Makar Sankranti is just around the corner and this gujju household is in full preparation mode. Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan as popularly known in Gujarat is a day of fun and celebration complete with lights, colours and challenges. The sky is dotted with different hues of colourful kites that become a bone of contention between youngsters looking to soar into the sky. Similarly inside the house one can see an array of colours in the form of mouth-watering delicacies. 

Year-on-year my mother has celebrated this festival with aplomb in our homes, even though we have been far away from our home state. Just like every other festival, the first thing done is a thorough cleaning the home and most importantly the kitchen. So this year Heer and me, did clean and decorate our home with the assistance of our house help making sure it is festive-ready. Whilst cleaning we cleared out things that we haven’t used in a while to share them with those who need them. 

No celebration is complete without food, ‘undhiyo’ preparation will dominate our kitchen like every gujarati kitchen. Undhiyo; a green vegetable curry full of assorted beans, roots, seasonal vegetables and methi tikkis is a huge hit amongst all young and old. And since kite-flying is a day-long adventure, fun foods like puffed rice balls and dhoklas are also prepared. The other two dishes that may also make the cut are Daal-Bhatti Churma and jalebis.

Zika Virus was initially discovered by scientists studying yellow fever in Africa during early 1950, while the pandemic has grown exponentially only much recently. In the first half of 2015 doctors identified the zika virus as the cause of an outbreak in Brazil, affecting as many as one and a half million people. The virus is said to breed in waterlogged areas and with the monsoons in full swing, as a mother and homemaker it becomes important to know about the condition and identify the symptoms, follow the course of treatment and inculcate the preventive measures when possible.
Disease
The virus does not have any health implications and is overcome in 2-7 days with proper medication. However, in very rare cases, the virus increases the risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system attacks the myelin lining of nerve cells, resulting in widespread weakness and paralysis. Another condition caused by the virus is microcephaly, a birth defect in which a baby’s brain fails to grow to its normal size.

Causes
The virus is a mosquito-borne infection that is transmitted to people mainly through an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. The virus can also be sexually transmitted from a person to his or her partner. It is also documented that the virus is spread from pregnant mothers to their unborn babies. 

Symptoms
The virus does not produce symptoms in all those who are affected. While some people may have no symptoms at all, some may suffer from a rash while others may have a fever and headache along with joint and muscle pain and occasionally pain behind the eyes and conjunctivitis. Symptoms usually last for several days to a week.

Diagnosis
When any of the symptoms of the virus are observed, especially if someone has travelled to an affected area, it is advisable to get a blood or urine test done to ascertain if the virus is present in the body. Sometimes symptoms cannot be reliably and hence a test is important for diagnosis and managing the disease.

Treatment
As per the World Health Organisation there is no specific vaccine or medication for the virus, most healthcare providers suggest to get plenty of rest and to consume lots of fluids to prevent dehydration. Medication to bring down the fever and reduce the joint and muscle pain is recommended. Also, it is advised not to take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; and mention to your healthcare provider if any other medicine is being taken.

Preventive Measures
The most important step to safeguard the family against the virus is to keep mosquitoes away as mosquito bites are the primary cause of the disease. To keep mosquitoes away spray living spaces with Goodknight indoor mosquito repellants, use outdoor mosquito repellents especially fabric roll-ons for children and use mosquito netting to cover infants in carriers, strollers, or cribs to protect them from mosquito bites.

Staying true to the proverb 'Prevention is better than Cure', we must all stay vigilant to any cases that may breed mosquitoes and take action at the first sign of any symptoms of mosquito borne diseases to ensure the health and wellness of our family and friends.

Until next time,
~ Heena

Disclaimer
I have shared information as per my knowledge of the infection, and I do not assume any liability. The blog post is not meant to be a replacement for a doctor consultation, nor is it a medical recommendation or prescription of treatment. Any reader of this blog should specifically consult his/her doctor for the same and follow the suggested course of treatment.

Monsoons are around the corner and I am looking at ways and means to protect my little one, especially from water-borne diseases such as malaria. The malaria mosquito breeds not only in water marshes and edges of streams and rivers but also in temporary rain pools. As more than 70% of Indians live in malaria-prone areas, it is really important for us, especially moms to know all about the symptoms, treatment and preventive measures.


Disease
Malaria is a serious disease spread by mosquitoes, that pose a significant health risk that may prove to be fatal if untreated. The illness is spread when the parasite travels to the liver, growing exponentially and then gushing through the human bloodstream destroying the red blood cells in the body. 

Symptoms
An infection typically begins with high fever and bouts of sweating episodes, that may or may not be accompanied by abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. If the condition remains undiagnosed additional symptoms like anaemia, extreme tiredness and convulsions and breathing disorders which may lead to coma, edema or kidney failure.

Diagnosis
When any signs or symptoms of malaria are observed, it is advisable to get a blood test or a rapid diagnostic test done to ascertain if the parasite is present in the bloodstream. Sometimes symptoms cannot be reliably and hence a parasitological test is important for diagnosis and managing the disease. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), early diagnosis is critical for treatment and recovery.

Treatment
Since malaria is a treatable disease, the primary objective of treatment is complete elimination of the parasite from the bloodstream to prevent any progress of the condition. Malaria requires prescription medications for a period of 3 to 7 days, depending on the severity of the illness and the medication type. Since there are no vaccinations or home remedies for malaria, it is important to take the medication for the prescribed time period.

On April 25, 2018, WHO celebrated the 70th anniversary of World Malaria Day to commemorate and celebrate the global efforts to control and prevent malaria all around the world. Since 2000, it has been noted that India has taken the problem head-on and progressed towards the prevention of the disease. This impressive work has been due to the active participation of the government as well as the preventive measures adopted. As a mother, a homemaker; I have identified some preventive measures that I adhere to, to ensure I keep the malaria parasite at bay. 

Preventive Measures
The most important step to safeguard the family against malaria is to keep mosquitoes away. Some of the most prominent ways to keep mosquitoes away are to spray living spaces with indoor mosquito repellants, use outdoor mosquito repellents especially for children and ensure no stagnation of water.

Staying true to the proverb 'Prevention is better than Cure', we must all stay vigilant to any cases that may breed mosquitoes and take action at the first sign of any symptoms to ensure the health and wellness of our family and friends and #MakeIndiaMalariaFree. 

Until next time,
~ Heena

With over a 120-year lineage, Godrej Group began its journey as a part of India's Swadeshi movement - the original 'Make in India' revolution. After a few unsuccessful ventures, Founder Ardeshir Godrej, set up the first Godrej company manufacturing locks, to secure everything that is of value for the consumers. Over the years, the company diversified into various areas including Aerospace. The Group set up Godrej Aerospace, the hi-tech aerospace manufacturing facility in a humble way in the late 1900s to develop into critical, high precision spacecraft components and beyond.


Early this week the company handed over it’s 100th set of airframe assemblies to BrahMos Aerospace for use in its missile systems while bagging an additional order of 100 more sets. The BrahMos missile, a stealth universal supersonic cruise missile can be launched from ships, submarines, aircraft and land-based platforms and can be used for a precision strike to destroy targets on land and sea. 

During the announcement, Jamshyd N. Godrej, CMD, Godrej & Boyce said, "Godrej and BrahMos have been partners for 17 momentous years. Over that time, we have taken great pride in doing our bit for nation-building through our contribution to bolstering India's defence capabilities.Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to hand over the completion document for the 100th set of airframe assemblies to Dr. Sudhir Mishra. This is a proud moment for Godrej, Brahmos and India, and an assertion of our commitment to serve our country through technologically driven solutions and indigenous manufacturing."

Dr. Sudhir Mishra, Director General, CEO & MD, BrahMos Aerospace DS said, "Godrej over the years has made an immense contribution to BrahMos and Indian defence sector. The delivery of the 100th set of combat worthy missile airframes marks another milestone in our long relationship. Going forward, I am confident our partnership will continue to set new benchmarks and serve as inspirational role model for indigenous development and production of sophisticated weapon systems."


It was an absolute pleasure being part of the narrative of this spectacular journey and witness how Godrej assists in #SecuringTheNation. 

Until next time,
- Heena

The air we breathe today is getting worse by the minute, and with each passing day, the air quality is hitting a new low. All around the world people are falling victim to failing air quality; which directly or indirectly is affecting their health. No one can really escape the air pollution especially in the Indian metro cities that are deteriorating day after day. 

As a homemaker, especially a mother I feel the immense need to make the environment healthy for my little one. Unfortunately, there is very little I can do about the situation outside our home, but I can sure do some things that can improve the environment and air quality inside our home with much more than just air fresheners for home. Some of the easiest things I do to improve the air inside our home are:

Purify Indoor Air
One of the most basic things that I do to clean the air and eliminate odours at home is to tackle the issue areas. The troublesome areas in my house include the kitchen and the bathrooms, so I make sure to give special attention to negate the direct odours with air fresheners for bathrooms and kitchens.

Ventilate The Environment
The main reason for the poor quality of indoor air is the hight moisture levels. To counter this problem the easiest and least expensive method I have adopted is to install trickle vents and exhaust fans that offer tiny ventilation spaces for natural air purification without much fuss.

Grow Houseplants
Plants are natural purifiers that can rejuvenate the air, providing the much-needed protection against the toxins in the air. I've planted indoor plants like Peace Lily, Lady Palm and English Ivy that are powerful filters that can purify air naturally, especially in enclosed spaces for a safer, cleaner atmosphere.

Light Scented Candles
Beeswax ionises and neutralises air while improving air quality by removing allergens like dust, pollen and told from the air. So I like to fill my home with beeswax scented candles not only for its therapeutic properties but also as pure beeswax candles burn slowly with practically no smoke.

Spray Air Freshener 
At times I like my home to have my signature scent that overrides all other smells and odours. Scents that I prefer are light and fresh which I either make from natural ingredients that are all available in my kitchen or I use air freshener sprays from an organic brand. 

Let me know in a comment below what you do to purify the air in your home? 
~ Heena

Memory slips are the worst things that can happen to anyone. I personally know how frustrating it is when I misplace my keys or the phone charger, or when I can’t remember where I’ve saved a document and with what name. More than the loss I regret the time I waste looking for it or trying to remember where I last kept it. It takes many precious moments from the day to rerun the schedule, retrace the steps and figure out where I would have kept it. I promise to be more vigilant, more careful and never be so absent-minded so as to misplace something, but it sometimes doesn't work. And trust me I am not the only one who is so forgetful; there are many who are equally absent-minded and hit by amnesia from time to time. Case in point my baby sister.

My little sister literally drives us all insane with her recurring episodes of forgetfulness that are absolutely maddening. This morning she frantically woke me up at an insane hour of 5.30am and started blabbering, “I woke up for my run but now I cannot find my iPod.” Ouch, I thought you're waking me up for your stupid iPod, go run without music today. She coaxed, threatened and finally pleaded with me to help her look for it and so we looked and looked and looked. We rummaged every drawer, flipped every cushion in the house and checked all charging plug points. But the little devil was nowhere to be seen; I wanted to scream, 'Go without it what’s the big deal'?

But she went on and on literally turning the house upside down and still nothing. Now it was almost 6.15am and all I wanted to do was to crawl back into bed when her monologue began.

"Yesterday I came back from my run with my iPod and went for a shower. I got dressed and then had breakfast, soon after which I went to college. Once I came back I went up straight to my room and did some project work while listening to music. Just before dinner, I cleared my table and then after dinner, we went to sleep for a few hours. Where could it be?" 

As soon as I heard this, I went into her room picked her college bag and handed over her iPod from it. With a huge frown on my face, I went to my room and slept.

Over the years I’ve started to accept my shortcoming and devised a plan to keep at least my precious things safe and sound. Sometimes my tried and tested methods work and sometimes they don’t. And to counter those few instances when the method doesn’t work I’ve started to think about bringing the concept of an everyday locker system into use.

Godrej’s Goldilocks is India’s first-of-its-kind personal locker for everyday use to store your daily valuables like keys, credit cards, watch, wallet, and everything you think you tend to misplace. I think my forgetful sister and everyone like us would benefit from a locker like this to ensure we never misplace or lose any important and precious things and moreover don't trouble anyone else to find them. The advantage of the locker is that it’s compact and portable and a key to one's forgetfulness. 

Gold, isn't it?
~ Heena