The ever-increasing number of cancer patients across the globe has become a huge concern for governments and health care organizations. Let us look at some global data on cancer just to put things into perspective:
According to Cancer Research UK, a nonprofit organization, in 2012 alone, there have been more than 8 million deaths in the world due to cancer. That is more than the number of deaths caused by war in the last decade.
And what is more alarming is that there have been 14 million new cases of cancer registered worldwide. Although, it is hard to say which type of cancer is more fatal, lung cancer has turned out to become the most common followed by breast cancer. Almost one out of every 10 male in the world has been diagnosed with lung cancer, the leading causes of this being smoking, tobacco usage and even pollution.
No cure in sight
Despite spending billions on research and drug development, the world has nothing concrete to show for it. It hasn't been even able to list out the actual reasons for cancer. At any given point of time, there is a new claim from a drug company or few individuals about the invention of a miracle cancer drug, but sooner or later, the hopes are dashed again. While the world waits for a reliable cure, wouldn't it be wise to look at some remedies that nature herself has provided us. Turmeric, a spice that has been in use since medieval times, is known for its medicinal properties, and more importantly, as a cure for cancer!
Turmeric and Ayurveda
Ayurveda, the ancient natural science that has its roots in India, has acquired huge significance in today's world where other treatment options available causes numerous side effects to the patients. One of the most prominent ingredients in Ayurvedic medicines is Turmeric, which is grown in abundance in India. Turmeric owes its medicinal properties to Curcumin, which possess antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the unique property of Curcumin which gives it a real shot against cancer is its antioxidant properties.
Turmeric anticancer properties have been in the out for quite some time now. Although there are no comprehensive data on the claim that turmeric cures cancer, the results of various studies have been encouraging. Studies have shown that curcumin can actually destroy the free radicals in the blood stream which are known to create cancer cells. The antioxidant properties may thus result in turmeric cancer cure.
The studies have been more encouraging in the treatment of turmeric prostate cancer, wherein the antioxidants were able to specifically destroy the prostate cancer cells. One of the best ways to reap the rich benefits of turmeric for cancer cure is to ensure a diet rich in turmeric on a daily basis. Make sure the turmeric you buy is completely natural and is sourced from trusted sources. Indian turmeric is known for its high curcumin content and hence is highly recommended. A healthy dose of turmeric everyday combined with a healthy life style can keep cancer at bay.
A recent study by the Researchers in India have proven that Turmeric can obstruct cancer cell divisions, which is really a happy news to the Globe
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9310658
Tuesday, 9 February 2016
Genomic Cancer Testing
It was back in August of 1994 that I was first diagnosed with breast cancer. At that time, I was a "problem patient", as my oncologist coined me, due to my diagnosis of stage 1 and four recurrences simultaneously. Pair that with my allergy to chemo that started shutting my spinal cord down - and her name for me is understandable! Since my diagnosis over twenty years ago, there have been major advances in the science of treating tumors. Much of these advances is in the area of genomic testing. I cannot help but wonder how my cancer journey might have been different had this fascinating science been around then.
Some of you probably have had genetic testing, which is the study of heredity - both maternal and paternal. Genetic testing can be very helpful in helping "at risk" people prior to a cancer diagnosis in addition to aiding a genetic counselor when advising a patient with a genetic disposition regarding potential therapies and surgeries.
However, genetics and genomics are not synonymous. On The World Health Organization's website genomics is defined as: the study of genes and their functions". It goes on to say: "The main difference between genomics and genetics is that genetics scrutinizes the functioning and composition of the single gene whereas genomics addresses all genes and their inter-relationships in order to identify their combined influence on the growth and development of the organism."
This type of testing is not new, but it is an evolving science that offer patients specialized therapies based on their particular tumors cellular mutations. There are patterns in these mutations and when these patterns are unlocked with genomic testing, the patient's oncologist can recommend therapies known to have worked on these particular mutations in the past.
Many cancer centers across America, Canada and Europe have been using genomic testing for several years for certain types of cancer. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America is one of those. CTCA was where I chose to go for adjuvant therapy following my oncologist's hands-off attitude. (I certainly wasn't an expert on cancer and follow-up treatments, but I did know that when I was asked to make my next appointment in six months just three weeks after leaving ICU from the allergic response to chemo, my doctor was not up to the task of dealing with a "problem patient".)
Unfortunately, at this time, not all types of cancer utilize genomic testing. That may never be the case. But this tool offers exciting opportunities for those patients whose tumors most likely will respond better to an individualized treatment program.
God made us individuals and now that individuality is being used in an exciting way in the midst of a deadly disease. I am sure over the next several years genomic testing will take some giant steps forward!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9314603
Some of you probably have had genetic testing, which is the study of heredity - both maternal and paternal. Genetic testing can be very helpful in helping "at risk" people prior to a cancer diagnosis in addition to aiding a genetic counselor when advising a patient with a genetic disposition regarding potential therapies and surgeries.
However, genetics and genomics are not synonymous. On The World Health Organization's website genomics is defined as: the study of genes and their functions". It goes on to say: "The main difference between genomics and genetics is that genetics scrutinizes the functioning and composition of the single gene whereas genomics addresses all genes and their inter-relationships in order to identify their combined influence on the growth and development of the organism."
This type of testing is not new, but it is an evolving science that offer patients specialized therapies based on their particular tumors cellular mutations. There are patterns in these mutations and when these patterns are unlocked with genomic testing, the patient's oncologist can recommend therapies known to have worked on these particular mutations in the past.
Many cancer centers across America, Canada and Europe have been using genomic testing for several years for certain types of cancer. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America is one of those. CTCA was where I chose to go for adjuvant therapy following my oncologist's hands-off attitude. (I certainly wasn't an expert on cancer and follow-up treatments, but I did know that when I was asked to make my next appointment in six months just three weeks after leaving ICU from the allergic response to chemo, my doctor was not up to the task of dealing with a "problem patient".)
Unfortunately, at this time, not all types of cancer utilize genomic testing. That may never be the case. But this tool offers exciting opportunities for those patients whose tumors most likely will respond better to an individualized treatment program.
God made us individuals and now that individuality is being used in an exciting way in the midst of a deadly disease. I am sure over the next several years genomic testing will take some giant steps forward!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9314603
Some Ideas to Reduce the High Cost of Gasoline
Some Ideas to Reduce the High Cost of Gasoline
Sticker Shock!
I don't know about you, but I'm starting to get "sticker shock" every time I go to fill my car with gas. I've seen prices per gallon for regular gasoline here in the Los Angeles area as high as $2.69 9/10 lately. And it seems like only a few weeks ago, they were about $2.25 9/10. Mathematically speaking, that's a 19.5% increase in just a matter of weeks.
What is really insidious is that a significant rise in gasoline prices has a tremendous ripple effect throughout the entire economy. It raises the cost of doing business. When those costs get high enough, they are passed on to you and me in the form of higher prices. So this isn't just a matter of improving the environment, this is about economic survival!
We Must All Take Positive Action
I believe that we cause prices to decrease if we take collective action to reduce gasoline consumption. If we can reduce our national demand for gasoline, this certainly should eventually lead to stabilizing and possibly reducing the price we pay at the pump. And that will help stabilize prices throughout the economy. One of the great side benefits of this is that reducing our consumption of gasoline will also improve the environment--especially air quality.
Some Suggestions
Here are some suggestions. Some are things that you can do to immediately reduce your gasoline consumption/cost. Some require the cooperation with others. The cumulative effect of all these changes can be significant if everyone saves even a little:
1) Make certain you car pool at least once or twice per week. Every person who carpools is one less person on the road.
2) Work out an arrangement with your employer to shift your work hours to times when traffic is better. For example, if you come to work a couple of hours in the morning and leave a couple of hours early, you may be on the road when traffic is lighter. That should translate improved gas mileage.
3) Work out an arrangement with your employer to work 10 hours a day 4 days per week. Employers still get the same number of work hours, but this reduces the number of days you have to come to work. The days off can vary by employee so that it doesn't disrupt business operations.
4) Employers need to consider allowing some employees to telecommute. With high speed internet connections and VPN accounts, this is now more technically possible than ever. As long as the employee is self-motivated, this benefits the employer as well as the employee. Many times, employees who telecommute actually work longer on days they telecommute because of the reduced commute time. Also, they often eat at home during the work day reducing lunch times. And there are fewer interruptions so they can concentrate and be more productive. And the employee has less stress reducing sick time and increasing morale.
5) Change one of your work days to a Saturday or Sunday. In most cases, traffic is lighter on the weekends, so you should get better gas mileage. And isn't it great to have a day off during the week to take care of personal things that are sometimes difficult to do on the weekends.
6) Consolidate your trips. While reducing miles per gallon is important, the real savings come when you simply don't use the car at all.
7) Set a personal goal to reduce your personal gasoline consumption by 10%. I recommend that you write this goal out on a card and tape it to the visor in your car so that you see it regularly. If you set a goal and review it often then you are more likely to take conscious action to achieve it. Too often, we simply get in the car and go without thinking of the consequences.
8) Get a log book and start recording your gasoline consumption every time you go to fill up. Write down the mileage, number of gallons, price per gallon, total cost and your average miles per gallon. Then review the total figures at the end of each month. Once you get into the habit of writing down the information, it won't take much time. Just the act of recording this information will make you conscious of how much or how little you are using your car. That will make it easier for you to take action to reduce your consumption.
9) The next time you get your oil changed, request synthetic oil. Yes, synthetic oil is more expensive. But, when I switched to synthetic oil a few years ago, my mileage improved by about 25%. That was in a different car than I drive now. I don't know if you will experience any change, but I bet you receive some improvement.
10) Take your car to a mechanic to find out what actions you may take to improve your gas mileage. Maybe it's as simple as getting a tune up. Or a new air filter. Or air in your tires. Maybe using a fuel additive. The point is, if everyone takes steps to improve their mileage, it could have a huge collective impact.
11) Reward gas stations with the best prices with your business. It's not as hard to find gas prices that are lower relative to other stations. If you have a warehouse club like Costco in your area, they usually have excellent prices. I estimate that I save at least $0,15 per gallon by getting my gas at my local Costco.
12) Shop for the lowest gasoline prices in your area online. There are some websites that are posting the local gasoline prices throughout the country. If your area is covered, this can be a quick way to locate the best prices. One such site is called http://www.gasbuddy.com. What is really amazing is how the price can vary by as much as 20% within just a few blocks.
13) Reduce your speed on the freeway. Did you know that most cars get their best gas mileage between 40-60 miles per hour? Those people that go flying down the freeway at 70-80 miles per hour are unnecessarily consuming more gasoline as well as putting people's lives at risk. I used to be in favor of the legal speed limit being raised to 65 miles per hour or higher. But knowing the savings we can all achieve if we just decrease the average speed limit, I think it's time we revisit going back to 55 miles per hour. I know this is probably going to be a hugely unpopular suggestion, but I feel it is important to make it anyway.
14) Don't leave your car idling to heat up or for any other reason. Most cars today heat up quickly, so there is probably no longer any reason to waste gasoline this way.
15) When you start from a stoplight or stop sign, accelerate gradually. When you accelerate suddenly, you consume more gasoline.
16) Government officials need to revisit increasing daylight savings time. Studies have shown that overall energy decreases when daylight savings time starts. That's probably because there is less energy used in the evening since we have an extra hour of light. What would happen if we moved clocks ahead an extra half-hour or hour? I've noticed that when I get up in the morning, it starts getting light at about 6:30 here in Los Angeles. I imagine that there would be little negative benefit if we moved our clocks ahead and extra half-hour or hour to take full advantage of daylight. I think this would only work if it took place nationwide. We should also look into moving the clocks ahead earlier in March rather than waiting until April. If you think this is unreasonable, remember that daylight savings time used to start at the end of April until the U.S. Congress changed it by law.
17) Large corporations should consider setting up small satellite work centers closer to where people live. Even having small offices in different locations where people can go and connect their laptop to a high speed internet connection can make it easier for some knowledge workers to reduce commute distances. The government should offer tax incentives to encourage this.
18) Write your local, state, and national leaders and encourage them to show real leadership with respect to conservation. It is so easy to email leaders, I suggest that you email them with these and/or your own suggestions. It is shocking to me that prices could increase so dramatically with so little notice from our public and private leaders. We need to let them know that we expect them to display a higher standard of leadership. A large number of these suggestions involve a significant shift in the way we live and work. Many of these changes will not happen unless they are suggested and publicized by leaders at the national level.
It's Time To Change Our Habits--Probably Past Time
These changes will only change if there is a change in our national mindset--our national habits. We have been conditioned to believe that we have to work the hours we work. We have been conditioned to believe that the only effective way to work is to travel to a central location. That we have to physically be at the Corporate location in order to be productive.
Government leaders should offer businesses tax incentives to implement policies that encourage conservation and reduction in travel distances and times. They already do this to some degree with carpooling, but that's not enough. We simply must be more creative in finding ways to be more efficient and reduce the consumption of gasoline. Reduce demand and prices are likely to follow.
There are other suggestions I could make such as using public transportation or buying a fuel efficient car. Those should be pursued, but those are the standard answers and longer term solutions. Certainly we need to move in that direction for the long term, but given the recent dramatic rise in gasoline prices, out of necessity we need to take immediate action that will lead to lower prices in the short term while we also move towards long term solutions.
I know that some of these suggestions are radical. I know that many require the consent of people in authority over us--mostly our employers. And some require a certain amount of self-sacrifice (but not that much really if change some simple habits). The good news is that given the high cost of gasoline, if you take even some of these actions, you can significantly decrease your monthly expenses. And the truth is that if we want gasoline prices to fall, we each need to do our part.
If we all do a little, collectively we can accomplish a lot!
Please share this article with as many people as possible. The more people who believe that we can take meaningful action to reduce gasoline consumption, the greater the possibility that prices will fall. Wouldn't it be great if our collective actions reduced gasoline prices back to $1.20 per gallon! Those days are gone forever--if we believe they are gone. How would lower fuel prices improve your economy? How would this improve our national economy.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/26963
Sticker Shock!
I don't know about you, but I'm starting to get "sticker shock" every time I go to fill my car with gas. I've seen prices per gallon for regular gasoline here in the Los Angeles area as high as $2.69 9/10 lately. And it seems like only a few weeks ago, they were about $2.25 9/10. Mathematically speaking, that's a 19.5% increase in just a matter of weeks.
What is really insidious is that a significant rise in gasoline prices has a tremendous ripple effect throughout the entire economy. It raises the cost of doing business. When those costs get high enough, they are passed on to you and me in the form of higher prices. So this isn't just a matter of improving the environment, this is about economic survival!
We Must All Take Positive Action
I believe that we cause prices to decrease if we take collective action to reduce gasoline consumption. If we can reduce our national demand for gasoline, this certainly should eventually lead to stabilizing and possibly reducing the price we pay at the pump. And that will help stabilize prices throughout the economy. One of the great side benefits of this is that reducing our consumption of gasoline will also improve the environment--especially air quality.
Some Suggestions
Here are some suggestions. Some are things that you can do to immediately reduce your gasoline consumption/cost. Some require the cooperation with others. The cumulative effect of all these changes can be significant if everyone saves even a little:
1) Make certain you car pool at least once or twice per week. Every person who carpools is one less person on the road.
2) Work out an arrangement with your employer to shift your work hours to times when traffic is better. For example, if you come to work a couple of hours in the morning and leave a couple of hours early, you may be on the road when traffic is lighter. That should translate improved gas mileage.
3) Work out an arrangement with your employer to work 10 hours a day 4 days per week. Employers still get the same number of work hours, but this reduces the number of days you have to come to work. The days off can vary by employee so that it doesn't disrupt business operations.
4) Employers need to consider allowing some employees to telecommute. With high speed internet connections and VPN accounts, this is now more technically possible than ever. As long as the employee is self-motivated, this benefits the employer as well as the employee. Many times, employees who telecommute actually work longer on days they telecommute because of the reduced commute time. Also, they often eat at home during the work day reducing lunch times. And there are fewer interruptions so they can concentrate and be more productive. And the employee has less stress reducing sick time and increasing morale.
5) Change one of your work days to a Saturday or Sunday. In most cases, traffic is lighter on the weekends, so you should get better gas mileage. And isn't it great to have a day off during the week to take care of personal things that are sometimes difficult to do on the weekends.
6) Consolidate your trips. While reducing miles per gallon is important, the real savings come when you simply don't use the car at all.
7) Set a personal goal to reduce your personal gasoline consumption by 10%. I recommend that you write this goal out on a card and tape it to the visor in your car so that you see it regularly. If you set a goal and review it often then you are more likely to take conscious action to achieve it. Too often, we simply get in the car and go without thinking of the consequences.
8) Get a log book and start recording your gasoline consumption every time you go to fill up. Write down the mileage, number of gallons, price per gallon, total cost and your average miles per gallon. Then review the total figures at the end of each month. Once you get into the habit of writing down the information, it won't take much time. Just the act of recording this information will make you conscious of how much or how little you are using your car. That will make it easier for you to take action to reduce your consumption.
9) The next time you get your oil changed, request synthetic oil. Yes, synthetic oil is more expensive. But, when I switched to synthetic oil a few years ago, my mileage improved by about 25%. That was in a different car than I drive now. I don't know if you will experience any change, but I bet you receive some improvement.
10) Take your car to a mechanic to find out what actions you may take to improve your gas mileage. Maybe it's as simple as getting a tune up. Or a new air filter. Or air in your tires. Maybe using a fuel additive. The point is, if everyone takes steps to improve their mileage, it could have a huge collective impact.
11) Reward gas stations with the best prices with your business. It's not as hard to find gas prices that are lower relative to other stations. If you have a warehouse club like Costco in your area, they usually have excellent prices. I estimate that I save at least $0,15 per gallon by getting my gas at my local Costco.
12) Shop for the lowest gasoline prices in your area online. There are some websites that are posting the local gasoline prices throughout the country. If your area is covered, this can be a quick way to locate the best prices. One such site is called http://www.gasbuddy.com. What is really amazing is how the price can vary by as much as 20% within just a few blocks.
13) Reduce your speed on the freeway. Did you know that most cars get their best gas mileage between 40-60 miles per hour? Those people that go flying down the freeway at 70-80 miles per hour are unnecessarily consuming more gasoline as well as putting people's lives at risk. I used to be in favor of the legal speed limit being raised to 65 miles per hour or higher. But knowing the savings we can all achieve if we just decrease the average speed limit, I think it's time we revisit going back to 55 miles per hour. I know this is probably going to be a hugely unpopular suggestion, but I feel it is important to make it anyway.
14) Don't leave your car idling to heat up or for any other reason. Most cars today heat up quickly, so there is probably no longer any reason to waste gasoline this way.
15) When you start from a stoplight or stop sign, accelerate gradually. When you accelerate suddenly, you consume more gasoline.
16) Government officials need to revisit increasing daylight savings time. Studies have shown that overall energy decreases when daylight savings time starts. That's probably because there is less energy used in the evening since we have an extra hour of light. What would happen if we moved clocks ahead an extra half-hour or hour? I've noticed that when I get up in the morning, it starts getting light at about 6:30 here in Los Angeles. I imagine that there would be little negative benefit if we moved our clocks ahead and extra half-hour or hour to take full advantage of daylight. I think this would only work if it took place nationwide. We should also look into moving the clocks ahead earlier in March rather than waiting until April. If you think this is unreasonable, remember that daylight savings time used to start at the end of April until the U.S. Congress changed it by law.
17) Large corporations should consider setting up small satellite work centers closer to where people live. Even having small offices in different locations where people can go and connect their laptop to a high speed internet connection can make it easier for some knowledge workers to reduce commute distances. The government should offer tax incentives to encourage this.
18) Write your local, state, and national leaders and encourage them to show real leadership with respect to conservation. It is so easy to email leaders, I suggest that you email them with these and/or your own suggestions. It is shocking to me that prices could increase so dramatically with so little notice from our public and private leaders. We need to let them know that we expect them to display a higher standard of leadership. A large number of these suggestions involve a significant shift in the way we live and work. Many of these changes will not happen unless they are suggested and publicized by leaders at the national level.
It's Time To Change Our Habits--Probably Past Time
These changes will only change if there is a change in our national mindset--our national habits. We have been conditioned to believe that we have to work the hours we work. We have been conditioned to believe that the only effective way to work is to travel to a central location. That we have to physically be at the Corporate location in order to be productive.
Government leaders should offer businesses tax incentives to implement policies that encourage conservation and reduction in travel distances and times. They already do this to some degree with carpooling, but that's not enough. We simply must be more creative in finding ways to be more efficient and reduce the consumption of gasoline. Reduce demand and prices are likely to follow.
There are other suggestions I could make such as using public transportation or buying a fuel efficient car. Those should be pursued, but those are the standard answers and longer term solutions. Certainly we need to move in that direction for the long term, but given the recent dramatic rise in gasoline prices, out of necessity we need to take immediate action that will lead to lower prices in the short term while we also move towards long term solutions.
I know that some of these suggestions are radical. I know that many require the consent of people in authority over us--mostly our employers. And some require a certain amount of self-sacrifice (but not that much really if change some simple habits). The good news is that given the high cost of gasoline, if you take even some of these actions, you can significantly decrease your monthly expenses. And the truth is that if we want gasoline prices to fall, we each need to do our part.
If we all do a little, collectively we can accomplish a lot!
Please share this article with as many people as possible. The more people who believe that we can take meaningful action to reduce gasoline consumption, the greater the possibility that prices will fall. Wouldn't it be great if our collective actions reduced gasoline prices back to $1.20 per gallon! Those days are gone forever--if we believe they are gone. How would lower fuel prices improve your economy? How would this improve our national economy.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/26963
Red Ribbon Week; "Say No To Drugs Week"
You will find each year during October is Red Ribbon Week; "Say no to Drugs" week. There are many things you can do as a small business owner in support of Red Ribbon Week which are relatively inexpensive, but make a huge difference. If you are in the automotive business you can tie a Red Ribbon on each car you service. If you are a car dealership you can put a Red Ribbon on every car on the front line. The ice cream man can tape a Red Ribbon on the bottom of each Popsicle stick. Medical and Professional offices can put a dish full of ribbons and safety pins on the counter for patrons.
Your total cost for a Red Ribbon spool is about $2.50-3.50 and you should cut them in 4 to 5 inch lengths. If you are dealing with small children use tape, for everyone else a box of safety pins costs about $3.00 or so. Illegal Drugs are a huge problem in the United States cutting short lives, adding to crime and costing billions each year in police, first responders, hospital and rehabilitation. The lost productivity to businesses alone is said to be in the tens of billions per year.
All small business owners should show their support for a drug free community. The cost is next to nothing and the good will and positive PR is nothing short of excellent for your business. Won't you join us in making a statement against illegal drugs and unite your community to be proactive in teaching our youth to; "Say No To Drugs!"
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/27838
Your total cost for a Red Ribbon spool is about $2.50-3.50 and you should cut them in 4 to 5 inch lengths. If you are dealing with small children use tape, for everyone else a box of safety pins costs about $3.00 or so. Illegal Drugs are a huge problem in the United States cutting short lives, adding to crime and costing billions each year in police, first responders, hospital and rehabilitation. The lost productivity to businesses alone is said to be in the tens of billions per year.
All small business owners should show their support for a drug free community. The cost is next to nothing and the good will and positive PR is nothing short of excellent for your business. Won't you join us in making a statement against illegal drugs and unite your community to be proactive in teaching our youth to; "Say No To Drugs!"
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/27838
Is It Fair?
The fairness crèmes' ads currently being featured on the television are RIDICULOUS, OUTRAGEOUS, and ATROCIOUS!
What are the companies and the advertising agencies that bag the contracts of advertising such products trying to portray?
Do they by any chance mean that the girls can be successful only if they are fair and that all dark girls should either buy their "get fair in 4 weeks" formula or they would perish from the face of the Indian soil? Even if they want to harp about "fairness brings good spouse, good job... and ultimately success!" then I would like to bring to their kind notice that one of the most developed nations of the world, the USA has no colour concept. Yes they do use tan crèmes as their skin is freckled and they just want to hide all the freckles in a uniform tan all over the face. So apparently all these dark girls who find it "impossible to fulfil their dreams" in India can go west and they will be total hits.
I am not preaching either. I just want to say... wake up to the reality!
This country has enough issues to take care of. And just when we had begun to move on and leave behind the taboos attached to the caste system, gender, colour, race and economic position, these ads surfaced and fed the same old concepts into the young minds over and over.
More so now, in the current era of individualism, fairness crèmes should not position themselves as a product for people who lack something. The ads should not leverage on negative aspects. Rather, they should just be a means to making an informed choice and should refrain from using the platforms of "girl child vs. boy child", "Dark and unsuccessful vs. Fair and successful" and so on.
The current positioning platform used by the ads has a negative connotation. It is usually handed over to a girl by another friend who sees the deplorable condition the former is in. Thus, the latter is shown showering sympathy on a helpless creature who has been abandoned by family members or a lover. This in fact makes it a product, which is supposed to be used under wraps.
Think about it. If the ad shows a girl using fairness crème to overcome an inferiority complex implanted in her as a result of being a neglected daughter, jilted lover or a loser in the corporate world, no one would accept being a user of such a product publicly. Potential users of such a product would hesitate to go to a shop and speak out in a loud and clear voice, "I want a fairness crème".
Also a lot of women who actually use fairness crèmes like to pretend that they use it like any other cold crème or an oil based moisturiser for their skin. No one wants to claim that they actually use it for making their skin lighter.
Consider another product, which boasts of a similar effect on the skin though it is much faster and lasts temporarily: face-bleaching crèmes. Notice that such products are also used by women all over the country and that too without any hesitation, even though the effects are more striking than that of a fairness crèmes. The major players in this field are Fem, Jolen, etc. These crèmes were advertised only to publicise their effects and there were no negative emotional strings attached. Remember the "gori gori-fem fem se" ad for Fem bleaching crème ad. It had a positive lasting effect on the audiences, as the message of "become fair in 15 minutes" was crystal clear. And the girl was not shown using the product because she had been rejected but she was shown using the product to look more beautiful for an already existing date.
Even the fairness crèmes can adopt the strategy of positioning their product as an enhancer of beauty rather than a necessity to survive. This will make the product more respectable and it won't be shameful to use a fairness crème. And if a girl uses a fairness crème she won't have to wonder what her friends might be thinking; that whether her boyfriend has just ditched her, or her parents have stopped loving her just because she can't make it in the big world for being a dark person, etc.
Some specific points need to be noticed here such as the following myth spread by one of the ads:
If you are born a daughter, you are a burden on your folks if you are not a fair skinned creature, as being dark will not fetch you any job, and so you won't be in a position to lend financial support to your family. You will hear your father murmuring to himself stuff like "kaash mera ladka hota" (wish I had a son). This leaves you in utter state of confusion and depression and suddenly you find refuge in a crème, which promises a wonderful career ahead. This will transform your whole life. You will be seen in a new light by everyone at home as well as at work. People will go gaga about your skin and your fair complexion even if the job profile has got nothing to do with your colour. Your career will be directly proportional to the speed at which your skin hues turn lighter.
Reality: No father will say such a discomforting thing to a daughter if he really loves her. Parents are always there to help you out in any situation no matter what. And if a father does harbour such thoughts then he is not worthy enough for you to spend money on buying a crème which promises you the Cinderella looks overnight, and then look for a job and then take your dad out for coffee, the bill for which is paid for, from you hard earned money.
As far as getting a job on the basis of your colour, we all are aware of the current scenario in India. The current economic trends in the corporate world favour only domain expertise, professionalism, will to work hard, healthy competition, good communication skills and integrity. If you possess all the aforementioned qualities but your skin is of a darker hue, in all possibility you will get your dream job (if there is a vacancy and you have applied for the same). Now, if you are only fair, then you will be accepted for the job opening only if the person who is interviewing you belongs to the lineage of someone like HITLER who believes that all dark souls should vanish from the face of the earth and also that all the fair people are intelligent, honest, ethical, and hard working. What are the odds in the favour of such a thing happening?
Another myth spread by the fairness crèmes' ads is that only fair girls get a hold on the eligible bachelors. Once you get lighter (in colour), the guy who has despised you till date will fall for you and propose to you. And then the two will live 'fairly' ever after.
Forget it! I think it takes much more than a colour change to start and sustain a good relationship.
The Indian woman has every right to look pretty in her own way. For some good looks might be dusky skin with long tresses like Bipasha Basu's. For others it might be short hair with fair-glow like Yana's. For some it might mean hazy eyes set on a dark round face like Rani's. I am by no means implying that these women are the ultimate epitomes of beauty; rather I am just citing some examples, as most of you might be aware of these names.
A lot of us go to the beauty parlours and get ourselves treated in a variety of ways. So what is wrong in a fairness crème being advertised? I never said they should not be advertised. My only concern is that they should not take support of meaningless emotional notions.
Rather than going into the "whys" of using a fairness crèmes, the ads should concentrate on "whats" of it.
By "why" I mean, the reason people/girls/ladies will use fairness crème. This should be left to the imagination of the viewer if you cannot think of wise ways of putting it across. Like some of the innocuous ways of advertising a fairness crème can be picked up from a situation I just described; women in a beauty parlour... a beauty parlour owner suddenly coming across a product which will make her a hit among her clients for finding a solution to dark skin. Now each of her clients might have her own reasons for buying the crème. Sell the crème for "what" it does, functionally, not how it will change someone's life because it cannot after all.
Another interesting consumer insight is that males are frequenting the beauty salons more reliouglsy than their female counterparts. There is a huge potential lying untapped their side of the market.
Taking all the above facts in consideration, I have come up with some alternative positioning platforms for a fairness crème: -
A beauty secret between two female friends or male friends
A secret being passed on from a mother to her daughter
A happy product for those happy moments like marriage, parties, anniversaries, etc.
A possession to be felt proud about and not a product to be gifted to someone inferior on whom you want to shower sympathy
It is high time we stop ridiculing dark colour! If a person does want to get rid of it, though, he should be made comfortable using a fairness crème.
Shana Sood Kumar
Resident of Jersey City, USA
MBA and Economics Honors
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/27622
What are the companies and the advertising agencies that bag the contracts of advertising such products trying to portray?
Do they by any chance mean that the girls can be successful only if they are fair and that all dark girls should either buy their "get fair in 4 weeks" formula or they would perish from the face of the Indian soil? Even if they want to harp about "fairness brings good spouse, good job... and ultimately success!" then I would like to bring to their kind notice that one of the most developed nations of the world, the USA has no colour concept. Yes they do use tan crèmes as their skin is freckled and they just want to hide all the freckles in a uniform tan all over the face. So apparently all these dark girls who find it "impossible to fulfil their dreams" in India can go west and they will be total hits.
I am not preaching either. I just want to say... wake up to the reality!
This country has enough issues to take care of. And just when we had begun to move on and leave behind the taboos attached to the caste system, gender, colour, race and economic position, these ads surfaced and fed the same old concepts into the young minds over and over.
More so now, in the current era of individualism, fairness crèmes should not position themselves as a product for people who lack something. The ads should not leverage on negative aspects. Rather, they should just be a means to making an informed choice and should refrain from using the platforms of "girl child vs. boy child", "Dark and unsuccessful vs. Fair and successful" and so on.
The current positioning platform used by the ads has a negative connotation. It is usually handed over to a girl by another friend who sees the deplorable condition the former is in. Thus, the latter is shown showering sympathy on a helpless creature who has been abandoned by family members or a lover. This in fact makes it a product, which is supposed to be used under wraps.
Think about it. If the ad shows a girl using fairness crème to overcome an inferiority complex implanted in her as a result of being a neglected daughter, jilted lover or a loser in the corporate world, no one would accept being a user of such a product publicly. Potential users of such a product would hesitate to go to a shop and speak out in a loud and clear voice, "I want a fairness crème".
Also a lot of women who actually use fairness crèmes like to pretend that they use it like any other cold crème or an oil based moisturiser for their skin. No one wants to claim that they actually use it for making their skin lighter.
Consider another product, which boasts of a similar effect on the skin though it is much faster and lasts temporarily: face-bleaching crèmes. Notice that such products are also used by women all over the country and that too without any hesitation, even though the effects are more striking than that of a fairness crèmes. The major players in this field are Fem, Jolen, etc. These crèmes were advertised only to publicise their effects and there were no negative emotional strings attached. Remember the "gori gori-fem fem se" ad for Fem bleaching crème ad. It had a positive lasting effect on the audiences, as the message of "become fair in 15 minutes" was crystal clear. And the girl was not shown using the product because she had been rejected but she was shown using the product to look more beautiful for an already existing date.
Even the fairness crèmes can adopt the strategy of positioning their product as an enhancer of beauty rather than a necessity to survive. This will make the product more respectable and it won't be shameful to use a fairness crème. And if a girl uses a fairness crème she won't have to wonder what her friends might be thinking; that whether her boyfriend has just ditched her, or her parents have stopped loving her just because she can't make it in the big world for being a dark person, etc.
Some specific points need to be noticed here such as the following myth spread by one of the ads:
If you are born a daughter, you are a burden on your folks if you are not a fair skinned creature, as being dark will not fetch you any job, and so you won't be in a position to lend financial support to your family. You will hear your father murmuring to himself stuff like "kaash mera ladka hota" (wish I had a son). This leaves you in utter state of confusion and depression and suddenly you find refuge in a crème, which promises a wonderful career ahead. This will transform your whole life. You will be seen in a new light by everyone at home as well as at work. People will go gaga about your skin and your fair complexion even if the job profile has got nothing to do with your colour. Your career will be directly proportional to the speed at which your skin hues turn lighter.
Reality: No father will say such a discomforting thing to a daughter if he really loves her. Parents are always there to help you out in any situation no matter what. And if a father does harbour such thoughts then he is not worthy enough for you to spend money on buying a crème which promises you the Cinderella looks overnight, and then look for a job and then take your dad out for coffee, the bill for which is paid for, from you hard earned money.
As far as getting a job on the basis of your colour, we all are aware of the current scenario in India. The current economic trends in the corporate world favour only domain expertise, professionalism, will to work hard, healthy competition, good communication skills and integrity. If you possess all the aforementioned qualities but your skin is of a darker hue, in all possibility you will get your dream job (if there is a vacancy and you have applied for the same). Now, if you are only fair, then you will be accepted for the job opening only if the person who is interviewing you belongs to the lineage of someone like HITLER who believes that all dark souls should vanish from the face of the earth and also that all the fair people are intelligent, honest, ethical, and hard working. What are the odds in the favour of such a thing happening?
Another myth spread by the fairness crèmes' ads is that only fair girls get a hold on the eligible bachelors. Once you get lighter (in colour), the guy who has despised you till date will fall for you and propose to you. And then the two will live 'fairly' ever after.
Forget it! I think it takes much more than a colour change to start and sustain a good relationship.
The Indian woman has every right to look pretty in her own way. For some good looks might be dusky skin with long tresses like Bipasha Basu's. For others it might be short hair with fair-glow like Yana's. For some it might mean hazy eyes set on a dark round face like Rani's. I am by no means implying that these women are the ultimate epitomes of beauty; rather I am just citing some examples, as most of you might be aware of these names.
A lot of us go to the beauty parlours and get ourselves treated in a variety of ways. So what is wrong in a fairness crème being advertised? I never said they should not be advertised. My only concern is that they should not take support of meaningless emotional notions.
Rather than going into the "whys" of using a fairness crèmes, the ads should concentrate on "whats" of it.
By "why" I mean, the reason people/girls/ladies will use fairness crème. This should be left to the imagination of the viewer if you cannot think of wise ways of putting it across. Like some of the innocuous ways of advertising a fairness crème can be picked up from a situation I just described; women in a beauty parlour... a beauty parlour owner suddenly coming across a product which will make her a hit among her clients for finding a solution to dark skin. Now each of her clients might have her own reasons for buying the crème. Sell the crème for "what" it does, functionally, not how it will change someone's life because it cannot after all.
Another interesting consumer insight is that males are frequenting the beauty salons more reliouglsy than their female counterparts. There is a huge potential lying untapped their side of the market.
Taking all the above facts in consideration, I have come up with some alternative positioning platforms for a fairness crème: -
A beauty secret between two female friends or male friends
A secret being passed on from a mother to her daughter
A happy product for those happy moments like marriage, parties, anniversaries, etc.
A possession to be felt proud about and not a product to be gifted to someone inferior on whom you want to shower sympathy
It is high time we stop ridiculing dark colour! If a person does want to get rid of it, though, he should be made comfortable using a fairness crème.
Shana Sood Kumar
Resident of Jersey City, USA
MBA and Economics Honors
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/27622
Abortion
If a pregnant woman's child is killed during an attack, the law says the unborn child is murdered, therefore the attacker will go to trial for murder.
But if a woman chooses to have a abortion, the government has given her the right to legally murder her child.
Should a mother have the right to choose death for her child,when after the child's birth she can choose the option of being a parent or adoption?
Our laws seem to have a double standard for life. How can our government make laws to take away the innocent human lives that the courts have sworn to protect? Lives that may be taken because they are inconvenient to others.
A criminal has the right to a lawyer,and a fair trial.
A unborn baby who's heart beats fighting to live has no legal rights.
The voice for the child
Listen to my heart beat
You have a choice to make,
Only you will decide my fate.
Life or death,
There is not much time left.
The decision is yours alone,
Listen to my heart beat like a song,
There isn't a bigger heart ache
for you to know,
Than to live with the mistake,
That you let me go,
Listen to my heart beat
as you decide my fate,
My life is your choice to make.
There are those who tell you a lie,
They say it's alright for me to die,
Is my life so easy to take?
Listen to my heart beat,
before you decide my fate.
Bio Of Judy Arline Puckett
I am currently residing in Monroe, La.
I begin writing at the age of 11, and I’m 54 now.
I am the mother of three and the grandmother of five.
I love creative writing, poetry, digital art, art, photography, jazz, and blues music.
I write poetry and lyrics on every topic. War, peace, love, heartache, religion, and abortion, which I oppose.
I hope to write meaningful and worthwhile words that will touch hearts and make a difference in life.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/28029
But if a woman chooses to have a abortion, the government has given her the right to legally murder her child.
Should a mother have the right to choose death for her child,when after the child's birth she can choose the option of being a parent or adoption?
Our laws seem to have a double standard for life. How can our government make laws to take away the innocent human lives that the courts have sworn to protect? Lives that may be taken because they are inconvenient to others.
A criminal has the right to a lawyer,and a fair trial.
A unborn baby who's heart beats fighting to live has no legal rights.
The voice for the child
Listen to my heart beat
You have a choice to make,
Only you will decide my fate.
Life or death,
There is not much time left.
The decision is yours alone,
Listen to my heart beat like a song,
There isn't a bigger heart ache
for you to know,
Than to live with the mistake,
That you let me go,
Listen to my heart beat
as you decide my fate,
My life is your choice to make.
There are those who tell you a lie,
They say it's alright for me to die,
Is my life so easy to take?
Listen to my heart beat,
before you decide my fate.
Bio Of Judy Arline Puckett
I am currently residing in Monroe, La.
I begin writing at the age of 11, and I’m 54 now.
I am the mother of three and the grandmother of five.
I love creative writing, poetry, digital art, art, photography, jazz, and blues music.
I write poetry and lyrics on every topic. War, peace, love, heartache, religion, and abortion, which I oppose.
I hope to write meaningful and worthwhile words that will touch hearts and make a difference in life.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/28029
Role of Youth in Nation's Development
Vision 2020 can be better described as vision 20/20. That is the perfect vision in American style and this 20/20 vision can be achieved only by young generation of India. It is well known that India is home to a significant proportion of youth of the world today. All the imperialists of the world are eyeing India as a source of technical manpower. They are looking at our boys and girls as a source of talents at low costs for their future super profits. If Indian youth make up their mind and work in close unity with working class people, they can foil the plans of Imperialism and Bourgeoisie. The plunder of India can be ended with political power in their hands. The workers, peasants, women and youth will ensure that there is work for all. They will ensure that what is produces is geared towards providing adequacy for all members of society.
Unfortunately no one is bothered to dream any such vision. Martin Luther has said, "I have a Dream" and the dream come largely true. If he had not thought of that dream he would have accomplished nothing in his life. To climb high one has to think of climbing the Everest. One may not go higher than 10000 feet but even that will not be attained if you have no better dreams of going up to the top floor of your office in a life.
In recent years the world has come to look at India with renewed respect, recognizing a strong and prosperous global power in the world. It is also a future when the fabled richness of India's art, culture, intellectual explorations and spirituals pursuits will begin to show its full radiance bringing much success to the troubled spirit of Modern India.
Is it a dream? Yes. Is it an impossible dream? No, it's not. This can be done by the Youth of Indains. Youth is the spring of Life. It is the age of discovery and dreams. When they dream they dream not only for the good future of themselves but also for the good future for nation and entire humanity. Their dreams take them to stars and galaxies to the far corners of the unknown and some of them like our own Kalpana Chawla pursue their dream, till they realize it and die for it in process.
If any section of the society in any country is most important for change, again it is the young people. Patriotism comes naturally to young people, but they also respond early to the call of Internationalism. The hopes of the youth are:
1. A world free of poverty, unemployment, inequality and exploitation of man by man.
2. A world free of discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, language and gender.
3. A world full of creative challenges and opportunities to conquer them.
But these are not just the empty hopes. Modern science and technology and increasing vistas of Socio Economic cooperation among nations have brought these hopes out in the reach of realization. In recent times Terrorism has emerged as one of the gravest threat to peace and democratic policy. Youth are drawn between acts of terrorism. In some cases it is not the terrorism, but a freedom struggle. This is how our neighbors are trying to justify its policy of cross border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Youth organizations should carry out an awareness campaign to expose justification or condoning of terrorism anywhere and under whatever pretext.
Role of Youth:
A. The youth can play a vital role in the implementation of elimination of terrorism. If the energy, intelligence and resources of youth are fully and properly utilized the country will prosper.
B. The youth will have to compete with sporting spirit. Just look at the spirit of Internationalism that today prevails in the cricketing world. With the start of any cricket tournament, no matters which team wins, Cricket wins, Youthfulness will won. The spirit of oneness will win.
C. The youth would need to Aspire for entrepreneurship rather than conventional employment.
D. The hopes of young people can be fulfilled only in conditions of peace, only in a civilized and cooperative world order.
E. Young people are full of vibrant ideas. When properly motivated and sufficiently guided they want in their life.
F. Young people have energy to try out things and the patience to learn from mistakes. Giving them opportunities to plan, to decide and to work prepares them to face harsher realities in life.
G. Young participation is important because youth are the country's power. Youth recognize problems and can solve them. Youth are strong forces in social movements. They educate children about their rights. They help other young people attain a higher level of Intellectual ability and to become qualified adults.
What should be the vision of Young generation for India 2020? Vision 2020 says that:
1. Instead of Brain drain, we can be the magnets for bright minds world over.
2. Our Judicial system could be a model for fairness, promptness and incorruptibility.
3. Our Legislatures could be an acme of integrity, farsightedness and purposefulness.
4. Our habitats could be clean with abundant municipal services.
5. Our youth can be the Olympic Champions.
6. We can have 100% Literacy.
7. The Per Capita Income can go up in Geometric Proportions.
8. We can have full employment.
9. We can earn the reputation of being the most transparent and honest nation.
10. We could be the most competitive Nation.
India can become a developed nation only if everyone contributes to the best of his or her capacity and ability. Youth is wholly experimental and with the full utilization of the talents of the Youth, India will become a complete Nation. Let us hope for the same.
'Youth is like a fire
It crept forward.
A Spark at first
Growing into a flame
The brightening into a Blaze'.
Atul SHiva is a Lecturer in Commerce in Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management, Ludhiana. His areas of interest are Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Management.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/28019
Unfortunately no one is bothered to dream any such vision. Martin Luther has said, "I have a Dream" and the dream come largely true. If he had not thought of that dream he would have accomplished nothing in his life. To climb high one has to think of climbing the Everest. One may not go higher than 10000 feet but even that will not be attained if you have no better dreams of going up to the top floor of your office in a life.
In recent years the world has come to look at India with renewed respect, recognizing a strong and prosperous global power in the world. It is also a future when the fabled richness of India's art, culture, intellectual explorations and spirituals pursuits will begin to show its full radiance bringing much success to the troubled spirit of Modern India.
Is it a dream? Yes. Is it an impossible dream? No, it's not. This can be done by the Youth of Indains. Youth is the spring of Life. It is the age of discovery and dreams. When they dream they dream not only for the good future of themselves but also for the good future for nation and entire humanity. Their dreams take them to stars and galaxies to the far corners of the unknown and some of them like our own Kalpana Chawla pursue their dream, till they realize it and die for it in process.
If any section of the society in any country is most important for change, again it is the young people. Patriotism comes naturally to young people, but they also respond early to the call of Internationalism. The hopes of the youth are:
1. A world free of poverty, unemployment, inequality and exploitation of man by man.
2. A world free of discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, language and gender.
3. A world full of creative challenges and opportunities to conquer them.
But these are not just the empty hopes. Modern science and technology and increasing vistas of Socio Economic cooperation among nations have brought these hopes out in the reach of realization. In recent times Terrorism has emerged as one of the gravest threat to peace and democratic policy. Youth are drawn between acts of terrorism. In some cases it is not the terrorism, but a freedom struggle. This is how our neighbors are trying to justify its policy of cross border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Youth organizations should carry out an awareness campaign to expose justification or condoning of terrorism anywhere and under whatever pretext.
Role of Youth:
A. The youth can play a vital role in the implementation of elimination of terrorism. If the energy, intelligence and resources of youth are fully and properly utilized the country will prosper.
B. The youth will have to compete with sporting spirit. Just look at the spirit of Internationalism that today prevails in the cricketing world. With the start of any cricket tournament, no matters which team wins, Cricket wins, Youthfulness will won. The spirit of oneness will win.
C. The youth would need to Aspire for entrepreneurship rather than conventional employment.
D. The hopes of young people can be fulfilled only in conditions of peace, only in a civilized and cooperative world order.
E. Young people are full of vibrant ideas. When properly motivated and sufficiently guided they want in their life.
F. Young people have energy to try out things and the patience to learn from mistakes. Giving them opportunities to plan, to decide and to work prepares them to face harsher realities in life.
G. Young participation is important because youth are the country's power. Youth recognize problems and can solve them. Youth are strong forces in social movements. They educate children about their rights. They help other young people attain a higher level of Intellectual ability and to become qualified adults.
What should be the vision of Young generation for India 2020? Vision 2020 says that:
1. Instead of Brain drain, we can be the magnets for bright minds world over.
2. Our Judicial system could be a model for fairness, promptness and incorruptibility.
3. Our Legislatures could be an acme of integrity, farsightedness and purposefulness.
4. Our habitats could be clean with abundant municipal services.
5. Our youth can be the Olympic Champions.
6. We can have 100% Literacy.
7. The Per Capita Income can go up in Geometric Proportions.
8. We can have full employment.
9. We can earn the reputation of being the most transparent and honest nation.
10. We could be the most competitive Nation.
India can become a developed nation only if everyone contributes to the best of his or her capacity and ability. Youth is wholly experimental and with the full utilization of the talents of the Youth, India will become a complete Nation. Let us hope for the same.
'Youth is like a fire
It crept forward.
A Spark at first
Growing into a flame
The brightening into a Blaze'.
Atul SHiva is a Lecturer in Commerce in Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management, Ludhiana. His areas of interest are Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Management.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/28019
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