11 Everyday items that could actually end up killing you. What do you think?

Dear friends,

I read this link a few minutes back and I could not control myself from sharing it in my blog thinking that at least one among thousands/millions will give a second thought after reading it.  Indeed, it is a call for us to explore what is locally available around us instead of targeting for a hi-fi imported food products. 

I know people residing in urban areas in Bhutan have certainly developed a health consciousness in choosing foods but they generally give least importance to foods produced locally due to numerous factors like poor presentation, poor packaging coupled with lack of sustainable supplying ability. However, the flow of local products into the market is gearing up and it will gain momentum with time. 

Therefore, I URGE other readers to kindly give a wise thought in choosing foods.

Well, you must have seen some warning signs on some everyday items. We often see such warnings like Caution, Danger, but tend to ignore them. It is all because honestly, we don't give a damn. However, we're living in a time where it's important to get serious about such warnings. Studies and research undertaken by some renowned professionals have shown that some of our everyday items which we use daily, contain some lethal toxins and chemicals. Sad but, unfortunately, true.

Take a look at some everyday items that could be killing you.  

1. Microwave popcorn

Our favorite time-pass snack is packed in bags which are lined with PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid). This chemical is also found in Teflon. Studies have shown that this chemical can be linked with infertility in women and exposure significantly increases the risk of kidney, bladder, liver, pancreas and testicular cancers.

2. Artificial sweeteners

Nowadays, many of us have started opting for artificial sweeteners in our diet. However, many studies have shown that a number of users of this product actually end up gaining weight. When a breakdown of certain chemicals takes place, a deadly toxin called DKP is produced, which is known to cause brain tumours. A report by National Cancer Institute, USA, states that the use of this product may be hazardous to your health. In fact, the product contains saccharin, which has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

3. Alcohol

An occasional consumption of alcoholic drinks is fine. But always getting bhand is never advisable as experts working with the World Health Organization Research on cancer found evidence that alcohol is the main cause of mouth, oesophagus (food pipe), liver, colon, rectum, and female breast cancers. A friendly reminder - studies show that every year, alcohol causes 4% of cancers in the UK, which is around 12,800 cases.

4. Processed meats

What with restaurants these days serving fried mice and brains, processed meat can never be an everyday option. In fact, some studies have shown that people who regularly ate processed meats increased their chance of early death by as much as 43%. The American Institute of Cancer Research published article stating that eating even small amounts of cold cuts or other processed meats on a regular basis increases the risk of colorectal cancer.

5. Potato chips

This one's quite a no-brainer. Potato chips, much to everyone's dismay, are the perfect recipe for causing cancer. These chips include high trans fats with sodium, both of which spell disaster for the body. But all's not lost. Dr. Andrew Weil, a renowned M.D and best-selling author on holistic health, says, "If you're following a healthy diet, there's not much reason to worry about the Acrylamide (which causes cancer) in an occasional indulgence in French fries, cookies and the other foods mentioned by the FDA. If you eat those foods regularly, you should be more concerned about all the unhealthy oxidized polyunsaturated fat and refined starch in them, which are likely greater threats to health than the amounts of Acrylamide they may contain.

6. Hydrogenated oils

This basic cooking ingredient is actually deodorised and colored. Plus, excessive Omega-3 fatty acids can cause health issues. David Lawrence Dewey, a journalist, raised the warning flag to consumers of hydrogenated oils in 1996. He said that hydrogenated oils lead to a myriad of health problems including coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, autism, food allergies and autoimmune diseases.

7. Red meat

Red meat is heavy for the body to digest. Sadly, an everyday diet rich in red meat makes one susceptible to increased risk of cancer. In fact, a study released by the British Medical Journal showed that younger women who ate red meat had a slightly increased risk for developing breast cancer. The study involved close to 90,000 women followed for 20 years, meaning that, from a statistical perspective, it was respectable.

8. Toothpaste

We have been using this for a very long time to protect our teeth. But studies done by Hemad Yasaei, professor at Brunel University, London, have concluded that chemicals like BPA (used in plastics) or Triclosan, used in toothpastes, are known to have other ill-effects including cancer.Shocking but true!

9. Plastic food container

We rely on plastic food containers almost on a daily basis. But as reported by Professor Hemad Yasaei, additives added in plastic, PVC and polycarbonate products like plastic food containers belong to the category of chemicals having the potential to cause cancer.

10. Carpets

Something most of us have in our homes. But carpets have now become the hallmark of cancer as the stain repellent present in them includes cancer cells that have ability to multiply indefinitely, resist aging, creating disturbance in metabolism and developing genetic mutations, as reported by Brunel University, London. 

11. Liquid handwash

It's time to switch back to soaps as Biocides, a chemical used in making handwash, is carcinogenic in nature.

Now, the decision is all yours.

Thank you for your time in reading it.

WHY COMPLAINING IN LIFE IS NOT GOOD?

The civilized human society gets dirtier and unhealthy when we try to sow seeds that will pull in disharmony, confusion, hatred etc. One of the causes is the “COMPLAINT” rather than critical feedbacks. Today, Bhutanese society treads through a new road since 2008 with institution of democratic form of government. The freedom of speech is enshrined in the Constitution of Bhutan and the degree of freedom of speech that Bhutanese enjoy is worth appreciating. However, this very right seems to be misused when people do not know the difference between “COMPLAINT” and “CRITICAL FEEDBACKS”. I personally feel critics need to do thorough homeworks before they actually criticize on somebody’s actions or works. Majority of Bhutanese bear a habit of complaining without any concrete evidence or basis which ultimately confuses the society at large. A true conscience and clear line need to be drawn before we really are about to or complain on any subject. I think a well informed citizen will criticize and persons with low volumes will just simply complain because it is as easy as swimming downstream for them. At the end of the day, what benefits the society is through critical remarks not complain.

Of late, Bhutanese people have picked up a habit of complaining based on hearsay and concoction which has no legal basis at all if tried before any institution. Instead, we need to be well informed than others if we prepare to complain. To complain is as easy as opening your eyes but to justify it, is something otherwise which nobody is ready.

It is very interesting to end the note with an inspiring quote below;

 “If you took one-tenth the energy you put into complaining and applied it to solving the problem, you'd be surprised by how well things can work out... Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won't make us happier.” 

― Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture 

CONFUCIUS QUOTES; A TRUE MANIFESTATION OF HUMAN VALUES.

" Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit  yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, seek to be worthy of known"                                                                          ------ Confucius-----


"If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed;if in terms of ten years, plant trees;if in terms of 100 years, teach the people"                                              ------- Confucius-------

The above two quotes by Confucius (Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher) have indeed been a source of inspirations for me to express my opinions relevant to life. Having acquired a vast dynamics of knowledge and experiences through teaching and dealing with people as a teacher and politician, Confucius' quotes are truly heart touching. Out of thousands of quotes, these two quotes for me are truly inspiring. 

The first quote underlines the cases where people complain about the circumstances and environment they wish to work. Generally, people seek comfort and satisfaction in  the job that they do. Optimistic people do not complain about whatever tasks they are assigned with. They possess positive views, attitudes and they succeed ultimately with ease. If people are not optimistic and hardworking, anything that they do project as a restraint towards success. All in one, it is an attitude of an individual which determines to associate with people and work. 

It is not through names that people are remembered but obviously through good deeds. Media hype may temporarily create an image of a person in public domain but real picture of a person will unearth with time. Such incidents have happened in the past, happening today and will continue the same trend in future too. Therefore, a true colour of a man is his achievements and good deeds during his service in public life.

Second quote is yet another interesting one which relates to a character of a person. A good man does not look for short cuts and instead he executes the tasks with true diligence. In life, we meet and deal with people from different walks of life. It itself is a diversity and complexity which requires a clear conscience while working. As rightly quoted by Confucius, we need to think and work for the long term benefits and happiness. Name and fame will naturally follow.

Knowledge has been a super tool which polishes, refines and grooms uncivilized human beings. Through ages, teaching/preaching has been a conventional method/practice to make people know each other, recognize and discover the possible fault lines and thus safeguarded human community into a harmonized society. 

With time, life is becoming increasingly tough today. But the fact is that, it is an individual who matters. If you are good, do good and think good; you naturally are projected by people around you as good and PEOPLE remember you even after you no more on this earth.

WHY BHUTANESE JOB-SEEKERS DREAM FOR CIVIL SERVICE JOBS?

Why select jobs?

Every country has a national policy of maintaining a small, compact and efficient civil service to deliver public services. Similarly, Bhutan has such policy and Royal Civil Service Commission is a constitutional body vested with responsibilities and powers to manage the core man power of the country through comfortable, viable and stringent legislations to govern civil servants as enshrined in the Constitution of Bhutan. Numerous legislations (Acts, Rules and Regulations) that pertain to improve the quality of civil servants came into picture based on past statistics and records over the years.

For every Bhutanese, I guess it is a dream to become a civil servant and serve TSA-WA-SUM. Civil Service Commission has a good framework of rule to recruit young graduates through different stages of tests (preliminary examination, main written examination, viva voce). RCSC tries to explore, discover and test the capabilities of young graduates. Once recruited, I think civil servants of Bhutan have a secured life and good future prospects.

As far as I am concerned, the private sectors of Bhutan need to nurture and create impression to jobseekers for a secured life. There are not many Multi-National Companies (MNCs) in Bhutan where job opportunities are created for Bhutanese. Interestingly, private and corporate sectors of Bhutan are gearing up for the same and many jobseekers are looking for jobs in those sectors. Jobseekers are gaining confidence in both private and corporate sectors gradually. However, there are many factors that determine the attitudes of jobseekers. All if not most of the jobseekers want to get into civil service due benefits, incentives and healthy working environment.

RCSC serves as a guardian for all civil servants across country and looks after the welfare of each and every civil servant. 

MY PERSONAL VIEWS ON GIVING NU. 2 MILLIONS AND SERVICE UTILITY VEHICLES TO GEOGS OF BHUTAN.

Being a Bhutanese, the pledge of giving Nu.2 million to each geog had generated a set of mixed feelings in my mind from the day this pledge was formally made by People’s Democratic Party during election campaign. Though, it would be absolutely unfair to oppose on this topic at this time yet I strongly feel making my own personal judgement is worth justifiable in any forum. Therefore, I request readers’ discretion at first instance before I precede blogging. It is not my intention to undermine/underestimate any institution neither to hurt anyone at any cost. This blog is purely based on personal views.

Politically, the pledge of allotting Nu.2 million to each geog might had been a tactic to garner votes but this idea seemed very genuine and beneficial to general public at larger interest. Such a step is a true manifestation of devolving of centralized powers (Wangtse Chirpel) to common people in reality. Moreover, it also signals a direct assigning/vesting of responsibility to people at grass root level (local government) for the first time in Bhutanese history and making them accountable to what they plan and do. All in one, what I am trying to say is “Gups are given full financial powers in terms of planning, implementation and follow-up to directly benefit their geogs”

Unlike in the past, Gups need to be extra careful in discharging their duties especially in financial matters. According to some sources, the biggest concern for Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for next five years is how this budget will be utilized effectively by the geog in most transparent and accountable manner. Similarly, National Council members expressed their concern about how this budget will be meaningfully utilized during the first sitting. There are many factors why ACC and National Council members are worried; a handful of uneducated gups (No formal education) in some geogs, inexperienced and lack of competent human resource dealing with financial matters at geog level, etc. I personally feel it is immature at this stage to give Nu. 2 million to a geog before considering possible loop holes which might hinder the implementation. If serious attention is not given, it may result to fraud, corruption, misuse of fund etc. Some Gups may land behind jail after five years.

The Service Utility vehicle (SUV), Bolero for each geog is yet another good pledge that many people will cherish when it is materialized. This vehicle will help common people to carry dead bodies (corpse) to cremation grounds, ferrying sick people to hospitals during emergency, carrying surplus farm produces to markets, etc. However, there is every chance that this facility may be misused by local leaders for personal gain. Therefore, it is always recommended that a stringent terms and conditions are placed properly in the system before the geogs are provided with vehicles.

In Bhutan, the degree of physical development in geogs varies from each other. Some geogs already have roads, electricity, clean drinking water, good communication facilities, good irrigation channels etc while some geogs especially in the east, south and north are deprived of such facilities. Instead, the past government had entertained these geogs with other alternatives. Therefore, I think fund may be allotted to the geogs based on the factors like availability of facilities, population, area, etc.

It is my premature views and the real scene will be witnessed by every citizen in next five years. 

MAN; A DIFFICULT CREATURE TO TAME.

While education may be a tool to guide as a light for a man to walk in the dark, it is sometimes surprise to note the tool proves otherwise. Man is a super creature on this universe that has a capability to tame and control other animals. Human beings have reached moon and places beyond imagination. Man has invented sophisticated machines and developed technologies. For instance, a man can control almost everything but it becomes a big issue when he does not know how to control and convince himself.

We harness a ferocious galloping stallion; tame giant wild elephant to work for man but a man hardly succeed perfectly in taming another man. A man also has a power to drill through a huge mountain, drive deep down to bed of an ocean, climb up to top of the highest peak in the world, etc yet a man superficially brings other humans under his control but fails practically. The repercussions of a man trying to control other men always result into violence, murder, atrocities and other inhuman acts. The world has witnessed many great personalities but yet they could not fully influence and mould the people in the way he/she wanted. Their philosophies had seldom worked in a practical world. Over the period, the world has witnessed two great world wars. The bloodiest and disastrous wars almost ended the human race from this world.

It is the ego, self centered mind set, colour, region and cultural differences that make very difficult to bring all the people under one umbrella. Practically, a teacher may teach a group of students from all walks of life but the capacity to grasp the ideas will vary. In short, what I am trying to say is “sometimes, it becomes practically very difficult to change the mindset of people who are partially or fully educated’. Though a man may superficially agree to the ideas of other man but his inner instinct over rules him. Ultimately, this results in the clash of ideas, personality, expression, etc

Person with irrational thinking will not really incline to the opinions and ideas of others. That is why, rounds of talks are convened time and again to remind and rephrase the points/ideas resolved at one point of time in the past. When an educated man becomes infamous with filthy thoughts, it results in obnoxious consequences which impact the whole society in general. If an education is a true solution to end all the violence then we need to raise a question as to why we come across violence frequently despite a good literacy rate.

Indeed, a man is a difficult creature on this universe to tame. A strong and stringent laws may be able to keep a man in a cocoon of harmonious society but he always looks for loophole in the system to do something wrong. Therefore, self control could be perhaps the best control to tame oneself to be able to suit in the civilized human society. Great books and examples may guide a man theoretically yet it is another milestone to be able to know and understand one self.

CHANGING TIMES; CHANGING BHUTAN.

Bhutan, sandwiched between two giant countries (China to the North & India to the South) has been an independent country isolated from outside world until she opened her eyes to the global communities in late 1960s. Under leadership of visionary kings, Bhutanese have been enjoying unprecedented peace, prosperity and harmony. Though small in terms of size and population, Bhutan maintained and preserved its unique identity i.e. her culture and tradition.

However, western lifestyles have started creeping into Bhutanese soil since Bhutan entered into an era of modernization in 1960s. Historical records show that the first modernization started with clearing of highway from Phuentsholing to capital city, Thimphu. Similarly, modern education geared up with the establishment of Haa Ugyen Dorji School apart from traditional monastic education in Bhutan. Today, Bhutanese people enjoy a good road networks, communication, electricity, reliable infrastructures, clean drinking water, free medical facilities and more importantly, a harmonious community.

Within past four to five decades, Bhutan has changed a lot. As truly said by someone, “Education is a true tool for human civilization”, Bhutan has achieved a good literacy rate. Today, the international community eyes on the progresses made by Bhutan. This credit is solely dedicated to our successive kings who have worked ceaselessly for the welfare of Bhutanese people.

Unique Bhutanese cultures and traditions preserved and maintained over generations by Bhutanese have been a strong tool in maintaining its independence. Today, Bhutan Tourism attracts thousands of tourists annually mainly to witness Bhutanese culture and tradition. From the way Bhutanese speak to the dresses they wear is very unique in nature manifesting its uniqueness. Having understood its significance, Bhutan now has many museums, programs and institutions dedicated to promote and disseminate cultures and traditions of Bhutan.

Guided by unique development policy of “Gross National Happiness”, Bhutan is striving to become economically vibrant through tapping clean renewable source of energy. Hydropower sector is a main focus to generate income understanding the fact that Bhutan has many torrential rivers across the country. Recently, United Nations also adopted “Happiness’ as a development paradigm which clearly underlines that world appreciates Bhutanese policies of sustainable development.

In 2008, a historic event was printed in Bhutanese history as Bhutan witnessed a transition from Monarchy to Constitutional Democratic Monarchy form of government where fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuk devolved powers to citizens to elect and form government. The first Constitution of Bhutan was enacted and endorsed by first parliament of Bhutan. Unlike in other countries, Bhutan did not encounter any violence and communal disharmony during a historic transition. Far sighted visionary King has peacefully instituted democratic form of government in Bhutan.

In 2008, two political parties contested election for first parliament of Bhutan. Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) was elected as ruling party and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as opposition party. Under democratic governance, Bhutan witnessed galloping developments in all spheres of Bhutanese sectors. However, some notable controversies sprung up which confused many Bhutanese. I personally feel those controversies have culminated and reflected in 2013 parliamentary election results. This shows that Bhutanese voters are aware of polity. People’s Democratic Party came into power as ruling government in 2013 and Bhutanese people eye on them to fulfill their pledges and promises. Four aspiring political parties contested for second parliamentary election of Bhutan.

Bhutan will come across many new events and challenges. Bhutan is unique and should continue to remain unique in terms of policy, culture, tradition and association so that world knows the impact Bhutan makes in the international community. While domestic politics may seem meager for some countries, I think Bhutan seriously considers both domestic and international equally important.

Therefore, it is a collective responsibility of each and every citizen of Bhutan to remain united and work for the betterment of future generations.