Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Spotlight on FATEH: Fellowship for Activists To Embrace Humanity

MISSION
FATEH is committed to providing opportunities for community capacity building in Punjab and in Diaspora communities spread around the globe.

VISION
A fearless responsibility towards all creation, inspired by the Sikh culture of introspection, compassion, perseverance and determination.

PROJECTS
S I C K A
Strengthening Intellect CompetitiveKnowledge & Aptitude SIKHYA / FATEH Partnership


T A K R E E
Training And Knowledge Related toEntrepreneurship & Employment

A M D A N
Apprentice & Mentorship Development toAchieve Necessary Skills

C A B S 0 5 - 0 6
Change Across Borders

C H A A K R
Inter-Community Volunteer Initiative

S H A N
Intra-community Psychological Awarenessand Counseling Service

C A M P F A T E H

STEMMING FEMALE FOETICIDE/INFANTICIDE

SAKHI FILM FESTIVAL

www.fatehworld.org

Global AIDS Fellowship - AMSA

Attention Med Students!!!

AMSA Global AIDS FellowshipDescription
Application Deadline: January 30, 2006

http://www.amsa.org/global/aids/


As the AMSA Global AIDS Fellow, you will:
Utilize to the greatest extent possible the spirit and excellence of the health professions and mobilize the nation’s physicians-in-training to address the Global HIV/AIDS pandemic through Education, Service, and Action. In this capacity, you will work closely with national AMSA leadership and staff, the AIDS Advocacy Network coordinators, local chapter leaders and members, and local, national, and international organizations to develop strategy, educate and activate the grassroots, and build coalitions around fighting Global HIV/AIDS. Your work to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic will reflect the need to eliminate global health disparities.

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Anti-Inflammatory Spices: Turmeric & Ginger

Chronic low-grade inflammation has been linked to the development of many age related health conditions, including Alzheimer's. Although this process may be barely noticeable, there are things you can do to prevent or delay health issues related to inflammation. In the case of Alzheimer's, making good choices in diet, exercise and lifestyle can all reduce risk. Taking natural anti-inflammatories is a good move, especially turmeric and ginger.

Turmeric has excellent anti-inflammatory properties, and is a component of the recommended anti-inflammatory diet, a focus of Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging. The principal ingredient in mild yellow prepared mustard and in some exotic curries, turmeric may have a specific preventive effect against Alzheimer's disease (it has been shown to prevent amyloid plaque formation in animals) and may reduce the risk of many types of cancer as well. You can find turmeric products in health food stores, but many are preparations of curcumin, which is only one of the active components. Instead, take a whole extract of turmeric, and look for those prepared by the process of "supercritical extraction" - which uses liquefied carbon dioxide to extract the natural components of turmeric, rather than chemicals such as hexane, which can leave a residue.

Consider using turmeric (see yesterday's Daily Tip), following an anti-inflammatory diet, and taking ginger, a natural anti-inflammatory herb that may help to lessen the risks and/or symptoms of many inflammatory-related disorders. Dried ginger preparations are actually more powerful than fresh because of a chemical conversion of its constituents on drying. Capsules of dried, powdered ginger are now commonly sold in health food stores; use only those that are standardized for their content of active components. The recommended starting dose is 1 gram per day (usually two capsules), taken after a meal to avoid stomach irritation. There is no toxicity and you can stay on it indefinitely.

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Indian PM: 'Talk about safe sex'

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has urged Indians to start talking more openly about safe sex to check the spread of the HIV virus that causes Aids.

This follows growing alarm among Indian health officials about the spread of the virus to rural areas where health care is poor. Aids workers dispute official figures that say the rate of HIV infection has fallen sharply in India. More than five million people in India are HIV positive. Only South Africa has more people with the virus.

"You should comprehend the need to educate our young about the modes of transmission of this disease," Mr Singh said on Thursday in comments to mark World Aids Day. "Leading a healthy and safe sexual life is one of the commitments we must all make."

Recent figures released by the government suggest that HIV is now spreading from traditional high-risk target groups, like truckers and sex workers in cities, to those living in rural areas. This only confirms that the government message on Aids prevention is getting through to enough people, our correspondent says. In a conservative country like India, it is not always easy to promote awareness about safe sex. In the past, some leaders of right-wing Hindu groups have also said that emphasis should be on abstinence rather than advocating the use of condoms which, in their view, only encourages promiscuous trends in society.

More? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4488352.stm

Thursday, December 01, 2005

World AIDS Day :: December 1st 2005

STOP AIDS. KEEP THE PROMISE.

December 1st is World AIDS Day and is recognized around the world as a day to renew hope, commemorate those lost and celebrate progress. This year World AIDS Day activities will call on politicians and the international community to keep their promise and commitments in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

World AIDS Day links including events, news, and articles:

UNAIDS
http://www.unaids.org/en/default.asp

World AIDS Campaign
http://worldaidscampaign.info

World AIDS Day
http://www.worldaidsday.org/default.asp

HIV Is Spreading Via India's Highways
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051129/ap_on_re_as/hiv_highway

BBC - The AIDS Crisis
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/health/2005/aids_crisis/default.stm

World Bank
http://www.worldbank.org/worldaidsday/

Don't Give Up - Sung by Bono and Alicia Keys
http://www.keepachildalive.org/dont.html http://www.keepachildalive.org