Life is Delightful

While Pune & Mumbai (in Maharashtra) were down with SWINE FLU, I, my wife, and a few friends decided to make a trip to the ever-green KONKAN to enjoy the long and much-deserved weekend. You know, I always wanted to drive in the beautiful roads in Konkan and experience the beauty of nature all by myself. I have travelled there by train but there is a different pleasure in driving than going by rail…We simply loved this great trip. It was rejuvenating, thrilling, and much more relaxing. I will share some of the very interesting pictures in two posts (as they will be too many for a single post)!

To be continued…

I want to tell that you should be aware of the symptoms of Swine Flu. But there is no need to panic and join the publicity propaganda carried out by media and others which acts as a vehicle to spread misconception than to spread scientific information. These are few facts about swine flu which discussed with the leading epidemiologists:

1. Swine flu (also known as H1N1 flu) is not new. It was first detected in 1987.
2. Infective stage of swine flu is 5 days: 1 day before and 4 days after onset of symptoms.
3. The best way to prevent swine flu from spreading is: asking patient (showing swine flu symptoms) to take rest at home for 4 days so that s/he does not transmit the virus to other.
4. Masks are of limited value in this disease. I strongly doubt whther they have any value at all! Note that the flu can spread through droplets on your skin, through close contact, etc. I have seen that the masks in Pune are worn as fashion statement - today morning, I saw people coming out for a morning walk with their dogs and wearing H1N1 masks! Many even wearing masks around their necks, and so on. In fact these masks shall act as the vehicles to carry the virus, instead of avoiding it. It is advisable that you should avoid visiting crowded places like cinema halls, malls, dahi-handis, gatherings, social events, etc.
5. Death after H1N1 flu is not common. In fact, infections like measles is taking toll of thousands more every year, and we are oblivious to these facts. Swine flu is being blown out of proportion by media trying to create hysteria among innocent people.
6. Fever accompanied by respiratory distress, should be immediately notified which is likely to be a complication of H1N1 flu.
7. Note that the mortality rate of Swine Flu is less than .01 percent of those affected.
8. If you remember, 2 years ago SARS was blown out of proportion, what happened? Humans develop immunity to the virus, the same is going to happen, we develop immunity in due course of time, the virus is in the air, you can not stop it, our body is already developing the immunity so nothing to panic. We need to take extra care of small children and elderly who have less immunity and do not let them go to crowded places - that is all is needed in this hour of crisis. You should only test the infected people at authorized government testing labs only.

By the way, do you know that the N95 mask that is being sold like a hot cake is generally available for around Rs. 60-80 per piece. But because of the Swine Flu fever, the suppliers are asking as high as Rs. 500 per piece! This is grossly inhuman. Do you see who is getting benefited out of this? I strongly oppose such profiting acts and appeal to the general public to raise their voice and stop such miscreants from cashing on the general public emotion.

<< Symptoms of Swine Flu

The Government of India is taking extensive steps to check, test, and prevent outbreak of the pandemic: Swine Flu. As of date, only government hospitals and testing labs are authorized to test samples for H1N1 virus. If you or your loved one happen to develop H1N1 symptoms, please make sure you get them tested immediately at one of the following authorized centers near to you. As and when more centers would be authorized, I would update this list, so do not forget to visit this list often.

STAY ALERT! PREVENT SWINE FLU.

I am sure by now everyone is pretty much aware of the deadly disease Swine Flu. Also known as Influenza A (H1N1), this deadly disease is spreading like wild-fire in India and many other countries. The symptoms are varied, but below are some of the most common symptoms you should watch out for…

I would caution everyone to take extra care of yourself and your loved ones. Do not panic and do not spread the disease. Together, we can win against this pandemic.

Mumbai is at an average elevation of 10-15 meters above sea level and receives an annual rainfall of about 2,200 mm per year, of which almost 50% is recorded in July every year. I am sure everyone would recollect the tragic 26th of July, 2005 when the rains created a havoc all over Mumbai bringing this metropolis to a grinding halt - for 3 consecutive days! With a record rainfall of 944mm in a single day, it caused tremendous losses (to the tune of $200 million) to the city and claimed over 1000 lives.

It is estimated that similar condition is in store for Mumbai in July 2009 - July 23 & July 24 to be precise. Is Mumbai prepared for this? The BMC claims, as usual, as they are prepared but personally I am doubtful about their arrangements. The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has predicted huge high-tide of about 5 meters on July 23 & 24, coupled of heavy rains. MCGM claims that they have already taken adequate measures to control the outbreak of flood-like situation. Well, I am all fingers crossed, and I appeal to all those staying in and around Mumbai to be very very careful. I am staying in Mumbai and have decided to take a day off from my work on these days. I would request them NOT to step out of their homes on these days, unless it is hyper critical.

Here is some help in time of crisis. If you’re trapped in difficult situations in these rainy days, keep the following numbers handy:

• Disaster Helpline = 108
• Mumbai Police = 100
• Fire Brigade = 101
• Central Complaint Registration System = 1916
• Medical Emergency = 101

Mahindra SSG, a consulting firm that advises organizations on threat assessments and risk mitigation strategies, visited the Disaster Management Cell of the MCGM to check it’s preparedness in handling potential flood situations. The firm has hosted a video which includes interviews with MCGM staff, measures being taken to prepare for the floods, and a message on how Mumbaites can face a flood situation. CLICK HERE to view this amazing video.

Yes, it is true and 100% autherized. ReviveYourLife (RYL) is giving out a free ASUS EEE laptop to celebrate its grand success in the blogging sphere.

The grand prize to be won is ASUS Eee notebook PC with Intel Celeron processor | 1GB DDR2 | 160GB | 8.9″ widescreen | Webcam | Windows XP Home.

In order to participate, simple subscribe to RYL’s feeds. To score more, you may also blog about this contest, link back from blogroll, etc. etc. Interested? Good. Visit the original contest announcement post at Revive Your Life.

HURRY UP! This contest ends on July 31 and winners to announced on August 3.

In a massice discount spree, GoDaddy has announced massive discounts on .NET domains - new and renewals - for just $6.99 per year!

On checkout, use gdr0709cd as coupon code to enjoy this fabulous discount.

Offer expires on midnight of July 31, 2009.

* Plus ICANN fee of 18 cents per domain name year. Domains purchased through this offer will renew at regular price after the initial registration term has expired. Some limitations apply.