An evening with Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

I don’t believe in religious rituals; but do believe in a supreme power, in leading a simple life and in helping others especially in my chosen field of vocation – optometry.

On March 25, 2012, the spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji visited Janakpuri and blessed the gathering with the following counsel:

▪ Lead a simple life
▪ Believe in God in any form you like
▪ Shed superstition
▪ Going vegetarian and adopting ayurveda is healthy
▪ Let there be a smile on your face always
▪ Don’t get angry
▪ Indulge in bhakti-sangeet whenever you find time
▪ Donate 2 to 3% of your earning for a good cause and
▪ Do relaxation and meditation exercises

This surely was an evening well-spent with Guruji, the propagator of `The Art of Living’ courses for the welfare of mankind!

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Open Letter to Shri Akhilesh Yadav, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, U.P.

March 15, 2012

My dear Akhilesh ji,

Welcome and congratulations as the youngest Chief Minister of the country’s biggest state!

In the field of eye-care, Uttar Pradesh is the first state where optometry took birth in the year 1958 with the starting of the 2-year Diploma course at Gandhi Eye Hospital’s School of Optometry, Aligarh, with the examination governed by the U.P. State Medical Faculty, Lucknow.

Over the years, while Bachelor, Master and PhD courses have been introduced in other parts of the country, U.P., unfortunately, lagged behind by continuing with the same old Diploma course.

I (having qualified in optometry from Aligarh in the year 1961), on behalf of the optometric community across India, urge you to take the lead by upgrading the 2-year Diploma in 4-year Degree course in optometry at all institutes in U.P.

Since all the basic infrastructure already exists at most of the institutions, the move will soon result in the availability of an army of better qualified optometrists to take charge of the efficient care of the visual welfare of the residents of U.P.

Optometry is the first line of defence against blindness the world-over, and why should the country’s biggest state lag behind when it now enjoys the leadership of a young energetic and enlightened chief minister eager to see U.P. catch up with developed states?

The effective step could well be the appointment of a “Director, Optometric Revolution in U.P.” within the U.P. State Medical Faculty, and taking personal interest in the development of optometry as a primary eye care profession.

And, optometry apart, I would like you to tell us about the secret of your vibrant energy.

Regards.

Dr. Narendra Kumar
BAMS, DROpt, PGCR, Member IACLE
Editor, OPTOMETRY TODAY
OphthaCare Eye Centre
C4F/216 Janakpuri
New Delhi 110058
Phones 011-25599839, 25612301
OptometryToday@gmail.com

Formerly Refractionist, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital
Author of `Ophthalmic Dispensing Optics’ book
Rotary award winner for courteous behaviour

The Pleasure Principle

While `everything that feels good is bad for you and everything that feels bad is good' is the harsh, true law of nature, `your well-being is in your hands' is also a law of nature, which dictates certain basic rules to be followed as daily routine to maintain health:

■ Getting up early in morning, and going for a walk,
■ Eating three full-meals of balanced, healthy food including thoroughly cleaned fruits and vegetables; consuming non-healthy food-items only in moderation; and churning food into semi-liquid within the mouth,
■ Keeping body-posture straight during work and leisure,
■ Keeping away from gossip and criticism of others to keep mind fresh and healthy, may be by engaging in a healthy activity (at the age of 71, I bring out an optometric journal, participate in conferences, attend to contact lens practice, am active on facebook, and write eye-care blogs),
■ Believing in singer Rageshwari's philosophy: "You can easily find your way out of bad situations if you approach them with a positive attitude, hope and faith", and
■ Going to bed early to enjoy adequate sound sleep.

Dr. Narendra Kumar