Health

1. 19 / My Health
Friends, the word ‘Health’ is generally referred as ‘Physical health’. But Friends, I always
look at any word from a wide angle and then take a close look at the word. I can’t help it. This
is the way I have grown up. Any way, the word ‘Health of a person’ may refer to Financial
health, Mental health, Social health and finally Physical health. As regards the first three
types of my health, Readers can form their opinion on reading other chapters of my
Autobiography.
With the grace of GOD, my health had no major issues. However, the phrase ‘major’ is also
subjective. But one thing is certain that my health could have been better if my parents
would have taken the necessary timely action within one year of my birth. Though action
was taken but with inordinate delay and hence the action was of little significance. I must
admit with a heavy heart that my parents failed to discharge their core responsibility.
Probably this may be the reason why I am more concerned with my core and primary duties
& responsibilities in Life. Well as mentioned in my childhood days that my father’s health
was in poor condition at the time of my birth and few years thereafter. It was a question of his
survival and obviously any one under those circumstances would have failed in the core
duties. Dada, please excuse me for writing this.
My moon Rashi is ‘Leo’. Persons born with this Rashi have fairly strong health. They would
rarely fall sick. However, the exact prediction would depend on many issues such as
‘Nakshatra, Bhavesh, Relationship of various planets’ etc. The subject of astrology is very
vast and there is no point in diversifying in to that territory.
First occasion of my illness as per my memory was during the year of SSC i.e. August 1966.
I had jaundice. I could not attend the school for a week. I got cured by Ayurvedic medicine.
My eye sight was poor since school days. I was half blind at the age of 10 years. Against the
advice of doctor I selected commerce faculty. It was expected that my eyes will not support
me for many years. I may go blind but with grace of God and my care, I am not blind till 70
years.
As feared, my eye sight (left eye) developed first major problem in 2002 of black floaters.
There is no cure for this degenerative disease. While I was finalizing Reports my right eye

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developed similar problem on 23-04-2011. With a great difficulty I managed to complete the
Reports. I called on Eye surgeon for investigation. The condition was confirmed. Further
complications (of retina damage) could not be predicted. I kept my fingers crossed.
Due to delayed action as mentioned above, I had the problem of overweight. My food habits
in childhood added fury to the fire. I joined a Gym but could not do any magic on my weight.
This mainly affected my performance in the subject of PT in school. I would just score passing
marks in PT and hence this would bring down my percentage. Our PT examination consisted
of running, long jump, high jump, double bar etc. and with my weight and short structure,
I was happy with third in the group for every event.
I got used to those nasty teasing remarks on my fatness from my school mates, relatives etc.
I would get upset mentally. What way was I responsible for the condition? But I had to
tolerate and face the people. I remonstrated my mother for the timely inaction. One day
I was very much frustrated with life. I was alone with my mother in the house. My mom’s fear
of God had further enhanced. I was damn angry with GOD. My mother was cool. She quietly
asked me to throw the God out of the house as I was furious with God. Let me admit that
I could not do that. Eventually I cooled down and accepted the bitter truth of Life.
I started blaming my fate. I became speechless for a few hours. I got engrossed in some deep
thinking. I realized that we can not avoid problems, sorrows & reality in life. It is the balance
of our previous birth which gets brought forward. You are left with only one alternative and
that is to accept the reality and to observe the sorrow of others. Birth is not in our hands but
we can decide as to how to live?
My attitude became introvert. I refused to mix with my friends. Got myself buried in books
and studies. I spent more time in rendering helping hand to my father. I tried to seek his
company. I felt more secured in his company. Soon I realized that even his company may not
be available for long.
In college too, I continued my attitude of aloofness. I buried myself in college library.
No doubt, this was necessary to reach my goal of higher education. At the same time I could
not have afforded the luxury of failure in examination. But above all, my introvert attitude
due to childhood pains also acted as force for spending more time in the library. I could get

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my mental peace back in the grand company of books.
I completed B.Com and then took up CA course. I joined M/S Jayantilal Thakkar & Co
Chartered Accountants for CA Articles. We had many Audits of big companies, trusts,
schools, advocate firms etc. In June 1971, batch of 15 articled clerks joined the firm. We were
given just a formal training and batch of 8 articled clerks was sent to Golden Tobacco Ltd. for
audit. Year ending of the company was June those days. We were allowed to take breakfast in
the company canteen. We enjoyed the breakfast of potato vada-pav, cutlet, Samosa etc. The
items were very tasty. However, in a few days, it showed its true colours. I suffered from
piles. I just brought piles ointment and applied for 2 days. My problem got cured. I never
realized that the problem of piles was not over but it had begun. Over the years, I suffered
from piles more frequently. I tried many medicines and ointments but my problem aggravated
day by day. I knew the reasons but had no control on them. My body was generating more
heat. My outside eating, in canteens, hotels, working or studying for prolonged hours, lack of
exercise, tension in the office and personal life was all adding to the problem. I was helpless.
Finally, I reached to a stage of surgery. You may not believe that I had to postpone the surgery
for 15 days because our Managing Director had gone abroad and I was running the show in
his absence. I did not pass stool for almost 10 days. I could not even sit comfortably on the
chair due to piles. Finally I got operated on 15-01-1985. It was told by the doctor that the piles
may recur after about 10 years. But with the grace of God and proper diet (thanks to my
beloved wife Sumitra) I have won the fight against piles till date.
I also suffered from Osteoarthritis during June 1978, while I was working with Crompton
Greaves Ltd. My knee would get jammed and I had to return home by cab and take injection
from the family doctor. That time I was staying with my brother at Wadala. During that
monsoon, I must have taken atleast 10 injections for Osteoarthritis. Doctor could not diagnose
the reason for this condition. I was just 27 years old that time. Overweight was probably the
only reason. But if that is so, then I had never faced the problem till that time. Was there any
psychological reason? GOD knows. Thereafter I never faced this problem till date.
I once suffered from Kidney Stone in December 1978. In this case also, my wrong diet at the
wrong time and consuming less water was responsible for the condition. Friends, you are
aware that I was born and brought up in Girgaon. I shifted to Wadala in 1977. I was studying
for CS simultaneously with my job with Crompton greaves Ltd. I took leave for 15 days in

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December 1978 for Inter CS exam preparations. I used to reach our Girgaon residence by 8 am
for studies. I would take a break at about 12.30 noon. I was fond of Fish and non-veg those
days. I would go to Gomantak Hotel in Khotachi Wadi for Lunch. I would continue my
studies till 7.30 pm. and again take the dinner in the same hotel and then would return to
Wadala.
I followed this routine for 15 days. I was drinking hardly one litre water during the day. On
the 1st day of the examination, I got up early. Finished my day to day chores. Suddenly I felt
acute unbearable stomach pain. I was restless. I drank hot water, applied Amrutanjan pain
balm on the stomach, and took some pain killer tablet. With grace of God, pain slightly
subsided. I rushed to the exam centre and wrote the paper. Four more days to go. Evening
I met Dr. Thakkar. (family doctor) He enquired about number of times urine was passed, any
pain felt at that time etc. That time I realized that I was hardly passing any urine all these days
and also felt slight pain in doing so. He enquired about my diet. I told him my latest routine.
He had no hesitation in diagnosing the problem. He immediately gave one injection. I passed
the urine in adequate quantity, took his medicine for 4 days. I completed my examination.
Then I took X-Ray and the diagnosis of kidney stone was confirmed. I was advised to drink
substantial water and cyston tablets for 6 months. I followed this advice religiously and
supplemented by ‘Beer therapy’. Friends, you may not believe that I never faced this
problem of Kidney stone thereafter.
There was one more major occasion of illness. On 23-04-1994, I experienced Chest pain in the
crowded train. Fortunately I had managed a get a seat. I was perspiring a lot. I took antacid
tablet. But the remedy was of no use. Everybody was staring at me. Finally people helped me
to get down at Andheri. I took the train and returned to Borivali. I met family doctor
Dr. Shashin Shah. He examined me, took my BP. He gave one injection and medicine for a
day. He advised me to take rest for a day and took me to Dr. Pradeep Vyas, Cardiologist that
night. ECG was abnormal. I was advised to take bed rest and Coolspirin tablet every 3 hours.
Next night, Stress Test was carried out. I came out as a winner. The test was negative. The test
lasted for over 9 minutes. Subsequently I carried out pathological tests. All reports were
normal.
However, I changed my lifestyle. I discontinued sugar, rice, potatoes etc. I started some

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exercises at home and undertook evening walk depending on availability of time. I never
faced such problem thereafter.
After studying Alternate therapies, I realized that the problem though physical was caused by
disturbed mental condition. I had a heated argument with one of my neighbours. The topic
was of my daughter. She had left the residence in April 1993 and was staying with her
grandmother. This neighbour was unnecessarily inquisitive about her. Time and again he
would make roving enquires about her. Somehow that day, I lost my temper and fired him.
Our conversation lasted for 10 minutes as I had given him a lift in Auto rickshaw to Borivali
station.
On 24-07-1996, I met with deadly bus accident while returning from Poona. The said
instance has been covered separately in another chapter ‘My Deadly Accident’.
Friends, you are aware that I spent my childhood in the grand company of medicines,
injections instead of toys. These diseases and painful experiences prompted me to study
Alternate Therapies. Finally I took out the time out of my busy profession and I studied
Alternate Therapies under the guidance of Dr. Gala in 1998-99 and continued my medical
study till date.
During December 1998, I suffered from fever for 25 days. I had studied few Alternate
Therapies in early 1998. I applied all those techniques. I took all pathological reports which
were normal. Finally after taking medicine from family doctor for 3 days, I decided to consult
specialist MD. I wrote my health history, observations about appetite, stool, urine, pulse,
temperature etc. Fever could not be diagnosed as Malaria, Dengue, Typhoid, Australian fever
etc. Doctor advised X-ray to rule out TB. X-Ray report was normal. Doctor wrote on the case
paper ‘fever of unknown origin’. He prescribed some tablet. Within 2 days, my fever
disappeared. I took 10 tablets costing hardly Rs.30/- and then telephoned him. He said that
I am cured. He advised to take proper diet and adequate rest. I had lost weight by 7 kgs and
experienced remarkable hair loss. I was feeling extremely weak.
As fever could not be diagnosed, I had lost hopes of recovery. Morning, my day would start
as usual. By 12 noon, fever would start rising till night. After medicine it would come down a
bit and again show its colors. (Just like Sensex, ok in the morning depending on favourable

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conditions in Asian & American markets and suddenly would get dropped on opening of
European markets.)
I continued my education of Alternate Remedies in 1999 & 2000. Here again, the fever was due
to contaminated food consumed during November end. I had consumed Idli in one of the best
restaurants at Goregaon. I felt some different taste but as others were also consuming Idli,
I followed the suit. Next day, I drank sugar cane juice. I had consumed sugar cane juice on
many occasions in the same hotel. Here again different taste was identified but still
I consumed the juice. After this incidence, I practically stopped eating Idli and consuming
sugar cane juice. I would restrict myself with Toast S/W or Sada dosa.
I also suffered from Gums inflammation during 1975-1980. Also suffered from Hyper acidity
problem on and off. However these problems were resolved by proper diet and medication.
After 1998-99, I took charge of my health. Observed strict Naturopathy diet, strictly observed
morning-walk schedule. I have not taken doctor’s medicine for last 21 years.
However, I do visit my family Doctor but not for medicine but for chit chatting. I also meet
him on his birthday. Once or twice he visited my residence for a cup of coffee. He is 10
years elder to me. I have taken a promise from him that he will sign my death certificate.
Friends, How is your health?
Friends, please remember that prevention is better than cure.

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