Safety Matches are not safe

Safety Matches are not safe

Quality of Homelites matches marketed by leading company WIMCO, when it was introduced years ago, was good. Now the material supplied (manufactured by Sri Sathuragiri Match Company, Karisalpatti, Tamilnadu and marketed by Wimco is utterly unsatisfactory.

The sticks are not Karborised. It is a lie. The sticks are of very poor quality, have cracks. The fire spreads wide burning more than half the length of the stick very rapidly; sparks fly at random, landing on body parts, clothes etc. Today, a small spark (it is not just a spark - it has mass - shot into my daughter's nose!! I got my lungi burnt while using your sticks. If the quality is good and if it is karborised, this must not happen. 

The match head composition is also bad. The quantity is not uniform across match sticks. In many cases is just a spec – no mass. The composition is brittle, does not stick to the tip. On striking the match head, unsafe occurrences happen. To light one candle / wick one has to use two or more sticks.

Price wise also WIMCO is costly. For 180 sticks the price is Rs 6.00 (3.3p per stick); similar matches from competitors, say for example ROSE from Parasakthi Match Works Kovilpatti 628501 TN, costs Rs 5.00 for 240 sticks (2.08p per stick).

I sent a complaint via email to WIMCO in December 2014. Some representative from the manufacturing unit in Sivakasi rang up, heard my story and hung up. No feedback. They have not withdrawn the stocks nor have they initiated any measures to control or improve the quality.

Should WIMCO stoop to this level of cheating? What are their QC guys doing? Is it their contention that the public won’t complain or quarrel about something so cheap an item like matches? Looking at Safety angle they are marvelously careless.

============

The problem continues even now in June 2015. Even today, I escaped burns on my clothes due to lit match head flying off.  

Discussion on preventing and handling Heatstroke in Summer - FB group by Desimd

Posted by DesiMD on Thursday, May 28, 2015

Forthcoming WEAAD events in Hyderabad - June 2015

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

WEAAD 2015 Events in Hyderabad

HelpAge India will be releasing its prestigious Annual survey report on Elder Abuse on 15^th June 2015 in a press meet in Press Club Basheerbag Hyderabad at 11.00 am

It is being released simultaneously in many cities at the same time.

A simple quiz to test how much you know about Elder Abuse is being administered across several Senior Citizens Associations like:

·        Association of Senior Citizens of Hyderabad, Lions Bhavan, Secunderabad (16^th)

·        Senior Citizens Forum, Secunderabad (15^th)

·        SSS-Global Online Community (during past one week)

·        Senior Citizens Association of Bowenpally (12/13^th June)

The online version is available for anyone to answer at:

http://vyasa-kaaranam-ketkadey.blogspot.com/2015/06/weaad-quiz-2015-answerable-form.html

The quiz has been compiled by Dr Vyasamoorthy and the test is conducted by office bearers of SCAs. Participants who perform well will be given certificates on 16^th  at the meeting in Lions Bhavan. On the same day Ms Sobha Gurajada is organizing a series of skits songs etc by elderly women – victims and care givers connected with Elder abuse share their experiences.

Awareness creation pamphlets, brochures and banners will be distributed by HelpAge on 15^th by during the press meet.

Anyone interested may attend the above meetings, especially the meeting of AOSC on 16^th  or that of HelpAge on 15^th June 2015.

Contact: Vyasamoorthy 9490804278

Elder Abuse in Mahabharata days

Here is a short story from Mahabharat, translated from Telugu by my friend Sri Chepuri Shankar Rao. Reproduced as it is for wider circulation.

=====================================================

 

Elder abuse in Mahabharath time.

After Yudistara became emperor, Drtharastra and Gandhari lived with him in the palace for 15 years. They were looked after well by one and all, except Bhima.  They were always  remembering their 100 sons and their pathetic death.   Bhima was always cursing Drtharastra WITH PAINFUL WORDS LIKE ‘THEY ARE STILL LIVING WITHOUT DYING AND SIMPLY  EATING WITHOUT DOING ANY thing’. The couple was annoyed over his attitude and decided to leave the palace and live in the forest. But Yudistar was not agreeing this proposal. Drutha rsastra and Gandhari  were frequently doing fasting on one pretext or other and allowed their bodies to shrink. Drutharashtra, who was having 1000 elephants’ strength,  became very thin and weak. 

Once VYAS mahamuni came to the palace and discussed about the desire of drtharashtras desire to live in the forest. VYAS Muni convinced Yudistar to send Drutha rashtra to forest as desired by him. Before leaving the palace, Druthrasrrta wanted to perform Shrardda karma for Bhishma, Drona and his sons . So he asked for money to do it. EVEN OVER THIS, Bhima did not agree to give money and said let them die in the forest. But Yudistara gave money from his personnel account. After performing Shradda karma Drutha rastra left for forest and lived there for 3 year and died in the engulfed forest fire.

Thus, elders abuse was prevalent even in the Mahabharath time.

Weaad Quiz 2015 - Answerable Form

Answers to WEAAD QUIZ 2015 Answer to Q1: c. INPEA was Started in 1997 to prevent and minimize Elder Abuse worldwide Answer to Q2: a This Day is for Creating Awareness among all Answer to Q3: d – This is actually good; don’t you think so? Answer to Q4: b First WEAAD was in 2006 at the UN in NY, USA. Answer to Q5: d: purple. Answer to Q6: c June 15th. It was decided by INPEA in 2006 Answer to Q7: d All the above; many more things may be done. Answer to Q8: b Close Relatives. Source: HelpAge Study 2010 Answer to Q9: Both a and b are OK: Give full marks even if you have ticked even one correctly. Answer to Q10: b -- 50% as per 2014 HelpAge Study 2014 (2015 survey results might be different! Answer to Q11: d. All are active promoters of awareness on EA Answer to Q12: c Madurai Answer to Q13: Any answer is correct. It is YOUR view. C is the advice given most experts. Answer to Q14. C HelpAge Answer to Q15: d Deccan Chronicle. Surprising? Check for yourself!! ===========

WEAAD 2015 Quiz on Elder Abuse

                                                         QUIZ on Elder Abuse

Here is a Quiz consisting of 15 simple questions to answer. The correct answers are given at the end.

If you just a senior citizen, please answer the questions, check your answers. If you score 12 or above please let me know. I try to send you a personalized certificate. If you are an office bearer of a SEnior Citizens Association, please administer this Quiz among your members on or around 15th June 2015; I shall be happy if you share with me the response with me. If you can convert this Quiz as an online scorable game that would be great.Just give a word of credit! Hope we are able to create some awareness through these simple measures. vyasamoorthy@gmail.com

                    ===============================================

Name of Participant:

WEAD 2015 – Quiz For some questions more than one option may be correct!!!

1.        What does INPEA stand for?

a.       Indian Poor Elders Association

b.      International Network  for Promoting Elder Abuse

c.       International Network  for Prevention of Elder Abuse

d.      International  Node for Elder Accused

2.       What does WEAAD stand for?

a.       World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

b.      What Elder Abusers Always Do?

c.       World Elders’ Abuse Alert Day

d.      World Elders Action Avoidance Day

3.       Following are common types of Elder Abuse: Pick odd man out

a.       Physical Abuse

b.      Financial Abuse

c.       Neglect and abandonment

d.      Providing money for subsistence

4.       WEAAD was started in the year –

a.       1900

b.      2006

c.       2010

d.      1980

5.       What colour Ribbon or dress is worn on WEAAD to show solidarity among participants?

a.       Yellow

b.      Red

c.       Green

d.      Purple

6.       Every year World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed on:

e.      January 1st

f.        December 25th

g.       June 15th

h.      October 1st

7.       Activities suggested for WEAAD include:

a.       Articles in the media, press and TV

b.      Talking to children in school and grand kids

c.       Counseling elders not to hide being a victim; asking them come out in the open

d.      All the above

8.       According to a reputed HelpAge study on EA the victimizers are mostly

a.       Nurses in Hospitals

b.      Close relatives –  DIL /Son / daughter

c.       Bus drivers and conductors

d.      Friends in Day Care Centers

9.       Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007                takes care of Elder abuse of following type:

a.       Financial and property abuse

b.      Abandonment

c.       Emotional and mental abuse

d.       Physical and sexual abuse

10.   What % of people across India faced Elder Abuse?

a.       10%

b.      50%

c.       0%

d.      90%

11.   Under mentioned  stalwart is known for creating awareness about Elder Abuse in India

a.       Ms Mala Kapur Shankar Dass

b.      Sri Sailesh Mishra

c.       Sri Mathew Cherian

d.      All the above

12.   Thalaikoothal is a way of killing unwanted elderly person by giving hot water oil bath followed by plenty of coconut water to drink. Where is evil most practiced?

a.       Delhi

b.      Pune

c.       Madurai

d.      Chengalpet

13.   According to you, which of the following advices given to the victim of Elder Abuse is most important?

a.Do not hide or shy away from complaining

B. Never tolerate physical abuse

C. Do not part with property; only mention it in WILL

D. Seek help from Police or friends

14.   Annually, an authentic opinion survey on the prevalence of Elder Abuse is conducted by

a.       Ministry of Social Justice, Delhi

b.      All India Senior Citizens Confederation, Mumbai

c.       HelpAge, Delhi

d.      Institute of Gerontological Studies, Trivandrum

15.   Which Newspaper, if you conduct a simple Google Search, covers Elder Abuse maximum?

a.       The Hindu

b.      Indian Express

c.       Times of India

d.      Deccan Chronicle

Answers to WEAAD QUIZ 2015

Answer to Q1: c. INPEA was Started in 1997 to prevent and minimize Elder Abuse worldwide

Answer to Q2: a  This Day is for Creating Awareness among all

Answer to Q3: d – This is actually good; don’t you think so?

Answer to Q4: b First WEAAD was in 2006 at the UN in NY, USA.

Answer to Q5:  d: purple.

Answer to Q6:  c   June 15th.  It was decided by INPEA in 2006

Answer to Q7:  d All the above; many more things may be done.

Answer to Q8: b Close Relatives. Source: HelpAge Study 2010

Answer to Q9: Both a and b are OK: Give full marks even if you have ticked even one correctly.

Answer to Q10: b  -- 50% as per 2014 HelpAge Study 2014 (2015 survey results might be different!

Answer to Q11: d. All are active promoters of awareness on EA

Answer to Q12: c  Madurai

Answer to Q13: Any answer is correct. It is YOUR view. C is the advice given most experts.

Answer to Q14. C HelpAge

Answer to Q15: d Deccan Chronicle. Surprising?  Check for yourself!!