Empathy in action.

Omoiyari - The art of consideration.

 

Kindness doesn't always announce itself. Sometimes, it is noticing that someone is tired and giving them space, remembering a friend dislikes something without being reminded or helping before a request is made. This quiet attentiveness is captured by the Japanese concept of omoiyari.

The practice conveys empathy, consideration and sensitivity to another person's circumstances. It involves imagining what someone may be feeling or needing and responding with care, without drawing attention to the gesture. In Japanese social life, omoiyari is associated with consideration for others and maintaining harmonious relationships.

Its value extends beyond etiquette. At home, it may mean recognising when a family member needs encouragement rather than advice. At work, it could mean sharing information a colleague will need before they have to ask. With an elderly person, it might be offering assistance while still showing them the dignity of deciding whether they want it.

Omoiyari is not mind reading nor does it mean deciding what is best for someone. It begins with attentiveness but leaves room for the other's wishes. In a world that often rewards speaking first, omoiyari offers another discipline : pause, notice, imagine - and then respond with consideration.

Can add years to your life.

  1. Never take medicines with cold water.

      It slows absorption.

  2. Hydrate more in the morning.

      Ease up at night.

  3. Don't lie down after meals.

      Walk a little instead.

  4. Avoid calls below 10% battery.

      Radiation spikes.

  5. Say no to tea/coffee right after eating.

      It blocks nutrients.

  6. Stop endless scrolling in the dark.

      Your eyes will hurt you.

  7. Don't chug water during meals.

      Sip slowly.

  8. Eat fruits on empty stomach.

      Better absorption.

  9. Avoid heavy meals after 5 PM.

      Your gut needs rest too.

10. Sleep between 10 PM and 4 AM.

      That's your body's repair window.

11. Take calls on your left ear.

      It's safer for your brain.

12. Breakfast = Fuel.

      Don't skip it.

13. Catch 30 minutes of sunlight daily.

      Your natural Vitamin D.

14. Stretch every hour if you sit too long.

      Relaxes the muscles.

15. Keep your phone away from your pillow.

      Sleep safer. 

16. Never reuse cooking oil.

      It turns toxic.

    

India's Russian Oil imports

Hold at 1-8 million barrels per day

India's Russian crude oil imports held at 1.8 mn bpd in September as stronger Chinese buying curbed flows but West Asian suppliers filled the gap.

Lost volumes replenished by gulf nations

India imported 2.82 mn bpd of Russian crude oil in July, which slipped to 2.08 mn bpd in August, according to global commodities data and analytics firm Kpler. Iraq and Saudi made up for the drop in Russian volumes. Iraq supplied 505 bpd of crude this month, up from 163,000 bpd in August. Saudi volumes rose to 576,000 bpd in September from 347,000 bpd last month.

Giving up Russian crude will be pricey

The outlook of Russian supplies could become more complicated if the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 results in tougher restrictions on countries continuing to buy Russian oil.

The lead analyst at Kpler said India can technically replace Russian crude, although the shift would come at a higher cost.

2022 is when India became an important buyer of Russian crude.

Eight years of Ayushman Bharat

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY has transformed healthcare from a financial worry into a stronger safety net. With cashless hospitalisation and health cover of up to Rs.5 lakh per family every year, the scheme designed to protect families from the burden of exorbitant medical expenses.

And the impact adds up, literally every second.

* Rs.8,100 in hospital bills covered every second

* Rs.4.9 lakh saved every minute

* Rs.2.9 crore every hour

* Rs.70 crore

Behind every number is a family that could focus on recovery instead of worrying about how to pay the hospital bill. That is the scale of change when healthcare is treated as a priority and technology, public infrastructure and policy come together.

One clear vision : a healthier, more secure India.

Habits of happy people!

1. They don't show off

2. They talk less

3. They learn daily

4. They ignore nonsense

5. They help the less fortunate

6. They laugh more

My take

You can now appreciate as to how happy you are! Or are you happy at all?

What you must tell your daughter/sister.

It's important to tell your daughter/sister these 9 things :-

1. Don't stay overnight - at anyone's house.

2. Don't ride in a car - with someone you don't know well.

3. If you leave your drink - don't drink it again.

4. When eating out alone, add one more chopstick/utensil - It's a little trick for protection.

5. Don't accept gifts carelessly - from men carelessly.

6. Not everyone who seems weak - needs your help. 

7. If your friend is involved with a bad guy - don't join his circle.

8. Never let anyone pressure you into something - if it feels wrong, say no and leave.

9. Always tell someone you trust where you are - especially when meeting someone new or going

    somewhere unfamiliar.

The art of agreeing to disagree.

Disagreements are part of everyday life. Keeping things focused on the issue can stop a difference of opinion from becoming personal.

The next time you disagree with someone, take a deep breath and ask yourself the following questions :-

   (a) Stay relevant. Am I discussing the issue or attacking or defending a person?

   (b) Listen. Can I understand the other person's point even if I don't agree with it?

   (c) Respond. Can I say "I see it differently because...." rather than criticising the person?

   (d) Step back. Would returning to the conversation later help?

   (e) Repair. If someone was hurt does that also need to be addressed?