"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

March 2019

Meet 26-Year-Old Taniya Sanyal, The Only Female Aviation Firefighter

A strong mind, an optimistic outlook, and zeal are the three things that you need to flourish in life and with all these qualities, Taniya Sanyal has become India’s first ever woman firefighter in the aviation industry. The high spirited 26-year-old Taniya wanted to do something unconventional in life since her childhood so that she could bring a significant change to society. In 2018 Taniya was appointed as an aviation firefighter by the Airports Authority of India and she is now deployed to the Fire Service Training Centre in Kolkata. It has been said that the AAI firefighting squad is a team of 3,310 and among all of them, Taniya is the only woman.  Taniya thinks that for a woman, the most important thing is to have a powerful mental state in order to prosper in a male-dominated field. She even said that sense of time is very important in this profession, therefore, mastering it is essential. Taniya came across the opportunity of becoming an aviation firefighter through a newspaper advertisement and since then she was very sure of her career. Taniya never felt insecure while working with her male colleagues as she told India Today: “I consider myself very lucky because when I joined here last year, my male colleagues were very supportive towards me and they guided me everytime.”   Taniya is an inspiration to all those women who desire to break through the glass ceiling and do something out of the box. Image Courtesy: Life Beyond Numbers

30 Mar 2019
Star Citizens

Age Is Just A Number: At 103, Man Kaur Secures A Gold Medal in Shot Put

Life throws a curve ball at everyone at some point in time due to which the path ahead becomes rocky but, those who keep going are called as the ultimate survivors. For 103-year-old Man Kaur, life is still about achievements and she has been perfectly living up to it. The centenarian secured a gold medal in shot put at The World Masters Athletics Championship held in Torun Poland with the best effort of 2.13 meters. This was not the first time for Man Kaur to win a gold medal at The World Masters Athletics Meet as she had won multiple in the past. Apart from being a track athlete she is also a field athlete and holds world records in several events in the age category of 100 and above. In a telephonic conversation with TOI, Man Kaur expressed her desire to win more medals as she stated: “I want to win more. I feel very happy after winning. The government has not given me anything, but it doesn’t matter as I just want to win, because winning gives me happiness.”  Man Kaur wishes to break the record of Julia Hockings next which is 2.77m and we wish her all the luck for that. With her record-breaking achievements, she has proven that age must not be a hindrance in anyone’s way. Image Courtesy: National Public Radio

30 Mar 2019
Good News

Smile Confidently: Here's How You Can Take Care of Your Dental Hygiene

We often forget to pay heed to our dental health and emphasize on our general health the most. But, did you know ignoring a small cavity or a toothache can lead to major discomforts? It has been said that an average person only brushes for 45 to 70 seconds in a day whereas its recommended to brush for at least 2 minutes. An unhealthy mouth leads to the formation of bacteria which can convert into dental plaque and trigger periodontal disease (gum disease). Therefore, it's necessary to maintain great dental hygiene. Here are some useful tips which can help you look after your oral health. The Right Brush: Food debris get stuck mainly in our molars which are located at the back of our mouth. Thus, choose a brush which has a small head as well as bristles so that it can easily reach that area and clean it properly. Also, a soft bristle brush is a better choice than the one which has hard bristles as it can cause cuts in your gums. Say No to Vigorous Brushing: Some of you may think that brushing with all the force leads to great results but, it's not the truth. Vigorous brushing can lead to receding gums which can later result in gum disease. Therefore, brush gently and make sure the stuck food particles are washed away. Quit Drinking Acidic Drinks: Acidic or aerated drinks are not just harmful to your general health but, also for your dental hygiene. Drinking a lot of soft drinks, canned juices or sodas can wear off your enamel and lead to tooth sensitivity. The enamel happens to be the outer part of our tooth which acts as a protective layer. Thus, it's important to safeguard it. Floss on a Daily Basis: Flossing between your teeth every day will give you great dental results. Practising this oral hygiene will keep bacteria and bad breath away which can help you combat with several dental diseases. Sometimes, the food particles also get stuck in between our teeth and flossing works as a wonder during such times. Swish with Antibacterial Mouthwash: A lot of you might rinse your mouth every day with a mouthwash. But the question is are you using the right rinsing liquid? Many bottles of mouthwash contain alcohol which can cause dry mouth, therefore, its essential to opt for a mouthwash which is antibacterial. To choose the correct mouthwash, you can ask your dentist to suggest one. Clean the Tongue: A lot of you might skip cleaning the tongue after brushing but, did you know bacteria also reside on the tongue which can lead to tooth decay? Thus, one should emphasize on cleaning the tongue as well. Always remember, a pleasing smile creates the first impression and to achieve a healthy mouth, all you have to do is retain proper oral hygiene. Image source: Gentle Dental                                                                                      

29 Mar 2019
Positive Reads

Valiant and Fearless: Reshma Nilofer Naha Is India's Only Marine Pilot

Courage and self-belief can make a person excel in anything and for Reshma Nilofer Naha, manoeuvring ships through harbours is something which she does in her daily life. She is India’s first and only river pilot who was recently given the Nari Shakti Puraskar by our President, Ram Nath Kovind. Reshma joined the Calcutta Port Trust in 2011 as a trainee pilot and in 2018, she became a river pilot. Reshma navigates ships from Sagar right to the ports of Calcutta and Haldia through the Hooghly river which is quite difficult due to the congested water and the narrow channels. On talking about the difficulties faced by her while navigating, Reshma told The Telegraph, “We have different kinds of ships and each ship behaves differently. The tides are strong here… and all this makes pilotage tough.” The courageous marine pilot further added she once had to anchor for four days due to unfavourable weather and strong winds. Reshma holds a B.E. degree in Marine Technology from Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi. After being recruited by KoPT(Kolkata Port Trust), she worked as a cadet at the sea and secured 2nd and 1st mates competency certificates from the Directorate General of Shipping. She also sailed with Maersk for about two years before working with KoPT which happens to be the largest supply vessel operator and container ship. Heading from Chennai, Reshma believes a support system is needed to get inspired in life and for her, family and siblings have played a major role in motivating her. Reshma believes it's important for each woman to carry themselves with dignity and flourish in their respected fields in order to prove men they are not superior to them. We hope her story inspires other women and take up jobs that are daring. Image Courtesy: Asianet News

29 Mar 2019
Star Citizens

Add These Superfoods To Your Diet To Boost Your Immunity This Summer

Indian summers are scorching and to keep up with the heat, it’s important to e­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­at right. They say keeping yourself hydrated is the most essential thing to do when the temperature soars up. When we think of hydrating ourselves, the only thing that crosses our mind is water but, a lot of seasonal vegetables and fruits that retain water can also do wonders to our body. A delectable salad made out of greens along with a thick shake or a lemony electrolyte drink sounds like a great option for a summer meal. Thus, let’s take a look at what’s ideal to eat when the weather is blazing. Yoghurt: Curd or yoghurt is one of the summer superfoods which is highly beneficial for your digestive system. It is rich in calcium and protein and also contains probiotics which enhance the immunity system. Therefore, consuming a bowl full of yoghurt every day is certainly good for the body. Cucumber and Apple Salad: Some of us prefer eating small portions during summers and what is better than a refreshing salad? A cucumber and apple salad not just taste great but, also have several benefits. Cucumber is made up of 95% water which is amazing for the body while apple reduces cholesterol and also boosts the digestive system. Pumpkin:  It washes out intestinal worms from our digestive system and is rich in vitamin A. The antioxidant content in pumpkin is also high due to which it is noted as one of the most essential superfoods that our body needs. Coconut Water: Most people love sipping on coconut water when the heat is unbearable. It's not only a great source of hydration but also reduces blood pressure and is high in nutrients. It soothes the body and keeps it cool. Watermelon: A glass of simple watermelon juice or a thick shake, the juicy summer fruit tastes good either ways, therefore, it’s a favourite among most people. Watermelon offers minerals, vitamins, and nutrients and is extremely hydrating. Carrot: Carrots are a good source of vitamin C. Carrots have antioxidant properties and Carrots juice helps to protect the skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the shining sun.  Eating healthy during summers will keep you energetic and boost your immunity and these summer foods are certainly great choices for this season.   

29 Mar 2019
Positive Reads

From Digital Prescriptions To Online Medical Consultations, Mfine App Does It All

Gone are the days when technology used to take a back seat. With an increase in applications, gadgets, and automation, everything has become extremely convenient for us. And to add a little more ease to our life, Ajit Narayan (the co-founder of the app) has come up with mfine. Talking about the features of the application, it can connect you to a doctor within 30 to 40 minutes. And not just that, you can also get cured sitting at home without even visiting the doctor’s clinic. All you have to do is enter the symptoms that you are experiencing and it will redirect you to a page where the details of the doctors would be provided. After choosing your preferred doctor, the issue will be first directed to the care team and then a senior specialist will look into the problem. You can either video call or just chat with your selected doctor regarding your problem. And once everything is done, a digital prescription will be given to you which will be stored in the app itself. The mfine app runs on AI and has tie-ups with 80 hospitals and 375 doctors and is available in Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, and Bengaluru. Apart from online consultations, it also helps you book offline appointments. And a follow-up treatment within 7 days won’t be charged. Who knew a medical app could do so many wonders? Thanks to the minds behind mfine for introducing it to us. Image courtesy: VCCIRCLE 

28 Mar 2019
Good News

This 80-Year-Old-Doctor Gives Free Medicines To His Patients

A disease is considered to be deadly if not treated on time. Several people die due to lack of treatment while some continue to suffer. And for those who cannot afford money for medication, Dr. Siddalingappa Murugeppa Yeli of Davanagere is like a knight in shining armour. His consultation fee is not more than Rs 30 while some of his patients don’t pay anything at all. From distributing free medicines to recommending free tests at his diagnostics centre, the 80-year-old general physician does everything for his patients to cure them. Therefore, he is considered as the “Walking God of Davanagere.” Its been 50 years since Dr. Yeli has been treating his patients and he wants to do the same throughout. He starts attending his patients at the clinic from 8 am and at 11 am he goes to JJM Medical College Hospital where he does two rounds in a day and takes only Rs 50 for each round. Then again at 1:30 pm he comes back to his clinic and examines his patients until 5 pm. Dr. Yeli’s patients have an immense amount of love and respect for him as he has made their life much brighter by curing them. After going through his story, all that we can learn is, help people as much as you can. Care and love them selflessly. Real living is living for others. Image Courtesy: Bangalore First

27 Mar 2019
Star Citizens

3 Worn Out Shoes, A 3,800 Km Walk and a Commendable Journey, Suresh Daniel is the Pride of India

How many of us get up every morning and think of doing something fruitful for the environment?  Loving mother earth with all your heart is the purest form of love and the 31-year-old Bengaluru man, Suresh Daniel has left no stone unturned to generate awareness about Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. He walked all the way from Kanyakumari to Jammu covering a distance of 3,800 km. Suresh not only explained the adverse effects of using plastics and merits of planting trees to the villagers he came across but, also bought saplings for people. While working in Singapore, Suresh used to walk to his office every day thinking about how beautiful the Island City State is. But, back in his mind, he thought that with a little motivation and awareness, India can do better and become more beautiful. Therefore, without giving a second thought, he quit his job and returned to India in 2017. Soon after that, he started his training by walking for a distance of 5 km with a weight of 5 kg with him and gradually increased both the weight and the distance. On July 27, 2018, he commenced his journey of spreading awareness about the environment from Kanyakumari and each day he used to walk for 25 km. According to TOI, Suresh came across some difficulties during his journey as he stated: "Walking from Kanyakumari to Bengaluru was the hardest due to extreme climate conditions. It would be extremely hot after 11 am and I had to cover nearly 25km within five hours." Three pairs of shoes were torn by the time he reached Jammu, his final destination but unfortunately, couldn't stay longer and had to return back from the state due to Pulwama attack. Suresh is a great example for the present and the upcoming generation. Therefore we all should take a cue from him on how to take the utmost care of our mother earth. Image Courtesy: Shuddhi NGO

27 Mar 2019
Good News

Deputy Commissioner Avny Lavasa Changes The Education Scenario In Hundar Dok

Image Courtesy: JKUpdate Education is man’s most powerful weapon as said by Nelson Mandela. Knowledge gives you the ability to change your surroundings and fight for your rights. The people of Hundar Dok situated in Nobra sub-division, Leh beamed with joy when the sole government school reopened after being shut for four years. The villagers witnessed the glorious day right when Deputy Commissioner, Avny Lavasa took the initiative to visit them and reopen the school. The number of students in Hundar Dok is quite less due to low population, therefore, it led to shutting down of the school. Education should and must be the utmost priority for every child and parents are responsible for incorporating knowledge in them. A child gets moulded according to their environment. Therefore, the right amount of guidance will help them turn into a better human. The world needs nothing but, pure souls. We at My Indian Dream salute Avny Lavasa for taking such a commendable step and brightening up the future of a few children.

26 Mar 2019
Good News

Archives