Features

THE HOTEL ATTACKED! – Part 29

Published

2 years ago

2021/12/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

CONFESSIONS OF A GLOBAL GYPSY

By Dr. Chandana (Chandi) Jayawardena DPhil

President – Chandi J. Associates Inc. Consulting, Canada

Founder & Administrator – Global Hospitality Forum

chandij@sympatico.ca

Beach and Tourists Back

The eventful off season for tourism ended by late October 1976. Around the same time, the sea erosion ended and sea became calm again. The Hotel Manager Muna and I, as the Assistant Manager and Executive Chef, led the Coral Gardens Hotel to be fully prepared to welcome guests for the 1976/1977 season. However, the tensions with the villagers, fishermen and beach boys continued.

Every other day, I continued my popular weekly buffets – International buffet for Sunday lunch, Beach barbecue night, Sri Lankan hopper night and Lobster night. We continued to attract large tourist groups specifically for lunch and coral garden boat excursions. I enhanced the fixed menus with new dishes I had learnt during the off season. I also made most of the à la carte orders, as I enjoyed the challenge of making those dishes within 15 minutes. Several repeat guests arrived at their favourite hotel in Sri Lanka. Muna and I paid special attention to these loyal customers and I continued creating desserts to honour such guests.

100-Item New Year’s Eve Buffet

Muna gave me a total free hand to organize a grand New Year’s Eve dinner dance. I auditioned several bands from Colombo and chose two bands with input from the German and Swedish tour leaders. I also developed an international theme for the event with input from some German, French, British, Swedish, Danish, Finish and Norwegian repeat guests. I focused a lot on planning a well-balanced 100-item international buffet menu, which was the most ambitious menu I had planned up to that point of my career.

Due to the on-going tensions with some local groups, we arranged additional security for the big day. Muna had invited two powerful local business leaders who were our friends – Leslie and Dudley, to his table at the New Year’s Eve dinner dance. This was done more as a strengthening of security strategy. Muna had also invited a few foreign tour leaders to his table. As he had three more spaces at his table, he invited Captain Wicks, his wife and their beautiful teenage daughter. I was particularly pleased with that decision.

Riot and Attack

While coordinating the buffet and food and beverage service, I also paid some attention to a large group of ‘loud’ local fishermen having drinks at the public bar. According to the excise department rules, we had to close that bar at 11:00 pm. The resident bar was open till late, but it was exclusively for hotel guests. Just after 11:00 pm, Barman Kalansooriya came to inform Muna and I that the local fishermen were refusing to leave the bar. Muna said, “Close the public bar as per the government rules, and politely request the local fishermen to leave.”

Within a minute, the barman returned looking very worried. He said, “The locals are demanding that they be allowed to have drinks at the resident bar.” We simply could not change the hotel policy focused on the safety of the hotel guests. Our answer to that request was, “No! That is not possible.”

A few minutes later, we heard a big noise. About 50 drunk fishermen shouted while trying to enter the hotel reception to march towards the resident bar. They angrily shouted, “Today is the day we will destroy this hotel!” Muna called the local police station and as I knew most of the gang, I tried to calm down the fishermen. All the waiters stood behind me in support at the hotel entrance. “I understand your concerns. Let’s talk about these issues tomorrow. We should not interrupt the event specially organized for tourists visiting your town”, I pleaded.

On hearing about the commotion, Leslie quickly left Muna’s table and rushed to the hotel entrance area to confront the fishermen. Leslie had a very strong physique and was a well-respected diver and businessman in the area. Some of those fishermen shouting, worked on Leslie’s fishing boats. Leslie interpreted the riot as a personal insult to him since he was the hotel manager’s guest. While angrily staring at the drunk fishermen, Leslie rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. He was ready to punish the culprits single-handedly.

Out of fear of Leslie most of the fishermen under his employment ran away. A few others in their drunkenness said, “Respected Leslie Sir, please don’t hit us.” Some of them added, “We did not know that you were at the hotel. We apologize”, and promptly left the hotel car park. There were about two dozen fishermen still standing in defiance. They wanted to fight Leslie, who took the challenge in lightning speed. Within a few minutes Leslie managed to knock down about a dozen. Others ran in fear, but commenced throwing large rocks at Leslie, from a distance.

At that point I held Leslie and tried to move him away, in fear that he might injure someone badly. A large rock was coming our way and Leslie quickly ducked. The rock hit my head and I fell like a tree. I was unconscious when the hotel workers lifted and placed me in the hotel car. I vaguely remembered someone smashing the windscreen of the car just after that and being showered with broken pieces of glass.

Usher the New Year at ER

When I opened my eyes with great difficulty, I was on a small bed in a dark room. I had no memory of anything from that evening. I felt broken glass pieces and blood when I touched my afro hair. The first thing that came to my mind was that I was dying and this was the end for me. In my feeble and drowsy state, I felt no fear of dying.

Next time I regained consciousness, there was a nurse standing by my bed, and my hair was cut to dress the head wounds. She told me that I had two accidents last night and that I was in the emergency room at Galle General Hospital. “What’s the day?” I asked with difficulty. “The first of January” she said. “Which year?” I asked as I could not remember anything at all. The nurse said, “1977.” Soon after that, a young doctor came to see me and informed that I would be taken by an ambulance to a private hospital in Colombo. He also told me that I was lucky that I was wearing my chef hat when I was hit on the head by the thrown stone.

A Month at Wycherley Nursing Home

I didn’t remember anything after that until I woke up in a nice and spacious bedroom. When I looked up, all I could see was an old fashion wooden ceiling fan gently circling. Then I saw my mother and father by my bedside, looking very worried. “You are at the Wycherley Nursing Home in Colombo seven”, my father told me, calmly. I tried to get up, but I couldn’t. In fact, I could not walk for two weeks. I was unsteady while the doctors tried different treatments. The bandages on my head were changed daily during visits by various specialists led by Dr. P. R. Anthonis, veteran surgeon (and later, the Chancellor of the University of Colombo).

My mother came to the hospital in the morning every day and stayed with me till late evening. She also tried to feed me the hospital food as well as my favourite dishes, she prepared at home for me. I hardly had any appetite and lost some weight. My father and two sisters came to visit me every evening after work. Many other members of my family and my friends visited me, but I could not talk too much. I was pleasantly surprised when Captain Wicks, his wife and their teenage daughter visited me one day. To cheer me up they told me that they were most impressed with my 100-item buffet, but saddened because of what happened to me on the New Year’s Eve.

A happy note during this unsteady month for me was appreciating the chance given to me to recover within a beautiful historic building. The Wycherley was built in early 1920s by a versatile gentleman. He was one of the greatest Ceylonese surgeons, writers and experts of the flora and fauna and the aboriginal people of the island – Dr. Richard Lionel Spittel. He had retired from the Government service at 53 years of age and ventured out to run his own Wycherley Nursing Home. High ceilings, old style celling fans, white windows and wooden floors enhanced the unique ambiance of the Wycherley.

One day, I noticed a teenage girl in a house right opposite the nursing home looking into my room frequently. My mother was surprised when this young girl waved at us. The next day she visited us and appeared to know details of what happened to me at the Coral Gardens Hotel. She said, “I am Roshika Fernando. I live with my family in Coniston Place, adjoining the Wycherley. I heard of what happened from a cousin of mine who is in the hotel industry.” As she was feeling very sorry for me, Roshika became a regular visitor in the afternoons. We used to have short chats and later when doctors wanted me to practice walking again, Roshika used to accompany me in the front garden of the Wycherley. Gradually our walks extended to Coniston Place. She was a very charming, kind and friendly girl.

Death Threats to the Manager

Towards the end of January, 1977, Muna came to see me. His story was frightening. He told me, “Chandana, since January first, I have been sleeping in a different room every night.” When I asked him the reason, he said that every evening around 9:00 pm he used to get a strange telephone call with a death threat. He had increased security at the hotel and arranged the local police to do frequent visits to the hotel. He then said, “I am on my way to the head office to get their advice.”

Within an hour, Muna returned to my room at the Wycherley. “I resigned!” he announced. I was shocked. Muna and I were a good team and together we accomplished many innovative things. I was saddened to hear about his decision and inquired about it. Muna was disappointed with the head office Director in charge of hotels, who allegedly told Muna, “I say, Munasinghe, tell those villagers if they kill you, the company will not give up. We will send another manager.” Instead of any further verbal communication, Muna immediately wrote his letter of resignation and handed it over to the Director.

Muna was seven years older than me and was like a big brother to me. He guided me well and also gave me full authority to run my departments. I was disappointed with his sudden departure from the job. “Are you going to the hotel now?” I asked Muna. “No, I will never step into that hotel again. I will send the driver to bring all my belongings to Colombo”. And that’s what he did.

Within a week, Muna found a good job at the Galle Face Hotel and moved on. That wasn’t the end of my working relationship with Muna. Within five years, on the same day in late 1981, Muna and I joined the Ceylon Hotel School as Senior Lecturers. He taught Professional Cookery and I taught Food and Beverage Operations to the fourth and final year students of CHS. During our breaks from lectures, we used to have some long chats about our memorable time at the Bentota Beach Hotel and the Coral Gardens Hotel.

Soon after Muna said good bye and left my room, my mother was prompting me to follow Muna’s steps and resign. I did not agree with her, and I decided to go back to Coral Gardens Hotel. I felt that my mission was not completed at the hotel, yet. That month I spent at the Wycherley was the only time I ever stayed at a hospital for an illness or injury in my whole life. I was eager to get out.

Years later, when I was introduced to the senior leadership team of Aitken Spence Hotels, as the facilitator of a two-day leadership coaching session, their Managing Director, Malin Hapugoda (Hapu) referred to my accident. He said, “Chandana was very playful and immature when he worked under me at Bentota Beach Hotel and before being hit by a large stone on his head in 1976.” There was pin drop silence among my high-level students – their Corporate Directors, Vice Presidents and General Managers of over 25 hotels. After a pause, Hapu said, “After the accident he became a genius, a professor and a scholar!” After that funny introduction I quickly changed the ice breakers I had planned for the session.

A Shaky Return

After a break of one month, I returned to the hotel on the first of February. It was little shaky at the beginning as I still could not walk properly. After I re-started work, I quickly recovered. In spite of serious advice to not step out of the hotel without a bodyguard, I commenced walking by myself to other hotels in the evenings. To my surprise, many villagers who threw stones at the hotel on December 31st, apologized to me. They said that they never wanted to harm me and it was a mistake in their drunken state. That day, I learnt that even with one’s adversaries, through an open dialogue, some problems can be resolved. I accepted their apology.

Impressed with my bravery of returning to work, a few in the company board had discussed the possibility of promoting me to be the Manager. However, some Directors, felt that at the age of 23, I may need more experience before being promoted. Given the unique types of challenges in managing hotels in Hikkaduwa, there were talks of sending a mature Manager, perhaps with miliary officer experience.

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Features

Brown lives matter, too

Published

11 hours ago

2023/09/30

Thilina Walpola

By Basab Dasgupta

The most disruptive and divisive series of events that I have seen during my life in the US was what happened after George Floyd’s death while in police custody in Minnesota in 2020.Widespread protests and violence, destruction of businesses, surge of Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, attack on police officers, call to defund the police which in turn led to an increase in criminal activities in big cities, burning of American flags all continued for months. It turned the clock back decades as far as the racial harmony between blacks and whites was concerned.

I must confess that I failed to be too sympathetic towards this movement. I strongly felt that the need for law enforcement is one of our top-most priorities and statistically speaking, there would be more black arrests because crimes are rampant in pre-dominantly black neighbourhoods. I thought that the police officer Derek Chauvin was doing his job in his effort to subdue George Floyd a known criminal with a long rap sheet. Yes, he might have used excessive force but that may have been explained by the situation. Even black conservative commentators like Candace Owens were critical of all the anti-establishment activities.

As part of my dislike for the BLM movement, I was intensely against all woke activism including football player Colin Köpenick’s refusal to stand during national anthems, Hollywood’s encouragement to make more racially inclusive movies featuring more black actors, Joe Biden’s choice for Vice President and Supreme Court judge nominee, combination of BLM with LGBTQ+ movements under the rainbow flag and the entire mantra of “diversity and inclusivity”.

My views changed almost overnight a few days ago when I heard the news of a 23-year-old graduate student, Jaahnavi Kandula of Indian origin, being run over by a police car in Seattle while crossing the street. The accident happened on 23 January 2023, but the video from the bodycam of a police officer was just released. The car was being driven by Kevin Dave who was on an emergency call and driving at 74 mph in a zone with 25 mph speed limit.

There was a photograph of the girl so cute, so innocent, so full of optimism for a bright future; she was going to graduate in December. Tears came to my eyes thinking of my own daughter at that age and the heartbreak of the girl’s parents.

It was shocking and horrific, but such tragic accidents do happen every day in America, and I could shrug it off as another act of God that I would never understand. However, the worst part was the comment of one of the police officers. It was reported that a police officer Daniel Auderer, who happens to be the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers’ Guild, laughed at the incident and made comments like “It’s a regular person”, “there is not much value to her life”, “just write a check for $11000” during a call to Mike Solan, the president of the guild. This was all caught on the body cam video.

I could not believe what I was reading and went to YouTube to see if the video had been posted. Sure enough, I found multiple clips, each containing the comments and laughter. It was not some mumbling and giggling; comments were loud and clear.

The chilling part was the laughter. It was evil, it was as if Satan himself was laughing. It was sickening. Equally shocking was what happened after the incident was brought to the attention of superiors. Daniel reportedly confessed to making those comments but explained away his reaction by claiming that he was laughing not at the dead girl but at how the lawyers would now jump into action arguing about “value of life”. Nothing happened to the officers, not even a suspension for a few days.

The decision was that there was no need to hold Kevin guilty or initiate a criminal investigation. Despite a suspicion that Kevin was under the influence of drugs, Daniel vindicated him by lying on his behalf that he was travelling at 50 mph, a manageable speed for a trained driver, and he was not impaired the so-called “blue wall of silence”.

Daniel was obviously stupid to minimize the value of this girl’s life. I am sure that he did not know that the current President of India is a woman in a country which also elected a woman prime minister in the largest democratic country almost 60 years ago. He does not know that some of the most important positions in the world today are held by Indian women, such as the Assistant Director General of WHO and chief economist of IMF. He probably did not know how to distinguish a woman of Indian origin from other women of colour.

He could not have any appreciation for a young woman coming here for higher studies leaving her family behind so that she could get a good job and help her family live a better life.

As I started to digest the whole episode, it gradually dawned on me. This police officer may not be an isolated example. Many of the other 600,000+ policemen probably share a similar background and attitude. Daniel is a bully, a racist, an uneducated person and brazen enough to openly make such statements because he is used to making such comments.

This is perhaps not surprising. Who wants to be a policeman? Clearly, he must be physically fit and strong. He cannot be well-educated because then he would have chosen a different profession. Who else would want to risk his life every day? He must be a bully because his job is to track down criminals. He is a racist because he has seen in his job that there are more people of colour who are arrested for suspicion of a crime. He probably grew up in an equally uneducated and unsophisticated family environment. We probably only get people like him to join the force.

The policemen in this country supposedly go through regular sensitivity training on race-related issues and how to be objective. Clearly expense for such training is being wasted in Seattle.

I immediately thought of the BLM movement. Suddenly, I understood the rage and frustration of all the African American people joining the movement. I can now believe that the black folks are indeed stopped in much larg-er proportion than their white counterparts for minor offenses. I now believe that police have a very low assessment of their lives. I now believe in stories of police abuse and brutality.

I do not know how the Indian government or the Indian American community will react to this incident. I read headlines like “Biden Administration has promised swift action” and numerous comments expressing outrage and disgust below every YouTube post. Some are demanding “accountability”, but what does it mean? Should the police officer be fired? Should he be tried in a court of law like Derek? Should the police union be dismantled? Indians are peaceful people; they are not going to protest at the State capitol or burn police cars. I suspect that nothing will happen to Kevin or Daniel and the incident will gradually be forgotten.

What can I do? Should I join the BLM movement and encourage its leaders to generalize the name “BLM” to include Brown lives matter? I am sure that Mexicans will join in that effort. Should I say, “Enough with America” and go back to India? Should I organize a protest in front of a local police station? (The Statesman/ANN)

Today I just write to release my anger and to see if “a pen is mightier than a sword”.

(The writer, a physicist who worked in industry and academia, is a Bengali settled in America.)

Features

Politicos junketing while ordinaries are sinking in COL mire

Published

1 day ago

2023/09/29

Thilina Walpola

There was a pall of silence over who accompanied our President to the Big Apple for the Big Meeting of the United Nations. Hence our curiosity was roused, minds scratched around for news. Cassandra WhatsApped a good friend of hers now living in California and asked her whether she knew who accompanied our Prez.

We thought in these hard times only the very essential and relevant to the occasion VIPs would be taken along: a lean contingent would be Prez Wckremesinghe’s orders. Cassandra hurried to her computer and googled. Plenty on President Ranil Wickremasinghe’s address to the UN General Assembly on 21 Sept., which was on the theme, “Rebuilding trust and reigniting solidarity and its relevance to Sri Lanka’s recent challenges.” Reading many articles Cass gathered that Prez RW had dealt with the country’s economic and other travails; global geopolitical landscape; climate action taken and to be taken; carbon reduction et al in his address at UNGA.

It was stated in one article that the Prez was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, Secretary to the President E M S B Ekanayake, Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardena and other senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So, she rested her mind that no extraneous hangers-on had accompanied the Prez.

Then came a newspaper write up that MPs Rohitha Abeygunewardena and Mahindananda Aluthgamage were in the contingent – stalwarts of the SLPP. What use were they in the context of the topics on which the Prez made his UN address? Were they experts on any issues that would have been discussed at side meetings? Experts on economics, geopolitical matters, climate change, balance of world power? NO! It seemed to be a pure (or rather impure) peace-making gesture and to keep quiet two demanders for Cabinet positions.

Sops to Cerberus in the way of a plane ride to and from, and a stay in one of the more expensive hotels in the Big Apple? Can you believe that the MPs and two die-hard Pohottu MPs and previous ministers want a joy ride and will do anything to get one? Also, that we poor Sri Lankans, suffering such slings and arrows of bad fortune in a bankrupt country with soaring prices to be paid for even the water we drink, food we so niggardly eat and electricity we so sparingly use have paid for these two to junket? We have to fork out taxes, even those with nothing to show as assets. And where does a huge amount of this collected money go? To pay for pleasure junkets for those we feel have no right to go to the UN General Assembly.

When Mahinda Rajapaksa was the President, he would take a huge group of persons who in the majority were completely redundant and of no use at all to these UN General Assembly annual gatherings. A worker in the UN in New York commented that most of those who went along dispersed soon after they had landed, in a fleet of cars hired for the visit, making a vehicle-hiring Sri Lankan in the US rich. Most of them were not even present when the Sri Lankan president made his address.

At least, they could have helped to reduce the mass of empty seats in the UN Assembly hall. Thus, it was surmised that he was repaying his catchers for being loyal to him – at our expense. No dissent, whether loud or soft, then. No one dared question why or wherefores. No one wanted to be taken on a white van ride; or worse, taken on the final journey. Cassandra must add here that a couple of brave women journos did speak up.

And to think there was a replay of this junketing in 2023, though reduced, under a Prez who understands well the plight the country is in and the need to save every rupee of government money. However, junketing was offered at the country’s expense. And by order of Prez RW. The two mentioned are very rich politicians.

Being suspicious

Cassandra experienced a happening that showed her how wary people are now, and untrusting. It is a natural outcome of the type of person the Sri Lankan is thought to be in these much-changed times. Do you remember when even in Middle East airports the Sri Lankan passport was treated with utter disdain and suspicion? Cass recalls that en route to Britain she had her passport and other Sri Lankan travellers’ passports confiscated on entry to the airport in Dubai and handed back only when the plane was re-boarding. She squirmed with embarrassment and resentment, but realised it was all because Sri Lankans had behaved shamefully dishonest and thus all Sri Lankans were branded untrustworthy.

Cass bought some tickets to enjoy a singing and dancing of Julius Caesar. The thousands she gave the young girl were found to be short. Saying she would get the balance from her driver, she instinctively took the tickets and was about to step out when she noticed the consternation of the box office girl. Suspicion, she realised, that she would not return. Cass apologised, placed the tickets on the counter, went out to get the Rs 500 needed and then, retrieving her tickets, commented it was so sad that the young one could not trust this old dame. She assured her it was no fault of hers; she was doing her duty, but people nowadays had killed the trust that was a given in years gone by. Even an absolutely honest and honourable person, grey-haired maybe and dignified, is treated with suspicion. What a sad state of affairs! But we ourselves are to blame since cheating and dishonesty are strong features of the present-day islanders of the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.

Features

Use heart, know heart

Published

1 day ago

2023/09/29

Thilina Walpola

By Dr Mohan Jayatilake Consultant Cardiologist

Every year on the 29th of September, World Heart day is observed to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is heart diseases and strokes. As heart diseases are a leading cause of death in the world people must be educated about them and the timely prevention to achieve this goal. World Heart day commenced in 1999 through the joint efforts of World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Heart Federation (WHF).

The theme of the World Heart Day 2023 is “Use Heart, Know Heart” emphasizing the importance of healthcare worldwide. This year’s campaign focuses on the essential step of knowing your heart first. The World Heart Federation has created this day to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases.

The key message of World Heart Day this year aims to encourage people to look after themselves, others and nature as well. Putting a coordinated effort to improve ones’ own lifestyle and diet and motivating others to do the same can lead to a reduced number of CVD cases.

Heart diseases and strokes are the worlds’ leading cause of death claiming 17.9 million lives every year. According to WHO statistics 82% of deaths coming in from low and middle income countries are due to lack of resources.

Since a healthy heart is the gateway to a healthy life it is important to ensure the health of your heart. With the growing number of heart patients worldwide it has become a cause of concern since of late.The day is observed by organising events worldwide to make people aware about the warning signs of heart disease so that people can take steps accordingly to avoid this disease.

Together with members of WHF spread the news that at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and strokes could be avoided if main risk factors such as heavy smoking, unhealthy diet, reduced physical activity (sedentary lifestyle), stressful lifestyle, psychological issues, hypertension, diabetic and heavy alcoholism are controlled. Being obese and overweight, BMI (Body Mass Index) more than 25, is found to be one of the main risk factors that may harm your heart. Air pollution also can lead to coronary artery disease and stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer as short term and long term effects.

Fortunately now we have almost come out of COVID 19 pandemic which caused more vulnerable patients having severe cardiovascular events.

Events of the World Heart Day 2023

There are numerous events at the national and international level promoted by WHF. They disseminate information and hold discussions of various heart ailments at different platforms. Some of them like posters, podcasts and forums are quite popular. The day is marked by providing free fitness check-ups, fundraises, walks, runs, concerts and sporting events. All such events encourage people to stay active and be aware of their health.

Global leaders recognise the urgency to give priority to prevention and control of heart diseases and other non-communicable diseases (NCD).Which include cancer, diabetic, and chronic lung diseases.

How to contribute to observance of the event on World Heart Day

By undergoing heart health check at a center near you.

By managing your weight and keeping BMI index under control with less than 25.

By trying to stay active through different physical activities

By attending seminars to learn about different life saving activities like CPR

By attending fitness lectures and lessons of healthy living

According to this year theme also, use your heart for the betterment of others’ heart, by taking following steps to reduce the burden of heart disease. Stop smoking – Cigarette smokers are 2 to 4 times more prone to get heart diseases and strokes than non-smokers. Passive smoking inside the house will also harm your own heart and your family health, causing cardiovascular disease.

Avoid alcohol – Stressful conditions in life can lead to use of alcohol and smoking. Meditation, yoga, music or involvement with any other aesthetic will help to minimize stress and to move away from alcohol.

Healthy diet at home

Limit saturated fats and trans fats

Limit salt and sugar intake

Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables

Unhealthy diet is one of the main causes of obesity, diabetic and cardiovascular diseases. Rapid urbanisation, changing lifestyle and easy access of fast food have made the dietary pattern unhealthy.

Animal products mainly beef, pork and poultry with skin, mutton, lard, butter, cheese carry lot of saturated fats. Avoid having trans fats which are in baked, processed and fried food items, certain margarines and spreads. Take lean meats, poultry without skin, low fat dairy products, fish and nuts with vegetable oil in moderation.

Regular Exercise

Adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderately intensive physical activity or at least 75 minutes of high intensive physical activity per week. Families should limit the amount of time spent in front of TV or continuous reading to less than 2 hours a day in a seated position. Exercises should be a regular part of life.

Lose weight

World is now facing visible epidemic of obesity. It affects your cardiovascular health and also affect your wellbeing.To lose weight, do regular exercises, have healthy diet, cut down starch and sugar and alcohol. Have plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Manage stress

Psychological health can affect your cardio vascular health. Regular exercise and practice relaxation, reading, being with friends and family, adequate sleep, various hobbies maintain the positive attitude towards stress free life.

Know your numbers

Visit your doctor or health care professional, check your blood pressure regularly and take steps to control it and take regular medication.Know your cholesterol- high cholesterol is another factor for cardiovascular disease. Check regularly and control with dietary measures and medication. Know your blood sugar- Diabetic is another major factor for cardiovascular disease. Diet control, medication and professional advice required to control it.

Know your warning signs

To know the symptoms of CVD will help your survival because earlier the treatment better the chances of survival. Chest pain of tightening or burning in nature with pain radiating down the upper limbs or to the neck and jaw or back, associated with sweating and nausea are your warning signs.

Sudden weakness of limbs, slurring of speech, deviation of mouth, double vision could be due to a stroke. Knowing these symptoms and seeking urgent medical attention allow you to get treatment early to prevent life threatening complications.

Take your medicine regularly and correctly

If you are already diagnosed with heart disease or with stroke, taking your medication regularly will reduce another similar episode in future.

Breast feeding and lifelong health

Breast feeding is the best form of nutrition for newborn and infants according to WHO. Increasing public awareness is important. Infants who are breastfed tend to have lower cholesterol and blood pressure as well as lower rates of obesity.

Both undernourished and over nourished early in life can increase the risk of developing cardio vascular diseases. Maternal obesity during pregnancy has been associated with obesity in children which also increase the cardiovascular disease risk.

As always our emphasis will be on improving heart health across all nations in adult male and female as well as children. By adopting lifestyle changes, people all over the world can have longer and better lives through the prevention and control of heart disease and stroke. This was highlighted on this most important day to persuade people on maintain a healthy lifestyle.