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| Sunday, 1 September 2002 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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by Chitra Weerasinghe Watch your step
The easiest way to commit suicide is at a pedestrian crossing, said a man who had just escaped being hit by a car. He gave a graphic description of what really happens. Most of the accidents occur at a pedestrian crossing when a car, bus, or lorry in the first line of traffic stops for you to cross the road but another vehicle from the second line of traffic or even the third, whizzes past not even bothering to think why the first line of traffic has stopped and so is just in time to knock down the pedestrian who has, by now reached that point in his line of traffic. Then there are also those impatient motor bike riders and three wheeler drivers who contribute to this situation. Isn't it time our drivers were penalised heavily for ignoring the pedestrian crossings? Last week radio personality Derek Meloney appealed over SLBC air waves to all drivers of vehicles to be more cautious and considerate. He, I believe, was also a victim of a minor accident. And much, much earlier we have had blurbs over the radio reminding people that a 'thinking driver does not drink. And a drinking driver does not think.' Has that ever made a difference? ================ Getting there on time Why Oh why cannot our people be punctual? wailed a professional glancing now and then at his wrist watch and waiting for that much talked of meeting to begin. He was a busy man who had to attend to his daily office routine, attend morning meetings, afternoon meetings in his office, seminar workshops, conferences and even media briefings. What most people do not understand is that "if you are late you are rude." You are also inconsiderate, discourteous, thoughtless, disorganised and lacking in discipline, he said, quoting I believe management guru Peter Groce's thinking that "dirt and tardiness result from laziness and laziness stems from lack of discipline. Being habitually late gives the impression of being unreliable. If you cannot get to a meeting on time, then how can any person rely on you? You cannot control time. We all know that. But you sure can budget it. When you set a date, make an appointment and arrange for a meeting, you give your word to the other person. And if you cannot keep your word on that, how could anyone trust you with anything like giving you a particular task to accomplish?" ================ Our ageing population Something that most of us do not bother about is the welfare of our ageing population- a category of people often taken for granted. And there is Tami Tamittegama, the founder-president of the Lanka Alzheimer's Foundation to remind us that "our elders are urgently in need of certain services" which, perhaps, we could help in securing for them. Tamittegama is most concerned about developing a "care culture for elders especially those stricken with dementia" - and he is striving hard to do all that he possibly could to improve the quality of their lives, support their families and those who are burdened with having to care for the aged so that they could cope with the challenges they are faced with. Since the incorporation of this Foundation in March, 2001, Tamittegama has been able to have it registered as an NGO, gained recognition and the support of the National Department of Social Services, obtained approved charity status and gained membership in the world body - the International Federation of Alzheimers and Related Disorders Societies Inc. And he has, apart from having three fund raising events, had several community presentations to create awareness of this problem which, apparently is relatively unknown in Sri Lanka. He thus plans to establish a home for the Foundation- a 'Drop In Centre' as it were to provide service and help; to form a 'Caregiver Support Group'; have training programs for carers and caregivers directed by Dr. Pearl Hettiaratchchi, Consultant Psychiatrist (Old Age Psychiatry) and screen the film 'Iris' which is the life story of Iris Murdoch. ================ Have fun, laugh more... Did you know that laughter is aerobic and so is good for the heart and good for blood circulation? A few strong belly laughs can do as much good as several minutes worth of moderate exercise. And an old adage goes:'' Years wrinkle the skin. But having fun prevents the wrinkling of the soul.'' |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
People are talking, concerned and are highly worried about the spate of
accidents that are increasing by the hour; and the way in which those
smasher, dasher young men and the older folk drive their cars about town -
not caring a penny for the pedestrians.
