Month / June 2017

by Manmohan Dhar

Greenacres Adult Day Care  Inspiration To Live.

Adult Day Care centers are the facilities for senior people and those who, for one reason or the other,  are unable to manage themselves, and their families need to devote their time to other important assignments at hand.

Very recently I got the opportunity to visit, one such centers, the Greenacres. Adult Day Care,  in West Palm Beach, Florida USA. And believe me it was altogether a new world to me.

I was amazed to see a place, where  people of different physical and mental disabilities are being taken care of, by a very well organized and professionally equipped team of care takers, including the center owners.

The property is amazingly furnished with state of art  ambience, infrastructure and other facilities necessary for a professionally run adult day care center.

On top of it, the personalized care of participants by the center owners, was something that added to the credibility of the center as the pioneer in the region.

The founder and CEO of the facility Sam Zutshi asserted that though they draw a very special feeling out of what they do at the center, but for running such a show successfully, one has to put in a lot of toil and hard work.

 Sam, while enlightening me on the system of working in these centers said that Dealing with people of altogether different states of mind, and different genders and age groups,  you need to be passionate and at the same time tough, energetic, agile and determined. You also need to have a professional know how and leadership qualities to maintain a sound balance between the participants and the staff.

Catering and hygiene has to be up to the prescribed standards of the agency which regulates these centers, said the CEO.

Besides fulfilling all homely routine requirements of the participants, like food and hygiene, attention has to be paid to all other things, which can add to the happiness, comfort and involvement of the participants, they have to provide amusement activities and some interesting indoor sports activities, added the Co founder and MD, Neil Zutshi.

While I was being taken around the center, I happened to see one of the most important person on the property, Ms.Sandy Mistry, who I was told holds the key position in the center and that she is the back bone and the ultimate driving force for the smooth running of the center.

While having a short interface with Sandy, I could feel her utmost sadness and regret about not getting her parents to the center. And they would live more, she said.

She went on expressing her special gratitude to Sam Zutshi, who put her in the all important position at the center, as she said that during her 25 years of experience in healthcare, she found herself at home at the Greenacres adult day Care center. 

I could see a passionate and  a dedicated  person in Sandy Mistry.

“Definitely, with selfless people like Sandy, on our side, we can go places,” asserted the enthusiastic CEO.

While talking to some of the participants at the facility, I was pleased to know that all of them were of the opinion that Sunrise adult day Care was a home away from home, to them.

One of the participants, Margie who  is 100 years old  said that she would not be at a better place than Greenacres. Her family after a thorough research, found this wonderful place for her, she said.

Stephanie, another participant at the center is blind and when I asked her about how she felt at the center, she overwhelmingly said that she could see everything with the eyes of the center owners, staff, nurses and fellow participants. She said doctors are hopeful of getting her sight back.

When asked what would she do the first thing after getting her sight back, she said she would first like to see the center owners, who according to her are the most friendly people she ever knew.

Karen, another participant, was all praise for the nurse  Sammie, but she equally liked the other nurse Nancy as well, she whispered.

She had some suggestions for more games, puzzles and DVD’s to be acuired at the center, for more fun and movies. She said she has her sister and brother-in-law to take care of at their place, but she likes to spend more time at the center. Her mother died 4 years back and she never saw her father who lives in New Jersey.

I could very easily make out, after interviewing them, that Greenacres adult day Care center, is what could be the ultimate destination for them.
What puzzled me a lot, was the magic show performed for the participants and the staff and nurses, by the CEO himself. This was something that held everyone  spell bound.

Sam Zutshi, who himself happens to be an ace magician and illusionist, brought a special feeling of joy and happiness to everyone at the center through his mesmirizing magic tricks and mind boggling illusions. And when asked about the show he put in for the amusement of the participants and the staff, he said that he draws pleasure and satisfaction,  out of everything he does for them. They are the source of strength for him, he asserted.

When asked about the future plans and upcoming activities which could be helpful for making the center more popular and people friendly, the founder director and CEO wasted no time in aprising me of very well thought plans, like taking the participants to outdoor trips, close to nature and also places of interest for them. 

Mr. Zutshi said he would like to take the participants and the staff to wild life centuries, museums, historical monuments,sea beaches and various other places of interest, in and around Florida. This to me was definitely something innovative of the CEO.

Well, All I could learn, as a keen observer, was that if you are instrumental in bringing​ an unending happiness to the people who need care and revive an inspiration in them to live, you are definitely doing a great service to the Mankind.

The agencies which are responsible for the smooth running of these people friendly centers, need to be  working in close coordination  and with  a sense of belongingness, as a large part of the society is directly associated with these centers.Especially those, who want to take a very good care of their dear ones, but due to their pre occupations and personal constraints can not do so, and are obligated to put them in day care centers, so that they get a homely feeling and are safe and secure.



by Manmohan Dhar

America, Americans… Awesome

Well, these 3A’s mean a lot to those who know America and the people of America.

You might be living in any part of the world, and obviously that might be the most beautiful place on Earth for you to live in. But, believe me if you don’t come to America even though for a smaller period of time you would be definitely missing a very amazing and wonderful experience,that could have come your way.

America is awesome. I mean this part of the world has everything to offer, be it infrastructure, physical systems e.g transportation, communication, water, sewage, electrical system and on top of it the the information technology putting everything in order.

God has been equally kind to this part of the planet, bestowing upon it the bounties of nature.

Americans are awesome. Well, you ask me, and I would say, yes that is correct. You might have come across different sections of society, all over the globe and they might be good. But, americans, trust me, they are awesome. Be it the sense of responsibility, the Civic sense, the attiquettes, the belongingness and most importantly the responsibility towards nation. Everything is amazing with the Americans.

When I say Americans are awesome I don’t offend someone for not being an American.

Well, as Americans you will be proud about yourself and your country, which I am sure you should be.

I am an Indian, I too love my country, and I am proud to be an Indian.

We all ought to love our country and be proud of it.

by Manmohan Dhar

Kashmir in a grip of terror… Still a Paradise On Earth.

By Manmohan Dhar.

With its flushing Meadows, scenic bounties, beautiful gardens, vast green lakes, snowy mountains, chinar, pine and deodar trees, the valley of Kashmir, undoubtedly happens to be the paradise on Earth. But, this paradise has literally been reduced to no less than a hell, due to Pakistan sponsored terrorism.

Government of India is leaving no stone unturned in bringing the glory back to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Needless to mention that Kashmir is an integral part of India, in its totality, and this has been made amply clear to the International community by the most dynamic and energetic Prime Minister of India Mr. Narinder Modi.

But Bhartiya Janta party, to which the PM belongs, is under a tremendous pressure and has received criticism from all quarters, in so far as its political alliance with the local political party, the People’s democratic party, is concerned.

Since the coalition Govt., came into power in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the state has seen a tremendous amount of development on infrastructural front, in the shape of roads Bridges, tunnels and train tracks minimizing the distances and connecting the valley with rest of the country. But, at the same time it has also gone through a series of setbacks on the socio political and the economic front, which can be attributed to the unending trail of terror in the valley.

Govt. of India, in a gesture of Goodwill, gives 10% of its total central funds to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, which has just 1% of the total population of the country. And this, by all stats, happens to be a huge financial support, the state is enjoying, leaving behind all other states, including the state of Uttar Pradesh, the largest state of the union of India. Still the development, eludes the state on all fronts. What is the modus operandi of utilizing funds, by the state administration, is a million-dollar question.

On the political front the state has always suffered the most. The govt. is losing its grip on the administration. And the people in turn are losing faith in the government. There is a drastic administrative stalemate prevailing in the state. And this political void has not only been unable to curb Pakistan sponsored terrorism but has inadvertently paved way for a much aggressive terrorism in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

From the last six months now, Pakistan sponsored terrorism is at its peak, in the form of ceasefire violations wherein terrorists are being given cover fire in a bid to sneak and infiltrate into Kashmir, killing local people and army personnel in the bargain, resulting in retaliatory fire by Indian forces, which Pakistan terms as Indian aggression and unsuccessfully defames India internationally.

Terrorists attack police, para military and armed forces, hurl grenades, open fire on innocent people. They set ablaze the educational institutions and public property.

Religious places have been razed to ground. Religious sentiments are hurt day in and day out.

Separatist groups and militant organizations receive funds through illegal means. A large chunk of which is used to perpetuate terrorism. Working on the behest of Pakistan, they instigate young girls and boys to take it to streets and throw stones at the security forces who guard the interests of the people of the state. And when army takes action, they call it human rights violation.

The separatist forces, through their stubborn attitude and the support they are getting from the neighboring country, have ruined the state politics and made almost an unrepairable dent on the state economy. And this has been the state of affairs from the last 27 years, when mass Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits took place, in a bid to make Kashmir an Islamic entity free from minority Hindus rendering them refugee in their own country. Separatists want a plebiscite as per the UN Security council resolution 1948.

But, to this India says that the resolution has lost its enforceability and credibility and stands null and void. And this narrative puts Pakistan in a state of frustration, resulting in its plot to web nefarious designs to keep India in a state of political instability and at the same time create unrest in otherwise a peaceful state, which once was considered to be paradise on Earth.

But, if good sense prevails upon Pakistan leadership, and it gives up its illogical stand on Kashmir, there is definitely going to be Peace in the region, which is in the interest of both the countries.

Pakistan has to realize and realize very fast, India’s stand on Kashmir that if there is any issue that is to be resolved between the two countries is the Part of Kashmir which is under the illegal occupation of Pakistan, and has to be returned to India, through bilateral dialogue.

Coming to Kashmir, Thanks to the proactive leadership of Prime Minister Narinder Modi the state is on the path of progress, and slowly but surely heading towards normalcy.

No matter, how long it takes Pakistan to realize, Kashmir will continue to be the integral part of India in its totality.

And let it go out loud and clear that Kashmir is the paradise and Kashmir will continue to be the paradise on Earth.

All kashmeer for all kashmeeries will be very soon a reality, with Hindus and Muslims living together in peace brotherhood and Amity working shoulder to shoulder towards the progress of the state in particular and that of the country in general.