Doctors make room for yoga asanas in prescriptions
New Delhi, June 20: The ancient Indian practice of yoga, celebrated world over on June 21 as International Day of Yoga, is now capturing the imagination of doctors who are prescribing a fusion of yoga and modern medicines in their treatment of patients.
A new age yoga start-up in the national capital region, Karma Spark is offering clinical yoga therapy for curing Polycystic Ovarian Disorder and Syndrome (PCOD/PCOS), both chronic disorders in women caused by hormonal imbalance which contribute to infertility.
"The start-up is blended of modern diagnostics and traditional yoga to cure chronic disorders. Clinical yoga therapy is also making waves in the US and Europe where it is called Yoga as Medicine or Therapeutic Yoga," said Karma Spark Co-Founder Idi Srinivas Murthy.
"We have already cured over a dozen PCOD cases fully and 30 more are currently underway at the centre. Modern diagnostic reports focuses and accelerates the therapy better. The program has therapeutic yoga sessions, diet advice and no drugs," said another Co-Founder Runvijay.
He also shared a case of a 32-year-old woman who was suffering from PCOD from the past 10 years for whom surgery didn't help.
"After 49 days of clinical yoga therapy, which involved different combinations of yoga poses, multiple cysts were gone, ovarian volume and her menstrual cycle became normal and drug-free. We are delighted that she conceived naturally and is in her second trimester," he said.
Though Yoga has already got global acceptance, it got a major boost by yoga guru Ramdev in the recent years and practitioners of modern medicine in India have openly started advocating it now.
"Yoga, the ancient Indian practice to exercise one's mind, body and spirit, has shown effectiveness in healing various diseases under various studies," said Aashish Chaudhry, Orthopedic Surgeon and Managing Director, Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi.
He talked about numerous asanas which could help in curing various diseases, from joint pain and high blood pressure to diabetes.
Subhash Chandra, Chairman and HOD, Cardiology, BLK Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi said that yoga improves flexibility thus alleviating back aches, knee pain, improved postures and strengthens muscles of body. It prevents cartilage and joint breakdown, protects spine and delays osteoporosis.
"Blood flow to and from heart gets improved with yoga exercises thus preventing sudden heart attacks and brain strokes besides boosting immunity. Digestion and respiratory system works better without requiring any drugs," said the hospital chairman.
Even the World Health Organisation (WHO) has accepted the benefits of yoga.
"On the International Day of Yoga, the importance of routine physical activity that is integrated into our daily lives must be grasped. For people of all ages and all means, yoga is a valuable tool to increase physical activity and decrease non-communicable diseases," WHO South-East Asia Regional Director Poonam Khetrapal Singh said.
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CCI slaps Meta with Rs 213 crore fine over WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy update
New Delhi, Nov 18: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Monday imposed a penalty of Rs 213.14 crore on social media major Meta for unfair business ways with respect to WhatsApp privacy policy update done in 2021.
Besides, the competition watchdog has directed Meta to “cease and desist” from anti-competitive practices.
Meta and WhatsApp have also been asked to implement certain behavioural remedies within a defined timeline to address the anti-competition issues, according to a CCI order.
The regulator has called for implementing various remedial measures, including barring WhatsApp from sharing data collected on its platform with other Meta companies or Meta company products for advertising purposes for five years.
Among other directions, CCI has said that sharing of user data collected on WhatsApp with other Meta companies or Meta company products for purposes other than for providing WhatsApp services shall not be made a condition for users to access WhatsApp Service in India.
The Competition Commission of India (Commission) on Monday imposed a penalty of Rs 213.14 crore on Meta for abusing its dominant position,
Passing the order against abuse of dominance, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said this (penalty) relates to how WhatsApp's 2021 Privacy Policy was implemented and how user data was collected and shared with other Meta companies.
For the case, CCI delineated two relevant markets -- OTT messaging apps through smartphones in India, and online display advertising in India. "Meta Group operating through WhatsApp was found to be dominant in the market for OTT messaging apps through smartphones in India. "Furthermore, it was also found that Meta holds a leading position compared to its competitors in online display advertising in India," CCI said in a release.
Starting from January 2021, WhatsApp notified users about updates to its terms of service and privacy policies.
The in-app notification, effective from February 8, 2021, stated that users were required to accept these terms, including expanded scope of data collection as well as mandatory data sharing with Meta companies, to continue using WhatsApp.
Under the previous privacy policy dated August 25, 2016, WhatsApp users were given the option to decide whether they wanted to share their data with Facebook, the release said.
"However, with the latest policy update in 2021, WhatsApp made data sharing with Meta mandatory for all users, removing the earlier option to opt-out. As a result, users had to accept the new terms, which include data sharing with Meta, in order to continue using the platform," it added.
The watchdog has concluded that the 2021 policy update by WhatsApp on a "take-it-or-leave-it" basis constitutes an imposition of unfair condition under the Competition Act, as it compels all users to accept expanded data collection terms and sharing of data within Meta Group without any opt out.
"Given the network effects and lack of effective alternatives, the 2021 update forces users to comply, undermining their autonomy, and constitutes an abuse of Meta's dominant position. Accordingly, the Commission finds that Meta (through WhatsApp) has contravened Section 4(2)(a)(i) of the Act," it said.
Further, CCI said that sharing of WhatsApp users' data between Meta companies for purposes other than providing WhatsApp Service creates an entry barrier for the rivals of Meta and thus, results in denial of market access in the display advertisement market.
According to the regulator, Meta has engaged in leveraging its dominant position in the OTT messaging apps through smartphones to protect its position in the online display advertising market in contravention of the competition law.
CCI has barred WhatsApp from sharing data collected on its platform with other Meta companies or Meta company products for advertising purposes for five years and the debarment period will start from the date of receipt of this order.
With respect to sharing of WhatsApp user data for purposes other than advertising, the regulator said WhatsApp's policy should include a detailed explanation of the user data shared with other Meta companies or Meta company Products.
"This explanation should specify the purpose of data sharing, linking each type of data to its corresponding purpose," it said.
The watchdog also said that sharing of user data collected on WhatsApp with other Meta companies or Meta company products for purposes other than for providing WhatsApp services shall not be made a condition for users to access WhatsApp Service in India.
Regarding sharing of WhatsApp user data for purposes other than for providing WhatsApp services, CCI said all users in India (including users who have accepted 2021 update) will be provided with the choice to manage such data sharing by way of an opt-out option prominently through an in-app notification.
Also, the regulator has asked for the option to review and modify their choice with respect to such sharing of data through a prominent tab in settings of WhatsApp application, and all future policy updates should comply with these requirements.
