Latest news with #Ankur
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Ankur Warikoo shares how he overcame a serious medical condition to go 'fat-free' at 44; his doctor had told him to "Stop walking"
Entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo recently took to his IG handle to share his personal health success story. Ankur, who is known for his engaging content on wealth, success and failure, money and investing, self-awareness and personal relationships revealed that in 2012, he was diagnosed with a serious medical condition, called Avascular Necrosis and the doctor had told him to "stop walking" altogether. Ankur revealed that not only did he run a marathon after that, he also managed to cut out all his body fat, and is now "fat free" at 44! Sharing two before and after images, Ankur wrote, 'Stop walking!' The doctor wrote it on the prescription. Underlined. Twice. Feb 2012. I was diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis. My hip bone was decaying. I lay in the 10% with no cause. I went through surgery. 3 months of bed rest. 5 months on crutches. I recovered, but… Life told me to stop walking. How could I tell life this chapter is over and I've won? In a moment of craziness, I decided I'll run a marathon! After 10 months of preparation, I did it. I thought I would feel great about it. But I felt the opposite. I felt I had cheated. Because up until that day, the maximum I had ever run was 14 kms. I could have showed up any day and finished the 21 kms without preparation. What could I do for which I had to show up every day? In another moment of craziness, I found myself saying 6-pack abs! At 33, with 26% body fat, I had to change everything to reach < 10% body fat. And I did — diet, sleep schedule, fitness routine. 10 years later (2024), I decided to go through the journey again and get the 6-pack abs. Today, I'm 44 and fat-free. I know this routine and mindset will stay with me for life. Grateful for this 'second' life 👊 What is Avascular Necrosis? Avascular necrosis (AVN), also known as osteonecrosis (not to be confused with osteoporosis) or bone infarction, is a serious medical condition where bone tissue dies because it does not get enough blood supply. Without blood, the bone cells lose oxygen and nutrients, causing the bone to weaken and eventually collapse. This condition most often affects the ends of long bones, especially the hip (femur), but it can also affect the shoulder, knee, ankle, and other joints. How does it affect people At first, avascular necrosis may not cause any symptoms. Many people do not feel pain in the early stages because the bone damage is still at a nascent stage. However, as the condition progresses and the bone starts to collapse, symptoms become more obvious and painful. What are the symptoms Joint Pain: The most common sign is pain in the affected joint. For example, if the hip is affected, pain may be felt in the groin, thigh, or buttock. Initially, the pain may occur only when putting weight on the joint, such as walking or standing. Over time, the pain can become constant and severe, even when resting or lying down. Limited Movement: As the bone and joint surface collapse, stiffness and reduced range of motion develop. This can make it difficult to move the joint freely. Limping or Difficulty Bearing Weight: When the hip or knee is affected, people may limp or find it hard to put weight on the leg. What Causes Avascular Necrosis Avascular necrosis happens when blood flow to a bone is interrupted or reduced. Blood vessels carry oxygen and nutrients essential for bone health. When these vessels are damaged or blocked, bone tissue starts to die. Common Causes Include: Injury or Trauma: A fracture or dislocation near a joint can damage blood vessels, cutting off blood supply to the bone. For example, a broken hip or a dislocated shoulder can lead to AVN. Excessive Alcohol Use: Drinking too much alcohol can cause fatty deposits in blood vessels, which block blood flow to bones. Use of Certain Medications: High doses of steroids (corticosteroids) are linked to AVN. These drugs can affect blood flow and bone health. Medical Conditions: Diseases like sickle cell anemia, Gaucher's disease, or blood clotting disorders can reduce blood flow to bones. Unknown Causes: Sometimes AVN develops without a clear reason, possibly due to a combination of genetic factors and lifestyle. Which bones are most affected The most common site for avascular necrosis is the femoral head, the ball-shaped top of the thigh bone that fits into the hip socket. Because the hip bears much of the body's weight, AVN here can cause significant pain and disability. Other bones that can be affected include: The humerus (upper arm bone) near the shoulder. The knee joint. The ankle bones. The jaw bone (rarely). In some cases, AVN affects both sides of the body, such as both hips or both knees. Who is at risk Avascular necrosis most commonly affects adults between 30 and 50 years old. Men are more frequently affected than women. People with a history of bone injury, heavy alcohol use, or long-term steroid use are at higher risk. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Kohli's aggression and Hardik's grit fuel young paddler Ankur's rise in table tennis
An ardent fan of Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya , rising Indian paddler Ankur Bhattacharjee once aspired to be a cricketer before shifting to table tennis , but his love for cricket still remains. The 18-year-old is big admirer of Kohli's aggression and Hardik's mental strength and wants to imbibe those qualities into his game. "There is a lot of aggression in my game, so I admire Virat Kohli sir's aggressive attitude. I also love Hardik Pandya sir's mental strength. I follow both a lot and try to bring their qualities into my game," Ankur told PTI. Despite turning pro in table tennis, his love for cricket still remains and he doesn't miss a single India match. But after taking up table tennis, his only goal was to fulfil his parents' dream. Live Events Also Read: 'I've also banged a lot of tables': Gukesh reacts to Carlsen's Norway Chess meltdown "I love cricket a lot and try not to miss a single India match. I wanted to be a cricketer but my father and mother both were table tennis players and they are my personal coach too," Ankur said. "My mother pressured me by saying everyone plays cricket, you play table tennis. Then I started playing and I loved it. "Both my father (Angshuman Bhattacharjee) and mother (Kuntali Bhattacharjee) were national level players." Ankur is currently participating in the sixth season of the Ultimate Table Tennis League for Kolkata Thunder Blades. "This year I feel our team is stronger than last year. My form is also better than last year, so I feel we can win the title this year," he said. "UTT is a big platform for youngsters, I feel more such tournaments like UTT should happen. Like last year before playing UTT my India ranking was out of 10, but now I am India ranking 2 in singles. "I have just returned after playing World Championships and had a decent performance there." Ankur had already stamped his authority at the junior level, having won the under-19 boys singles title at the Youth National Championships for three years in a row. He has also won three consecutive bronze medals at the Junior Asian Championships . "I played 6 tournaments at youth level this year and won all of them. This is my first year at senior level and till now I feel I am performing well but I need to take this to the next level," he said. Just like any other athlete, Ankur's target is to finish on the podium in big international tournaments in future. Also Read: Shreyas Iyer scripts history for Punjab Kings in IPL, but he will have to pay a heavy fine "Just came back after playing World Championships, so the next target is to win a medal for India at Asian Championships in Bhubaneswar this year," he said. "Just like everyone, my future goal is to win Olympic gold but it is easier said than done. I am not thinking about it now. I am taking one step at a time." Besides being a table tennis player, Ankur also writes poems in Bengali, a quality which he got from his grandfather. "I used to write a lot earlier and even written for some books as well. I got inspired to write from my grandfather who was a poet. Now I don't get much time to write but do try as and when I can," he said. PTI
Mint
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Mint
Kohlis aggression, Hardiks resilience inspiring young TT player Ankur
Ahmedabad, Jun 2 (PTI) An ardent fan of Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya, rising Indian paddler Ankur Bhattacharjee once aspired to be a cricketer before shifting to table tennis, but his love for cricket still remains. The 18-year-old is big admirer of Kohli's aggression and Hardik's mental strength and wants to imbibe those qualities into his game. "There is a lot of aggression in my game, so I admire Virat Kohli sir's aggressive attitude. I also love Hardik Pandya sir's mental strength. I follow both a lot and try to bring their qualities into my game," Ankur told PTI. Despite turning pro in table tennis, his love for cricket still remains and he doesn't miss a single India match. But after taking up table tennis, his only goal was to fulfil his parents' dream. "I love cricket a lot and try not to miss a single India match. I wanted to be a cricketer but my father and mother both were table tennis players and they are my personal coach too," Ankur said. "My mother pressured me by saying everyone plays cricket, you play table tennis. Then I started playing and I loved it. "Both my father (Angshuman Bhattacharjee) and mother (Kuntali Bhattacharjee) were national level players." Ankur is currently participating in the sixth season of the Ultimate Table Tennis League for Kolkata Thunder Blades. "This year I feel our team is stronger than last year. My form is also better than last year, so I feel we can win the title this year," he said. "UTT is a big platform for youngsters, I feel more such tournaments like UTT should happen. Like last year before playing UTT my India ranking was out of 10, but now I am India ranking 2 in singles. "I have just returned after playing World Championships and had a decent performance there." Ankur had already stamped his authority at the junior level, having won the under-19 boys singles title at the Youth National Championships for three years in a row. He has also won three consecutive bronze medals at the Junior Asian Championships. "I played 6 tournaments at youth level this year and won all of them. This is my first year at senior level and till now I feel I am performing well but I need to take this to the next level," he said. Just like any other athlete, Ankur's target is to finish on the podium in big international tournaments in future. "Just came back after playing World Championships, so the next target is to win a medal for India at Asian Championships in Bhubaneswar this year," he said. "Just like everyone, my future goal is to win Olympic gold but it is easier said than done. I am not thinking about it now. I am taking one step at a time." Besides being a table tennis player, Ankur also writes poems in Bengali, a quality which he got from his grandfather. "I used to write a lot earlier and even written for some books as well. I got inspired to write from my grandfather who was a poet. Now I don't get much time to write but do try as and when I can," he said.
India.com
2 days ago
- Health
- India.com
World No Tobacco Day 2025: Expert Reveals Why India's Youth Faces A Health Crisis Amid Rising Vaping And Tobacco-Linked Cancer Cases
World No Tobacco Day 2025: With India witnessing 5,500 children picking up tobacco daily, and e-cigarettes quietly replacing traditional cigarettes in urban youth culture, the current scenario is a 'perfect storm' of public health threats. We all know that tobacco is hazardous to health. Despite being aware of its dangers, most of the individuals around the world continue to consume tobacco in some form. In India, too, the widespread use of bidis, cigarettes, tobacco, and gutkha has significantly increased the risk of various diseases. This year, the theme of World No Tobacco Day is 'Bright products. Dark intentions. Unmasking the Appeal,' which focuses on how the tobacco companies are using fancy packaging and sweet flavours to trick young audiences into trying harmful tobacco products. Tobacco is a major cause of several serious diseases, including lung cancer and heart disease. Cigarettes and bidis also contain tobacco, and a large number of young people are becoming addicted to them. Moreover, tobacco is a leading cause of cancer. According to Dr Ankur Bahl, Senior Director, Medical Oncology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, "A 5-inch cigarette contains nearly 1,300 chemicals, including nicotine, phenol, toilet cleaner components, and other harmful substances. Smoking and vaping together increase the risk of lung cancer by four times. Tobacco contains nicotine, and young adults are increasingly becoming the new target of nicotine addiction. Also, it's not just smokers developing cancer anymore. There is a surge in lung cancer cases in those exposed to high air pollution. " While immunotherapies and mRNA vaccines show promise, tobacco control is still the most powerful prevention tool. Dr Ankur highlighted, "From what we could observe, around 40% of the lung cancer cases are connected to smoking or vaping. An additional 20% is attributed to long-term exposure to air pollution, whereas around 20% consists of non-smokers who have never directly used tobacco, indicating some other outdoors or hereditary reasons, and the remaining 20% tobacco-related cases involve the use of smokeless tobacco products like khaini and gutka." Dr Ankur explained, With the help of AI Smart Quit-Tech tools, individuals can now quit smoking. He listed below some of the tools: • SmokeMon Smart Necklace: It detects smoking in real time and vibrates as a reminder • AI-powered QuitBots: Personalized messages, triggers, and support — 24x7 • Smartwatch nudges: Detects wrist-to-mouth gestures, alerts users before relapse Dr Ankur concluded, 'Younger generations are the most vulnerable group, and we are witnessing young patients coming in with late-stage cancer. This shift in demographics points to the need to target younger people for awareness campaigns related to early detection and intervention programs. We urge individuals to understand the impact of tobacco and quit it at the earliest."
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
How Patanjali products helped a brinjal farmer in Wardha transition to organic profits
In the heart of Maharashtra's Wardha district, an agricultural revolution is occurring, one whose golden opportunities for sustainable farming and rural wealth must be shared. At its core is Shri Prabhakarrao Deotale, a Nandora village farmer who transitioned from conventional to organic farming, both increasing revenue and environmental health, largely because of training and practices inspired by Patanjali Ayurved's farm extension work. Deotale, an owner of 1.5 hectares of land who grew a variety of vegetables conventionally for years, received his wake-up call in May-June 2019 when he attended an organic farming training program conducted by the Patanjali Bio Research Institute (PBRI) at Nandora. The workshop was under the Farmer Samruddhi Programme of Patanjali, an initiative to empower farmers through ancient Indian knowledge systems blended with modern organic principles. Training the farmers During his training, Deotale was introduced to a wide variety of natural farming inputs and philosophies, including Jeevamrut, Beejamrut, cow dung-based composts, and vermiwash—all staples in organic farming protocol. He also learned the advantages of using straight (non-hybrid) seed varieties and natural pest deterrents over chemical fertilizers and insecticides. Armed with such knowledge, Deotale took a dramatic turn. In July 2019, he set aside 0.50 acres (0.20 hectares) of his land for chemical-free cultivation of brinjal through the use of the Harshal (Ankur) variety. His initial results were promising enough for him to harvest in September of the same year. Patanjali principles The shift to organic practices resulted in drastic reductions in the cost of inputs and sustained improvements in soil health. On the advice of Patanjali, Deotale made homemade Panchgavya and Dashparni—a mixture natural plant products and other things to manage nutrients and control pests. Panchgavya and Dashparni was applied to the field as remedies recommended in Patanjali's farmer manuals, and they helped keep plants healthy and minimised the need for commercial chemicals. The integrative organic system reduced pesticide costs and enhanced plant health. Notably, field observations showed healthier, stronger plant growth and immunity, an important parameter of crop and soil health under organic conditions. Market strategy: Organic by trust Deotale initially sold his crop twice a week on the campus of a local medical and engineering college in Sewagram. Despite the limited exposure, the higher price of organic brinjal ensured a superior income. His success has drawn attention and imitation from other farmers in the district. Apart from farming Deotale's commitment extends beyond his field. A poet and singer, he composed Marathi songs detailing the health hazards of chemical farming—lessons he absorbed during Patanjali's RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) training. By performing these songs locally, he has become an organic ambassador, sensitizing other farmers and villagers to the dangers of pesticides and the promise of natural methods. A new model for rural India? What makes Deotale's journey remarkable is the blend of tradition and innovation. Patanjali's approach—rooted in Vedic agriculture and fortified by modern training—has given farmers like Deotale the tools to achieve profitability without compromising the environment or health. As awareness of food safety and sustainable farming grows, Deotale's success is more than an individual achievement. It is a potential model for rural transformation, where local know-how, sustainable technologies, and strategic placement of the market coalesce to create strong farm systems. As chemical farming continues to brew as a cause of controversy, examples like that of Deotale show that maybe the future does lie in returning to our roots, with institutions like Patanjali in the lead. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
