Agrawal Association of America; Founded May, 1997 Agrawal Samachar Patrika A Quaterly Newsletter by the Agrawals and for the Agrawals Volume 12 • Issue 1 • Spring 2009
The Agarwal Kumb Mela: Spring Picnic 2009 By Pooja Agarwal
Our annual spring picnic was held on participation by all our members in all the the 1 1th of April 2009 at First Colony activities. To top it all of f the weather co Conference Center where we witnessed operated very well and we did not see more than 250 Agrawals, enjoying a any rain as was forecasted. The picnic beautiful day full of fun, games and was rounded up with the award giving Maharaja Agrasen activities. The picnic started promptly at ceremony where all the fi rst and second Editor in Chief 11am with mouth watering chat along place winners were awarded trophies. with fresh sugarcane juice catered by It has been exactly 12 years since AAA Bharat B. Aggarwal Udipi restaurant. A n ew inclusion this was formed. Thus it should be declared year was the kulfi which seemed to as “Agarwal Kumb Mela”. The Agarwal Board of Directors be enjoyed by all ages alike. There Party continues……… Anil & Mukta Aggarwal were several games organized which Bharat & Uma Aggarwal included the all star game, the ever Devi & Saroj Rungta popular balloon toss, three legged race, Durga & Sushila Agrawal water melon eating competition. It was Hari & Anjali Agrawal very delightful to see the overwhelming Murari & Vidya Agrawal Naresh & Madhu Mittal Tarsem & Raj Aggarwal Ved & Santosh Aggarwal Executive Committee Akash & Mala Gupta Dipak & Sweta Agarwalla Gopal & Pooja Agarwal Manish & Manju Rungta Manoj & Veenu Agarwal Rakesh & Shonali Agrawal Did you know? Important Dates to Remember By Bharat Aggarwal
1. Why do they hand shake in the west? Response: In olden days when Agrawal Family Response: To show that we have no everybody had to sit on the fl oor, a weapons and we are here to be your single chair in the house was given Camp 2009 friend. only to the head of the house hold and thus was called “Chairman”. Camp Olympia 2. Why do they say it will cost you “arm September 25th - 27th and a leg”? 4. Where did the word “big wig” come from? Response: In olden days when there were no cameras, they will paint your Response: In olden days, women picture mainly the face. If you want will cover their head and men will Diwali Mela 2009 your arms and legs to be included, it shave their head. For special function India House will cost you extra. important will wear the wig and thus th were called “big wig”. November 7 3. Where did the word “Chairman” come # from? History You need to Know!
We are all proud descendents of family to adopt trading as a profession minister in Punjab govt. decre ed to Maharaja Agrasen. Maharaj Agrasen hence to be seen as V aishya despite cancel all the debts owed to Agarwals was a Suryavanshi, Kshatriya king being a Kshatriya. Even when living in and seized all the assets of Agarwals. deeply venerated by his subjects. His isolation in his own city of Agroha, the Thus, ruining them and for cing a kingdom was an icon of prosperity enemies conspired and burnt the city of further migration. This was even worse and his state a model of benevolence. Agroha. That is when the immigration than our fate under Mughals who at He used to perform all Vedic rituals of Agarwals happened. Mahalakshmi, least recognized our talents. During including Havans and Yagnas, paying the goddess of positivity exemplifi ed Mughal rule Lala Todarmal was made his gratitude and obeisance to the in her preference of reward for labor the supervisor of the royal min t at learned “Brahmins”. Of fering animal (dhan) over laziness, for light over Agra. Raja Ranvir Singh was the royal sacrifi ce was integral to completion of darkness, cleanliness over fi lth and treasurer of Akbar who awarded h im such Yagnas. Maharaja Agrasen was dedication over convenience, was with land in Western UP where Lala a keen learner and patron of wisdom happy with the conduct of Agarwals Ranvir erected the city of Saharanpur. expounding Rishis (Researchers). during their stay at Agroha, hence Lala Ratanchand was a diwa n of He was open to new ideas and blessed them to never abandon them. Mughals in 1712 and was give n title philosophies. As Aristotle has said, Maha Laxmi blessed us in all of a “Raja” but was executed b y the “it is the mark of an educated mind the eight Avtars . Ashta Lakshmi new emperor in 1719. Lala Ramji Das to be able to entertain a thought (Sanskrit: Astalakshmī, lit. Gurwala was a big donor to Bahadur without accepting it”. Agrasen ji “eight Lakshmis”) are a group of Shah Zafar in 1857 rebellion but was was a paragon of an educated and eight secondary manifestations of executed by the British. Despite all enlightened mind. He was greatly the goddess Lakshmi, who preside the hardships, Agarwals have se rved infl uenced by the teachings of Sant over eight sources of wealth and thus the society and setup a large nu mber Mahavir ji, hence over the time he represent the powers of Shri Lakshmi. of institutions and business. Late ingratiated non –violence in his daily They are: Lala Lajpat Rai, founder of Pu njab discourse, adopting vegetarianism , National Bank, the the Jains (Times abolishing corporal punishments and 1) Ādi Lakshmī [The of India), are testimony to the s ame. animal slaughter . He even saw the First manifestation of Lakshmi] Sir Gangaram, the founder of modern core of non violence as sprouting from Lahore and the hospital n amed 2) Dhānya Lakshmī the non violence in thoughts. This after him was even appreci ated by [Granary wealth] philosophy was at cross purposes with the British. Present generatio n of the then prevalent practices of animal 3) Dhairya Lakshmī Agarwals continues to carry t he sacrifi ce, slavery and consumption [Wealth of courage] legacy. Lakshmi Mittal (Arcelor Mittal of animal products that could come 4) Gaja Lakshmī Steel), Subhash Goyal (Zee Gro up), only after killing the animal. This was [Elephants, symbols of wealth] Sunil Mittal (Airtel), Naresh Goyal (Jet seen as a potential threat by the then Airways), the Jindals (Steel G roup), 5) Santāna Lakshmī wheelers and dealers and the think Anil Agarwal (Vedanta Group), Rakesh [Wealth of continuity, progeny] tanks. They saw an opportunity in it as Jhunjhunwala (Stock guru), Dh oots an instrument with which they could 6) Vijaya Lakshmī (Videocon group) and many others are strip Maharaja Agrasen off his kingdom [Wealth of victory] examples of the same. and riches. The Brahmins of the day 7) Vidyā Lakshmī enticed him to perform a “Maha Yagna” [Wealth of knowledge and education] Nayan Agarwal at completion of which they asked for animal sacrifi ce. Agrasen Maharaja 8) Dhana Lakshmī Class 11th did not agree to it, to which the rajguru Monetary wealth] DPS, RK Puram, New Delhi, India retorted by saying, “Purna Ahuti & (the fi nal of fering) or Raj (kingdom)”. Maharaja Agrasen traveled all over Dr. Brij B Agarwal Maharaja lost no time and of fered India and married a “nag kanya” and MBBS, MS(Gold Medal), Dip Yoga to lay down his kingdom. The gurus had 18 children. The 1885 Bombay (Gold Medal), FIMSA were not satisfi ed even with that and Presidency Gazetteer maintains Consultant Laparoscopic Surgeon, threatened Maharaja with “Dana pani that he married 17 nag kanyas. With Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, band” ( ex communication from the the blessings of Ashta Lakshmi, the Hindu society), forcing him to move out India Agarwals have prospered relentlessly and establish the city of “Agroha”. The Email [email protected] but their persecution never ended. 1911 jain gurus offered to adopt Maharaja www.endosurgeon.org census of India put our population at but, he was convinced of non violence 2,718,390. Agarwals were tested again not being antagonistic to the ethos of in 1936 when one, Sir Chotu Ram, a Vedic philosophy. Maharaja drove his #
Page 2 • Agrawal Samachar Patrika • Spring 2009 My Visit to Vaishno Devi: Jai Mata Di! By Bharat Aggarwal Our Shastra tell us we should take a Her husband. Shree Rama told Her that imprints, which remains intact till date. pilgrimage at least once a year. Last during this Incarnation He had vowed to Vaishno Devi then took shelter in a cave time, I went to Vaishno Devi was in be faithful to only Sita. However the Lord known as Garbh Joon near Adhkawari 1964 when I was a teenager with my assured Her that in Kaliyuga He would where she meditated for 9 months two older brothers and a sister , all manifest as Kalki and would marry Her. attaining spiritual wisdom and p owers. unmarried at the time. I happen to be on In the meantime Shree Rama asked Her meditation was cut short when business in Thailand (The Royal Golden Trikuta to meditate in the cave found in Bhairav located her. V aishno Devi was Jubilee Ph.D. Program, The Thailand the Trikuta Range of Manik Mountains, then compelled to take the form of Maha Research Fund, Jomtien Palm Beach situated in Northern India. Ma decided Kali when Bhairav tried to kill h er. The Resort, Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand) to observe the ‘Navratra’ for the Victory manifestation of the Mother God dess and Kuala Lumper (Putrajaya); and of Shree Rama against Ravan. Hence took place at the mouth of the Holy cave decided to spend few days visiting my one reads the Ramayana during the at Darbar. The Goddess then beheaded family in Batala, a town 20 KM from the 9 days of Navratra, in remembrance Bhairav with such sheer force, th at his Pakistan border. After 45 years, same of the above connection. Shree Rama skull fell at a place known as Bhairav two brothers and a sister of fered to join promised that the whole world would Ghati, 2.5 km from the Holy Cave. The with me to visit Vaishno Devi, as April is sing Ma V aishno Devi’s praise. Trikuta severed head of Bhairon fell at a distant the best time to be in Trikatu mountains, was to become famous as Vaishno Devi hilltop. In his dying moments, B hairon an eternal home of Vaishno Devi. and would become immortal forever.[1] begged and received divine forgiveness Story of Vaishno Devi: from the goddess. Today, it is believed With the passage of time many more that the Yatra is not complete unless the Vaishno Devi Mandir is one of the holiest stories about the Mother Goddess Hindu temples dedicated to Shakti, pilgrim has been to Bhairon k a Mandir emerged. One such story is about (2.6 km from the main sanctum) as well, located in the hill of V aishno Devi, Shree Dhar. Jammu and Kashmir, India. In Hinduism, after the darshan of Shri Mata Vaishno Vaishno Devi, also known as Mata Rani Shree Dhar was an ardent devotee of Devi. and Vaishnavi, is a manifestation of the Ma Vaishno Devi. He resided in a village In his dying moments, Bhairav ple aded Mother Goddess. called Hansali, 2 km away from the for forgiveness. The Goddess knew that present Katra town. Once Ma appeared The temple is near the town of Katra, in Bhairav’s main intention in attacking her to him in the form of a young bewitching was to achieve salvation. She not only Udhampur district in the state of Jammu girl. The young girl asked the humble and Kashmir,. It is one of the most granted Bhairav liberation from the cycle Pandit to hold a ‘Bhandara’. (A feast to of reincarnation, but also grante d him a revered places of worship in Northern feed the mendicants and devotees) The India. The shrine is at an altitude of 5200 boon, whereby every devotee, in order Pandit set out to invite people from the to ensure completion of the pilgr image, feet and a distance of approximately village and near by places. He also invited 12 kilometres (7.45 miles) from Katra. had to visit Bhairav Nath’ s temple ne ar ‘Bhairav Nath’ a selfi sh demon. Bhairav the Holy cave after the darsh an of the Million of pilgrims visit the temple every Nath asked Shri Dhar how he was year and is the second most visited Goddess. Meanwhile V aishno Devi planning to fulfi ll the requirements. He assumed the shape of a rock with religious shrine in India, after Tirumala reminded him of the bad consequences Venkateswara Temple. The Shri Mata three pindis (heads) and immersed in case of failure. As Panditji was lost in herself into meditation forever. Vaishno Devi Shrine Board maintains worry, the Divine girl appeared and told the shrine. A r ail link from Udhampur to Him not to be despondent as everything Meanwhile Pandit Shree Dhar be came Katra is being built to facilitate pilgrimage. had been arranged. She asked that over impatient. He started to march tow ards According to Hindu epic, Maa V aishno 360 devotees be seated in the small hut. Trikuta Mountain on the same path Devi took birth in the South of India in True to Her word the Bhandara went that he had witnessed in a dream . He the home of Ratnakar Sagar, Her worldly smoothly with food and place to spare. ultimately reached the cave mout h. He parents had remained childless for a Bhairav Nath admitted that the girl had made a daily routine of worshi ping the long time. Ratnakar had promised, the supernatural powers and decided to test ‘Pindis’ in several ways. His wor ship night before the birth of the Divine child, Her further. He followed the Divine girl pleased the Goddess. She app eared in that he would not come in the way of to T rikuta Hills. For 9 months Bhairav front of him and blessed him. Since that whatever his child desired. Ma V aishno Nath was searching for the mystic girl in day, Shree Dhar and his desce ndants Devi was called Trikuta as a child. Later the mountains, whom he believed was have been worshiping the Godde ss She was called V aishnavi because of an incarnation of the Mother Goddess. Mother Vaishno Devi.[2] Her taking birth from Lord V ishnu’s While running away from Bhairav, Devi My Journey: We took a Shata bdi lineage. When Trikuta was 9 years old, shot an arrow into the Earth from which Express from Delhi at 7:00 AM which She sought her father ’s permission for water gushed out. The resultant river reached Amritsar at 1:00 PM and from doing penance on the seashore. Trikuta is known as Baanganga. It is believed there drove to Batala. After resting prayed to Lord V ishnu in the form of that by taking a bath in Baanganga overnight, we took a bus to Jammu which Rama. During Shree Rama’s search for (Baan: Arrow), a believer of the Mother took about 4 hours (180 ki lometers). Sita, He reached the seashore along with Goddess can wash away all his sins. We reached Jammu around 2 PM, took His army. His eyes fell on this Divine Girl The banks of the river, known as Charan our lunch at Chole Bathura res taurant, in deep meditation. Trikuta told Shree Paduka, are marked by Devi’s foot visited the famous Raghunath Ji temple Rama that She had accepted Him as
Agrawal Samachar Patrika • Spring 2009 • Page 3 and then continued our journey to Katra behind this very obvious and visual fl o wer was used sometimes. Nowadays which is about 45 kilometers away , cultural tradition from India. it is a different story all together. Firstly located at 2300 feet elevation and took Bindi came from the Sanskrit word bindi comes in every shape color and around 2 hours. We reached Katra at “Bindu” which could mean a “dot “or size, and it has all kinds of intricate around 6 PM, and checked into a hotel “a drop” or a “small particle”. I think designs depending upon the occasion Continental (Rs 2200/night). This hotel the meaning “a dot” seems more you want to put it for. And as you already was quite neat and clean and had a appropriate here. Let us check out what know, this is self adhesive bindi you can fairly good service. We rested that bindi is called in different languages: call it sticker bindi. Not many people evening, had our dinner and charged mess with various powder version of our battery. Next day we took our bath, Tikli in Marathi it, but the ones you can put on and of f wore brand new unused clothes and got Pottu in Tamil and Malayalam quickly. After all, we are short of time ready at around 7 AM for our Journey to in the modern world. Fancier sticker see Vaishno Devi located on a mountain Tilak in Hindi bindi are decorated with sequins, glass at around 6000 feet elevation. We took a Chandlo in Guajrati beads, or rhinestones. It is obvious by helicopter from Katra (Pawan Helicopter; changing the tradition we have lost Bottu or Tilakam in Telegu Rs 2300 round trip) that took us about some of the benefi ts, because some of two hours to get on it (due to formality Bottu or Tilaka in Kannada the material used earlier were healing and long lines) but only 2 minutes to Teep in Bengali herbs like Turmeric or sandalwood. reach as close as possible to V aishni Now the next question is why the bindi Devi (12 kilometers from Katra). From Sometimes the term sindoor, kumkum is adorned between the eyebrows. there, it was about 5 KM walk to the or kasturi are used by reference to the Well, nothing is our tradition is done door of Vaishno Devi and was provided material used to make the mark. Men without a reason. a special line for helicopter users. W e also put it on the forehead and when then fi nally had a chance to pay tribute to worn by men it is called ‘T ilak’ (mark). The area between the eyebrows is Vaisno Devi represented by three pindis Men wear it on auspicious occasions the sixth chakra known as the ‘agna’ that includes Lakshmi Kali Sarswati. such as Puja (ritual worship), or meaning ‘command’ in the yogic marriage, or Arati (waving of lights) on tradition It is the seat of concealed From the temple, it was about 90 min festive occasions or while embarking wisdom. It is the centre point wherein walk back to the helicopter pad mostly on, or upon return from a voyage or a all experience is gathered in total uphill but was pleasant. We were now campaign. concentration. According to the tantric supposed to visit Bhairv temple which tradition, when during meditation the is further uphill, a couple of kilometers In addition to the bindi, in India, a latent energy ‘kundalini’ rises from the away but our gas ran out to continue. vermilion mark (Sindoor) in the parting base of the spine towards the head, Thus we took a helicopter, came back of the hair just above the forehead is this ‘agna’ is the probable outlet for to Katra at around 1 PM, had our lunch worn by married women as a symbol this potent energy . The red ‘kumkum’ in the hotel, left at around 4 PM and of their married status. During North between the eyebrows is said to retain reached home in Batala at around 9 PM. Indian marriage ceremonies, the energy in the human body and control It was a great historical trip for all of us. groom applies sindoor on the parting in the bride’s hair, declaring to the world the various levels of concentration. Wish all of you “Jai Mata Di”. # she is under his protection from now It is also the central point of the base onwards. of the creation itself, symbolizing auspiciousness and good fortune. It What is that Red dot? That brings us to the next point. What is is also suppose to protect against By Uma Aggarwal bindi made of traditionally, and how it is demons and bad luck. Scientifi cally, supposed to be applied? the pineal gland is also at the same If you have lived in USA for a while or Traditional bindi is red or maroon in spot. The pineal gland has an eye like are born here and of Indian decent, color. A p inch of vermilion powder structure and it functions as a light I am sure someone has asked you applied skillfully with practiced fi ngertip receptor. It appears to play major role that question some time in your life. make the perfect red dot or you can use in, metabolism sleep patterns etc. The May be because that red dot, which small circular discs or hollow pie coin pineal gland secretes melanin during is called “bindi” in India, is the most as aid. If you want to put it just like they times of relaxation and visualization visually fascinating of all forms of body used to in olden days, than fi rst apply a and reacts to electromagnetic energy . decorations. I was asked that many sticky wax paste on the empty space in When activated, the pineal gland times also, and usually I would reply the disc than cover it with kumkum or becomes the line of communication like many of us would say “Oh! It is a vermilion and then remove the disc to with the higher planes. Putting a bindi is symbol of marriage in India, but now get a perfect round bindi. Mainly the like decorating the pineal gland in style, a days it is a fashion statement, and material used to put traditional bindi is besides stimulating it in the positive you don’t have to be married to put turmeric, even though turmeric is rich way. that anymore.” This is not an incorrect yellow color, but when it is mixed with So next time someone asks you, “What statement, but there is lot more to that lime it turns into beautiful deep red. red dot than meets the eye. I found out is that red dot?” You can give them a Other traditional material used were good lesson on one of our ancient and about it when I decided to dive deep ‘Sandal’, ‘aguru’, ‘kasturi’, and ‘sindoor’ into the subject. Let us explore what meaningful traditions! (made of zinc oxide and dye). Even # are the hidden reasons, and meaning Saffron ground together with ‘kusumba’
Page 4 • Agrawal Samachar Patrika • Spring 2009 INDIA HOUSE / O.P.JINDAL CENTRE ACTIVITIES UPDATE- JAN/FEB 2009 India House, located at 8888 W est to an Indo American Community Well W oman’s Clinic will s tart in Bellfort, Houston, TX 77031 and phone Event in Houston. Gov. Perry lauded March and detailed check up will # 713 929 1900 is pleased to inform the the impressive contributions of Indo be available by experienced and public on various events and programs Americans to the state. India’s Consul seasoned Gynecologists f rom the held in Jan/Feb 2009. General Sanjiv Arora commended Medical Staff of Women’s Hospital of EVENTS: the ef forts of India House offi cials Texas. Testing Services for infectious to of fer various facilities to the diseases and sexually tra nsmitted 1. VISHW A H INDI DIVAS was community. Harris County Judge diseases will be available on a celebrated on Jan 3 in recognition of Ed Emmett praised the efforts that limited basis shortly. Hindi’s emergence on world stage. India House and other organizations All Indo American organizations got 2. YOGA CLASSES: Runs every have made to serve the community , together and almost all participants Thursday and Saturday between 11 especially during the aftermath of spoke with pride in Hindi. India’ s 12 noon. Hurricane Ike. Consul General Sanjiv Arora was Meditation, relaxation, chan neling the keynote speaker and visiting 5. AL GREEN FORUM was held on and stretching exercises are taught Indian parliament member Najma Feb 8. U.S Rep Al Green (D 9TH Dist by 3 renowned Yoga Instructo rs of Heptulla was the chief guest. of Texas) met with a group of Indo Houston. The program is current ly Americans in preparation of his visit 2. COMMUNITY LUNCHEON was offered FREE. to India. The meeting was organized held to bring together agencies to by the Indo American Political Action 3. GITA CLASSES: Runs every identify future community needs in Committee to appraise Green of Thursday for women between 12 the SouthW est Houston area. This the concerns and hopes of Indian 1pm. This is offered FREE. luncheon was hosted by Brays Oak Americans in light of the recent Management District on Jan 30. 4. BANGLA LANGUAGE CLASSES: terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India. Runs every Sunday betwee n 10 3. MAHATMA GANDHI MEMORIAL 6. INTERFAITH EVENING OF PEACE 1pm. The program is FREE an d day was held on Jan 31. The event was held on Feb 13. This event was currently has 25 students o n a was organized by Mahatma Gandhi hosted by Shirdi Sai Jalaram Temple regular basis. Library in collaboration with India and had representatives from many CultureCentre, India House, Unity 5. BOLLYWOOD DANCE CLASSES: faiths under one roof. Jolanda Jones, Peacemakers, Gujarati Sahitya Runs on Thursdays from 7 8pm and City Council for At Large Position Sarita and other organizations. Sundays from 10.30 1.30 pm. The 5 spoke of what human life can be classes are of fered for various age Consul General of India was the through peace and education. The groups of Kids, juniors and Adults. chief guest and he said that Gandhi’s keynote speaker was Dr .Santosh teachings of Ahimsa or non violence Tandon of Universal Brotherhood 6. CRICKET: Taped Ball Cri cket is had infl uenced great people around from California. played every Sunday at India House the world. grounds. PROGRAMS AT INDIA HOUSE: 4. GOV. PERR Y R ECEPTION was PARTIES AND FUNCTIONS: 1. CHARITY MEDICAL CLINIC: held on Feb 5. The event was hosted India House banquet halls were the Open every Saturday from 9am by India House and was the fi rst venue for various private parties and 1pm for non emergency care. A time a Texas Governor has come functions throughout Jan and Feb 2009. Living with Cancer: Eight Things You Need to Know Editor’s Note: This store is part of our how successfully on e can manage The fi rst things you sh ould do (after feature “Living With Cancer: Lessons cancer as a chronic disease. taking a deep breath and trying to and Advice from Kris Carr” which The following resource guides offer tips chill): was originally printed in the Special on developing a strategy for managing * Find the best doctor for your disease: Report “New Answers for Cancer” from the illness, asking the right questions Be willing to travel and always get Scientifi c American. of physicians and getting the right second, third and even fourth opinions Rather than surrendering to despair professional and personal support. to make sure that you’re ge tting the and impersonal medical treatments, 1.You Have Cancer: Now What? best treatment. growing numbers of cancer patients Diagnosis: cancer . Y our head is * Design a healing plan: Pull together are empowering themselves with spinning, and you feel like the wind a team of W estern physicians as well information and control over their has been sucked out of you. In a split as integrative do ctors (to teach you therapies. The trend is fi nding second, life as you knew it is go ne. how to build up your immunity and acceptance in mainstream medicine “Getting diagnosed throws your entire spiritual grit) to create the best get and helping people with cancer lead universe into a free fall,” Carr writes in healthy recipe. Ask family and friends healthier lives. her 2007 book Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips. to chip in and scour the Internet and The experiences of author and fi lmmaker “There’s no sugarcoating it: cancer is a bookshelves for information. “If you Kris Carr, who was diagnosed with a devastating blow, one that takes time want to heal, you have to take initiative, rare, incurable malignancy, illustrate to process.” have a voice and use it,” Carr says.
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Five comprehensive source of state of * What lifestyle changes (diet, years might not se em like a lot, but i t the art treatments and clinical trials exercise, rest) do you recommend? is, considering tha t 67 is the median (including a database of open trials). * What are my treatment options? age for diagnosis. * www.imtooyoungforthis.org: An * Are there activities that should be 4. Getting Support: Tips, Tools and invaluable source of support and avoided because they might trigger or Tenderness research for survivors in their 20s and exacerbate symptoms? You’ve just been diagn osed with 30s and their families. * What happens if new symptoms cancer. Now what? First and foremost, * www.cancersurvivorsunite.org: crop up or existing ones worsen? do not try to handle this on your own. Camps and support programs for * What medical tests or procedures Allow family and friends to help, and young adults with cancer. are necessary? How often? fi n d others in your situation to lean on. * www.youngcancerspouses.org: * What stage is my cancer? What Online resources: A s ite designed to connec t couples does that mean? * www.crazysexycancer.com: dealing with the ups and downs of * What is my overall prognosis or Carr’s Web site. Have questions? cancer. chance of recovery? Want to dish? You can visit her onli ne * www.cancerconsultants.com: * What are the average survival and community, www.crazysexylife.com. Contains detailed, consumer frie ndly cure rates? * http://berniesiegelmd.com and information on the latest treatment developments. * Could my disease go into www.ecap online.org: These sites remission? of physician Berni e Siegel, author of * www.americancancersociety.com: Love, Medicine & Miracles and Peace, This American Cancer Society site * What is the recommended Love & Healing (bot h from Harper provides basic information, alternative treatment?
Page 6 • Agrawal Samachar Patrika • Spring 2009 therapies, ways to manage the disease, http://cancerguide.org/disability.html and adoption. Despite what you’ve and support programs . www.thedisabilityexpert.com heard, it is possible to adopt if you’ve * www.oncolink.com: This University www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability had cancer. The key: pick an agency of Pennsylvania site offers key cancer and country that are open t o working info and pointers. 7. How to Stay Healthy with cancer survivors. * www.cancerguide.org: A how to on Patients undergoing tre atment can For more, check out: shore up their physical (and emotional) researching your disease, searching * www.fertilehope.org: This site reserves by eating well, exercis ing for clinical trials, and fi nding out about provides unvarnished facts about fertility and cutting stres s (which impairs the latest traditional and alternative risks associated with cancer treatment the immune system) . The American therapies. as well as fertilit y preservation and Institute for Cancer Resea rch, which * www.cancer.net: American Society parenthood alternatives before, funds studies on the role of food and of Clinical Oncology site provides during and after treatment. It outlines exercise in cancer prev ention and oncologist approved information to the success rates, costs and time treatment, recommends a diet that’s at help patients make informed decisions requirements for a variety of fertility least two thirds vegetables, fruit, whole about their health care. procedures and also addresses other grains and beans. Below is a roundup possibilities, including egg a nd sperm * www.gildasclub.org: Named for of research related to staying healthy: Saturday Night Live comedian Gilda donation, surrogacy and adoption. * A s tudy of 22,000 healthy Greeks Radner, who died of ovarian cancer , * www.pregnantwithcancer.org: This showed their “Mediterr anean diet,” this site provides a support network for Web site links newly pregnan t cancer rich in vegetables, whole grains, olive patients and their families. patients with others with a similar oil, fruit and fi sh, reduced their ri sk cancer who have already been there, * www.thewellnesscommunity.org: of dying from cance r by at least 25 done that. The Wellness Community provides percent. Other studies have found support and education for cancer that nutrients in da rk, leafy greens patients and caretakers—and hooks may inhibit the growth of tumor cells in Cancer Facts them up with others going through breast, skin, lung and stomach cancers • Bernardino Ramazzini (Italian the same thing. It provides info on and that green tea may thwart cancer Physician) noted in 1700 that breast local wellness communities and even development in colon, liver , breast cancer was more prevalent in nuns; offersa virtual wellness community in and prostate cells. (A leading theory: do you know why? Spanish. fl a vonoids in tea and carotenoids in • Almost 80% of total calories in 5. Medical Resources leafy greens, which act as antioxidants, developing countries come from Finding a doctor who specializes in may protect against cancer by rooting cereals and grains (complex cancer care and choosing a treatment out free radicals.) carbohydrates) but in developed facility are essential steps in any * A pair of 2006 studies showed that countries from fats derived from patient’s recovery program. One good regular exercise reduc ed by up to 61 meat and vegetable oil; and sugar. place to start is with the 63 cancer percent the odds of death in colorectal • Why Eskimos, who derive 60% of centers that the National Cancer cancer patients. The fi ndings held even their calories from fat, have very Institute recognizes for “scientifi c in patients who did not start exercising low incidence of cancer ( especially excellence and the capability to until after diagnosis. breast) and heart attack? integrate a diversity of research * A 2 005 study showed that 92 • Did you know American spend $200 approaches” (http://cancercenters. percent of nearly 3,000 women with billions every year on cancer care? cancer.gov/cancer_centers). breast cancer who walked or did other • The median age for diagnosis of You can also check whether the exercise three to fi ve hours weekly cancer in Americans is 67 and fi ve American College of Surgeons’ were still alive 10 years after their year survival for prostate cancer is Commission on Cancer (www .facs. diagnosis, compared with 86 percent 99%. # org/–cancerprogram) approves of a of those who exercised less than an given program. Some of the things hour a week. to look for in a cancer center include * A 3 0 year review of the scientifi c Thanks to our Sponsors a low mortality index, a high ratio of literature, published in 2004, suggested nurses to patients and opportunities to that cancer patients who feel helpless at the Holi Picnic 2009 participate in clinical trials. For more or who suppress negative emotions tips, see www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/ may be at greater ri sk of having their factsheet/Therapy/doctor facility. cancer spread than those who play a Spicey World of USA 6. The 411 on Health Insurance role in their healing. Worried that your health insurance 8. Looking Ahead: Start a Family? for the Candies won’t cover your treatment? Wondering Does a cancer diagnosis spell the end if you’re entitled to disability benefi ts? of your dreams to have a family? In and These Web sites may help: a word—no. Note to readers: check www.healthinsuranceinfo.net your options befo re undertaking Dr. Durga Agrawal www.patientadvocate.org treatments that may cause infertility . www.patient.cancerconsultants.com In the event that y ou cannot become for the Trophies pregnant, there is always surrogacy
Agrawal Samachar Patrika • Spring 2009 • Page 7 Agrawal Association of America 3920 Oberlin Houston, Texas 77005 United States of America
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Do Cholesterol Drugs Do Any Good? Cover Story January 17, 2008, 10:00AM EST Research suggests that, except among of trials with statins and not liking what it are the ticket to an early grave and must high risk heart patients, the benefi ts of found. Yes, Wright saw, the drugs can be be brought down. Statins, the mess age statins such as Lipitor are overstated by life saving in patients who already have continues, are the most potent we apons John Carey suffered heart attacks, somewhat reducing in that struggle. The drugs are th ought Martin Winn’s cholesterol level was the chances of a recurrence that could to be so essential that, according to the inching up. Cycling up hills, he felt chest lead to an early death. But Wright had a offi cial government guidelines fr om the pain that might have been angina. So he surprise when he looked at the data for the National Cholesterol Education Prog ram and his doctor decided he should be on majority of patients, like Winn, who don’t (NCEP), 40 million Americans should a cholesterol lowering medication called have heart disease. He found no benefi t be taking them. Some researche rs have a statin. He was in good company. Such in people over the age of 65, no matter even suggested—half jokingly—tha t the drugs are the best selling medicines in how much their cholesterol declines, and medications should be put in th e water history, used by more than 13 million no benefi t in women of any age. He did supply, like fl uoride for teeth. Stat ins are Americans and an additional 12 million see a small reduction in the number of sold by Merck (Mevacor and Zoco r), patients around the world, producing heart attacks for middle aged men taking AstraZeneca (Crestor), and Bri stol $27.8 billion in sales in 2006. Half of that statins in clinical trials. But even for these Myers Squibb (Pravachol) in addi tion to went to Pfi zer for its leading statin, Lipitor. men, there was no overall reduction Pfi zer. And it’s almost impossible to avoid Statins certainly performed as they should in total deaths or illnesses requiring reminders from the industry that the drugs for Winn, dropping his cholesterol level hospitalization—despite big reductions in are vital. A c urrent TV and newspape r by 20%. “I assumed I’d get a longer life,” “bad” cholesterol. “Most people are taking campaign by Pfi zer, for instance, stars says the retired machinist in V ancouver, something with no chance of benefi t and artifi cial heart inventor and Lipitor user Dr. B.C., now 71. But here the story takes a a risk of harm,” says Wright. Based on the Robert Jarvik. The printed ad proc laims twist. Winn’s doctor , James M. W right, is evidence, and the fact that Winn didn’t that “Lipitor reduces the risk o f heart no ordinary family physician. A p rofessor actually have angina, Wright changed his attack by 36%...in patients with multiple at the University of British Columbia, he mind about treating him with statins—and risk factors for heart disease.” is also director of the government funded Winn, too, was persuaded. “Because So how can anyone question the benefi ts Therapeutics Initiative, whose purpose is there’s no apparent benefi t,” he says, “I of such a drug? to pore over the data on particular drugs don’t take them anymore.” Wait a minute. http://www.businessweek. and fi gure out how well they work. Just as Americans are bombarded with the com/magazine/content/08_ Winn started on his treatment, W right’s message from doctors, companies, and the 04/b4068052092994.htm team was analyzing evidence from years media that high levels of bad cholesterol “...Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah ...” (Protect your Dharma and It will protect you)