INDIA: Old Is Gold, Believes Tina Ambani

For a cause: Actor Tina Ambani with Priyanka Chopra and Gulshan Grover. Photo: PTI

NEW DELHI (The Hindu), October 31, 2007:

An actor who claims to have essayed more diverse characters off-screen than on-screen, Tina Ambani nee Munim is happiest talking about her role as a campaigner for empowerment of the aged.

Compelled by the desire to offer older people a more productive existence, Ms. Ambani through her non-government organisation Harmony for Silver’s Foundation has set out to address the concerns that come with age.

"The Harmony for Silver’s Foundation came up because I always desired to do something for the aged. It was not triggered by any one incident. It is something I have instinctively longed to do."

"Through the journey of my life I have been inspired by many people and I have subconsciously reacted strongly to certain incidents. I have felt the need to react with boldness to issues like maltreatment of the aged," she says, explaining her inclination towards changing perceptions about old age as declining years.

Conscious of the feeling of disgrace and the image of destitution that old age homes evoke, Ms. Ambani, who was in the Capital recently for the promotion of the Harmony Senior Citizens’ Run, has decide to invest in “interactive centres”.

"Old age homes are not perceived in a good way in our society. Since we want to give the older people a chance to live their life with dignity, we allow them an opportunity to interact with their peers and explore their hidden talents at our interactive centres," she explains.

Empowerment for men and women in their advanced years comes from interaction, experimenting with their skills and exhibiting their forte.

"At a show we held on October 3 to commemorate the International Senior Citizen’s Day in Mumbai we had 23 members of the Harmony Interactive Centre, all of them between 50 and 75 years, perform to Shiamak Davar’s choreography. We had 64-year-old Gospi Kapadia, a fourth-degree black belt in karate demonstrate the need to learn self-defence."

While the star who reigned the silver screen during the 1970s and the 1980s has no plans of documenting the travails of old age in a film, she does believe that youngsters, especially school-going children, need to be sensitised about age.

"There is a need to create sensitivity and awareness. We need to tell the younger generation that they need older people. To move ahead in life, the youngsters will need the expertise and the experience of the older generation. And it is this involvement in our day-to-day lives that makes the older people happy. They are always willing to share and contribute."

Ms. Ambani, who is a fervent believer in "living life to the fullest", says including silvers in everyday community living should gain precedence over the norm of relegating them to the fringes of social life.

"Old age is not about retiring. It is about living life with grace and dignity," she concludes.

By Smriti Kak Ramachandran
© Copyright 2000 - 2007 The Hindu

USA: How Scared Should We Be?

(Benedicte Kurzen for The New York Times; Michael Nagle for The New York Times; CDC/Jim Biddle)

NEW YORK (New York Times),
October 31, 2007:

Shark attacks, raging fires and deadly bacteria all sound scary. But how do you know which calamities to worry about and which to ignore?

Everyone moves through life with different risks. Your own need to worry depends on a variety of factors, including age, where you live, how much you travel and your daily activities, noted Dr. James K. Hammitt, professor of economics at the Harvard School of Public Health. Consider this: it’s estimated that 150 people around the world die annually from falling coconuts. That’s more than double the estimated 62 annual shark attacks worldwide. But if you’re a person who regularly swims in shark-infested waters and you never stand under a coconut tree, then the average odds obviously don’t apply to you.

Take a look at the following chart, which we’ve put together from a variety of sources. It shows the total number of deaths annually due to various disease-related and accidental causes, as well as an average individual’s lifetime risk for a given health worry. On the scariest day of the year, maybe this will help put it all in perspective.

Risk Annual Deaths Lifetime risk
Heart disease.............652,486....................1 in 5
Cancer....................553,888....................1 in 7
Stroke....................150,074....................1 in 24
Hospital infections........99,000....................1 in 38
Flu...........................59,664....................1 in 63
Car accidents..............44,757....................1 in 84
Suicide......................31,484....................1 in 119
Accidental poisoning.......19,456....................1 in 193
MRSA (resistant bacteria1...9,000....................1 in 197
Falls..........................17,229....................1 in 218
Drowning....................3,306....................1 in 1,134
Bike accident.................762....................1 in 4,919
Air/space accident............742....................1 in 5,051
Excessive cold................620....................1 in 6,045
Sun/heat exposure.............273....................1 in 13,729
Shark attack*..................62....................1 in 60,453
Lightning......................47....................1 in 79,746
Train crash....................24....................1 in 156,169
Fireworks......................11....................1 in 340,733

Sources:
* Unless otherwise noted, all accidental death information from
National Safety Council.
* Disease death information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
* Lifetime risk is calculated by dividing 2003 population (290,850,005)
by the number of deaths, divided by 77.6,
the life expectancy of a person born in 2003.
*Shark data represents number of attacks worldwide, not deaths.

Source: How Scared Should We Be, New York Times
Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company

SINGAPORE: A Helping Hand For The Elderly

SINGAPORE (Today), October 31, 2007:

As an HDB flat owner, there are five ways you can generate income from your flat for retirement needs

1. RENT OUT YOUR HDB FLAT/ROOM(S)
• You can rent out your entire subsidised/non-subsidised flat* after living in it for at least five years and three years respectively. You need to get approval from HDB to rent out the entire flat.
* Subsidised flats: Flats bought directly from HDB or from the open market with a CPF housing grant; and
* Non-subsidised flats: Flats bought from the open market without a CPF housing grant.
• Alternatively, you can rent out one or more rooms without approval from HDB if you own a 3-room or bigger flat. However, you must continue to stay in the flat.
• You can receive a monthly rental of about $200 to $500 for a room, and $450 to $1,400 for an entire flat.
• You will pay a higher property tax (10 per cent) if you rent out the entire flat. There will be no change to your property tax if you only rent out room(s).

2. MOVE TO AN HDB STUDIO APARTMENT
• You can sell your flat and buy a 30-year lease Studio Apartment (SA).
• If you are the main applicant for an SA, you must be a Singapore Citizen and at least 55 years old.
• You may buy the SA with other eligible applicants. If they are related to you, such as your spouse, parents, siblings or children, they must be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs) and at least 21 years old. If they are not related to you, they must be Singapore Citizens and at least 35 years old.
• Applicants who are 55 years old andabove can use their CPF savings to pay for the SA after setting aside the CPF Minimum Sum cash component. After you sell your flat and buy an SA, you would expect to have some money left. You may consider buying a life annuity with this money so that you can receive a monthly income for life.

3. MOVE TO A SMALLER, CHEAPER HDB FLAT• You can sell your flat and buy a smaller, cheaper flat from the resale market or a smaller subsidised flat from HDB such as a 2- or 3-room flat. However, if you are a second-time buyer of a flat from HDB or have taken a CPF Housing Grant before, you need to pay the resale levy if you choose to buy another subsidised flat from HDB.
• You need to meet the prevailing eligibility conditions to buy a new flat from HDB or a resale flat.

4. REVERSE MORTGAGE
• A reverse mortgage loan on your flat is a way to allow you to continue staying in your flat and receive a monthly income at the same time.
• The youngest flat owner in the household must be at least 62 years old and the owner should have little or no outstanding HDB or bank housing loans and/or upgrading costs.
• The monthly cash amount you will receive depends on the age of the youngest borrower, loan period, prevailing interest rate and the property value of your HDB flat.
• You will need to repay the loan when you sell your flat or when the loan term expires.
• NTUC Income currently offers this scheme. You should obtain information, understand how it works and consider carefully the cost and risk involved, before deciding to reverse mortgage your flat.

5. LEASE BUYBACK SCHEME
The Lease Buyback Scheme (LBS) is a new monetisation option where HDB will buy back the tailend of the lease of a 2-room or 3-room flat from elderly lessees (aged 62 and above) who have enjoyed only one housing subsidy or none at all. This will leave them with a shorter lease of 30 years on the same flat. They will be able to stay on in the same flat to enjoy the familiarity of their home and community.

The owners will receive the payout in three parts:
• A lump sum upfront upon joining the scheme;
• Monthly payments for 30 years as a steady stream of income; and
• Longevity insurance that will pay out a monthly allowance for as long as they live.
The amount “unlocked” by the buyback will depend on each flat’s market value. In addition to the payout from the flat, the lessee will also receive a subsidy from the Government.

Details of the scheme are being worked out and an announcement will be made in due course.

Source: www.hdb.gov.sg
MediaCorp

SINGAPORE: 'Single-Minded' Giving Does Nothing To Help The Needy

If giving is presumably the road to paradise,
then is taking the stairway to hell?
Asks Cambridge University’s Prof Charles Hampden-Turner

THE GENEROSITY TRAP:
Single-minded' giving does nothing to help the needy.

SINGAPORE (Today), October 31, 2007:
It seems natural: When someone is in need, you give him or her money. But can the act of giving cause even more problems, trapping the poor in their poverty?
Tackling this question yesterday at the second National Volunteerism and Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility Conference, keynote speaker Charles Hampden-Turner asked: "If giving is presumably the road to paradise, then is taking the stairway to hell?"

The Cambridge University senior research associate and veteran of America's "war on poverty" has spent 40 years studying such dilemmas. He has found one of the main problems for charitable organisations is "single-minded" giving, which breeds passivity and single-minded taking.

"Are we not rewarding, after a fashion, their very failure, when most of us get rewarded for our successes?" he asked.

One example is the welfare system where one must prove total incapacity and be a
"100-per-cent certified slob" in order to qualify for handouts, he said. Instead of penalising welfare-takers for finding jobs, allow them to pool their welfare money to start a small business or give something back to the community.

And one dilemma is that the race for aid engenders an "upside down world" where people "race to the bottom" to "prove more wretchedness than anyone else" to garner sympathy. There is also the issue of organisations overlooking basic and less glamorous projects like sanitation.

The act of giving should be coupled with the expectation of reciprocity - a principle that will reconcile these dilemmas, and return dignity to the people at the receiving end, said Professor Hampden-Turner.

"Whatever is given to the poor should enable them to give back in some way or give to others," he said.

Micro-financing, for example, through the highly successful Grameen Bank, empowers village women in Bangladesh by offering them small loans to start businesses.

"(It) even makes those struck by earthquake, wind and fire repay. The bank will ease and extend the terms of loan, but not to repay means that the money cannot be lent to others," he said.

This fosters a sense of resilience and community.

The bank requires that clients borrow in groups of five as a form of mild social pressure to repay. This has resulted in an amazing 97-per- cent repayment rate, said Prof Hampden-Turner.

Speaking to Today he said: "This relationship of reciprocity and mutuality is much more effective than any other type of relationship."

Non-government organisations (NGOs) too, should take the same collective approach, he said. They can go into areas banks cannot, so they should cooperate.

"Why don't they look for reliable people in poor towns or villages and introduce them to banks? And why shouldn't the bank give the NGO money for every satisfactory client they locate?" he asked.

"We should be trying many more experiments. Seventy-five per cent of all new start-ups fail, but people still go on. The same should apply to social entrepreneurship and innovation. If three out of 10 work, we're still better off."

By Sheralyn Tay
Copyright: Mediacorp

USA: 95-Year-Old Worker Just Doesn't Know How To Quit

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (Star-Tribune), October 30, 2007:

"You got to do something," says Eddie Kalow, who has been busy for 32 years with his so-called retirement job at a Fridley grocery store, reports Paul Levy, in Star Tribune.

Eddie Kalow, who has worked for the past 32 years at BoB’s Produce Ranch in Fridley, turned 95 on October 30.

Eddie Kalow planned to celebrate his 95th birthday this week the same way he's spent most days the past 32 years -- working at his "retirement" job at BoB's Produce Ranch in Fridley.

"Retirement? What's that?" Kalow asked recently, while replenishing the banana display at the grocery store that has been an Anoka County landmark for more than a half-century.

Kalow turned 95 on October 30.

Arriving for work some days before dawn -- yes, he still drives -- Kalow is the oldest of a half-dozen retirees who work for store owner Bob Schroer. One was a school principal, another from the insurance business. All have been faithful customers of the store for decades.

"Their wives wanted me to save their marriages," Schroer said. "They wanted me to get them out of the house."

A former laborer in the cement business, Kalow had worked his entire life and saw no point to quitting at age 63.

Kalow, the son of a railroad worker, spent his formative years working the family's small farm in Faribault. He said he never attended high school and began working full time after the eighth grade.

Fast-forward a few decades. Kalow and his wife, Arrah, were faithful customers of BoB's, and Schroer often told him, "When you retire, come and work for me." So, for nearly 20 years, Kalow made deliveries. Then he cleaned the parking lot, until Schroer decided he didn't want his prize employee working outside in the cold. Kalow has been since assigned to cut vegetables and fruit for the store's deli department -- a crucial job for a store that has gained a regional reputation for its fresh produce.

"I straighten out the bananas, then I go to the back room to cut vegetables and goof off," he said. "Mostly, I just love coming here."

His hearing isn't what it once was. But other than that, Kalow, who quit smoking 60 years ago, is remarkably spry and said he's in good health.

In Schroer, 72, he's found a good running mate. Both men are widowers. Nearly every Saturday, they get together for lunch at a local sports bar. Eat lunch. Watch a game. Share a few words of wisdom. These are particularly busy times for Schroer, who will soon open a second BoB's Produce Ranch in Otsego, near Elk River. "Guys like Eddie keep everyone around here going," Schroer said.

"What else are you going to do?" said Kalow. "You've got to do something. You can't just go home and put your feet on the davenport."

By Paul Levy
© 2007 Star Tribune.

INDIA: Seniors Benefit From Special Health Care Presentation

PUDUCHERRY (The Hindu), October 30, 2007: A total of 190 senior citizens participated in a special health care programme held by the Pondicherry Society for the Care of the Aged (PONCARE) in the discipline of ‘Siddha’ on Saturday. Doubts clarified: Two Siddha specialists, B. Radhakrishnan and S. Indira, clarified doubts raised by the senior citizens at the programme, says a press release by PONCARE. The Siddha experts offered medical advice and distributed medicines to the needy persons, the release said. Copyright © 2007, The Hindu

CHINA: Old Timers Cry Out "Save Our City"

THE END OF HISTORY: Thousands of Beijing's historic hutongs (house-lined alleys) are being bulldozed to make way for new construction while 20,000 home façades are being repainted.

BEIJING (TIME Magazine), October 30, 2007:

Save Our City!

By Simon Elegant

Xia Jie stands in the courtyard of her family's house in central Beijing, glancing up as a breeze flutters the leaves of a pomegranate tree. Except for the sounds of playing children in the alley outside, all is silence. "It's hard to believe we are in the center of a city of 15 million, isn't it?" she says. Hers is a traditional, single-story courtyard home in one of the city's ancient hutongs, the lanes that the city's Mongol designers intended as the heart of the metropolis when they planned it in 1272. There were once 6,000 hutongs in Beijing, but the tidal wave of change that has accompanied the city's explosive growth over the last two decades has swept most away. Today, fewer than 1,000 remain.
________________________________________________________________________________
In theory, hutlongs - traditional house-lined alleys - within Beijing's inner area are strictly protected. Observers note that out of the 6,000 ancient hutlongs that existed in Beijing, fewer than 1,000 have survived.
________________________________________________________________________________

The pressure to modernize and the huge profits reaped by developers has overwhelmed efforts by preservationists and some bureaucrats to protect what was once one of the world's best-preserved medieval cities. Numerous stories that make it into China's tightly-controlled media about collusion between city officials and developers testify to the fact that regulatory control of Beijing's redevelopment was, for a while, almost non-existent. Still, Xia Jie's house was supposed to be safe, because of its setting within the city's second ring road, which follows the route once marked by the capital's 30-feet high city walls.

Workers dig a hole as a house is demolished along a Hutong, a traditional Chinese alleyway, in Beijing. David Gray / Reuters

In theory, hutongs inside the ring are strictly protected. But last May, developers suddenly appeared on Xia Jie's doorstep, knocking down two houses and issuing a notice for 23 households to move out. The city had given permission for the construction of a 12-story office building and an adjacent apartment block, the builders said. "It was so offensive," says Xia. "They gave us 14 days to move out. It's like being a second class citizen in your own country." She says she spoke to the other residents and many of them agreed with her that there was no way they were going to move out.

Few observers would have given the Dongsibatiao residents much chance of winning their battle. More than 1 million Beijingers have already been relocated as the city prepares for the Olympics, and groups lobbing for preservation have had negligible success - except in drawing the unwelcome attention of China's vast security apparatus, which is notoriously suspicious of attempts to create independent organizations of any kind. In 2004, for example, housing rights activist Ye Guozhu - who had attempted to organize protest against forced evictions - was arrested and sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of "disturbing social order."

Some Beijingers have reluctantly resigned themselves to the inevitability of change. "When I was a boy," says novelist Wang Shuo, celebrated chronicler of the life of ordinary Beijingers, "a group of Muslims lived near us around the Chaowen Gate, who had yellow hair and yellow eyes. They had been brought in by the Mongols when they came to Beijing, and lived together ever since. A thousand years. And then the whole place was demolished and they were scattered all over." Sitting in his house in a manicured suburb 20 miles from the city center, Wang shakes his head with resignation. "I never go into Beijing anymore. I don't recognize anything."

Still, signs are emerging that the tide may be turning for those fighting the Quixotic fight for preservation of old Beijing.

On October 15, Beijing Communist Party Secretary Liu Qi said the city plans to invest 2 billion renminbi ($268 million) over the next few years to renovate courtyard houses to protect the city's cultural heritage, and also to raise the living standards of hutong residents through measures to improve housing, transportation, environment, education, food safety and social security. The change in official attitudes may also lead to a more tolerant response to citizens' efforts to prevent further destruction. In September, for example, monks managed to block city workers from demolishing part of the Fayuan Buddhist Temple, Beijing's oldest, built well over a thousand years ago during the Tang dynasty. Although there's some debate about what exactly the workers were doing, appeals by the monks brought speedy intervention by city authorities to cease the demolition.

Older buildings in Beijing are being replaced by sometimes astonishing creations, like Rem Koolhaas' cantilevered towers for CCTV (Chinese state TV). Photo: Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR for TIME

Back at Dongsibatiao, Xia Jie says things have taken a surprising turn for the better since residents received their eviction notices in May. Xia says she confronted the developer and brought evidence that proper legal procedures hadn't been followed, arguing that the permission granted by the city government for the project was therefore invalid. Soon after, there was a sudden change of attitude. The range of the project was scaled back so that it will now involve a smaller, six-story building to be sited on the edge of the hutong. Other buildings taken over by the developer (at a price that is still being negotiated) will merely be renovated and remain traditional, single-story courtyards.

"Now it's as though the developer wants to be my best friend," Xia says bemusedly. "He even invited me out to eat French cuisine!" Luckily for Xia, a growing number of Beijingers appear to be embracing the idea that even in the capital of the world's fastest-changing nation, some things are worth preserving.

Click to see TIME report
THE END OF HISTORY
Copyright 2007 Time Inc.

USA: Swiss And Dutch Health Care Systems Attract U.S. Attention

WASHINGTON (The International Herald Tribune), October 30, 2007: The Swiss and Dutch health care systems are suddenly all the rage in the United States. They have features similar to proposals by at least two presidential hopefuls, and next month the top U.S. health official will visit Switzerland and the Netherlands to take a look. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt will visit Switzerland on November 7 and then fly to The Hague for two days. His schedule is filled with meetings with ministers and technocrats, hospital officials and insurance executives and patients and their advocates. His visit was scheduled, department officials said, because policy experts in Washington have promoted Swiss and Dutch provisions as models. In Switzerland and the Netherlands, everyone has to obtain health insurance or pay a penalty. Employers are exempt from the mandates, and private insurers and hospitals provide care. By Gardiner Harris The International Herald Tribune

SWEDEN: 77-Year-Old Gets Carded in Beer Purchase

GALLIVARE, Sweden (AP), October 30, 2007: He may look young for his age, but 77-year-old Swedish retiree Per-Eric Henricsson was not flattered when his local supermarket asked him to show ID to prove that he was old enough to buy a case of beer. Now, Henricsson has asked the National Association of Senior Citizens for help in pressing the ICA supermarket in Gallivare, northern Sweden, to stop carding the elderly. "It is ridiculous. I have been a customer at ICA for more than 40 years and they know me," Henricsson told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The minimum age for buying low-alcohol beer and cider in Swedish supermarkets is 18. Beer with higher alcohol content, wine and spirits are sold in government-operated liquor stores, where 20 is the age limit. Henricsson had planned to buy a case of beer for a social gathering of the local senior citizens group he leads when the cashier asked for his ID. He said he was so insulted by the request that he refused to make the purchase and left the store. Supermarket manager Lars Hakan Olofsson said the cashier followed the store's policy to demand ID from all customers buying alcohol because it is difficult to guess people's ages. "I want to make it easier for my staff," he said, adding that several other supermarkets in the area have similar policies. Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press.

JAMAICA: Beginning Life At Fifty

KINGSTON, Jamaica (Jamaica Gleaner), October 30, 2007:

Eulalee Jarrett smiles as she recalls her life journey. - Photos by Gareth Manning

GROWING UP was not the best of times for 50-year-old dressmaker Eulalee Jarrett. In fact, it was rough.

In a bid to escape the rustic poverty of the Westmoreland countryside, her single mother migrated to the city with her three children to find work. But the shimmering gleam of the Kingston life brought very little change.

Upon reaching Kingston, Eulalee was sent to live with her mother's sister.

"We were living all over the place and I never got much schooling because nobody never used to send me to school," she told The Gleaner as she recalled her story from her home just off Maxfield Avenue.

The constant moving and eventual relocation to St. Catherine with her aunt, made for some of the worst years of young Eulalee's life.

Abused

From as early as seven years old, Eulalee was working in people's homes as a domestic helper and on banana and citrus farms in St. Catherine, carrying heavy bags and bunches of bananas to be sold in the market.

"All schooling stopped when I was about eight or nine. I just work in the yard and in the field," she said with a sigh.

There was abuse - plenty of it - which came in all forms; verbal, physical and even sexual, while on the job.

"At about 12 years old, I ran away, back to my mother who was living in Town (Kingston) and she started having more children so both my sister and me, we had to stay home to help her with the children," she recalled.

When she was not at home, helping with her siblings, she followed her mother - who was also a domestic helper - around and helped her with the washing, house and yard work. When they were not doing that, they had to find their own work to contribute to the household income.

But going around with her mother never protected young Eulalee from abuse either. She continued to face it.

"Unfortunately, though I don't regret it, I got pregnant at the age of 14. So that created another barrier."

Her mother wanted her to have an abortion, but she kept her pregnancy and eventually gave birth to a son.

She moved out of her mother's house to live with her child's father, where she gave birth to another son. However, after a year and eight months, the child died.

Going back to school

Still only 16, Eulalee was drawn into physical abuse again. Her children's father began to beat her. But this time it was time to take charge of her life and she walked out and went back to her mother's house.

"I tried to put it (the abuse) all behind me. I think maybe because of all these things, I came to realise that those things weren't my fault and it kind of help me to get myself back together at this stage."

She joined the community youth club and the Workers Party of Jamaica in 1979, and started doing short courses to get herself some skills.

"I looked in The Gleaner and I used to see some short courses, like a six-week course and thing, and I started doing typing and things like that," she said, now lifting her head as she told The Gleaner her tale.

Still unable to finance her schooling, she spent her free time reading as her son grew up.

At age 45, she took a bold step and enrolled in what was then called the Jamaica Movement for Advancement in Literacy (JAMAL) - now Lifelong Learning.

"... and I went to Tarrant Baptist Church. When I did the test at Tarrant, the teacher said I did not need to be in the JAMAL programme because I was much advanced. So I look at myself and I said: 'Bwoy, it look like I can achieve something better' because, even though I never got the schooling at the time, by me trying to help myself I can see that I can move on," the humble Eulalee said while nodding her head as a little smile moved from cheek to cheek.

When the government's Citizens Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) came to her community, she seized the opportunity to better herself. They were offering residents the opportunity to pursue a limited number of subjects in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations (CSEC) and she made herself available.

"I say, bwoy, even though I am this old, I am still going to try it because I wanted to do the CXC for a long time and me couldn't afford it because all kind a problems arise financially and, when they advertise the thing for the community, I said I was going to do it, and I started the class," she said.

This was an opportunity for 49-year-old Eulalee. She sat the English exam and earned a distinction.

"I was just trying something. I wasn't confident that I would pass or anything. I was just trying something," she said. In fact, Eulalee didn't even bother to go for her results when she heard they were out. After hearing that most of her younger classmates had failed she thought her result could be no different.

Never too late

"When I see the one, I say thank God, because I didn't know how I did it, but I did it," she said triumphantly.

Eulalee's recent achievement has convinced her that it is never too late to get an education. Now that she has conquered CSEC English, she is moving on to mathematics this year, while simultaneously pursuing a course in Early Childhood Education through the Heart Trust/NTA. Next year, she wants to pursue a certificate in social work and eventually a bachelor of science degree in the same subject area.

She isn't leaving her children behind though. After serving four years in prison, her son has joined the church and is pursuing the subjects he never passed while in high school, while working hard at his blossoming musical career. Eulalee is also playing centre stage in her grandson's life and, through her guidance, he recently earned a place at Kingston College.

"If you cannot read, I don't see why you should be ashamed, especially if it is not your fault ... It wasn't my fault why I didn't achieve what I didn't," Eulalee said.

"If I continue this way, I can pick up a good paying job. I can be more marketable to help myself and help somebody else. So, is not like I do the CXC and bwoy I just try it; I doing it because I think that there is a future in starting at this stage. I'm not dead as yet. My grandson told me: 'Don't you know that life begins at 50?'"

Gareth Manning, Staff Reporter
© Copyright 1997-2007 Gleaner Company Ltd.

INDIA: Madhobi Mukherji Among Distinguished Seniors Honoured

NEW DELHI (NewKerala - UNI), October 30, 2007: Renowned actress from Bengal Madhobi Mukherji was today honoured with Vayoshreshtha Samman (Felicitation as Distinguished Senior) given to eminent senior citizens of the country. Among other awardees were centanarian J L Dalal from Haryana and Prof Turaga Somasundaram from Hyderabad, who was given the Samman for lifetime achievement. Mr H Ramegowda, a 75-year-athlete from Karnataka and 83-year-old Football Player Shailen Manna from Kolkata were also given the award. T V Narayana Shastry got the award in the Economic Leadership category. Ms Mukherji was given the award in the category of creative arts. This year's Vayoshreshtha Samman for Institution of Knowledge was given to Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India from Kerala, while Chikmagalur Rotary and Inner Wheel Trust, Jeevan Sandhya, was given the Award for Institution of Service. The Vayoshreshtha Samman is a modest recognition of the senior citizens' compassion, determination, creativity and devotion to the cause of humanity, and it was a humble gesture to honour their relentless and remarkable service to the society and nation. The awards included a shawl, citation and a memento. A seminar on "Addressing the Challenges and Opportunities of Aging: Empowering Older Persons", was organised by the National Institute of Social Defence and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, earlier in the day. Source: UNI

ISRAEL: Tourism Ministry Wants Seniors To Visit Jerusalem

The Tourism Ministry is launching a campaign to make senior citizens more aware of Jerusalem's attractions. Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski

JERUSALEM, Israel (The Jerusalem Post), October 29, 2007:

Israel's Tourism Ministry and the Jerusalem Tourism Board are embarking on a campaign to promote and make the capital city more accessible as a tourist destination for senior citizens.

"Jerusalem represents a major destination for pensioners but the potential of this growing population visiting the city has not yet been realized," the Tourism Ministry said Sunday. "The main reason why pensioners are not coming to Jerusalem are lack of knowledge about Jerusalem, its abundance of attractive sites and the activities available."

According to a survey conducted for the Tourism Ministry, about 50 percent of pensioners (over the age of 65) in Israel, which make up 676,000 people, travel the country on a regular basis, while 180,000 are able to go on a vacation but didn't.

The NIS 200,000 campaign, which starts in November to February 2008, will offer pensioners reduced tour packages tailored for their needs and interests including hotel stays, special night-time events and entertainment activities in addition to the regular sites. The ministry will launch an advertising campaign in the national press this week with details of the vacation packages.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, is expected to sign, on Monday, a tourism agreement with China that will turn Israel into a major tourism destination for that country.

The so-called "Approved Destination Status" agreement will officially open the gateway for Chinese visitors to come to Israel since the marketing and sales of group vacation packages in China are only approved for destinations with an approved destination status.

By Sharon Wrobel
Copyright 1995- 2007 The Jerusalem Post

WORLD: Howard G. Buffett becomes WFP ambassador against hunger

A passion for ending hunger: Howard G. Buffett becomes World Food Program Ambassador against Hunger

NEW YORK (UN), October 29, 2007: Philanthropist and environmentalist Howard G. Buffett will be appointed today as the UN World Food Programme’s newest Ambassador Against Hunger.

“We are honoured to have Howard G. Buffett join us as Ambassador Against Hunger,” said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.

“Howard has worked shoulder to shoulder with WFP staff on the frontlines of hunger throughout Africa and Asia. He has a passion for meeting the needs of the hungry poor and for working with small farmers to break the cycle of hunger at its root.”

Distinguished

Buffett, distinguished conservationist, businessman, photographer and farmer, has travelled throughout the world to document the challenges of the poor and the vulnerable with an emphasis on the environmental obstacles they face.

He is a champion of sustainable farming techniques in poor countries and has authored six books on conservation, wildlife, and the human condition, including “On the Edge: Balancing Earth’s Resources.”

“WFP provides a unique combination of experience and skills to address some of the most difficult situations in the world. My experience with WFP ranges from flying in helicopters delivering food to earthquake victims in Pakistan, to food for asset programs in Zambia" said Howard G. Buffett.

_________________________________________________________________________________
"WFP provides a unique combination of experience and skills to address some of the most difficult situations in the world" Howard G. Buffett
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"From emergency relief to development assistance, WFP gives hope to many while saving lives everyday," he said.

WFP in action

Over the past 18 months, Buffett has seen WFP in action and has met those the agency assists like small-scale farmers in Zambia, refugees in Kenya, and displaced populations in northern Uganda.

Buffett is on the board of Berkshire Hathaway, an investment holding company, and spends the majority of his time operating the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, a private foundation that primarily supports humanitarian initiatives.

A photo exhibit with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime at UN headquarters in New York featuring Buffett's photos on "Human Trafficking" will open today at the UN Visitors Gallery.

Commitment

WFP Ambassadors Against Hunger possess a demonstrated commitment to the global fight against hunger. Reaching out to the public and to global leaders, they use their talent and public persona to generate awareness and support for WFP.

WFP's team of Ambassadors includes sporting legends such as Paul Tergat, Kakà and Ronaldinho; Senator George McGovern and most recently, actress Drew Barrymore who was appointed last May.

World Food Programme © 2007
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About Howard Buffet
Warren Edward Buffett (born August 30, 1930, Omaha, Nebraska), often called the "Sage of Omaha" or the "Oracle of Omaha", is an American investor, businessperson, photographer, farmer and philanthropist.

Buffett has amassed an enormous fortune from astute investments managed through the holding company Berkshire Hathaway, of which he is the largest shareholder and CEO. With an estimated current net worth of around US$52 billion, he was ranked by Forbes as the second-richest person in the world as of September 2007, behind Bill Gates.
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USA: Nilesh Mehta Looks At Age, Cancer and Choices

Dr. Nilesh Mehta, M.D. medical oncologist and more looks at not just cancer but at the issue of age, cancer diagnosis and choices of cancer treatment

WAUKEGAN, Illinois (Waukegan News Sun), October 29, 2007:

Over the last several months, I have seen several elderly patients who have been diagnosed with cancer when they were over 80 years old. Since this group is somewhat diverse in terms of their type of cancer, I will not be describing a single patient, but will rather discuss the issue of age, cancer diagnosis and choices of cancer treatment.

For years, old age has deterred physicians from embarking on aggressive treatments for cancer. This historically has been due to the fact that chemotherapy has several potential complications which can sometimes be more lethal than the cancer itself. Hence, doctors weigh the risks and benefits of treatment versus no treatment in this group of elderly cancer patients.

While chemotherapy continues to have several complications, medical oncologists have become more adept at managing the side effects of chemotherapy. The field of supportive care has become an integral part of cancer management. We support patients with growth factor injections for red blood cells (Procrit, Aranesp) and white blood cells (Neupogen, Neulasta), antibiotics, intravenous fluids, as well as better education of patients and their families.

Dr. Nilesh Mehta

By 2030, one in five Americans will be around 65 years old. Cancer diagnosis is more common in elderly patients, particularly colon cancer.

Fifteen years ago, during my training as a medical oncologist, I recommended supportive care to patients with metastatic colon cancer. These patients did not receive any chemotherapy at that time because they were thought to be "old."

How times have changed. Recently, I have prescribed chemotherapy to an otherwise healthy 80-year-old woman with widespread colon cancer and she responded favorably.

Oncologists may not be able to cure metastatic colon cancers, but even elderly patients are experiencing meaningful impact on the quality of their lives.

Through clinical trials, we have established the benefits of aggressive chemotherapy for elderly patients with different cancers. It was found that the toxicities in the elderly group were nearly identical to the younger group of patients with cancer. If an older patient has good health otherwise with reasonable kidney, liver and heart function, medical oncologists will now strongly consider chemotherapy and discuss that option with the patients and their families.

Doctors use a term called "performance status," which judges the level of activity of cancer patients. Oncologists should offer elderly patients the full range of therapeutic options which their life expectancy deserves. This is also being studied in well-designed clinical trials.

Chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients has had tremendous success over the last decade or so. Life expectancy of even elderly patients is being positively affected with the use of chemotherapy.

Finally, to quote George Burns, "If you live to be one hundred, you've got it made. Very few people die past that age." This might have been written differently today -- by George.

By Nilesh Mehta M.D.
drnileshdmehta@gmail.com
© Copyright 2007 Digital Chicago, Inc.

USA: Age Discrimination by Judges on 'Dancing With the Stars?'

Marie Osmond says there's age discrimination on 'Dancing'
Marie Osmond Passes Out on Dancing With the Stars Getty Images

NEW YORK (USA Today), October 30, 2007:
Marie Osmond says the judges on Dancing With the Stars want to get rid of the "old chicks," and that's why she and Jane Seymour got low scores last night. The two seem to think the whole thing is unfair. Jane told OK! Magazine, it's not a level playing field: "There are some people here who dance for a living," she said, in an apparent reference to limber Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan, a frontrunner every week, and Spice Girl Mel B., who both are getting ready for concert tours.

Stars Talking

BELGIUM: Ageing Belgians Fear Loss of Independence

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Expatica), October 29, 2007: Three of every four Belgians are worried about losing their independence as they grow older. Thirty percent are not certain if they will be able to pay for the care they will need in this phase. Seventeen percent say they are certain they will not be able to afford it. These are some of the results that emerged from the retirement survey presented by SwissLife on Monday. The survey also indicates that almost half of the Belgians say they are unable to put money aside at the moment to cover the care they will need later on. This is particularly a problem among young people. At least 64 percent of the Belgians would like to continue to live at home and receive home care if necessary. 43 percent however expect they will end up in a rest home. Copyright Expatica News 2007

USA: Pipe Bomb Kit Found in 81-year-old's Retirement Home

81-year-old's pipe bomb kit forces evacuation of Yukon retirement home YUKON, Central Oklahoma (Tulsa World - AP), October 30, 2007: Residents of a Yukon retirement home are back home after being evacuated when police found a cache of pipe bomb materials in an 81-year-old man's apartment. Staff members at Nina Willingham Senior Housing called police and reported finding suspicious items in the man's apartment. About 50 residents were evacuated by police officers and firefighters to another part of the complex for more than two hours before being allowed to return to their apartments Monday evening. Lt. Ron Mathews says officers saw materials used to make pipe bombs in the apartment and found several of the devices were capable of being rigged to explode. The man was not at home and was not arrested, but police are questioning him about why he had the materials. By Associated Press Copyright © 2007, World Publishing Co.

CHINA: Centenarian Greets Visitors With Fan Dance

TAIPEI, Taiwan (China Daily), October 30, 2007:

Chen Caihuan is not the oldest person in Zhanghua County, Taiwan, but she is a candidate for being the most energetic of 123 centenarians in the province. The 106-year-old likes to watch TV and dance. Whenever relatives and government officials visit, she performs a vigorous fan dance.

Chen said the secret of her longevity is getting up early, doing exercises and being lighthearted.

Source: China Times

USA: Antioxidants Can Help You to Age With Grace

Effective Methods for Ageing with Grace This feature is on a web site yourageing.com and the site is dedicated to the human race and the inevitable ageing that we will all eventually succumb to. Ageing is a process of cell degeneration that all living creatures gradually progress through from birth until death, some faster or slower than others. We humans can however examine our physical and mental condition and take various steps to reduce and slow down the ageing process. This site is intended to offer help in this endevour. There are a few things in life that we have little choice about: death, paying taxes, and ageing. While we may not be able to completely stop the ageing process from taking place, we can make choices that will allow us to handle the routine of ageing with grace and dignity. While genetics and exposure to environmental hazards may cause much of the Ageing that takes place with each of us on an individual basis, we can all benefit from healthy lifestyle choices that will lead to a slowing of the ageing process and allow us to enjoy our latter years with greater health and a higher quality of life overall. There are many aspects to ageing with grace that we can consider as we prepare for this later time in life. First, our physical appearance changes as we age. We see more lines and wrinkles in our skin, and our bodies can begin to feel the wear and tear that daily life can bring. We may also find that our minds are not as sharp as they once were and the simplest of tasks can become much more difficult and challenging to complete. There is also a concern over the increased risks of many types of diseases and illnesses that can be a part of the ageing process. The good news is that we can age with grace in any or all of these areas by simply adhering to a few healthy lifestyle choices in our younger years. The Same Old Advice If you wonder why you continue to hear professionals harp on the importance of diet in a healthy lifestyle, it is probably because these choices are tried and true in more ways than one. If you want to approach the ageing process with grace and dignity, diet and exercise choices must be on the top of your list. When it comes to the food you eat, it is helpful to think “antioxidants” at every turn. We’ve all heard this catch phrase in recent years, but what exactly are these antioxidants that everyone is touting? Our environment is filled with many products and substances that can accelerate the deterioration of our bodies that occurs as a result of the ageing process. These substances are called “free radicals”, and they can be found in everything from environmental pollution and cigarette smoke, to the sun’s rays. Antioxidants are the substances that help to combat these free radicals in the environment, and slow the deterioration, allowing you to age with grace. Antioxidants are found in many types of foods and in green tea. By eating a diet that is high in antioxidants, you can go far in slowing the Ageing process. Antioxidants are found in many of the fruits and vegetables, particularly those that are rich in color. Green tea is another good source of antioxidants, and can work in the cup, as well as an ingredient in your skin care program. Antioxidants can help to keep your skin youthful, and prevent many cancers and other diseases. By adding these important substances to your daily diet, you can go far in your quest to age with grace. Source: www.yourageing.com

USA: AT&T Introduces Wireless Plan for Seniors

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ATT Wireless), October 29, 2007: AT&T has announced a new wireless calling plan for senior consumers aged 65 and older. The new AT&T Senior Nation 200 plan gives a cost-effective solution to stay in touch with friends and family. AT&T's new plan includes 200 Anytime Minutes, 500 Night & Weekend Minutes and unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling for $29.99 a month. AT&T provides service plans that focus on customer value, competitive pricing and convenient ways of keeping in touch," said Andy Wilson, vice president of wireless consumer marketing. "A voice package designed specifically for seniors helps make friends and loved ones across the country seem closer." The Senior National 200 plan is available today. Consumers have a wide variety of traditional consumer handsets to choose from. Proof of age is required at point of sale. © 2003-2007 AT&T Knowledge Ventures.

INDIA: A Little Love Is All They Seek

SHARING THE JOY: With the disintegration of the joint family system, many kids are missing the little joys of life. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

October 1 is International Day of Older Persons, it’s time to show our gratitude to senior citizens. A little love is all they seek, writes B. Madhu Gopal

CHENNAI (The Hindu), September 29, 2007:

A young man deserted his aged mother on a road at Gopalapatnam a few years ago. Her children were well settled in India and abroad. She was from an affluent family and spoke fluent English. “One of my sons left me here and I don’t even kn ow this place,” she told the reporter of a vernacular daily.

After a while she said: “Why do you waste your time on me? You may have to bring your kids from school,” in a bid to send him away.

A pensioner was admitted to an old age home by his sons. When the man turned sick, a good Samaritan of the old age home went to the house of one of his son and informed him of his father’s sickness. “Why did you come here? In what way am I concerned”? The son’s remark stupefied him and he asked: “Whom else should I tell”?

“You talk to the person who had signed on the application when my dad was admitted to your home.”

The home authorities approached the other son and he was ‘kind’ enough to take back his sick father. A few days later, the old age home authorities received a call that an old man was lying dead on the street. The staff of the home later realised that the second son of the pensioner had dumped his father’s body on the road.

A girl, who grew up in an orphanage, secured a job and seemed to have forgotten her past soon after her wedding. The young woman is now pestering her husband to drive out his mother or enroll her in an old age home.

These incidents are a reflection of the disturbing trends in society. It’s not just poverty that makes young men and women to neglect their parents, even middle-class and affluent families are increasingly finding it a burden to look after their aged parents. These young persons should remember that one day or the other they too have to pass through that stage.

There are some who think that money is everything in life. A sizable number of techies, going abroad in search of greener pastures, are leaving their aged parents in old age homes. “My son is bearing the cost of my stay at the home and also sends me money whenever I need it,” the inmate of an old age home said not willing to complain against her son and daughter-in-law. But the grief of not staying with her son and grandchildren was evident in her eyes. No amount of money can buy the love and affection of our near and dear ones.

According to the United Nations Organisation (UNO) statistics, one out of every 10 persons is now 60 years or older. By 2050, one out of five persons and by 2150, one out of three persons is estimated to be over 60 years of age.

Children are more attached to their grandparents than their own parents. Grandparents also love spending time with their children and also have the time at their disposal to take care of them. Young persons should understand that they are depriving the kids of a precious bond by creating walls between their children and grandparents.

“In Japan most young couples understand that they have to take care of their aged parents. They, however, blame it on lack of time and think that enrolling them in old age homes is a better option,” said Ryo Takahashi, Creative Director of the Nippon Care-Fit Service Association (NCSA), who came to the city recently. He underlined the need for senior citizens to understand their worth and have a positive outlook towards life.

A German company is utilising the rich experience of retired persons from different fields to provide professional training to entrepreneurs.

“Children are more interested about their share in property rather than the need to care for their aged parents,” says Prema Samajam secretary M. Satyaraju. The organisation runs a Home for the Aged which has provision to accommodate 40 persons.He expressed serious concern at the disturbing trend and disgust at the growing number of old people begging on the streets. He advocates introduction of the Beggar Act and rehabilitation of such persons in Beggar Homes.

Things have come to such a pass that children staying abroad are calling up Vyasa Murthy, a professional who performs the last rites of individuals, and asking him to perform last rites of their parents who were lodged in old age homes. They were willing shell out huge sums of money but not interested in attending the last rites.

© Copyright 2000 - 2007 The Hindu

CHINA: Men Aren't As Tough As They Think They Are

SHANGHAI, China (China Daily), October 29, 2007: Frailty, thy name is man. So said China's doctors Sunday on the eighth "Men's Health Day". Men in China are widely affected by bad living habits, a lack of awareness about mental and physical health issues, and a lack of exercise. Shan Li, a psychologist with the DRM Professional Counseling, said men are more heavily burdened with "social responsibilities". "They live in poorer 'mental circumstances' and have poorer life quality than women in general, often frustrated but don't feel free to vent their emotions," Shan said. Zhang Kan, a psychologist, said: "Men have shorter life expectancy than women and an undeniable part of the reason lies in the psychology". Professor Gu Jun from the Shanghai University said men frequently are burdened with the pressure of changing social circumstances with work, marriage troubles, and at times difficulties with children. Shanghai Women's Federation (SWF) found that some 20 percent of complaints it received were from men. This has sparked calls from some quarters that there was a need for a federation for men. An unidentified man at a free consultation for women at SWF said he was a victim of domestic violence, and needed help. "There is no such a thing as a men's federation," he said. "So I am here." Other statistics show men have a general laxsidasical attitude towards health issues. Figures from the 411 Hospital in Shanghai showed that 90 percent of men don't know they should or believe they should have an annual health check. Twenty percent of men never do any kind of physical exercise. Many claimed they did not want to exercise because they were busy, tired, or focused too much on other "more important" matters. Men, more than women are also more likely drink, smoke and get ill. Huang Qiming, a urologist with 411 Hospital said occurrences of male diseases such as prostate problems, tumors on the genitals, and male sterility, were rising. Common diseases like cardiovascular problems kill more men than women, Huang said. By Zhang Kun (China Daily) Copyright 1995-2007.

USA: Are Rising Obesity Rates Linked to US Farm Aid?

By Rob Hotakainen, McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON, October 29, 2007:

If you're feeling fat these days, blame Congress.

That's just what the nation's doctors are doing, saying that federal lawmakers are responsible for the fact that a salad costs so much more than a Big Mac.

Hoping to produce thinner waistlines, many doctors - including the American Medical Association - want Congress to stop subsidizing the production of foods that are high in fat and cholesterol and spend more to promote fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains that are not.

Farm Belt lawmakers are on the defensive.

"I agree that obesity and health are serious issues in America today," said Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. "However, blaming the cause on the crops that we grow in Kansas and/or the U.S. farm program is overlooking the personal responsibility we all have in our daily lives and diets."

The debate is intensifying as the Senate prepares to vote on a new farm bill. On Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee approved a bill that would give a record $2 billion for specialty crops, which include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops. That's at least four times as much as what Congress provided in 2002, when it approved the last farm bill.

The 2007 farm bill will determine which food industries get the most help from U.S. taxpayers over the next five years.

"The real scandal in Washington is the farm bill," said Neal Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. "Senators take millions from corporations that produce bacon, burgers and other fatty foods. Then Congress buys up these unhealthy products and dumps them on our school lunch program. Companies get rich, and kids get fat."

Fruit and vegetable growers, who have long felt ignored on Capitol Hill, are confident they'll cash in this year. They want to persuade Congress to broaden subsidies beyond traditional farm crops such as corn, wheat, rice and cotton.

"Our markets are highly volatile, yet we have never relied on traditional farm programs to sustain our industry," said Doug Krahmer, co-owner of Blue Horizon Farms in St. Paul, Ore., which grows blueberries, grass seed, hazelnuts, clover, wheat, flower seeds and flowers. Testifying at a recent congressional field hearing, Krahmer said he supports a future farm policy that will not only support American agriculture but also "will support and encourage the health and well-being of all Americans."

Krahmer noted that on any given day 45 percent of children eat no fruit at all, while 20 percent eat less than one serving of vegetables. All U.S. children would benefit if Congress offered subsidies to lower the prices that consumers pay for fruits and vegetables, he said.

With the nation's obesity rates rising dramatically in recent years, doctors are jumping into the debate with increased fervor.

According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, agribusiness political action committees have given more than $5 million over the past four election cycles to members of the Senate Agriculture Committee. And from 1995 to 2004, nearly three-quarters of farm bill agricultural subsidies for food - or more than $51 billion - went to producers of sugar, oil, meat, dairy, alcohol and feed crops used for cattle and other farm animals. The group said that in 2005 alone, Tyson Foods, the nation's largest meat producer, received $46.6 million in USDA commodity contracts. Less than half of 1 percent subsidized fruit and vegetable production, according to the physicians.

Physicians are alarmed, saying the high-fat, high-cholesterol foods subsidized by the farm bill then find their way into the national school lunch program, contributing to obesity.

Members of Congress have been hearing a similar message from many different quarters this year.

In September, Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, noted that since 1985, the actual price of fruits and vegetables has increased 40 percent, while the price of sugar and fats has declined by 14 percent. He said that "underserved communities cannot be denied access to the same healthy and affordable food that is available to more affluent Americans."

As the Senate prepares to vote on the farm bill, the physicians committee has been running a television advertisement that seeks to link agribusiness and Congress.

Called "Dirty Little Secret," the ad is a spoof of the legal troubles surrounding Idaho Republican Sen. Larry Craig, who pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after an airport bathroom sex sting. In the ad, a well-dressed man in a bathroom stall taps his foot to signal his willingness to receive political contributions from the pork industry.

Childhood obesity and the adult diseases associated with it have reached "epidemic proportions," Barnard said, noting government projections that children born in 2000 now have a one in three lifetime risk of developing diabetes. U.S. farm subsidies ensure that high-fat foods, such as corn syrup and corn oil, are cheap and widely available, while fruits, vegetables and healthier grains are not, he added.

All of the lobbying appears to be paying off.

"We decided that specialty crops needed to be a priority," Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns told the United Fresh Produce Association last month, before he resigned. He told the group that the recently passed House of Representatives farm bill includes $365 million in aid to expand block grants to states for specialty crops. To pay for it, Johanns suggested eliminating subsidies for farmers who earn more than $200,000 per year.

Overall, the House's farm bill, approved in late July, would offer an estimated $1.7 billion for specialty crop programs. House Democrats say their farm bill would spend $400 million more for a fresh fruit and vegetable program for the school-lunch program.

It would expand a program that gives vouchers to low-income elderly people who are eligible for food stamps to buy fresh produce at roadside stands. And it would create a demonstration project to evaluate ways to address obesity among low-income groups.

Agribusiness Contributors
Below are the total contributions made by agribusiness political action committees to members of the Senate Agriculture Committee in the four donation cycles from 2000 to 2006. Please note: These figures do not include campaign contributions from individuals.

Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., $805,359 Ben Nelson, D-Neb., $451,200 Richard Lugar, R-Ind., $418,542 Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., $393,024 Thad Cochran, R-Miss., $390,639 Norm Coleman, R-Minn., $389,366 Max Baucus, D-Mont., $328,058 Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, $322,526 Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, $321,533 Kent Conrad, D-N.D., $320,672 Pat Roberts, R-Kan., $319,034 Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., $267,865 John Thune, R-S.D., $215,650 Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, $193,903 Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., $181,365 Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., $171,746 Ken Salazar, D-Colo., $31,773 Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, $30,250 Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn., $21,800 Bob Casey, D-Pa., $21,000 Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., $0* Total: $5,595,305 Note: Leahy does not accept PAC contributions. However, he does accept other kinds of contributions from agricultural interests.

Source: Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Center for Responsive Politics.

Copyright © 2007The McClatchy Company

U.K.: '10 Elderly Could Die Per Hour' This Winter

LONDON, England (The Telegraph), October 29, 2007: As many as 10 elderly people could die from the cold every hour this winter, according to campaigners who accuse the Government of abandoning a generation of pensioners. The National Pensioners Convention (NPC), Britain's biggest organisation representing older people, said 260,000 people had died of cold-related illnesses in the past decade. The vast majority were over the age of 65. Today it will warn of many more deaths this year, amid forecasts of a colder winter this year than last, and described the lack of Government help for elderly people faced with soaring fuel bills as a national scandal. In the winter of 2004-2005 alone, 31,250 people over 65 died from cold-related illnesses in England and Wales. The NPC said that if that was repeated this year, it would mean the equivalent of 10 pensioners dying per hour. The NPC's warning comes as the Met Office predicts a colder winter than last year. A forecaster said: "Although a winter milder than the 1971-2000 average is favoured, temperatures are likely to be lower than those experienced in the very mild winter last year." Critics say many elderly people are suffering unnecessarily because the Government has not raised the winter fuel payment — £200 for those aged 60-79 and £300 for the over-80s — for four years, whereas electricity prices have risen by 32 per cent and gas by 48 per cent in that period. Last week the Department of Health published its tips for the elderly to keep warm including suggestions such as not using a hot water bottle and electric blanket at the same time because "you might electrocute yourself", and putting on "a good coat, hat, scarf and gloves when you go outside". Neil Duncan-Jordan, the national officer for the NPC, called the advice insulting and patronising. By Sarah Womack, Social Affairs Correspondent Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited

USA: Elderly Couple Get Hotel Stay For Price They Paid In 1947: $10

SUITE DEAL: $1,600 room for $9: Honeymoon Couple stay in Palmer House penthouse for what they paid 60 years ago, reports Norman Parish

CHICAGO (Chicago Sun-Times), October 28, 2007:

About 60 years ago, Larry and Miriam Orenstein paid just more than $9 a night for their honeymoon stay at the downtown Palmer House Hotel. This weekend, they were charged nearly the same price -- $9.90 per day.

The Orensteins, both 81, sit in the master bedroom of their Palmer House penthouse suite Friday. The 2,600-square-foot suite has three bedrooms. “This is bigger than our home,” Miriam Orenstein said. (Thomas Delaney Jr./Sun-Times)

The suburban Milwaukee couple were taking advantage of the hotel's offer that charges decades-old prices to people who stayed there at least half a century ago.

Participants, however, must surrender their old receipts to Palmer House managers to receive the deal.

"I feel wonderful," said Larry Orenstein, as he relaxed in the hotel's penthouse suite with his wife, who like him is 81 years old.

"I feel 2 years old," he said.

The Palmer House, which opened 136 years ago, has offered reduced prices since about 1925, said hotel spokesman Ken Price. But during the last 25 years, the offer has only been taken advantage of seven or eight times, Price said.

"A lot of people just don't have their original receipts," Price said.

The Orensteins, however, kept all types of items from their 1947 wedding, including some programs.

75 cents for radio

Because the couple had been married so long, Price said the hotel also decided to add a few perks -- including the penthouse suite, which normally costs $1,600 a night. The couple also got free dinner Friday night.

On Friday, the couple from Fox Point, just north of Milwaukee, were picked up in a limousine from a son's home in Glencoe and chauffeured to the landmark hotel at State and Monroe.

Their room, a 2,600-square-foot suite, had a living room, dining room, three bedrooms, a conference room and several bathrooms.

Sixty years ago, their honeymoon had been spent in a single room, which at the time included charges of 75 cents for a radio and 72 cents for laundry service.

"This is bigger than our home," Miriam Orenstein said Friday night.

What did they do with all that space?

The couple entertained a son, daughter-in-law and grandson for dinner at the hotel's expense.

"It has been just unbelievable," Miriam Orenstein said.

"We are just surprised and shocked. What a nice present!"

Incidentally, the couple didn't even have to foot the $9.90-a-night tab for their room.

Ze Orenstein, their 12-year-old grandson, picked up the bill.

© Copyright 2007 Digital Chicago, Inc.

INDIA: Ambani, 50, Elbows Out Gates To Become World's Richest

UP, UP AND AWAY: The net worth of Mukesh Ambani rose to $63.2 billion on Monday.

NEW DELHI (IBNLive - PTI), October 29, 2007:

Chairman of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Mukesh Ambani on Monday became the richest person in the world, surpassing American software czar Bill Gates, Mexican business tycoon Carlos Slim Helu and investment guru Warren Buffett, courtesy the bull run in India's stock market.

Mukesh Ambani (Born April 19, 1957 in Aden, Yemen) is the chairman, managing director and the largest shareholder of Reliance Industries, India's largest private sector company and a Fortune 500 Company.

Following a strong share price rally on today in his three group companies – India's most valued firm Reliance Industries, Reliance Petroleum and Reliance Industrial Infrastructure Ltd – the net worth of Ambani rose to $63.2 billion (Rs 2,49,108 crore).

In comparison, the net worth of both Gates and Slim is estimated to be slightly lower at around $62.29 billion each, with Slim leading among the two by a narrow margin.

Warren Buffett, earlier the third richest in the world, also dropped one position with a net worth of about $56 billion.

Ambani's wealth of about Rs 2,49,000 crore includes about Rs 2,10,000 crore from RIL (50.98 per cent stake), Rs 37,500 crore from RPL (37.5 per cent) and Rs 2,100 crore from RIIL (46.23 per cent).

Slim's wealth has been calculated on the basis of his stake in companies like America Movil (30 per cent), Carso Global (82 per cent), Grupo Carso (75 per cent), Inbursa (67 per cent), IDEAL (30 per cent) and Saks Inc (10 per cent).

According to information available with the US and Mexican stock exchanges where these companies are listed, Slim currently holds shares worth a total of $62.2993 billion, with more than half coming from Latin American mobile major America Movil. Slim is closely followed by Gates with a net worth of $62.29 billion currently.

UPDATE: This report has not been confirmed by Mukesh Ambani or Reliance Industries

INDIA: Seniors Group Gets Rs.100,000 Grant From Local MP

MOHALI (The Tribune, Chandigarh), October 29, 2007: The month-long celebrations of International Day of Older Persons ended here on Sunday with the Mohali Senior Citizens’ Association organising a celebration at the Shivalik Public School. Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Ropar, Mr. Sukhdev Singh Libra, complimented the members for organising these month-long activities. He announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the association. Copyright : The Tribune Trust, 2006.

INDIA: Lala Is A Young Man of 82

EVERYDAY HEROES: Serving Seniors With Dignity MUMBAI (The Indian Express), October 29, 2007: What happens when a young boy, born and bred in Karachi, is thrown out of his country during the riots due to cruelty beyond his understanding? He comes to Dehradoon, becomes a scientific officer with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest… retires, then comes to Mumbai just to face a fresh flurry of bloodbath again. So, finally, he decides to give up his business to his brother, and devote his time towards making the city a better place to live in. That, in short, is the history of octogenarian M K Lala, currently living in Yari Road, Andheri, and actively involved in a host of social service activities. Be it helping the aged through Dignity Foundation (he is joint chief dignitarian in the foundation), promoting communal harmony through mohalla committees, or cleaning up the city through the Bruhan Mumbai Municipal Corporations’s civic service wings, Lala is always leading from the forefront. “I am a young man of 82, you see,” he says, adding that members of the Dignity Foundation are forbidden to think of themselves as aged. Not that age really shows on him. Currently, Lala is working towards attending calls on the foundation helpline, where senior citizens from all over the city call for myriad reasons. “Their issues are numerous: like wanting someone to take them to the doctor, or a torturous daughter-in-law, we attend to all of them,” he says. The issuing of senior citizens’ identity cards, approved by the Government of Maharashtra has been another move of the foundation that he has been associated with. As a civic service member, Lala has led numerous drives to clean the city. He has often prodded the BMC for better roads and essential services. “In 1994, after the riots, I decided to give up my business (that he joined after retiring as scientific officer), and do something for the betterment of everybody. After all, money is not everything. There’s something called peace of mind, and that is very important to me. So I decided, enough is enough. My pension is enough to sustain me,” says the effervescent “young man”. Lala considers himself an optimist, and sees a lot of promise in the young India . However, just before signing off, he says, “Everybody lives for oneself, but the youth should think of helping others. This gives enormous peace of mind, and will definitely lead to a prosperous life. Hankering after money is not the solution.” © 2007 Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Ltd.

INDIA: "Twice As Nice!" Exclaims 72-Year Old Salim Khan

TWICE AS NICE! Seventy-two year old celebrity screenplay writer Salim Khan takes a walk down the memory lane and shares the secret about living in harmony with his two wives, Salma and Helen, reports Sapana Patil Poojary.

Celebrity Duo: Film script writer Salim Khan (right), and his super star son Salman Khan.

MUMBAI,(Daily News & Analysis),
October 28, 2007:
Salman Khan once remarked that his father, Salim Khan had a good taste in women. Remind Salim about this and he bursts out laughing. But he cannot help but admit that his son’s view is actually an universal truth for all men. “Anybody who says that he is not interested in good looking women is either lying or there’s something that is grossly wrong with him. In my opinion, women are the most beautiful and interesting creations in this world. They must be adored and respected at the same time,” says Salim.

We then go on to prod Salim to open up about his two beautiful wives, Salma and Helen. “I’m lucky that I have two wives and that they live in harmony. Never mind if that happened a after a few years later (there were some initial bad vibes between Salma and Helen). My wives are good-looking and now they are ageing gracefully,” Salim says.

Surprisingly, Salim still regards falling in love twice, as one beautiful accident that is too good to be true. "Falling in love twice was a beautiful accident that happened to me. I have survived that accident! Though I wouldn’t recommend it as an ideal way of living. Normally it doesn’t work."

Salim continues on a humourous note:

“One speaks a lie under two circumstances. When you earn and lie about it to the Income Tax department. And when you have an affair and lie to your wife. I have lied in both cases. Not otherwise. I am attached to both of them. I love and respect both of them. They also have the same feelings towards me.”

But living in harmony with two wives is something that Salim Khan would not recommend for anybody else. “There is nothing like an ideal situation. There is no ideal job and no ideal wife. We have to look at a situation objectively and adjust ourselves accordingly.”

Rare shot: Seen with his two loves Helen and Salma, is Salim Khan.

© 2005-2007 Diligent Media Corporation Ltd.
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Salim Khan was born in November 24, 1935, in Indore, India. His father was a police officer; his mother died when he was still young.

In 1964, Salim Khan married a non-Muslim woman, a Hindu from Maharashtra. She changed her name from Sushila to Salma when she married. Salma's Hindu family was unhappy that she had married a Muslim. Her father refused to speak to Salim or Salma for seven years after the wedding.

Salim and Salma have had four children: Salman (b. 1965), Arbaaz (b. 1967), Sohail (b. 1970), Alvira. They also adopted a daughter named Arpita.

In the late 1970s, Salim took a second wife, the dancer/actress Helen, who lives in a separate household. Relations between his two families were rumoured to have been tense at first, but Salim's children by his first wife are now said to be fond of his second wife as well.

INDIA: Delhi Has Fun On The Run, Celebs Join Seniors

NEW DELHI (CNN-IBN), October 29, 2007:

Delhi was on the run on Sunday morning in the city's third Half Marathon – the richest in the world, with a prize money of $1,60,000.

There were four events for around 30,000 people. And taking the lead were senior citizens and disabled people with a spirit that could give most a run for their money. "Today I have forgotten I am 54 years old. Honestly I am enjoying thoroughly,” said a participant.

Around 2,300 runners took part in the senior citizens' run, 7,000 for the half-marathon, 200 for the wheelchair event and 18,500 people participated in the Great Delhi Run.

Some 41 corporate houses pledged to raise over Rs.12 million for charity during the event. The event also saw a battery of celebrities cheering on the participants. Leading lady Priyanka Chopra, former actress Tina Ambani and bad man Gulshan Grover flagged off the first race. And former cricket captain Rahul Dravid made a reticent but encouraging appearance. Model and actor Milind Soman actually took part in the race.

The politicians turned up too, but why weren't they running? "You cannot recognise the politicians because they are wearing clothes like the others,” said MP & President, IOA, Suresh Kalmadi.

By Jemima Rohekar / CNN-IBN

AUSTRALIA: Vegetarian Diet Is Nuts, Concludes Study

Well rounded ..
variety is the key to a healthy diet.
Photo: Marco del Grande

MELBOURNE (The Age), October 28, 2007:

Vegetarians must double their portion size and kilojoule intake to achieve recommended daily levels of iron, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, a study has found. Substituting foods such as nuts, seeds and legumes for a meat, chicken and fish-based diet can lead to a dangerous shortfall in essential nutrients, particularly for pregnant and menstruating women, the study found.

Study author Professor Katrine Baghurst, from the department of medicine at the University of Adelaide, said the findings had implications for Australian dietary guidelines, which groups "meats and alternatives" together.

"People need to be aware that they should not simply substitute a portion of a plant-based food for a portion of meat and expect to receive the same nutritional benefits," she said.

"Legumes, nuts and seeds undoubtedly provide valuable nutrients and variety should be included in a healthy diet, but our data shows they are not direct substitutes for foods of animal origin."

The study was funded by Meat and Livestock Australia and will be published in Nutrition And Dietetics next month. It analysed 10 diets based on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.

In each, a serving of meat was exchanged for a serving of chicken, fish, legumes, nuts or seeds.

Computer simulation found that even though a diet with plant alternatives provided the same amount of protein, it did not meet the recommended dietary intake for vitamin B12 and long chain omega-3s in all people, for zinc in men and pregnant women, and iron in women.

For example, to absorb the required iron and zinc from pine nuts, peanuts and sunflower seeds, 50percent more kilojoules would need to be consumed than the equivalent meat serving in the guidelines, she said.

Vegetarian Network Victoria president Mark Berriman disputed the findings. He said many other studies had linked a vegetarian diet to health benefits, such as a lower risk of developing heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis.

"The average person on a Western diet is the one who needs to be looking at whether they're getting the right nutrients," Mr Berriman said. Another study found that zinc protects against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the nation's main cause of blindness.

A study of 3654 people in the Blue Mountains conducted over 10 years found those with a zinc intake of 15.8milligrams per day - equivalent to a 200-gram grilled rump steak - were significantly less likely to develop AMD than those who had a lower intake.

The Centre for Vision Research at the University of Sydney also found a diet high in lutein and zeaxanthin - present in green beans, silver beet, broccoli and eggs - protected against AMD, which affects one in seven Australians aged over 50.

By Louise Hall, Health Reporter
Copyright © 2007. The Age Company Ltd

INDIA: Neglected Man Can Deny Son Property, Rules Supreme Court

He can execute will in favour of caring relatives -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cancer patient had to place faith only in those who were looking after him He lived for seven years after executing will, but did not change it -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW DELHI (The Hindu), October 28, 2007: A father neglected by his son for a number of years is legally entitled to execute a will bequeathing his property in favour of his near relatives and deny him his due share, the Supreme Court has held. The deprivation by the testator to his natural legal heirs in itself will not lead to a conclusion that there is suspicion in the will executed by him, said a Bench consisting of Justices S.B. Sinha and H.S. Bedi. It upheld the execution of a will by Sankaran Nair bequeathing his property to his sister’s children. His reason for denying his son, Madhavan Nair, a share in the property was that he neglected him (Sankaran Nair) when he was suffering from cancer and only his nephew and nieces took care of him. Following differences with his wife Nanikutty Amma, Sankaran Nair was staying with his sister and her children, who met the entire cost of his treatment. He died in 1978. The wife, son and daughters of Madhavan Nair contested the will contending that its execution was surrounded by suspicious circumstances. It was alleged that the beneficiaries took an active role in its execution. While the trial court decreed in favour of Madhavan Nair’s family, the Kerala High Court reversed the order. Nothing suspicious Dismissing the appeal by Madhavan Nair’s family against this judgment, the Bench said, “We do not find in the fact situation obtaining herein that any such suspicious circumstance was existing.” Son did not even meet father Writing the judgment, Justice Sinha said, “The son was not meeting his father. He had not been attending to him. He was not even meeting the expenses for his [Sankaran Nair’s] treatment from 1959, when he lost his job, till his death in 1978. The testator was living with his sister and her children. If in that situation, if he executed a will in their favour, no exception thereto can be taken. Even then, something was left for the appellant son.” Being totally dependent on the respondents, Sankaran Nair, suffering from cancer, was “bound to place implicit faith and confidence only in those who had been looking after him. The will was admittedly registered. The testator lived for seven years after the execution of the will. He could have changed his mind; he did not. The very fact that he did not take any step for cancellation of the will is itself a factor which the court may take into consideration for the purpose of upholding the same.” By Legal Correspondent © Copyright 2000 - 2007 The Hindu