How to check fresh meat in Dashain?

 How to check fresh meat in Dashain?

Many meat shops in Nepal are not constructed and operated scientifically. Due to carelessness there is a risk of bacterial infection in the consumer, the larvae of lice entering the body and different types of diseases. Therefore, you have to pay special attention to some things when buying meat.

Everyone should consider the danger of getting disease instead of nutrition from meat if they get spoiled meat while buying meat. Therefore, consumers should be aware of these things for healthy meat.

Color: Fresh meat should be dark natural color. For example, beef, pork, and chicken are usually dark red, pink, and white, respectively. However, if the color of the meat is light purple instead of red, it means that it has been exposed to oxygen. But it is not dangerous or harmful.

Smell: This is considered to be the easiest way to check the freshness of meat. Fresh meat does not have any kind of smell. There is no particularly strange smell. Strange odors can often be sour, bleach, ammonia or fishy.

Touch: You can also know the quality of meat by touch. Fresh meat is hard to the touch. To check whether the meat is fresh, you should gently press the meat with your fingers. If the meat is fresh, then after a while the meat will return to its original shape, no fingerprints will remain on the meat. If it is not fresh meat, it will have fingerprints on it. If the meat feels slippery to the touch, it is a sign that the meat is rotten.

Check for excessive 'Drop Loss': Drop loss refers to the liquid material that comes out of the meat due to gravity during storage and handling. If the drop loss of meat is excessive, it indicates that the meat is not fresh.

How to check freshness of fish

Looking at the eyes: The eyes of a fresh fish are clean, shiny and slightly protruding. Stale fish have dull and sunken eyes.

Gills: The gills of fresh fish are dark red or pink in color. It is also non-slippery. If the color of the gills is pale or brown, it is a sign that the fish is old.

Smell: Fresh fish has a slight sea or pond smell. If the fish has a strong smell, it indicates that it is stale.

Vent: The vent of the fish should not protrude. This also indicates that the fish is old.

Meat check: Even fresh fish has tough meat. When it is meat, fingerprints should not remain on it. This also indicates that the fish is stale.

(Rai is a teaching assistant at the Central Technology Campus in Dharan. She has a master's degree in food technology.)

Why do cholesterol patients increase in hospital after Dashain?

Why do cholesterol patients increase in hospital after Dashain?

We understand Dashain as a festival of eating and drinking. That is why Manlagdi is eaten at this time. Fish, meat and alcohol are mandatory during Dashain.

Even those who don't drink at other times drink because it's a festival. Drunkenness was a better excuse. They sit and drink from morning till midnight.

On top of that, Sitan was also wanted. Grilled, fried, spicy, bitter, sour meat. Dalmot, chips. What is the habit of most of them is to take vinegar after drinking alcohol.

Such foods may not have an immediate effect. However, with the onset of winter, the number of patients in the hospital begins to increase. Most of them have cholesterol problems. After all, why did they have bad cholesterol? The uncontrolled eating of the same Dashain is one of the reasons behind this.

What happens when cholesterol increases? Why does it increase? Let's understand it in common language.

Cholesterol is a layer of fat in our body. Cholesterol is necessary for proper blood flow in the blood vessels and the structure of the body's cells. However, if the amount of cholesterol in the blood is more than required, it accumulates in the blood vessels, liver and heart.

Blood collects in the blood vessels and narrows the blood vessels. This is why the blood flow is not good. What this does is increase the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease.

This problem is mostly seen in people with heart problems and high blood pressure. However, it does not mean that it is not seen in others.

Cholesterol is such a problem, the early signs of which do not match anything. It suddenly causes problems. Its general symptoms can be seen in anyone. Like white spots appearing around the eyes, black spots appearing on the back of the neck. However, in most cases, this problem is not detected without testing.

When the problem increases, it becomes difficult to handle it. Therefore, it is advisable to find preventive measures before such a problem occurs.

What to do now?

Be alert and take necessary precautions before problems occur. For this, some conditions must be followed.

- Reduce the consumption of red meat. Instead of red meat, white meat and fish can be consumed.

- Do not eat too much ghee, butter, cheese and animal fats.

- Cholesterol contains triglycerides. As carbohydrates increase the amount of triglycerides, eat such foods as little as possible.

- Sugary foods are high in carbohydrates, so eat as little as possible.

- In case of heart disease and high cholesterol level, take related medicine regularly.

- Consuming more fruits and green vegetables than meat.

- Eating less fat and skinned meat.

- Full sleep.

- Don't drink alcohol. Even if you do, consume very little.

Consuming high amounts of fibrous and fiber-rich foods.

Along with diet, you should also pay attention to exercise. At least five days a week you should walk briskly for 30 to 45 minutes.

A medical emergency situation

Eating alcohol and meat indiscriminately increases cholesterol. Apart from that, there are also many people who come to the hospital with a bone stuck in their neck. People are not alert and alert when they are drunk. At that time, when they eat bones with meat, there are many cases of them getting stuck in the throat. This is a medical emergency. In such a situation, if not treated immediately, it can lead to death.

Likewise, people with heart problems, high blood pressure, and those taking blood thinners can also be at risk from uncontrolled eating.

 

Gender Dimension of Disability

 Gender Dimension of Disability

### Unit V: Gender Dimension of Disability (9 hours)

This unit explores the gendered experiences of individuals with disabilities, with a focus on the intersectionality of gender, disability, and sexuality. It delves into the specific challenges that women with disabilities face, including violence and issues related to sexuality. The unit addresses how social, cultural, and legal frameworks shape the lived experiences of disabled women, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing their unique struggles and rights.

---

### **A. Experience of Women with Disabilities**

1. **Exclusion from Feminist Agendas**

   - **Ghai (2002)**, in *Disabled Women: An Excluded Agenda of Indian Feminism*, discusses the ways in which disabled women have been marginalized both within the feminist movement and in broader society. Feminism often overlooks the specific challenges that disabled women face, such as social isolation, economic dependency, and limited access to education and employment. Ghai argues that disabled women’s experiences need to be integrated into mainstream feminist discourse in order to build an inclusive movement that addresses the needs of all women.

   

2. **Vulnerability Without Support in Nepal**

   - **Dhungana (2006)** examines the experiences of disabled women in Nepal in *The Lives of Disabled Women in Nepal: Vulnerability Without Support*. Disabled women in Nepal often face extreme vulnerability due to the lack of social support, economic independence, and adequate healthcare. They are more likely to be excluded from educational opportunities and suffer from a lack of employment prospects, making them dependent on their families or the state. Dhungana emphasizes the need for stronger social protection systems and community support for disabled women in Nepal.

---

### **B. Violence Against Women with Disabilities**

1. **Silence and Paradox**

   - **Chenoweth (1996)**, in *Violence and Women With Disabilities: Silence and Paradox*, discusses how violence against women with disabilities is often ignored or underreported. Disabled women are more vulnerable to abuse due to their dependency on caregivers, social isolation, and the societal perception that they are weak or incapable. Chenoweth highlights the paradoxical situation where disabled women are often silenced and their abuse goes unnoticed or is dismissed as less significant.

   

2. **Domestic Violence and Disability**

   - **Mays (2006)** explores the intersection of disability and domestic violence in *Feminist Disability Theory: Domestic Violence Against Women with a Disability*. Disabled women are more likely to experience domestic violence, and they face unique barriers in seeking help, such as inaccessible shelters and services that do not cater to their specific needs. Mays calls for an expansion of feminist disability theory to address the prevalence of violence against disabled women and the need for inclusive, accessible services.

3. **CREA Research Report**

   - The **CREA (2011)** report, *Count Me In: Violence Against Disabled, Lesbian, and Sex-Working Women in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal*, highlights the compounded marginalization faced by disabled women who belong to other marginalized groups, such as lesbian and sex-working communities. The report reveals that these women face intersecting forms of violence and discrimination and calls for a more inclusive approach to addressing violence that takes into account these overlapping vulnerabilities.

---

### **C. Disability and Sexuality**

1. **Rights and Recognition of Disabled Sexuality**

   - **Shakespeare (2000)** in *Disabled Sexuality: Toward Rights and Recognition*, advocates for the recognition of the sexual rights of disabled individuals. Disabled people, particularly women, are often desexualized by society and denied the opportunity to express their sexuality freely. Shakespeare argues that sexuality is a human right and that society must recognize the sexual agency of disabled individuals and create an environment where they can experience fulfilling sexual lives without stigma.

2. **The Sociopolitical Economy of Disability and Sexuality**

   - **Shildrick (2007)**, in *Contested Pleasures: The Sociopolitical Economy of Disability and Sexuality*, explores the complex ways in which disabled sexuality is regulated and controlled. Disabled people are often seen as asexual or hypersexual, depending on societal prejudices. Shildrick discusses how these perceptions shape the sexual experiences of disabled individuals, particularly women, and emphasizes the need for policies and practices that respect the sexual autonomy of people with disabilities.

3. **Experience of Motherhood for Disabled Women**

   - **Khanal (2012)**, in *Experience of Motherhood of Disabled Women*, explores the experiences of disabled women who are mothers. Motherhood is often seen as incompatible with disability, and disabled women who become mothers face significant challenges, including societal stigma, inadequate healthcare, and a lack of support services. Khanal emphasizes that these women’s experiences must be recognized and supported, and that disability should not be seen as a barrier to motherhood.

---

### **Conclusion**

Unit V on "Gender Dimension of Disability" emphasizes the intersection of gender and disability, focusing on the unique challenges that disabled women face. It highlights their experiences of marginalization, vulnerability to violence, and the complex relationship between disability and sexuality. The readings in this unit provide insights into the ways that disabled women are excluded from feminist discourses, subjected to violence, and denied their sexual and reproductive rights. By understanding these issues, scholars and practitioners can work toward creating more inclusive policies and practices that address the specific needs of disabled women.

---

### Key Readings:

1. **Experience of Women with Disabilities**:

   - Ghai, A. (2002). Disabled Women: An Excluded Agenda of Indian Feminism.

   - Dhungana, B. M. (2006). The Lives of Disabled Women in Nepal: Vulnerability Without Support.

2. **Violence Against Women with Disabilities**:

   - Chenoweth, L. (1996). Violence and Women With Disabilities: Silence and Paradox.

   - Mays, J. M. (2006). Feminist Disability Theory: Domestic Violence Against Women with a Disability.

   - CREA (2011). Count Me In Research Report: Violence Against Disabled, Lesbian, and Sex-Working Women in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal.

3. **Disability and Sexuality**:

   - Shakespeare, T. (2000). Disabled Sexuality: Toward Rights and Recognition.

   - Shildrick, M. (2007). Contested Pleasures: The Sociopolitical Economy of Disability and Sexuality.

   - Khanal, A. N. (2012). Experience of Motherhood of Disabled Women.

Here are **top 10 potential exam questions** based on the topics from the units you've covered:

---

### **Unit I: Understanding Ageing**

1. **Population dynamics**: Discuss the global and national trends in population ageing from 1950 to 2050. What are the political, economic, and social implications of these trends?

2. **Definitions of ageing**: Compare and contrast the varied definitions and applications of ageing, including the concept of active ageing and its determinants.

3. **Gerontology and geriatrics**: Outline the history of gerontology and geriatrics and discuss their significance in the study of ageing.

4. **Theoretical perspectives**: Evaluate different theoretical perspectives on the sociology of ageing. How do these perspectives contribute to understanding the ageing process in society?

---

### **Unit II: Legal Frameworks and Implementations**

5. **International frameworks on ageing**: Analyze the significance of international conferences such as the First and Second World Assemblies on Ageing, the Madrid International Plan of Action (MIPAA), and the UN Principles for Older Persons in shaping global ageing policies.

6. **National frameworks on ageing**: Assess the effectiveness of Nepal's **National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (2006)** and **Senior Citizens Act (2007)** in addressing the needs and rights of older people. How do these frameworks compare to global standards?

---

### **Unit III: Emerging Issues and Challenges of Ageing**

7. **Challenges of ageing populations**: Identify the key challenges posed by an ageing population globally and in Nepal. How do these challenges impact healthcare, social security, and economic stability?

8. **Elder abuse and violence**: Discuss the prevalence and forms of elder abuse and violence in Nepal. What legal and social measures are in place to protect older people, and how effective are they?

---

### **Unit IV: Understanding Disability**

9. **Beyond medical and social models**: Critically evaluate the limitations of both the medical and social models of disability. What alternative perspectives have emerged to better address the complexity of disability in contemporary society?

10. **Feminist disability theory**: Explain the contributions of feminist disability theory. How does it address the intersection of gender and disability, particularly in relation to body image, sexuality, and the experiences of disabled women?

---

These questions encourage both theoretical understanding and practical analysis of ageing and disability issues, helping you prepare for critical discussions and written exams.

Understanding Disability

 Understanding Disability

### Unit IV: Understanding Disability (9 hours)

This unit provides a critical understanding of disability from various perspectives, moving beyond the traditional medical and social models to explore international and national legal frameworks and feminist disability theory. It aims to deepen the understanding of disability as a complex socio-political issue and highlights the significance of inclusive approaches to disability in both global and local contexts. 

---

### **A. Beyond Medical and Social Models of Disability**

1. **Medical Model of Disability**

   - The medical model views disability as an individual problem caused by physical, sensory, or mental impairments. It emphasizes diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. From this perspective, disability is something to be "fixed" or "cured" through medical intervention. Historically, this model dominated both policy and public perception, reinforcing the idea that people with disabilities are "sick" or "abnormal."

   

2. **Social Model of Disability**

   - In contrast, the social model argues that disability is not just a medical condition but a societal construct. According to this model, the barriers that disabled people face—such as inaccessible buildings, discriminatory practices, and exclusion from societal activities—are the real sources of their disability. **Crow (1996)** in *Including All of Our Lives: Renewing the Social Model of Disability* calls for renewing and expanding this model to address a wider range of issues, such as the experiences of people with mental health disabilities and those from marginalized communities.

   - **Shakespeare & Watson (2001)** question the limitations of the social model, arguing in *The Social Model of Disability: An Outdated Ideology?* that while it has been instrumental in shifting the focus away from impairment, it does not fully address the personal experiences of disabled individuals, particularly those who deal with chronic illness or pain.

   

3. **Critique and Expansion of Disability Models**

   - Scholars like **Taleporos & McCabe (2002)**, in *Body Image and Physical Disability—Personal Perspectives*, offer an expansion of the debate by focusing on the psychological and personal aspects of living with a disability. They argue that body image and identity are crucial areas often overlooked in both the medical and social models. While the social model highlights structural barriers, it does not always account for the internal struggles disabled people face in societies that stigmatize physical differences.

---

### **B. International and National Legal Frameworks**

1. **United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, 2006)**

   - The **UNCRPD (2006)** is a groundbreaking international legal instrument that shifts the understanding of disability from a charity-based or medical model to a human rights-based approach. It seeks to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The convention covers civil, cultural, economic, political, and social rights, and emphasizes dignity, individual autonomy, and participation in society.

   - Key principles include:

     - Respect for inherent dignity and individual autonomy.

     - Non-discrimination.

     - Full and effective participation and inclusion in society.

     - Accessibility.

     - Equality of opportunity.

     - Respect for difference and acceptance of people with disabilities as part of human diversity.

   

2. **National Legal Frameworks: Nepal**

   - In Nepal, the **Disabled People's Welfare and Protection Act and Regulation** provides a legal framework to safeguard the rights and welfare of people with disabilities. Despite these legal protections, implementation has been slow, and access to education, employment, and healthcare remains limited. The **UNICEF (2001)** report, *A Situation Analysis of Disability in Nepal*, highlights the social and institutional barriers that continue to marginalize disabled people in Nepali society.

   - The Disabled People's Welfare and Protection Act seeks to address these inequalities by mandating the state to provide appropriate services, but gaps in enforcement, awareness, and resource allocation remain critical issues.

---

### **C. Feminist Disability Theory**

1. **Integrating Disability with Feminist Theory**

   - **Garland-Thomson (2002)**, in her seminal paper *Integrating Disability, Transforming Feminist Theory*, argues for the integration of disability into feminist scholarship. She points out that disability, like gender, is socially constructed and rooted in power dynamics that reinforce norms of able-bodiedness. Feminist disability theory critiques the assumption that disability is inherently negative or undesirable, challenging societal standards of beauty, normalcy, and ability.

   - The theory builds on the idea that both women and people with disabilities experience marginalization due to their perceived departure from societal norms. It also examines how gender and disability intersect to create unique experiences of oppression for disabled women. For instance, women with disabilities often face dual discrimination in healthcare, employment, and personal relationships, as their gender and disability status compound their exclusion.

2. **Feminist Disability Studies**

   - **Garland-Thomson (2001)**, in *Reshaping, Re-thinking, Re-defining: Feminist Disability Studies*, emphasizes that disability studies and feminist theory should work together to reshape society's understanding of both disability and gender. She argues that the experiences of disabled women can offer new insights into feminist concepts such as embodiment, autonomy, and agency. For example, a feminist disability perspective might examine how the medicalization of women's bodies, particularly in areas such as reproductive health, intersects with the medicalization of disability to reinforce patriarchal and ableist norms.

   - Feminist disability theory calls for an inclusive approach that recognizes the diversity of human experiences, challenging both traditional disability models and feminist discourses that fail to account for the experiences of disabled individuals.

---

### **Conclusion**

Unit IV on "Understanding Disability" expands the scope of disability studies by moving beyond the medical and social models to explore legal frameworks and feminist perspectives. The medical and social models provide important lenses, but they are limited in capturing the full experience of disability. The human rights-based approach, as emphasized by the UNCRPD, and the feminist disability theory proposed by scholars like Garland-Thomson, provide deeper and more inclusive ways to understand and address disability.

By integrating feminist theory with disability studies, this unit highlights the intersectional challenges that disabled individuals, particularly women, face in society. It also underscores the importance of implementing both international and national legal frameworks to ensure that people with disabilities are granted equal rights and opportunities in all areas of life.

---

### Key Readings:

1. **Beyond Medical and Social Models of Disability**:

   - Crow, L. (1996). Including all of our lives: Renewing the social model of disability.

   - Shakespeare, T., & Watson, N. (2001). The social model of disability: An outdated ideology?

   - Taleporos, G., & McCabe, M. P. (2002). Body image and physical disability—personal perspectives.

2. **International and National Legal Frameworks**:

   - UNCRPD (2006). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

   - UNICEF (2001). A situation analysis of disability in Nepal.

3. **Feminist Disability Theory**:

   - Garland-Thomson, R. (2002). Integrating disability, transforming feminist theory.

   - Garland-Thomson, R. (2001). Reshaping, re-thinking, re-defining: Feminist disability studies.