World Menopause Day

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Held annually on 18 October, World Menopause Day aims to raise awareness about menopause and its impact on women’s health and well-being.

Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. It is defined as the cessation of menstruation for a consecutive 12 months, usually occurring between the ages of 45 and 55, though it can occur earlier or later. Menopause is a part of the aging process and signifies a decrease in the production of reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

Perimenopause, the transitional phase leading up to menopause, often starts several years before the final menstrual period. During this time, women may experience irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and other symptoms as their hormone levels fluctuate. Menopause itself is not a medical condition but rather a natural phase of life, and it is essential to understand and normalize this process to support women adequately.

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World Menopause Day holds immense significance as it brings attention to the physical, emotional, and psychological changes women undergo during this critical life stage. Menopause affects women globally, and by promoting awareness and understanding, we can create a more supportive and compassionate society for women transitioning through this phase.

Menopause is a time of change—a shift from the reproductive phase of life to a new chapter that holds infinite possibilities. Women must embrace this transformation positively. Society can play a vital role in reshaping the narrative surrounding menopause, dispelling myths, and celebrating this natural process as a beautiful and empowering journey. By encouraging open conversations about menopause, we can foster a supportive environment where women feel understood and accepted. For many years, menopause has been surrounded by silence and stigma. Women often felt uncomfortable discussing their experiences, and this lack of open dialogue hindered the spread of awareness and access to accurate information. Women should be encouraged to break this silence and share their menopause stories without fear or shame. When women speak up and share their experiences, it helps others understand that they are not alone and that menopause is a shared experience, that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries.

Knowledge is power, and empowering women with accurate information about menopause is vital for their physical and mental well-being. Understanding the physiological changes, symptoms, and potential treatments available can make a significant difference in how women navigate through menopause. Menopause affects women in diverse ways, and its impact goes beyond physical symptoms. It can have emotional and psychological repercussions as well. Support from family, friends, employers, and healthcare providers plays a crucial role in women’s menopause journey.

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The theme for World Menopause Day 2023 is Cardiovascular Disease. According to the World Health Organisation, cardiovascular disease or CVD, also called heart and circulatory disease, is an umbrella name for conditions that affect the heart or circulation. Depending on the Source or DotS this umbrella may include Cardiovascular Conditions; Cardiovascular Diseases or CVD/CVDs; Cardiovascular Disorders; Diseases or Disorders of the Heart and Blood Vessels, Diseases or Disorders of the Heart and Circulatory System, Heart Diseases, Heart and Circulatory Diseases, and Stroke. These also include coronary heart disease which is a disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle; cerebrovascular disease, a disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain; peripheral arterial disease which is a disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs; rheumatic heart disease which is damages to the heart muscle and heart valves from rheumatic fever, caused by streptococcal bacteria; congenital heart diseases that are birth defects that affect the normal development and functioning of the heart caused by malformations of the heart structure from birth; and deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism which are blood clots in the leg veins, which can dislodge and move to the heart and lungs.

Before menopause, women have a lower risk of heart disease than men. However, as women age and their oestrogen levels fall, their risk of cardiovascular disease increases. Though heart disease is often thought of as a man’s disease, cardiovascular diseases often account for more than half of the deaths of women over 55 years old. There are several risk factors for CVD, including smoking, stress, alcohol, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, being physically inactive, being overweight or obese, diabetes, a family history of heart disease, the ethnic background, gender, age, and prevention.

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To Prevent heart disease and stroke, one should know their risk, eat a healthy diet, be physically active, watch their weight, live tobacco-free, manage conditions, take necessary medicines, and be a team player. The cardiovascular risk factors that every woman should know about include age at the time of menopause, the cause and timing of menopause, estrogen levels, hot flashes and night sweats, depression and sleep problems, increased visceral fat, and cholesterol levels and metabolic syndrome risk.

World Menopause Day 2023 encourages the creation of supportive environments where women feel comfortable discussing their concerns and seeking help. Employers should consider providing flexible work arrangements to accommodate menopause-related challenges, and healthcare providers should offer personalised care and treatment options tailored to each woman’s needs. By breaking the silence, promoting knowledge, and fostering supportive environments, we can ensure that women navigate menopause with dignity and grace, embracing the change it brings and empowering themselves to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Let us stand together on this day and beyond, championing the cause of women’s health and celebrating the beauty of menopause.

In My Hands Today…

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Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting – Lisa Genova

Have you ever felt a crushing wave of panic when you can’t for the life of you remember the name of that actor in the movie you saw last week, or you walk into a room only to forget why you went there in the first place? If you’re over forty, you’re probably not laughing. You might even be worried that these lapses in memory could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s or dementia. In reality, for the vast majority of us, these examples of forgetting are completely normal. Why? Because while memory is amazing, it is far from perfect. Our brains aren’t designed to remember every name we hear, plan we make, or day we experience. Just because your memory sometimes fails doesn’t mean it’s broken or succumbing to disease. Forgetting is actually part of being human.

In Remember, neuroscientist and acclaimed novelist Lisa Genova delves into how memories are made and how we retrieve them. You’ll learn whether forgotten memories are temporarily inaccessible or erased forever and why some memories are built to exist for only a few seconds (like a passcode) while others can last a lifetime (your wedding day). You’ll come to appreciate the clear distinction between normal forgetting (where you parked your car) and forgetting due to Alzheimer’s (that you own a car). And you’ll see how memory is profoundly impacted by meaning, emotion, sleep, stress, and context. Once you understand the language of memory and how it functions, its incredible strengths and maddening weaknesses, its natural vulnerabilities and potential superpowers, you can both vastly improve your ability to remember and feel less rattled when you inevitably forget. You can set educated expectations for your memory, and in doing so, create a better relationship with it. You don’t have to fear it anymore. And that can be life-changing.

Festivals of India: Mysuru Dasara

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Karnataka’s state festival or Nadahabba, the Dasara festival in Mysore is a 10-day festival, starting with the nine nights of Navaratri and the last day being Vijayadashami or Dasara. The festival is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvina, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October. The 10-day extravaganza marks the triumph of good over evil and pays homage to the goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru.

Dasara, Navratri and Vijayadashami was the day in Hindu mythology when Goddess Chamundeshwari or Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura, whose slaying by the Goddess gave the city its name of Mysuru. The Mysuru tradition celebrates the warriors and the state fighting for the good during this festival, ritually worshipping and displaying the state sword, weapons, elephants, and horses along with the Hindu Devi goddess in her warrior form, predominantly as well as the Vishnu avatar of Lord Rama. The origins of the Dasara festival can be traced back to ancient Hindu mythology, specifically the great epic, Ramayana. It is believed that Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, worshipped the goddess Durga before embarking on his journey to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana. In commemoration of the divine blessings bestowed upon him, Lord Rama emerged victorious on the day of Vijayadashami, the tenth day of the festival. The ceremonies and a major procession are traditionally presided by the king of Mysuru.

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The Dasara festivities began with the Vijayanagar kings as early as the 14th or 15th century and played a historical role in the 14th-century Vijayanagara Empire, where it was called Mahanavami and the festivities are shown in the relief artwork of the outer wall of the Hazara Rama temple of Hampi. The Italian traveller Niccolò de’ Conti described the festival’s intensity and importance as a grandeur religious and martial event with royal support. The event revered Durga as the warrior goddess or Chamundeshwari and hosted athletic competitions, singing and dancing, fireworks, a pageantry military parade and charitable giving to the public.

After the fall of the Vijayanagar to the Deccan Sultanates, these Hindu celebrations came to an end under Muslim rulers. The Wodeyars of Mysore formed a kingdom in Southern parts of the Vijayanagara Empire and continued the Mahanavami or Dasara festival celebration, a tradition started initially by Raja Wodeyar I in mid-September 1610 at Srirangapatna. The city of Mysuru has a long tradition of celebrating the Dasara festival with grandeur and pomp. The Dasara festival in Mysuru completed its 409th anniversary in 2019. Over the centuries, the Dasara festival evolved and assimilated various regional customs and traditions, ultimately becoming an essential part of Mysuru’s cultural identity. The festival showcases the city’s rich heritage and its reverence for its ruling family, the Wadiyars, who have played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the festival’s grandeur.

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The festival is the jewel in the city’s crown and the entire city springs into action. Adorned with colourful lights and decorations, the iconic Mysuru Palace, a masterpiece of Indo-Saracenic architecture, takes centre stage as it is beautifully illuminated with nearly 100,000 light bulbs from 7 to 10 pm on all days of the festival, presenting a breathtaking sight. The Nadahabba is inaugurated with great fanfare at the Mysuru Palace by the current scion of the royal family. Dressed in traditional regal attire, the Wadiyars carry the golden idol of the goddess Chamundeshwari in a magnificent procession, accompanied by traditional music, dance, and the beats of ceremonial drums. The spirit of the festival is infectious as locals and visitors alike gather to witness this majestic spectacle. The intricate floral rangoli, known as Rangoli Patha, adorn the palace grounds, and the aromatic fragrance of flowers fills the air, adding to the festive ambience. Various cultural and religious programs highlighting the dance, music and culture of the State of Karnataka are performed in front of the illuminated Palace.

The heart of Dasara lies in the nine nights of Navaratri, a time to celebrate the various forms of the divine goddess. Mysuru becomes a cultural haven during this period, with vibrant performances of classical music, dance, and folk arts taking place at various venues across the city.

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The grand finale of the Dasara festival is the Vijayadashami procession, a regal pageantry that captivates all. The streets of Mysuru come alive with an unending sea of spectators, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the adorned elephant carrying the idol of goddess Chamundeshwari. The traditional Dasara procession, locally known as Jumboo Savari is held on the streets of Mysuru. The main attraction of this procession is the idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari which is placed on a golden mantapa, made out of 750 kg of gold on the top of a decorated elephant. This idol is worshipped by the royal couple and other invitees before it is taken around in the procession. Colourful tableaux, dance groups, music bands, decorated elephants, horses and camels form a part of the procession which starts from the Mysore Palace and culminates at a place called Bannimantap where the Banni tree or Prosopis spicigera is worshipped.

According to a legend from the Mahabharata, the banni tree was used by the Pandavas to hide their weapons during their one-year period of Agnatavasa where they had to live incognito. Before undertaking any warfare, the kings traditionally worshipped this tree to help them emerge victorious in war. The Dasara festivities would culminate on the night of Vijayadashami with an event held on the grounds at Bannimantap called Panjina Kavayatthu or the torch-light parade.

The procession features beautifully decorated tableaux showcasing the city’s rich history and mythological stories. Folk dancers, performers, and cultural troupes from across the state add a vibrant touch to the procession, reiterating Karnataka’s diverse cultural heritage. The procession culminates with a breathtaking display of traditional music and fireworks, illuminating the night sky and leaving spectators in awe. After the Jamboo Savari, a torchlight parade takes place in the evening at the Bannimantap Parade Grounds.

The famous Mysuru Dasara Exhibition, held in the exhibition grounds opposite the Mysore Palace is a major highlight, where a carnival-like atmosphere enthrals visitors with thrilling rides, games, and mouthwatering street food. Local artisans and craftsmen showcase their talents in the exhibition, adding a touch of traditional artistry to the festivities. The exhibition was started by the Maharaja of Mysore, Chamaraja Wodeyar X in 1880 with the sole aim of introducing timely developments to the people of Mysore. The task of holding the exhibition is now entrusted to the Karnataka Exhibition Authority or KEA. This exhibition starts during Dasara and goes on till December. A play area containing attractions like a Ferris wheel is also present to provide entertainment and various Governmental agencies set up stalls to signify the achievements and projects that they have undertaken.

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The Dasara Sports Meet, reminiscent of the days of the Maharajas, draws enthusiastic participants and spectators alike. The traditional sport of Kusti or wrestling and other indigenous games and races bring back the nostalgic charm of a bygone era and attract wrestlers from all around India. On all the 10 days of Dasara, various music and dance concerts are held in auditoriums around Mysore city. Musicians and dance groups from all over India are invited to perform on this occasion.

The Dasara procession has faced increasing pressure from activists and campaigners to end its controversial use of elephants. Procession elephants, as well as their handlers known as mahouts, have died from several shocking incidents over the years. In 2018, leaked footage from the elephants’ training ground showed an elephant swaying in distress. International press labelled the video heartbreaking and reported on how the elephants must undergo two months of rigorous training to perform in the procession.

Dasara in Mysuru is not just a festival; it is a testament to the city’s deep-rooted heritage and the enduring spirit of its people. It is festivals like this, that help us to cherish and preserve our cultural legacies for generations to come.

2023 Week 41 Update

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Renowned American author, motivational speaker, and sales trainer Zig Ziglar, best known for his charismatic speaking style and his motivational books and seminars, is the source of today’s quote. This quote conveys the idea that achieving greatness or success doesn’t require innate greatness or exceptional abilities from the beginning. Instead, it emphasises the importance of taking the initial step, starting somewhere, and consistently working towards your goals. The quote underscores the significance of beginning the journey towards goals, ambitions, or personal growth. It suggests that everyone has to start somewhere, regardless of their current skills or abilities. The act of starting is the first step, and from there, it’s about consistent effort and improvement over time. It encourages individuals not to be discouraged by their initial limitations or self-doubt. The belief is that greatness can be attained through dedication, learning, and hard work. The quote implies that waiting for perfection or greatness to arrive before starting is counterproductive. Instead, it suggests that progress and greatness are the results of action and persistence. Zig Ziglar’s quote motivates individuals to take that first step toward their aspirations, reminding them that even small beginnings can lead to great achievements over time. It emphasises the transformative power of action and the importance of perseverance on the path to greatness.

In the last month, I have not been walking as much as I used to, partly because of work and also since R has gone back to India, I need to do housework which eats into my walking time. So I have decided not to obsess too much about this and walk only as much as I can until R is back. Hopefully, she will be back soon and I can start walking again.

BB will enlist very soon and as much as he hates it, I am hugging him as much as I can. My hope and prayers for him are that he enjoys his time there and becomes a better version of himself in the next two years.

That’s all from me this week. Stay positive and enjoy life!

In My Hands Today…

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Firestarters: How Innovators, Instigators, and Initiators Can Inspire You to Ignite Your Own Life – Raoul Davis Jr., Paul Eder and Kathy Palokoff

What is the difference between those bold enough to pursue their dreams and others who never get comfortable enough to ignite their lives? The doers are “Firestarters” and, because of them, the world is a much different, and often, better place.

This motivational how-to book provides insights into the crucial difference between people who make things happen and those who only think about making an impact. Based on research from many disciplines and interviews with professionals at the top of their fields, Firestarters creates a complete roadmap to achieve personal success and make an impact in the world.

The heart of the book features stories about successful entrepreneurs, CEOs, organizational leaders, and forward-looking thinkers from a variety of professions. They describe the factors and conditions that ignited their lives and helped them become achievers. Some are known to the public; others will be completely new. But all the stories demonstrate how they became–and you can become–a Firestarter.

The authors provide pragmatic advice on how individual readers can ignite the qualities that will lead them toward pursuing and realizing their dreams. Self-assessment exercises, checklists, and other tools will help readers apply Firestarter insights to their own lives. Also included are group exercises and discussion guides so the book can be used in business and nonprofit settings to develop the skills that help companies grow.

Whether you’re an individual seeking ways to realize personal ambitions or a leader trying to motivate your team, you’ll benefit from the Firestarter methods featured in this inspirational book.