Chennai: With the festival of lights right round the corner, the public has started gearing up to celebrate the occasion in their favourite way – by exchanging sweets and other delicacies. Though a great way to celebrate the festival, doctors and nutritionists urge the public to watch what they eat.
The festival may work as a great challenge for diabetics and the obese who know they should stay as far away from sweets as possible. “Everyone is in a festive mood. However, it is important to watch what you eat. As long as you exercise control, you are going to be fine, especially those who are overweight or diabetic,” said Dr Dharini Krishnan, a renowned nutritionist in the city.
“Kheer is the best for diabetics and the obese as they can reduce the sugar content and increase the badam content as they wish. The same cannot be done in the case of sweets like gulab jamun,” she added. She also insisted that parents see to it that their children eat their regular meals and consume sweets only after that, instead of replacing their meals with the festival delicacies.
Activists gear up for safe, noiseless festival
Every year, the day after Deepavali, people across the country wake up to remnants of burnt crackers strewn and to the news of animals burnt by crackers, deliberately sometimes.
Planning ahead of Deepavali are animal welfare groups, who are spreading awareness on the effect of crackers on animals, and who are also going to set up ambulances from Deepavali eve to the day after Deepavali to rescue animals.
“The area around Blue Cross is full of trees and a lot of birds roost upon them.
Due to the bursting of crackers, they get scared and are not comfortable in coming back,” said Dawn Williams of Blue Cross. He added that there is far more awareness in the younger generation with more school and college students opting for a noise and pollution-free Diwali while the older lot still sticks to the conventional ways of celebration.
“We have a group of about 35 volunteers trained in tactical rescue and animal behavior who will work 24 hours on the three days during Deepavali to rescue animals with burn injuries,” he continued, stressing on the number of burn injuries caused to animals because of fire accidents on Deepavali. Similarly, the Madras Society for the Protection and Care of Animals is also canvassing among people to celebrate Deepavali in an eco-friendly manner.
People for Cattle India is also setting up a 72-hour helpline for the rescue of animals as pets also run away from homes due to the sound of crackers or meet with accidents.
PFCI members suggest that pet owners do not leave their pets alone, and keep them well fed and dehydrated on Deepavali. Along with volunteers, veterinary doctors will be available at the animal shelters for treatment and rehabilitation of animals.
