Is empathy lost on us?

        India, as a nation, is developing faster with a rapidly growing economy. We are the world's fourth-largest economy. In the cities, most people lead a comfortable life with good education and a well-paying job. In metropolitan cities, the cost of living is extraordinarily high. Housing, education, healthcare, transport, and even leisure come at a premium. Hence, in the quest to acquire a financially comfortable life, people work for a larger number of hours. Ambition turns into compulsion. Gradually, life gets divided into two rigid compartments — weekdays and weekends. Weekdays are for relentless work, deadlines, and targets. Weekends are reserved for spending — dining out, shopping, short trips — almost as compensation for the stress endured during the week. Fun is scheduled. Rest is calculated. Joy is postponed. 

        The search for a better and more luxurious lifestyle has turned many of us into arrogant and rude people. In the whole process, we have lost empathy. Empathy is a quality that is ingrained in every human being. But the pursuit of happiness has made us lose touch with our fellow human beings.

I realised this during my recent visit to Sri Lanka. Even in cities like Colombo, Weligama, and Bentota, people were very friendly and trustworthy. The country is going through a bad economic phase. People are struggling to earn a living, and the cost of living is also high. Since the majority of the goods are imported from neighbouring countries, heavy taxes are levied on them, making it costlier for common people.

The civilians were so grateful when we bought goods from them. I could see the joy in their faces even when only one material was bought. The shopkeepers were glad that their goods were getting sold. Difficult situations make people humble. It is humbling and touching to see them still in touch with humanity.

This is something that we have lost in India, especially in the cities. Even though Indians are friendly and helpful in nature, somewhere along the line, we have lost touch with humanity. Hence, for us, everything is a transaction, and there should be a profit involved. Investing in empathy doesn't gain us interest, hence we don't entertain it. It is important to search within ourselves where true happiness lies, and hence, work towards it.

True happiness does not reside in luxury apartments, branded possessions, or extravagant weekends. Money undoubtedly provides comfort and security. It can buy experiences, education, and healthcare. But it cannot purchase inner contentment. If we are disconnected from ourselves and from others, no amount of wealth can fill that void. The constant search for “more” becomes endless. Each achievement gives temporary satisfaction, followed by another desire. And so, the cycle continues — work hard during the week, spend on the weekend, repeat.

Perhaps the real question we must ask ourselves is: what are we truly chasing?

Happiness is not postponed to weekends. It is found in small weekday conversations, in shared meals, in kindness to strangers, in gratitude for simple blessings, celebrating the success of friends and colleagues. It lies in slowing down enough to notice another person’s struggle. It lies in helping without calculating benefit. It lies in reconnecting with the core of our humanity.

Development and empathy need not be opposites. Economic growth should not come at the cost of emotional poverty. A nation progresses not only through GDP and infrastructure but also through compassion and social harmony.

As cities grow taller, may our hearts grow wider.

Because at the end of the day, what we remember are not the profits made or targets achieved — but the moments when we felt connected, understood, and human.

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What is or who is a Linchpin?

Picture courtesy -runonmoms.com

         Linchpin is a small piece of hardware which attaches the wheel to the wagon This term is also used for people with specific skills such as being Humane, well connected and empathetic in organisations and work places. Recently I came across this word in a book by the same name authored by Seth Godin. 

      Naming a book is also a marketing strategy. The name of a book attracts us to read it. From the piles of books at a book store,we pick those books which have interesting names or titles.The same happened with this book too. The  title 'linchpin' plus the author favoured my choice.

      The interesting question which came  to my mind while I was reading this book is whether we are indispensable at our work place or not? My simple answer is No. Of course all of us would want the answer to be a Yes.

     Being indispensable means we are irreplaceable at any given point. This is utterly nonsense and impossible too. In today's era when knowledge is available at the fingertips it is almost impossible to be the only person who is good and also a master at his job.

    We can of course try to be close to being indispensable by being a master at our craft. Updating our knowledge and staying relevant will help us to achieve this feat. Any individual who has got the job has secured the post because of his qualifications. But time and again we need to keep abreast with upcoming knowledge. Especially in the field of science and medicine when everyday new inventions are coming up, if we are not updated then we will perish.

We should achieve excellence in our craft.A mediocre level of efficiency won't suffice. Or we will be very easily replaced by more smarter individuals.

      Being only a  linchpin i.e the individual who holds the organization together because of his knowledge,being well connected,maturity, sympathy and art will not cut it. It is true that we will find many people who are experts at a particular job. Value can be added to our job when we are able to connect with our fellow employees humanely and look beyond the current job. Empathy is very important at work place. Going an extra mile to take responsibility, challenge the status quo and changing people will definitely strengthen our place at the workforce.

        It is my personal experience and observation that hard work pays off when one works smartly. By putting in the years at our job,we  gain experience. And all of this with the right qualifications ( which also should be updated time to time) and an eagerness to learn with every advancing age is a recipe for success. In addition to all of this being a linchpin is like a feather on the cap. A linchpin goes a step further ,thinks about the future of the company, takes risks,cares about his colleagues and takes smart decisions which no one would have thought. All these qualities secure his job. But rest assured we are still indispensable.

 That is why we see the experts and successful people putting a lot of time and effort at their job even after they have achieved success in their careers.

So, despite your able qualifications go a step further and see how you can make a difference at your workplace. It is the survival of the fittest and in today's workplace I would say it is the survival of the wittiest.

Brain food recipes

 

In my previous post , I had explained the benefits of brain foods. Fruits and vegetables which are anti-inflammatory, rich in antioxidants, and Omega 3 fatty acids are nourishing to the brain.These are explained in detail below:

1.Cereals such as wheat germ,brown rice and oats are packed with the necessary vitamin B and antioxidants.

2 . All the vegetables especially cabbage are rich in antioxidants.

3.Fruits- blue berries,citrus fruits are rich in antioxidants.

Avacado- is rich in folate and Omega 3 fatty acids 

4.Nuts-almonds and walnuts are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and protein.

5.fish-salmon rich in Omega 3 fatty acids.chicken is rich in protein.

6.Dark chocolate rich in antioxidants.

7. Coffee in moderation . Rich in antioxidants.

8. Soyabean is rich in protein s and anti oxidants.

9. Probiotic like yogurt,fermented food are anti inflammatory.andbrich in Vitamin B 12 and anti oxidants.

10.Prebiotic like banana, onion and garlic are rich in antioxidants.

11.water- since 80%of the brain is made of water, it is important to keep it well hydrated.

When we advice brain nourishing food to a child , it should be healthy and tasty so that the child will readily accept it. Hence it is challenging to advise proper diet which a child will happily indulge in. For this reason , I had a discussion with my PG students. And I took inputs from them regarding the brain nourishing recipes. Our PG students came up with some innovative interesting recipes which the children will eat. They are as follows.

 Brain food recipes:

1. Fruits juices using blue berries / citrus fruits without adding sugar or minimal sugars

2. Dr Chhavi Rosha:Pancakes using oats, almonds, walnuts ,banana and jaggery.

3. Dr Chhavi Rosha:Brownies using whole wheat flour or oats, banana,walnuts and dark chocolate.

4. Avacado Salsa: Avacado, tomato, onion, olive oil or any vegetable oil, lemon juice,salt and pepper.

5. Dr Vrushali Hake:Soya Dosa:Rice – 1 cup,Soybeans (soaked overnight) – ¼ cup,Udad dal – ¼ cup,and salt.Grind all into batter, ferment it. And prepare soft dosas.

6. Oats Rice Water Soup :1 tablespoon oats powder,1 cup rice water( supernatant liquid got after cooking rice),pinch of salt . Boil them together (optional, only for >1 year)

7. Dr Pratidyna Khade: soya cutlet: using soya chunks, potato, grated carrot, salt, pepper, onion and garlic.

8. Dr Pratidyna and Dr Saurabh:Moringa soup: pulp of boiled drumsticks ,water, salt and tempering with jeera, mustard, turmeric, onion and garlic.

9. Dr Saurabh Bagal: boiled chicken omlet.Ingredients -boiled chicken, 2 eggs,tomato, onion, salt and black pepper.

10. Flavoured lassi: curd, jaggery or sugar, strawberry/mango etc.

11. Dr Vrushali Hake:Dry fruit Lassi. Using curd, sugar/ jaggery, almond powder/ dates paste.

Don't s: 

Processed food, junk foods, canned fruits, added sugars. High calories food.

Sitting idle without any exercise.

Brain foods-a fact or a myth?

 

   Brain is a vital organ,one amongst many organs in our body .Just like different parts of a body need specific nutritious diet for its nourishment ,growth and repair e.g muscle growth requires high protein diet .Similarly, brain also requires certain specific foods to function at its best.

   What are brain foods?These are special foods rich in PROTEINS( essential amino acids), FATS especially omega 3 fatty acids and essential VITAMINS.By indulging in these brain foods the brain will function optimally.

      Are these brain foods different to what we eat in a regular diet ? The answer is yes and no. Many of the cereals, vegetables and fruits which we eat regularly ,also boost the brain functioning. But there are certain specific cereals, vegetables which are packed with some or all of the essential amino acids . These essential amino acids,fats and vitamins are very important for the superior functioning of the brain. Fruits which are rich in antioxidants reduce oxidative stress in the brain and hence prevent neuronal damage or death of neuronal cells.some of the nuts are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin E and antioxidants. Fish such as salmon are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. All these foods are very nourishing for the brain and help in the better functioning of the brain.  

   Essential amino acids are crucial for the synthesis of neurotransmitters, which facilitate communication between neurons. Healthy fats, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, are integral components of neuronal cell membranes and play a key role in maintaining neuronal integrity and synaptic plasticity. Vitamins such as B-complex vitamins, vitamin E, and vitamin D support energy metabolism, neuroprotection, and cognitive function.

    Fruits rich in antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress in the brain, thereby preventing neuronal damage and death of nerve cells. Oxidative stress is a major contributing factor in neurodegenerative processes, and antioxidant-rich foods play a protective role in preserving brain health.

    Nuts and seeds are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants, all of which are beneficial for brain nourishment. Similarly, fatty fish  are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and are known to support memory, concentration, and overall cognitive function.

   In summary, a healthy brain-supportive diet should include a balanced combination of cereals, green leafy vegetables, lean meats, fruits, and probiotics. In addition, the regular inclusion of nuts, and prebiotic foods a few times a week helps promote a healthy gut-brain axis, thereby contributing improved cognitive and neurological functioning. Adopting such a nutrient-rich and balanced dietary pattern supports the brighter and more efficient functioning of the brain throughout our life.

So, it is not a myth. Brain needs to be taken care of like any other organ of our body.