email from Kamalini Kanapathippillai.
Well, it is surprising
to know that these vegetables that we use to add flavour and aroma to the
dish have many health benefits. If eaten raw, onion and garlic can be really
good for the body. Raw onions have sulphur compounds and essential vitamins
that can be best consumed raw. If cooked, the essential nutrients and vitamins
get lost. So, if you love onion salad, here are few good reasons to have it
regularly.
Health benefits of
eating raw onions:
Cures
constipation:
The fibre in raw onions
help flush out toxins and hard food particles that get stuck in the
intestines. If you are suffering from constipation, have raw onions.
An Ayurveda medicine
for sore throat:
If you are suffering
from cold, cough and a sore throat, have fresh onion juice. Add jaggery or
honey to the onion juice.
Remedy for bleeding
problems:
Have a bleeding nose or
suffer from piles? Have raw onions. It is one simple and effective home
remedy to cure piles naturally. To cure a bleeding nose, cut a raw onion and
smell it for some time. The white onions can help cure bleeding problems.
Controls
diabetes:
This is one of the
health benefits of eating raw onions. If consumed raw, onions increase the
production of insulin. So, if you are diabetic, you have a good reason to
munch crisp raw onion salad regularly.
Protects the
heart:
Regular consumption of
raw onion protects the heart from coronary diseases. It controls high blood
pressure and also opens blocked arteries. This is one of the known health
benefits of eating raw onions.
Controls cholesterol
levels:
The small herbaceous
plant vegetable has a very good health benefit for obese people and heart
patients. Raw onions control cholesterol by reducing the bad cholesterol
(LDL) levels. It has methylallyl sulphide as well as the sulphur-containing
amino-acids that lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol (HDL)
levels.
Prevents growth of
cancer cells:
Onion is rich in
sulphur compounds. Sulphur protects the body from stomach, colon, breast,
lung and prostate cancer and prevents the growth of cancer cells. It also
helps cure urinary tract disorders.
Treats anaemia:
We often see tears
flowing from the eyes while chopping onions. The sulphur-containing oils and
organic sulphides lead to tears once it enters the nostrils. These oils help
treat anaemia. Note that the oils and the effect of organic sulphides reduce
when the onions are cooked. So, to treat anaemia, have raw onions.
These are few health
benefits of eating raw onions. You can have raw onions in sandwiches, mix
with your vegetable salad or use as toppings for hamburgers and chaats. To
prevent the strong and pungent mouth odour of raw onions, brush your teeth
and have some mouth fresheners like cardamom or clove.
|
This blog is about the entrants in the year 1960, to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ceylon, Colombo. The email address for communications is, 1960batch@gmail.com. Please BOOKMARK this page for easier access later.Photo is the entrance porch of the old General Hospital, Colombo, still in existence. Please use the search box below to look for your requirement.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Benefits of Eating Raw Onions.
'GOIGAMA LANSIYAS'
email from Gunsie
Received
from a classmate of mine!
Following
is an interesting piece by former Sri Lankan (Sinhala) DIG of Police now
domiciled in Canada:
Recently
I enjoyed reading a lively discussion in a newspaper about the ‘Govigama
Burghers’.
The
first time I heard the term ‘Govigama Lansia’ being used in lighter vein was by
my cousin the late Neville Algama. He referred to his friend and classmate at
Royal College V.T. Dickman as ‘Govigama Lansia’.
Siva
Rajaratnam that affable Attorney- at- law who hailed from Trincomalee became a
dear friend of mine after he cross-examined me for several days before the
Sansoni Commission. He too had been a classmate of Dickman’s.
In
1980 when I was the DIG–Metropolitan, Siva invited me to his Royal College
batch mates’ annual get-together at his Wellawatta Rohini Road residence as the
guest of honour, although I was not from that Reid Avenue school.
Among
others present on this occasion were Neville Algama and Nissanka Wijeratne who
was then a cabinet minister.
When
V.T. Dickman arrived it was Nissanka Wijeratne who announced aloud, “Here comes
the Govigama Lansia!”
Dickman was surprised to see his superior officer seated next to the minister.
My instant reaction was to loudly observe, “Sir, Vernon is only one of the many Govigama Lansias in the Police.”
Such
terms were freely used by friends in the company of Sinhalese, Tamils, Burghers
and Muslims. That was indeed the wonderful spirit of the time.
Perhaps,
many today do not know that a common party song of the time sung by all had
words such as “Sinhalaya modaya, kevun kanna yodaya, Demalaya, panankottaya,
Thambiya, hambaya, Lansia, kerapotha etc.”
Songs of this nature brought the youth of different communities together.
There
was no animosity whatsoever.
The term ‘Govigama Lansia’ was certainly complimentary. It was applicable in full measure to the many burgher gentlemen that formed the backbone of the Ceylon Police that I joined as an ASP in 1958.
At that time there were only about sixty Senior Gazetted Officers. Of these senior officers there were many burghers. Almost all of them became my good friends.
The Officer’s Mess on Brownrigg Road with Jamis the butler in attendance, was the pleasant meeting place particularly during the week-ends.
Wilhellem Leembrugen was one of the three DIGs, Cecil Wambeek, Richard Arndt, Harry Vanden Driesen and Jack Vansanden were Superintendents.
The Burgher ASPs were Fred Brohier, R.A. Stork, Ian Vanden Driesen, Ainsley Batholemeuz, Royden Vanderwall, Allen Flamer-Caldera and Paddy Sims.
There were many Govigama Lansias among the inspectorate too.
Those that readily come to mind are: V.T. Dickman, Taylor, Rosairo, Pietersz, the Balthazar brothers, Eddie Gray, Barney Henricus, Dick Hopman, Derrick and Hague Christofelsz, Thomas, Sweetie Weber, Ron Jansz, Dudley Von Haght, Barthelot, Vernon Elias, Mike Schokman, Brindley Stava and Gerry Paul.
The Burgher community was so respected and widespread that many had been recruited as constables. They had the distinct advantage of the ability to work in English.
The sergeants and constables of the time were very important public officials that functioned at grass roots level in the villages. As an ASP fifty years ago, there were many Police stations where sergeants were the OICs that came under my purview. Sergeants Pietersz and Whatmore were excellent court officers.
Even lawyers and magistrates respected their knowledge of the law. Of course, Derrick Christofelsz, the Chief Inspector of the Colombo Magistrates’ Court was highly regarded by judges and lawyers. When he walked into the court house he drew the attention a Queen’s Counsel would have drawn.
It is with nostalgia that I recall the names of burgher constables who served under me in different police districts in the late fifties and the sixties. The names that come to mind are Ryde, Leitch, Hesse Leiton, Hendrick, Hingert, Koelmeyer, Raymond, lsaacs and Wally Bastian the reputed exponent of true Portuguese Kaffringha music. He was one of the few talented officers who kept the Colombo Police ‘Traffic Circus’ alive in the sixties.
The ‘Lansias’ of the police were truly ‘Govigama Lansias’. They undoubtedly enjoyed a place of honour in the history of the Sri Lanka Police.
Ex - DIG Henry Dullewe
Business Services
The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V., (Canada) Branch
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Office: +1 416 367 7993 | Fax: +1 416 366 5085
Friday, September 26, 2014
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email forwarded by
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Aluvihara Cave Temple - Sri Lanka.
email forwarded by JKS Weerasekera.
Aluvihara
- it is a name of the olden ages that still resonates, a place held in deep
reverence, a temple, where a historical episode unfolded; it
invites
one to appreciate an unprecedented event of religious significance, dwellings
and artefacts of archaeological value and a curious and
picturesque
setting, all of which define its existence. The Aluvihara Cave Temple has
irrevocably etched a place in the annals of Sri Lankan
history. Ask any local familiar
with the history of the Island of the Aluvihara Cave Temple and they are most
likely to say that it is where the mammoth task of
transcribing
the Buddhist teachings or Tipitaka (colloquially termed Tripitaka) - the three
baskets of law - took place centuries ago. Till then the Buddhist
teachings
had been preserved through word of mouth for centuries. This knowledge alone
draws pilgrims, historians and archaeologists from far and wide to
visit
the temple precincts and explore its hidden mysteries and even legends. Notable
figures from neighbouring countries have themselves left indelible marks
of
their visits to the temple as venerations.
Along
the Matale-Dambulla road of the A9, the Cave Temple lies 30km north of Kandy.
It is a convenient stop en-route the renowned cultural triangle of the
Island.
Its entrance is unmistakable in that the arched gateway is flanked by boundary
walls bearing a series of sculptured elephant heads. Through the arches
the
road stretches like a straight ribbon to a flight of fairly steep steps that
leads to the heart of the rock temple.
Large
precipitous boulders leap into view. Upon entering the main cave complex it
appears as though a large boulder fell upon the earth and cracked open
leaving
a dramatic, deep cleft. Craggy landscape springs up at each turn towering over
the narrow alleyways. It gives one the impression that a tirade of
boulders
fell one upon the other. Snuggled beneath these boulders are ‘len' or the caves
that appear to strain timidly beneath. These rugged structures
overtime
have become swathed here and there by the lushness of nature.
The
Historical
The
era that King Walagamba came to rule was one of strife due to foreign invasions
and famine that plagued the island for many years. Following a selfimposed
exile
of 14 years the King reclaimed the throne and in 88 BC the urgency to preserve
the Buddha's teachings was felt as its verbal transmission was
no
longer deemed safe. Some of the Arahant monks who had sought refuge in India
from the 12 year long famine returned and converged with the remaining
Arahants
in the Island to commit the teachings to writing. Thus the Fifth Buddhist
Council was held at the Aluvihara Cave Temple in the 1st Century BC. It is
thought
that King Walagamba deemed the Aluvihara Cave Temple suitable due to its
secluded setting away from the conflict ridden capital, Anuradhapura.
One
can only imagine a conclave of 500 scholarly Arahants reciting the doctrines
while the scribes embedded the words into the written form on palm leaves
with
the use of a special stylus. Reaching a consensus on acceptable versions of the
doctrines, thereafter its reciting, and finally transcribing along with
commentaries
justifiably lasted many years to reach completion.
However
these treasured manuscripts were wholly destroyed by the British in 1848 during
the Matale Rebellion. An attempt to repeat history with the
rewriting
of the Tipitaka was made during 1981 - 1991 marking the Sixth Buddhist Council
held once again at the Aluvihara. These manuscripts are stored to
this
day at the Temple's museum.
Following
the narrow alleyway farther upwards finally leads to the pinnacle upon which
sits a small pearly white stupa built in 1812. Walking around its small
circumference
one can alternate between an overview of the rock monastery complex below and
the mountainous backdrop in the distance. Deeper below
lie
more of the natural caves hidden away from the main complexes in the grooves of
the landscape amidst the surrounding greenery and an abundance of
cocoa
trees. One can almost picture an ascetic seated within. Even today, monks
reside here and give sermons to the gathered devotees.
Exploring
the many sections of the temple one wonders where 500 Arahant monks would have
resided. Yet there are many caves hidden from view in and
beyond
the premises and the immediate precincts are home to 11 natural caves. The main
cave complex is an image house sheltering the reclining Buddha
statue
and is supposedly where the Fifth Buddhist Council was held. The walls within
are intricately muralled and even the aged doorways adorn inimitable
designs
belonging to the 18th Century Kandyan period. Farther down the complex is a
cave housing a replication of the historical event.
Further
to the many murals pertaining to Buddhist scriptures, Buddha statues and the
intriguing caves, there are many ancient markings of interest that one can
keep
an eye out for. The first of these is a short Brahmini inscription on the
exterior of the main cave complex beneath a dripledge - a rock-hewn ledge to
shelter
the cave from rainfall.
The
name
Originating
from the terms ‘Alu lena' or ‘Aloka Lena' that translates to ‘luminous cave',
the name evolved to ‘Alu Vihara' or ‘luminous temple'. There are
many
reasonings and legends behind the name. One theory is that the main cave where
the writing of the Tipitaka took place faced east and thus received the
morning
rays and remained illuminated. Another reasoning is that the writing of the
Tipitaka bestowed a doctrinal illumination to mankind and is hence suitably
named.
The
second is a carved bas-relief of a bo tree on a large boulder that lies beneath
the ancient tree. Another, an imprint of Buddha's footprint at the summit
near
the stupa believed to be a replication of the one at the Adam's Peak summit.
Another
structure of interest is the sand bench situated inconspicuously beside the
main complex. In ancient times apprentices first practiced their writing skills
with
the tip of their forefinger on this sand bench before proceeding with the
arduous task of writing holy scriptures on palm leaves. More valued artefacts
recovered
from the ruins are stored in the Temple's museum including the Yantra Gala, a
stone slab cut into 25 compartments in which offerings to the
Buddha
relic are placed and Chatra Gala, a circular stone slab used as an umbrella
shade for the stupa.
Of
the many cave temples in Sri Lanka, the Aluvihara is one that simply cannot be
overlooked. Its tranquil and captivating surroundings are nature's tribute to
ancient
monastic dwellings. Feet that may ever stray upon these premises will assuredly
stumble upon an authentic account of history, a spiritual encounter or
an
air of the mystique - shedding light into a distant past.
Eating a curry 'can help beat dementia'
In laboratory tests carried out by a team from Germany, aromatic turmerone promoted the proliferation of brain stem cells and their development into neurons.
Read the full story:
27 September 2014
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Seruwavila – view through a cell-phone.
Photos taken by me on a recent trip to this site with a history spanning two millennia.
Please click on the web-link below with speakers on:-
Flower Delivery .....
I truly believe in this. How many flowers
end up at the funeral home and how many flowers did the dead person enjoy while
they were alive? Here's an e-flower from me! Enjoy your day!
I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here, than a whole truck load when I'm gone.
These Are For You !!!
Just forward these to all your friends.
And please don't decide that you're too
busy for this.
Remember the phrase ....
'Stop and Smell the Flowers' ???
Let's just see how many 'Bouquets' You end up with'
'Stop and Smell the Flowers' ???
Let's just see how many 'Bouquets' You end up with'
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you Humble,
Success keeps you Glowing,
But ... Only Friends ....
Keep You Going !!!
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