SAMAJ WEEKLY UK
“LOOK AFTER YOUR HEALTH 2025” is being held at 48 Kenilworth Drive Oadby, Leicestershire LE2 5LG on Sunday 20th July 20025 from 10.00am – 1.00 pm. It is being organised by Gurdwara Sri Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji and Punjabi Listeners Club in celebration of the birthday of Sikhs’ 8th Guru Sri Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji who healed countless people from illnesses in Delhi, India.
During a cholera and smallpox epidemic in India’s capital Delhi in 1663 Guru Ji is revered for his selfless service attending to the sick and suffering. He is said to have healed so many through his grace and even took on the suffering of the affected. Despite Guru Ji’s young age of 8 years, they travelled throughout Delhi to serve those affected by the epidemic. Guru Ji healed so many with his presence and blessings. Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is built in Delhi on the site where Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji stayed during the epidemic and its holy tank is believed to continue healing those who visit it.
One of the stall holders at the health event is Oadby and Wigston Local Area Co-ordinators who support all residents in Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston by connecting them to different groups and community activities, other residents and any services they need to access. They work very closely with all communities to ensure all residents are able to find the information they need and are especially grateful to the Oadby Gurdwara to be invited to the health event.
They attended last year’s health event and were able to speak with many residents about the support they provide and were able to bring lots of information from Leicestershire County Council Public Health and other local groups. Louise Monk Local Area Co-ordinator said” WE especially need to contact residents that do not have English as a 1st Language as we understand they may not have access to information when they need it. This year we will provide additional information on health screening opportunities, as many people miss out on early diagnosis for cancer”. They will also be providing information about LIONS MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE scheme, to help emergency services find up to date helpful information if they have to attend their homes.
Dr. Sonal Bhavsar, another regular stall holder at the Look After Your Health event has been one of the Ayurvedic lady doctors in Leicester practising Ayurved since 1993. She is an expert in Nadi Pariksha {Ayurvedic Pulse Diagnosis} and offers Ayurvedic Consultation with dietary plans and supply with a mixture of herbs which are suitable to an individual’s body constitution. Also offers other holistic therapies such as Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Hopi Ear Candles, Indian Head Massage as well as Yog and Prananyam. Dr. Sonal Bhavsar is passionate about helping people manage their health conditions through exercises and healthy diet. She is the founder of community group called Diabetes Self-Help Group since 2012 where local community members attend the group four times a week which is very beneficial for those who attend and then they can self-manage their conditions. This group is open to all.
South Asians in the UK have a significantly higher rate of diabetes compared to the white population. They are up to six times more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes and also tend to develop it about 10 years earlier. This disparity is a major public health concern with over 420,000 South Asians in England estimated to be living with diabetes. People from South Asian communities in the Uk experience significantly higher rates of coronary heart disease {CHD} compared to the white Europeans. Specifically South Asian men are almost twice as likely to develop CHD to their White European counterparts. This increased risk is also seen in South Asian women, with their CHD incidence being similar to that of White European men over a 20-year period. Some of the factors or higher CHD in South Asians are,. Higher prevalence of Diabetes; Lower HDL Cholesterol; Higher triglycerides which is type of fat in blood; Abdominal Obesity; Hypertension; Insulin resistance; diet ; physical activity and socioeconomic factors may play a role in increased CHD in South Asians in UK.
Local Ambassador for British Heart Foundation Sulakhan Singh Dard who has raised thousands of pounds for BHF was given an Outstanding Award in London and awarded a British empire Medal BEM few years ago. In 2000 he had a heart attack that needed bypass surgery. Sulakhan discovered his arteries had become blocked due to high cholesterol. The following is taken from one of the published British Heart Foundation booklets:
“I was very surprised to learn I had high cholesterol, I don’t smoke, or drink alcohol and I am a vegetarian, so I thought I was healthy. Once my GP explained to me what high cholesterol was, I understood that I needed to make some positive lifestyle changes to improve my health. I now have less saturated fat and sugar in my diet, and I eat things in moderation. I walk over a mile every day, gardening helps me to keep physically active, and I have joined a gym. Through healthy eating, regular exercise and medication I have lowered my cholesterol and managed to keep it under control. I have a very positive outlook, and I use my experience to help others. I volunteer up to 20 hours a week bringing awareness to the South Asian community about how to live a heart healthy lifestyle.”
