacco: The Role of Nicotine Replacement Therapy’ here, Dr Fagerstrom explained that NRT products have been available in the West for over 15 years and are recommended by the World Health Organisation as the most safe and effective aid available to tobacco addicts who want to quit smoking and chewing habits. “NRTs reduce, and in most cases eliminate the withdrawal symptoms experienced by tobacco users by delivering a safe, pure and regulated dose of nicotine. With the reduction or elimination of withdrawal symptoms, most tobacco users find quitting tobacco habits easier.

A large number of ENT specialists, cardiologists, dentits and oncologits from Delhi and adjoining areas interacted with Dr Fagerstrom during the seminar. The visiting psychologist also dispelled several misgivings and doubts about NRT products.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sajeela Maini, cancer specialist and tobacco cessation consultant said that the incidence of tobacco-related cancer is alarming. She said that a gutka consumer is unaware of the health hazards of gutka. “The addiction is severe and difficult to kick. In the absence of alternatives, he does not give up the habit,” she said.

An ayurvedic option for diabetics

The growing diabetic population in India now has a new Ayurvedic option – a formulation of 20 special herbs that stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin.

Goodcare Pharma Pvt Ltd has launched Diabet Guard - an Ayurvedic medicine for controlling diabetes. Available in the form of granules, Diabet Guard is 100 per cent natural and has no side effects. It is available all over the country and is priced at Rs 64. It has been clinically rested by Dr D. Maji, a diabetologist at Vivekanand Institute of Medical Science, Kolkata. Research at the OPD of diabetes clinic of Ram Krishna Mission Seva Pratisthan, Kolkata has shown that the formulation helps in controlling blood sugar levels and averting long term complications of diabetes mellitus.

According to recent statistics, India has the world’s largest diabetic population. The number of diabetic patients, 25 million presently, is expected to rise to 35 million by the year 2010 and 57 million by 2025.

Rejuvenating a weak heart

The Global Heart Foundation has launched ‘MYODROPS’ in Delhi, an Ayurvedic cardiac remedy that rejuvenates a weak heart. It is prepared with ingredients as Arjunsal, Vekhand, Ambasal, Shewaga sal, Kadinimb leaf, Pimpli and Punnarnawa prescribed in the ancient scriptures of Ayurveda.

According to Global Heart Foundation, Myodrops can be taken with ongoing medical prescription. Regular use of Myodrops encourages development of new collateral, removes the blockages in the arteries and increases the regional and myocardial blood flow by up to 50 to 60 per cent helping the heart function smoothly. It provides necessary nutrition to the heart and strengthens the Myocardium (heart muscle).

The medication period ranges from 90 to 120 days and varies from patient to patient. The cost of the treatment is Rs 25,000 compared to Rs 2,00,000 for conventional treatment. The medicine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA.

“The therapy is a credible alternative for heart patients who are unfit for surgery, are not willing to opt for it or have already undergone a major invasive procedure as Angioplasty (Ballooning) and Stents or CABG (Coronary Artery By-pass Grafting) or those who simply cannot afford it,” says Mr A.V. Narayan, Managing Trustee, Global Heart Foundation.

Crocin in new 3-D hologram pack

The GlaxoSmithkline Consumer Healthcare Ltd (GSKCH), an Indian associate of GlaxoSmithkline (GSK), a global research based pharmaceutical and healthcare company, has rolled out Crocin in a 3-D hologram pack. A popular medicine, Crocin, which is manufactured by GlaxoSmithkline Asia Private Limited and marketed by GSKCH in India. The company claims that Crocin is the first
and only analgesic/antipyretic brand in India with a sophisticated 3-D hologram. The recent spate of spurious products in the market has promoted GSKCH to introduce the new packaging. It is difficult for counterfeit manufacturers to copy a 3-D hologram, as the technology is expensive and not easily available in India.

Mr Partha Mukherjee, Director, Legal and Corporate Affairs, GSKCH says, “The new pack is a step in the right direction towards providing the consumer adequate visual differentiation along with appropriate information to protect them from spurious alternatives. We have used technology in which the hologram incorporates features like flip-flop, kinetic effect, 2D and 3D effect and micro-text making duplication difficult.”

Crocin brand will be visible between the tablets on the blister face. The background will be grey-white with Crocin watermark on the foil face and a bar code.

SPORTS

Criss-crossing India on a cycle
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, March 8
A frail, but strong-willed lad from the village of Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra, Bhau Saheb Bhawar, criss-crossed the country on a cycle in 3650 days to get a feel of the real India. The rough and tough journey was a revealing experience for the young man who set out on his odyssey on May 19, 1993 with meagre rations and very little money in his pocket.

But his passion for cycling helped him brave all the hardships during his trip through the length and breadth of the country.

His travel had a purpose: to publicise the message of the anti-dowry campaign.

As days passed into months, and months into years, the 20-year-old Bhau Saheb Bhawar became a mature and worldly-wise 30-year-old. During his 10-year-old cycling expedition, he had to change his machine six times. He touched every town and village in the country, and was touched by the reaction of the people to his noble campaign.

His enthusiasm and zeal rubbed off on all the people whom he came into contact. Bahu Saheb hopes to complete his journey on May this year by meeting President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

And he also plans to pen down his wealth of experience he gained during his journey. His only source of help, during his 3650 days travel, was Indian Oil. He got help from the Fortune Five Hundred company whenever and wherever he needed help, all along the 1,50,000 kilometers cycle journey.

On the last lap of his expedition, Bhau Saheb was accorded a warm reception at the Indian Oil Bhavan at Noida.

The employees of the Pipelines Division collected cash and gifts and presented to him. Chief manager (P and A) handed over the gifts to Bhau Saheb.

Udat stars for Central Bank
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, March 8
A dashing knock of 67 by Udat Bhatia was the highlight of Central Bank of India’s 16 runs victory against Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in an A-I Division match of the DDCA League at the Ramjas ground.

Scores: Central Bank: 196 for 8 in 40 overs (Udat Bhatia 67, Pururaj Singh 42, Pankaj Malik 2 for 29, Javed Alam 2 for 32).

MCD: 180 all out in 38.1 overs (Dharamveer Baniwal 87, Suresh Baniwal 21, Ranbeer Singh 3 for 32, Kamal Kishore 2 for 14).

Delhi Blues beat Young Association by eight wickets in an A-I Division League at the Kotla I ground.

Scores: Young Association: 102 all out in 27.3 overs (Gurjinder Singh 29, Ankur Kakkar 4 for 13, Mukesh Diwan 3 for 13).

Blues: 104 for 2 in 17.3 overs (Nitin Goel 37 n o, Ankur Kakkar 35).

Harish, Mukesh deadly

Deadly bowling performances by medium pacers Harish Puri (4 for 33) and Mukesh Dewan (3 for 48) enabled Delhi Blues beat Bright Club by four wickets in a league match of the fourth Roshanara Cricket Tournament at the Roshanara Club ground. Harish Puri was adjudged the man of the match.

Scores: Bright Club: 202 in 44.3 overs (Akash Malhotra 76, Sanjiv Saini 47, Harish Puri 4 for 33, Mukesh Dewan 3 for 48, Ashwani Katyal 2 for 25).

Blues: 203 for 6 in 41.4 overs (Mridul Gupta 39, Gagan Inder Singh 34, Nitin Goel 29, Amit Sharma 27).

ESPN beat Org Marg

ESPN defeated Org Marg by 37 runs in the ESPN Star Sports Challenger Cup. Scores: ESPN: 186 for 9 in 25 overs (Gaurv Seth 41, Rohit Chopra 54, Ashok 2 for 27). Org Marg: 149 for 9 in 25 overs (Ashish 43, Gaurav 3 for 32). Rohit Chopra was named the man of the match. In another match, Enterprise defeated Associates by nine wickets. Scores: Assocaites: 140 in 21.5 overs (Mohit 25, Sandeep 18, Guarav 3 for 29). Enterprise: 141 in 12.5 overs (Harish 65, Daniel 52). Grey Worldwide beat Hathway by seven wickets and Star TV beat Rediffusion by three wickets in other matches.