Now saving lives can keep you healthy

India witnessed over 2 lakh road fatalities in 2012 alone. Add to that the number of patients suffering from various other ailments and the amount of blood required for transfusions in the country becomes infinite.

Though medicine has progressed in leaps and bounds over the last few centuries, blood is still something that cannot be synthetically manufactured, and so, we as citizens must come together to save lives.

Apart from the psychological benefit of helping your fellow man, there are proven health benefits for those who donate blood:

1.  Every pint of blood donated results in burning of 650 calories.

2    2.  For those with high iron levels, drawing blood reduces the risk of heart attack.

3.  Consistent blood donation is associated with lowered risks of cancers, including liver, lung, colon, stomach and throat cancers.

4.      Free health check-ups are done to ensure that the donor is healthy.

5.      Donating blood helps to stimulate the production of new blood cells.

After donating blood, the body replaces all of the blood volume within 48 hours, and all the red blood cells within four to eight weeks.

If interested, you can get in touch with Blood Aid, which works throughout the nation to connect blood donors and patients in need.

You can sign up with them here: http://bloodaid.com/donate/#.Uoxb_cSmjAE

Happy Life Saving J

5 reasons to drive slow on a winter night

Winters are here and who doesn’t enjoy a long drive to find that special tea & snack. But we should remember to be cautious while taking our loved ones out on a chilly winter night.

Here’s why:

1.The fog as we all knows severely affects visibility. Driving slowly gives us the extra time to take necessary measures in case of dangerous surprises.

2    2.  In India, statistics suggest that most of the fatal accidents happen during the night time (chances of an accident increases by 300% during night time). Stay alert while driving at night, which means, of course, do not drink and drive.

3    3. In big cities, fog is even denser thanks to the pollutants in the air as polluted water droplets no longer remain as translucent as normal water, making the conditions tougher than we think.

4    4.  Some people have the habit of driving with the parking lights on giving the illusion of a halted car and resulting in road tragedies. Driving slowly would allow time to manoeuvre the vehicle under such circumstances.

5    5. Our body too becomes slow to react under cold conditions. Accelerating, braking, and manoeuvring becomes more laborious than usual. Hence, driving slowly helps off-set these limitations to a great extent.

It would be best not to move on a fog-filled night unless absolutely necessary. Also, keep your vehicle well-maintained to greet the winters.

Happy a happy winter J

Letter to the CEO

ZHL participated in the CII & SMU 2^nd Edition of the Inclusive Innovation Summit 2013 on Monday, October 28, 2013, and one of the attendees graciously wrote to us with his appreciation for the work Ziqitza does in emergency healthcare services.

 Find the excerpts of the letter below:

Dear Sweta, 

It was a pleasure to hear from you as one of the speakers at the Inclusive Innovation Summit 2013.

For me, the forum successfully brought together leaders from across a spectrum of industries to share their expertise. It was a session worth attending. I and my fellow audience members were inspired by the wide range of innovations we covered.

I would like to take this opportunity to especially mention that it was a pleasure to hear your take on improving emergency healthcare across the nation and how it becomes beneficial to all stakeholders, including the society at large. I believe ZHL’s business model deserved every bit of the standing ovation you received from the crowd.

Wishing you all the best for future endeavours.

Ms. Sweta Mangal addressing the Summit

Ms. Sweta Mangal discussing ZHL's key business innovation model

Celebrating the true essence of festival season

One of the most auspicious times in Hindu mythology is here. As we celebrate the victory of good over evil with Dusshera on 14^th October, 2013, it will soon give way to the arrival of Lord Rama to Ayodhya during Diwali , the festival of lights. As entire country looks forward to these occasions with excitement and anticipation, these festivals also brings with them the lessons of life that lead to path of contentment and fulfilment. Here’s how:

1.       1.Planning: One cannot achieve one’s goals in life based on desires or skills alone. It requires planning at every stage of life. Lord Rama conquered Lanka and achieved victory over mighty Ravana on the basis of careful strategy, addition to tremendous skill & power.

2.       2. Teamwork: Lord Rama didn’t conquer Lanka alone. He had a team that was focused on the single goal, conquering Lanka. The team supported him at every stage of the task and provided valuable information & inputs when needed.

3.      3.  Helping others: Though Lord Rama was supreme, he always went that extra mile in helping others & expecting nothing in return. The good deeds always found a way to return to him & help him in a time of need.

4.     4.  Respect lives: Lord Rama knew he would defeat Ravana, but he first gave him many chances to mend his ways & settle the issue amicably. He knew quarrels, fights & wars are the order of last resort and should be avoided as much as possible.

5.     5.  Values: He always gave family & family values prime importance. Be it respect towards elders, women or people younger to him, he was a symbol of righteousness, which helped him achieved the greatness in life he deserved.

Hence, apart from dedicating certain days to the festivals, their essence should be celebrated on a daily basis by applying the lessons to our lives and achieving a life of contentment, peaceful harmony & co-existence.