Matrica

Dreams Unlimited..!!!

housands of dreams we think of everyday - isn’t it? Then we also tend to stop and think, “Do dreams really come true?” Our answer - Yes, it does happen for many but it might not happen for few. Yes, everyone cannot be Frieda Pinto and get instant success. Some strive hard to achieve it, and some get it in a hard way like Oprah Winfrey did.

Where do we count ourselves? 90-95 times out of 100 times we crib and complain to that why he did put us on the other-side of success. Unsatisfied, stressed…with no meaning in life, we wander…we wander finding ourselves helpless and failed, cursing our lives!

But, hardly a few of us think whether they really have gone through the bitter truths of life - what we call a FAILURE in all respects and the toughest STRUGGLEs of life, are they really so?

Of course not, because God has given almost everything to most of us to lead a happy, contented life. Some are LUCKY like me and you - who are reading this blog, and some are UNLUCKY for whom I am writing this blog.

Unlucky they are, because their inabilities - in terms of physical or mental disability, poverty, illiteracy, inequality etc., which falter them on their ROAD TO SUCCESS on every single ride they take. Its rightly said that “tough time never lasts but tough people do….!!!” This kind of life does make them tough but it also does de-motivates them and pulls them down. Each time they try to move their face forward in direction of betterment, their so called inabilities slap them straight on their faces.

Do they regret and leave at that moment? No, not all of them - some perish and some flourish. How is that possible??

Of course, with people like YOU (who are not so unlucky)! And of course, with the DETERMINATION and HARDWORK these people put in, this is possible. All this happens because of GOD’s GRACE, he wants us to help each other and walk together towards success.

Every one at some point in life does want to do something for the society; for our own people but it doesn't happen either because we can’t afford to do it, or more often we don’t know how to go about it.

"Even when you have nothing, you still have yourself, and that's the most important thing."

‘Matrica Foundation’ is that RAY OF LIGHT which helps in transforming these UNLUCKY people into LUCKY CHARMS. I found this foundation as a small way by which we can make a small but huge difference to someone's life...just by helping these people surpass a few troubles, helping them to smoothen their somewhat bumpy road towards success. If at least once in your life there came a thought of making a difference to the society or towards the environment, please join it and contribute in whatever way you can. Let’s help them to realise their ‘LIMITED DREAMS’……..

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. ~William James

Written

Sharmila Kamat

MBA-HR

Some facts about AIDS and HIV

World Aids day 2009 1st December

1. What is HIV and AIDS?

Over the last fifteen years a new disease spread by a family of viruses, HIV, has spread globally. HIV stands for Human lmmuno-deficiency Virus. HIV has been given this name because its long-term effect is to attack the immune system of the body, making it weak and deficient. We live virtually in a sea of microorganisms and at every moment an enormous number of them are entering our body. It is the immune system that normally fights off these microorganisms and keeps us healthy. Any compromise with the working of the immune system has profound effect on our body.
After about 5 to 10 years of contracting the HIV infection, the virus has weakened the immune system of the patients so much that they develop a number of different illnesses such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, persistent diarrhea, fever and skin infections. This condition is called AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

2. How long does it take for HIV to cause AIDS?

About half the people with HIV develop AIDS within 10 years after becoming infected. This time varies greatly from person to person and can depend on many factors. Today medical treatments can slow the rate at which HIV weakens the immune system, thus preventing the onset of AIDS.

3. What is HIV?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood and sexual contact. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Most of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection. These body fluids have been proven to spread HIV:

o blood

o semen

o vaginal fluid

o breast milk

o other body fluids containing blood

These are additional body fluids that may transmit the virus that health care workers may come into contact with:

o cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord

o synovial fluid surrounding bone joints

amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus

4. What is AIDS? What causes AIDS?

AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. An HIV-infected person receives a diagnosis of AIDS after developing one of the CDC-defined AIDS indicator illnesses. An HIV-positive person who has not had any serious illnesses also can receive an AIDS diagnosis on the basis of certain blood tests (CD4+ counts). A positive HIV test result does not mean that a person has AIDS. A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using certain clinical criteria (e.g., AIDS indicator illnesses). Infection with HIV can weaken the immune system to the point that it has difficulty fighting off certain infections. These types of infections are known as “opportunistic Infections” infections because they take the opportunity a weakened immune system gives to cause illness. Many of the infections that cause problems or may be life-threatening for people with AIDS are usually controlled by a healthy immune system. The immune system of a person with AIDS is weakened to the point that medical intervention may be necessary to prevent or treat serious illness. Today there are medical treatments that can slow down the rate at which HIV weakens the immune system. There are other treatments that can prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS. As with other diseases, early detection offers more options for treatment and preventative care

5. Where did HIV come from?

We do not know. Scientists have different theories about the origin of HIV, but none have been proven. The earliest known case of HIV was from a blood sample collected in 1959 from a man in Kinshasha, Democratic Republic of Congo. (How he became infected is not known.) Genetic analysis of this blood sample suggests that HIV-1 may have stemmed from a single virus in the late 1940s or early 1950s. We do know that the virus has existed in the United States since at least the mid- to late 1970s. From 1979-1981 rare types of pneumonia, cancer, and other illnesses were being reported by doctors in Los Angeles and New Yorkamong a number of gay male patients. These were conditions not usually found in people with healthy immune systems. In 1982 public health officials began to use the term “acquired immunodeficiency syndrome,” or AIDS, to describe the occurrences of opportunistic infections, Kaposi’s sarcoma, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in previously healthy men. Formal tracking (surveillance) of AIDS cases began that year in theUnited States. The cause of AIDS is a virus that scientists isolated in 1983. The virus was at first named HTLV-III/LAV (human T-cell lymphotropic virus-type III/lymphadenopathy- associated virus) by an international scientific committee. This name was later changed to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

6. How does HIV causes AIDS?

HIV destroys a certain kind of blood cells–CD4+ T cells (helper cells)–which are crucial to the normal function of the human immune system. In fact, loss of these cells in people with HIV is an extremely powerful predictor of the development of AIDS. Studies of thousands of people have revealed that most people infected with HIV carry the virus for years before enough damage is done to the immune system for AIDS to develop. However, recently developed sensitive tests have shown a strong connection between the amount of HIV in the blood and the decline in CD4+ T cell numbers and the development of AIDS. Reducing the amount of virus in the body with anti-HIV drugs can slow this immune destruction.

7. How can I tell if I am infected with HIV?

The only way to determine for sure whether you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection. You cannot rely on symptoms to know whether or not you are infected with HIV. Many people who are infected with HIV do not have any symptoms at all for many years.

For further questions please contact Delhi Aids control society http://delhisacs.org or call 1097 (Aids help line)

I own a tree

My Tree

Bangalore: A silent “green revolution” is in the making in India’s tech hub Bangalore as citizens come together to sponsor trees to save the city’s “green heritage” which has of late come under threat owing to development activities.

The unique programme christened “I Own a Tree”, started by Bangalore-based environment group Eco Club, allows a person to sponsor and own a tree for two years.
So far 300 Bangaloreans and a few corporate houses, including Nokia, have come together to plant around 4,000 trees in various parts of the city — such as Bangalore University (BU) Jnanabharati campus, Bannerghata Road, and the Kanakpura area. The plantation drive was started six months ago.
Chiddalinga Prasad, one of the founder members of Eco Club, told IANS: “The concept of sponsoring of trees by Bangaloreans is to connect people with the trees by establishing a special emotional bond through ownership.”
The programme allows a person to sponsor and own a tree for two years by paying Rs.365.
“During the first two years of the sapling’s life, Eco Club will take care of the sponsored tree. The sponsor can come and visit the tree whenever he wishes. One can also volunteer and help in planting saplings,” informed Prasad.
Eco Club is a joint green initiative by the voluntary organisations Kshiti Foundation and Rotary Midtown. Its members plan to plant around 100,000 trees in Bangalore every year.
Bangaloreans who are part of the plantation drive have been issued a special sticker which says “I OWN A TREE”.
“The sticker can be proudly displayed on vehicles, homes, offices, etc. Individuals will be provided with complete information about the type of the tree planted in his/her name and all necessary education required for caring and nurturing the tree they own,” said Prasad.
Those who are interested to become a part of “I own a tree” movement can log on to www.iownatree.org.
Raman Singh, an IT professional who has sponsored a tree, said that now he cares more about the environment.
“The concept of ‘I own a tree’ has been designed to bring in the much-needed bonding of people with the environment. I am a proud owner of a tree and am trying my level best to save Bangalore’s lost green heritage,” said Singh.
Bhaskar G.S., chairman of Eco Club, said that the club would not be complaining about trees being uprooted in the name of infrastructure, but instead will go on planting more trees around the city. “For each uprooted tree, we will plant 10 trees,” he said.
In the past two to three years alone, Bangalore has lost around 50,000 trees, states a report of the Environment Support Group (ESG), a Bangalore-based NGO and part of Hasiru Usiru (Greenery is Life), a conglomeration of community organisations.
Hasiru Usiru has been at the forefront to protest the “illogical destruction” of Bangalore’s greenery for developmental works.
Construction for the upcoming metro rail in central Bangalore has recently led to the uprooting of 279 trees near the legislative assembly building, Vidhana Soudha, and the Central College Road
Source www.mns.com

Current challenges for our environment

Our environment is made up of physical, biological and human elements. These three are different facets related with one another. But human environment has begun to impinge and burden the physical and biological environment.

With help of some NGOs and government support, few people now have been aware of the seriousness of the matter. It is not efficient solve environmental problems on a national level but is a global matter.

Main problems:

Global warming, ozone depletion, acid rain, energy and water deficits are all problems that challenge humanity and its progress. However, the aggravation of these problems can be prevented through education, awareness and action. Industrial Art is a field of knowledge that encompasses innovations and advancements for technological progress and environmental welfare.

Save Envioronment

Gradual global climatic warming (Batter Known as Global warming):

Global warming is a process in which Earth’s average temperature increases due to the emission of various greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, aerosols. This is a pressing issue, both environmental and political in nature. Global warming can result in loss of arable land, loss of snow cover, increased sea level, depleted ozone and inhabitability.

Ozone depletion:

It is a thinning of the ozone layer, the blanket of ozone gas that shields us from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It results fromchlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chemicals used in refrigerator and freezer coils, aerosols, as well as automobile and commercial air conditioners, being released into the atmosphere. It is a global problem; the depletion of the ozone layer is the worst over the polar region.

Acid rain:

It is a broad term used to describe several ways that acids fall out of the atmosphere. A more precise term is acid deposition, which has two parts: wet and dry. Wet deposition refers to acidic rain, fog, and snow. Dry deposition refers to acidic gases and particles.

Water deficits:

This problem is created by water unavailability of water. Earth has limited source of fresh water. In India major parts/cities are suffer from crisis of water.

Author

Megha Gupta

MSC-Biochemistry

Children: Are we caring enough?

We are past matters in observing rituals and ignoring their basic purpose. Our important days are many, like: Ghandhi Jayanti, Children’s days, Teachers’ days, Human Right day and so on. Before the flashing blindness of camera lights camera on eyes the so-called VIPs accompanied by their cronies can be seen with brooms to clean the street or spinning the wheel on Ghandiji’s birthday year after year, and the poor “great soul”- the Mahatma is forgotten for rest of the year. The same kind of hypocrisy characterizes the celebration of Children’s day on 14^{^th} November (Birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru), when people can be seen sitting with orphans, - participating in various special feasts to mark the day. These anniversaries have thus become grand spectacles for playing to the galleries.

Are we caring enough for our children - the millions who are citizens of tomorrow? The answer is a big ‘NO’. We commit worst crime against humanity when we don’t allow children sometimes even to be born- just because they carry the stigma of being girls. And this crime of selective abortion of female fetuses is frequently committed by educated “middle class” in all parts of our country. Why…only parents of those who got rid of them on the sly with the connivance of doctors know the mystery. The poor girls have no choice - they are “nipped in bud” in urban India. The sex ratio has consistently declined across the country - 945 girls per 1000 boys in 1991 to 927 girls per 1000 boys in 2001. Life is worse for tribal area when no medical facilities are available. The rates of child mortality are the highest in rural India, where malnourished children are easy victims of all types of diseases. Life, when it becomes a hell in villages, poor have to trek to nearby urban centers or undertake train-journeys to the cities – for survival through a proper medical care.

But then sheer compulsions of survival dictate the quality or life - most of poor families have to send their children to work. Poverty and lack of awareness about the need of education among the parents have created the greatest evil – that of child-labor. India accounts for greatest number of child-laborers in the world - more than 20 million.

To eradicate the evil of child-labor elementary education is the key solution. We should appreciate government “mid-day meal” schemes to attract more children to schools. There are few NGOs working for child-laborers. They are taking initiatives for educations - arranging night schools or night crèches for younger ones. But the children who have attained an age of majority could be seen wasting their time – just hanging out. They struggle for living – some as shoe-shiner boys and others are rag pickers. These juveniles could be seen everywhere - on railway stations, bus stands, or on every road-crossings – just everywhere.

Among the child-beggars we face everyday and everywhere, it is hard to find out which one is genuine and which one is not – there are intestate-gangs operating across country who maim or blind children - making them object of more pity, in order to earn an extra rupee or two.

We have to save these children who have lost a power to smile – or are even afraid to smile. But instead, what are we doing for them? Are we caring-enough for our children, or just waiting for another November-14.

Hitesh

Matrican

Save Electricity - as much as you can!

1) Always turn-off lights and all electric and electronics equipments when you leave a room.

2) USE CFL-blubs instead of traditional light-bulbs.

3) Use natural lights as much as possible.

4) Use cooler or fan instead of AC.

5) Never keep fridge-doors open unnecessarily.

6) Unplug your mobile-chargers while not charging these.

7) Do not keep your TV / PC any other equipment in stand-by mode - as they do consume electricity while waiting for next signal to switch them on.

8 ) India is a blessed country - try going solar for as many equipments as you can!

Dreams Unlimited..!!!

Thousands of dreams we think of everyday - isn’t it? Then we also tend to stop and think, “Do dreams really come true?” Our answer - Yes, it does happen for many but it might not happen for few. Yes, everyone cannot be Frieda Pinto and get instant success. Some strive hard to achieve it, and some get it in a hard way like Oprah Winfrey did.

But, hardly a few of us think whether they really have gone through the bitter truths of life - what we call a FAILURE in all respects and the toughest STRUGGLEs of life, are they really so?

Do they regret and leave at that moment? No, not all of them - some perish and some flourish. How is that possible??

Every one at some point in life does want to do something for the society; for our own people but it doesn’t happen either because we can’t afford to do it, or more often we don’t know how to go about it.

“Even when you have nothing, you still have yourself, and that’s the most important thing.”

‘Matrica Foundation’ is that RAY OF LIGHT which helps in transforming these UNLUCKY people into LUCKY CHARMS. I found this foundation as a small way by which we can make a small but huge difference to someone’s life…just by helping these people surpass a few troubles, helping them to smoothen their somewhat bumpy road towards success. If at least once in your life there came a thought of making a difference to the society or towards the environment, please join it and contribute in whatever way you can. Let’s help them to realise their ‘LIMITED DREAMS’……..

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. ~William James

Written

Sharmila Kamat

MBA-HR

Matrica

Dreams Unlimited..!!!

Some facts about AIDS and HIV

I own a tree

Current challenges for our environment

Our environment is made up of physical, biological and human elements. These three are different facets related with one another. But human environment has begun to impinge and burden the physical and biological environment.

Children: Are we caring enough?

Save Electricity - as much as you can!

1) Always turn-off lights and all electric and electronics equipments when you leave a room.

Dreams Unlimited..!!!

How you like to save our environment ?

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