Health gadgets and apps we really need

There is a lot of unpredictability that we are dealing with. Healthcare has put everything else on hold. People are focused more on making health their priority and keeping healthcare at the core. Ever since the virus struck, I read about new healthcare startups every day. There are some healthcare innovations that we absolutely need.

Fever app – rather than getting temperature checked at different places and different people, wish there is an app that could check our body temperature. There must be similar apps to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, oxygen, and insulin levels.

Infections and foreign body scanner – we definitely need this at the airports. People should be scanned for viruses, bacteria, or foreign bodies at the airport and isolated right away in case there are any present.

Food Monitor – this one will sit on our wrists and just tell us when you eat something unhealthy. It should beep (and possibly stretch an arm inside our mouth and take that unhealthy morsel out) whenever we eat junk food.

Body fat monitor – you could point out to each body part and get the amount of fat sitting in that part and how much do you need to lose from that area.

Skin allergy scanner – this scanner could scan any skin allergy and can give you a reason, diagnosis, and meds for skin allergy.

Happiness meter – this will monitor if people are depressed or dejected, and it will give them ways to deal with it. It will tell them if they need meds to help them with their condition.

The lazy me wishes for a gadget that could possibly do the workout for me. But yea that won't be possible anytime soon so chuck that.

I am sure we could have so many other healthcare tech gadgets that could help all of us. Which health product do you need?

I remember the blast

In the year 2009 somewhere in July, we had a blast in the house. It was 3 am and I heard it. For those of you thinking this is about a big party, sorry for the disappointment. I am talking about a real blast like a crash and boom. We woke up and the bedroom door, torn from its hinges, had fallen on Sumit. Thank god for distance between the bed and the door that it did not hurt him.

Initial thoughts, we told each other that it was an earthquake. I called up my mother to ask her if they were fine and she told me there was no earthquake. In a state of confusion, we rushed to our parent’s room. There was shattered glass everywhere and every door of the house was plugged out, even the bathroom doors. Our parents were equally unsure of what had happened. There was a small fire in the living room and my first instinct was to rush to the balcony to get some water. Till now I didn't realize what had happened, no one did.

“What happened?”, I asked a neighbor peeking out of the window. He said he heard a blast and clueless where it happened. Neighbors rushed and someone got a fire extinguisher. The kitchen was a mess and it was in shreds, and the kitchen sink was uprooted.

In the moments that followed, I rushed down (as we stayed on the first floor) and called a fire engine. It started to dawn that it was only our house and it was only us.

The reason why I write this blog is cause of this havoc virus has disrupted everything that we can possibly think of. Now how is this blast related to the troublesome virus? I realize that every extreme situation, unexpected or expected, gives us something to learn from. There are things we may not understand immediately but in dire situations, most importantly, train your mind to stay calm. It's the only way you can think clearly.

After the lpg explosion at our house, which was caused due to a faulty pipe, we always and always switch off the regulator, irrespective. We had a fire extinguisher for some years immediately after the blast and then we forgot about it. So, the impact of a trauma lessens over the years. 

Years after the COVID-19 horror is over, besides washing hands for 20 seconds, is there something else that you will remember?

When it’s not meant to be

When you reminisce the past,

What do you see,

It’s some fleeting memories,

That were not even meant to be.

Some warm your heart,

While some make you regret,

Some you plan, while some,

That were not even meant to be.

It’s the time when I saw you grow,

Garbled words that were a mystery,

Memories of so many firsts,

That were not even meant to be.

It’s not every rain or storm,

It’s not even every song,

Times I felt alive and free, and others,

That were not even meant to be.

It’s not what I wear on my hand,

It’s not even my shoe brand,

But every time I was valued, or not,

When not even meant to be.

It’s not what I own,

It’s not even who I know,

It’s about who I become with you,

Every time it’s meant to be. 

Letter to Shivansh on your fourth birthday

Dear Shivansh,

Happy Birthday my champ.

You’re the most charming, funny and cute boy I know (and I end up saying this year after year). I am heart achingly sad cause I know you will outgrow the cute little things you say. ‘Volman’ will soon become ‘volume’, ‘Pickups’ will soon become ‘Hiccups’, and ‘Dosa battery’ will soon become ‘dosa batter’.

I’m no longer calling you smart or handsome since you already do that enough for yourself. Whenever you wear something ‘new new’, you must hear and say that you look smart and handsome.

It seems my heart melts a thousand times every time I see your bond with Shreya. You are deeply disturbed if she doesn’t give you attention or doesn’t talk to you. You even have a problem if she talks too much and hogs the limelight. You love to complain about her but feel equally protective if she is scolded. I can truly feel that twins share an inexplicably deep bond.

I wish with all my heart that you become more confident and open to trying new things. You learn to learn and have the patience to focus on what interests you.

Shivansh, despite the patriarchy that we can’t rid ourselves from, I hope I can teach you that you are meant to do every chore yourself to take care of yourself and the ones around you. If you do, it’s not a favor to anyone but yourself.

You’re my friend and the sibling I never had. I’m sorry that I lose my patience sometimes, but I want you to know that I want you to live your childhood freely and fearlessly. I hope when you grow up you don’t blame me for not pressurizing you academically. I don’t want to limit your imagination or strangle your creativity. I want you to think uninhibited and be aware that you can do anything. I don’t want to restrict your experiences, but I would always like to protect you.

From a mom who’s definitely crazy.

Letter to Shreya on your fourth birthday

My little Shreya,

You get all our hugs, cuddling and snuggling, and you love every bit of it. Since Shivansh dislikes it, you get his share of affection too. I can’t imagine a day when you’d ask us to stop it or refuse to sleep over my chest. Your embrace is comforting to me more than it might be for you.

I’m so proud to see you so fearless and undaunted to try new things. I love that you have such focus and don’t lose it till you’ve finished the task at hand. You like to give your best go at the things you do, and I want you to remember that your sincere effort is what matters the most. You’re confident and dance and laugh unrestrictedly and unreservedly. I don’t want you to ever outgrow that.

I’d like to see you become less rigid and headstrong for everything. Not everyone will concede like your mom and dad.

You don’t leave any opportunity to boss around Shivansh. But you also love to emulate him. He masterminds the mischief and you follow. It seems you’re each other’s shadow.

Shreya, I want you to experience all the wondrous little things in this world. I want you to spread your wings, and fly, and if you can’t then you must be strong willed and relentless to keep trying till you can.

Always and forever your hugie pugie mom

The two swans in a hotel room

I don't know how many of you feel like the way I do, but every time I see somebody's hotel room pic (which is often) with two kissing swans entwined in heart shape, and a scatter of rose petals, I am utterly amused. Actually, I'm amused and disgusted at the same time.

I get the symbolic meaning of the swans. Representation of love, beauty, and yes, they are a monogamous pair. Their necks entwined in a heart shape is a universal symbol of love. It is then that I wish to convey to the hotel staff that their wishes can be expressed equally well with a slice of chocolate truffle cake dripping in molten chocolate.

I find those towel shaped two swans intrusive, and annoying. It's like the hotel staff trying to indicate or rather expect something. It's a profane act. I can almost picture the porter wink at the guest as soon as he readies himself to leave you with the sneakily folded towel swans. The housekeeping, room service, and restaurant staff have a hideous smirk after you've spent some time with the swans. It's like telling you, "your future generations owe it to our swans."

How does the hotel staff decide to place the swans anyhow? Is it a request from the hotel guest, or the hotel staff saves it for the honeymooners? Thankfully I've never had to see the detestable swans lest mine will be strangled to laundry.

Till next time I see a pic of those two and squirm in disgust, it shouldn't stop you from publishing it.  

It’s subway and coffee for me

I’m sorry if I ruffle a few feathers, but I have a tendency to understand the reason behind doing things before blindly following them. So every year, just before the festivities, we have this period called Shraddha. After years of watching pooris and kheers, I thought if Shraddha was all about food. I’m aware that the food is a part of feeding the Brahmin, but it’s just a part of it.

·         From what I read, the purpose of the ritual is to provide momentum to the deceased to proceed from Pitru region to a higher plane of existence.

·         If people leave with unfulfilled wishes, the same must be fulfilled (by people who are paying their respect) so that their souls can proceed to a better place from a negative region.

Another source, states:

According to Garuda Purana, after thirteen days of the death soul starts its journey for Yamapuri and it takes seventeen days to reach there.

The soul travels through Yamapuri for another eleven months and only in twelfth month it reaches to the court of Yamaraj. During the period of eleven months it has no access to the food and the water. It is believed that Pindadan and Tarpan done by the son and family members satisfy the hunger and the thirst of the soul during its journey till it reaches the court of the Yamaraj.

Shraddha, a Sanskrit word, means faith. It is an opportunity to return the favors of our ancestors, society, sages and God. The spiritual emotion is important, and not so much the ritual itself. The ritual must be performed with sincerity.

All in all, I feel it’s a period to remember our ancestors (people who we loved day in and day out), think about every memory that we created with them and think of ways to carry forward their legacy.

Feeding the Brahmins with sumptuous food is a part of the ritual. Looks like we focus on that aspect a little too much.

Talking of food, I wish its Subway and coffee for my afterlife journey.