When I searched, I found various activities and observances in India and in the world during February are connected to individual and group health. Let me get to you a bird’s eye view of these activities. 13th is Mahashivarathri a festival of Holy fasting. Fasting is directly connected to Health. While some devotees opt for a full fasting without even drinking a single drop of water, for many others it is not a Practical Option due to illness, job or old age, they eat fruits milk and water and no food is taken after sunset. According to Hindu mythology, observance of Mahashivrati Vrat with discipline, helps a devotee to control the two great natural forces that affect a man, Rajas guna (the quality of passionate activity) and Tamas guna (The quality of inertia). When a devotee spends an entire day in the Feet of Lord and worships with sincerity, his motion is controlled and evils like lust, anger and jealousy, born of Rajas are ignored and subdued. Besides, when a devotee observes vigi throughout the night (Jaagran) he manages to conquer the evils of Tamas Guna also. Fasting detoxifies the body and purifies the mind. The body feels lighter and the mind’s restlessness is curtailed. At the same time the mind becomes alert. When the mind becomes alert, it is better prepared for prayer and meditation, which is central to the celebration of Mahashivratri. when the mind and body are detoxified, the strength of one’s intensions and prayers also increases. So, on Mahashivratri, fasting and meditation together increase the possibility of desires getting manifested. Unlike other Hindu festivals, where after performing the pooja of the deity, a feast follows. During Shivarathri the fast continues all through the day and night. Devotees observe an all night vigil. Non cereal food such as boiled potato’s curry without onion, garlic, ginger or turmeric, is called phalar in some places.
4th February is World Cancer Day. On this occasion I remember a few known cases of breast cancer. In 1992 one of my colleague’s mother at Bhadravathi suffered breast cancer. After mammography and continuous medical checkup one breast was removed. She is still alive, leading the healthy life . A close friend of my wife also suffered from breast cancer. For a long period she oscillated between her house and the hospital for kemo therapy. She lost all hair on her head along with both breasts. My wife used to accompany her friend for daily dressing. She was completely cured. But after a few years, cruel cancer attacked her once again and took her life, due to a little negligence. That is why Dr. K.B Lingegowda Director of Kidway Memorial Cancer Institutiion Bangalore calls for early checkup. When I was in AIR I had interviwed Dr. Krishna M. Bhargava the then Director of Kidway Memorial Cancer Institution Bangalore and he had stressed the importance of minimum knowledge about cancer. People especially women should be very careful about any leakage of blood, any lump in breast or any lump in any part of their body. If they get any doubt, they should immediately have cancer checkup. All adults, women should have yearly checkup of whole body. Those who smoke, chew tobacco, and drink alcohol should be very careful about their mouth, tongue, lips and throat. Whenever they observe any white line or any wound, if they cannot eat, must consult medical experts .If the checkup and treatment is taken in the first stage of cancer, their life is guaranteed. If they cross second, third, and last stage wherever they may go, whatever amount they may spend, life is at very high risk. That is why it is very ironical to note that people are ready to spend 30 lakhs for a marriage, 3 lakhs for a party, 2 lakhs for a gold chain but they don’t want to spend Rs. 2000/- for a total body medical examination.
On February 6th International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is observed :- FGM being so high-risk, the abolition of such practices must be prompt. This is a movement for the rights of women and their bodies, as well as the protection of their physical health – which can be tremendously affected later in life. These efforts are to benefit actions fighting violence against women and girls as a whole. Every Woman, Every child (a global movement), reports that “Although primarily concentrated in 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East, FGM is a universal problem and is also practiced in some countries in Asia and Latin America. FGM continues to persist amongst immigrant populations living in Western Europe, North America, Australia, and NewZealand. “In the United States alone, the recent reports of how many women and young girls are affected by FGM, staggeringly tripled in numbers in comparison to the previous reports in 1990. About 120 to 140 million women have been subject to FGM over the years and currently at least 3 million girls are at risk each year, in accord to data presented by the World Health Organization. It is an effort to make the world aware of FGM and to promote its eradication. The World Health Organization has said that “ Though the practice has persisted for over a thousand years, programmatic evidence suggests that FGM/C can end in one generation.
Health risks are as follows:-Severe pain, excessive bleeding, shock, genital tissue swelling, inflammatory response or local infection, HIV, urination problem, impaired wound healing can lead to pain, infections and abnormal scarring, death and psychological consequences, such as trauma.
World Marriage Day is an annual celebration on 11th February. Marriage makes the life of a man complete. It is considered to be the most important part of the life of any human. It is the bond between two people and is recognized to be the socially or ritually recognized activity, is usually considered to be a long term relationship between the spouse or partner. Show your love, affection, faithfulness and more of everything for your spouse as World Marriage Day is the best time. classical composers and one of the first romantic Franz Schubert says “ Happy is the man who finds a true friend and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife”. The purpose is declared to be, World Marriage Day honours husband and wife as the foundation of the family, the basic unit of society. It salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice and joy in daily married life. On 12th Let us celebrate Darwin Day:- Let us celebrate Intellectual bravery, let us celebrate perpetual curiosity, let us celebrate Hunger for truth. This day is used to highlight the Darwin’s contribution to science and to promote science in general.
We celebrate World Radio Day on 13th, a day to celebrate radio as a medium, to improve international cooperation, between broadcasters and to encourage major networks and community radio alike, to promote access to information, freedom of expression and gender equality over the airwaves.
On 18th India celebrates Shivaji Jayanti. Shivaji will always be known as, a source of inspiration and pride for generations, for his courage and military acumen. On 10th India observes Swami Dayanand Saraswati Jayanthi. He established the foundation of Arya Samaja in 1875. The primary objective of Arya Samaja is to do good to the whole world, by improving the physical, spiritual and social conditions of society. Today the preside of Arya samaja is felt in more than 100 countries. He yearned to make the entire world, a group good people. 
World Rotary Day is celebrated on 23rd. Rotary day at the united nations celebrates two organazation’s shared vision for peace and highlights the critical humanitarian activities, that Rotary and U.N. lead around the world. To promote peace, this organization encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures. Rotary educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS and malaria. Rotary improve and expand access to low-cost and free health care in developing areas. Rotary support local solutions to bring clean water, sanitation and hygiene to more people every day. Also share expertise with community leaders and educators, to make sure of projects succeed long-term. Nearly 6 million children under the age of 5 die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care and inadequate sanitation. Rotary expand access to quality care to mothers and their children can live and grow stronger. Goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education and increase adult literacy. Rotary carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and create opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. Rotary has been working to educate polio for over 30 years and goal of Rotary in ridding the earth of this disease is in sight.
On 26th Garden tourism Festival is observed in India. Spring brings a bounty of joy and freshness in the air. As we welcome the season with open arms, Delhi Tourism is set to host the 30th Garden Tourism Festival at the Garden of Five Senses in the Capital. Gardening is one of the effective ways of staying in touch with nature and the three-day extravaganza has been a trend for almost three decades now.To charm garden enthusiasts, the festival has been themed on Skills in Gardening this year. Sprawling gardens and horticultural demonstrations at the festival, will put the spotlight on a variety of flowers, potted plants and bonsai. The venue beautifully brings the essence of the festival alive with its attractions such as court of palm court of cacti, herbal gardens, tree museum, Topiary gardens, Zen gardens, aromatic gardens, butterfly zone and Terrariums.
On 28th National Science Day is celebrated with pride.In 1930 Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman of our country got Nobel prize. He had worked from 1907 to 1933 at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata West Bengal in India, during which he had researched on many topics of the Physics, from which the Raman Effect (effect on scattering of light when passing through different materials) became his great success and discovery, which has been marked in the Indian history. For his big invention he was honored through the various Indian awards, including the Nobel Prize. From the year 2013, “Raman Effect” has been designated as an international Historic Chemical Landmark by The Amerrican Chemical Society. National science day is celebrated as one of the main science festivals in India, every year. students of the schools and colleges demonstrate various science projects, and national and state science institutions demonstrate their latest researches. The celebration also includes public speech, radio – TV talk shows, exhibitions of science movie, science exhibition based on themes and concepts, watching night sky, live projects and researcher’s demonstration, debates, quiz competitions, lectures science models exhibition and many more activities.
4th to 10th is International Development Week:- Global affairs Canada, individuals and organizations across the country take part in I.D.W and celebrate Canadian contributions to poverty reduction and international humanitarian assistance in developing world. I.D.W is also a chance to engage others, in learning about and contributing to those efforts. The theme for IDW 2018 is partners for a better world.World Day of of social Justice is on 20th :-Social justice is an underlying principle of peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among the nations. The United Nations Organizations upholds the principle of social justice, promoting gender quality and the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants. World Day of social justice is a day recognizing the need to promote efforts to tackle issues such as Poverty exclusion and unemployment. In U.S.A. several health days are being observed as national days. A few such days are being noted here,which are very important for us also. National Toothache Day also known as odontalgia is observed on 9th February. Every one is to be aware of how to prevent toothaches. Routine dental care is an important first step. Avoiding sugary foods and acidic drinks and daily brushing and flossing are important. still there can be cavities, accidents that break or chip at tooth or infections. Teeth can also be sensitive to heat or cold. A toothache can make us miserable, making it difficult to eat, sleep or sometimes even talk.
National Organ donor day is observed on 14th February. This is a day to increase awareness about organ donation and the lives that can be saved. In U.S there are more than, 1,20,000 people waiting for a life saving organ donation. Give the gift of life. There is a focus on 5 different types of donations are – organs, tissues, marrow, platelets and blood while adding this section, I remember that, I had donated both eyes of my only son N.R Ashwin when he passed away on 28-9-2017, while waiting for donor liver to undergo liver transplantation.
15th February is celebrated as National singles awareness day:-This is a day for singles, who are not involved in a romantic relationship. It is a celebration of love in all forms, recognizing the love between friends, and family and loving yourself. Some want to remind romantic couples, that they do not need to be in a relationship to celebrate life. National almond day is on 16th. Almond is not a nut. It is a stone fruit. stone is eaten and pulp is thrown. Jordan almond looks like a large plump. Almonds are an excellent source of vitamin E and magnesium. They have the highest level of protein and fiber, among all tree nuts. protein in almonds is more like a protein of human breast milk.
17th is National Cabbage Day:- The cabbage s an ancient food with origins in Turkey and Eastern Mediterranean. cabbage is versatile and can be eaten raw, steamed or sauted. Having low calories (6 per leaf) make cabbage a popular diet food. It has no fat or cholesterol, is low in sodium and is a good source of vitamin C.
26th is National fairy tale day. What were once histories, myth and legends, retold around the fire or by travelling story tellers, now a few have been written down and become known the world over as fairy tales. Most were told as a way to make children behave, teach a lesson or to pass the time, much like ghost stories around a campfire today. Today at the age of 66, I very much remember such stories told to me, during my childhood, by my grandmothers Lakshmi and Tangamma,mother Girija and maternal aunt Rajalakshmi Ramachandran. They developed in me, curiosity, interest in concentrated listening, imagination, heroism, courage without fear and art of story telling. Later I developed my own style of recreating fairy tales to children of today. I have developed a special story line, in a very interesting, moving manner. I have used my voice to the maximum as the main ingredient, to utter words in different styles to suit different characters, with alternative use of silence and sound. Subject is about characters from world of animal plant and non living objects. Story, mimicry, music, dance, puzzle, arithmetic, moral lessen, common sense have all been combined in various permutations and combinations. Above all humor has clicked. I have conducted more than 100 story telling sessions in schools, slums, summer camps, to inculcate interest amongst children in studies, life, sanitation, health education, nutrition, save water, environment and love towards aged.
28th is rare Disease Day. The purpose is to raise awareness for rare diseases and improve access to treatments and medical representation for individuals with rare diseases and their families. On this 28th the 11th annual world rare disease conference will be held in U.S.
N.V Ramesh
Mob:- 98455-65238
