An Analysis of Book: “Speaking of How to Prevent Common Diseases”

              Dr. Ajit Singh Puri’s book “Speaking of How to Prevent Common Diseases” is a comprehensive health guide for the prevention of numerous serious ailments and combat fatal diseases. Dr. Ajit  Singh Puri himself is a well read and known personality who showed his                 devotion and deep involvement to write this remarkable book in simple, spontaneous and well-knit language so that even a common reader is well acquainted with the on-set of symptoms, prevention and fight common diseases by developing healthy life style to lead a disease-free life. Dr. Ajit Singh Puri himself being MBBS MD (Clinical Medicine) from the Government Medical College Amritsar and Patiala attempted to write up a book that contains many common and serious diseases like allergy, cardiology, diabetes and many other disorders. He made an earnest attempt to create realization among the masses so as to widen their horizon about diseases. This book on varied hues of topics is an encyclopedia-in-miniature so that people at large find it easy to read and seek the true and authentic information in a result oriented manner to get rid of diseases. It really deserves appreciation on the part of Dr. Ajit Singh Puri that he did not confine his knowledge to himself but put it up in black-and-white in a simple and subtle presentation for the common good of all the people whether a layman or a professional in medical science. He has done his specializations in cardiology, applied neurology in the United Kingdom. “The book has been acclaimed worldwide for enlightening world citizens to lead a reasonable disease – free life” (Indian Express)

            Dr. Puri has put in a lot of hard-work in pursuit of his mission. He has been to various countries like the UK the USA, Switzerland, Canada, Holland, Austria, West Germany, Belgium, Italy, France, Luxemburg, Sri Lanka, Nepal a number of times for imbibing the spirit of mass awareness and awakening so as to acquaint the masses in the areas of his specialisations. He had the honour to participate in the seminars of the General Medical Council, London, the Jephcott Lecture and Reception of the Royal Society of Medicine in London; the Autumn Scientific meeting of the North of England Neurological Association. He has also the distinction to work as a visiting member of the faculty of the Newcastle General Hospital in U.K. He has also visited various foreign universities, hospitals – the George Washington University Hospital (USA), University of New Castle Upon Tyne, the Charring Cross Hospital London, the University of Sheffield (UK) and has conversed face to face with well-known medical specialists and had interactive sessions on various essential topics of diverse nature. He also visited the University of Colombo (Sri Lanka), The Toronto General Hospital (Canada) in search of his quest for knowledge and spread it to all to heal the sick.

            The book really deserves accolades. Its foreword has been written by Lord Walton of Detchant, TD, MA, MD, DSc, FRCP and Former Professor of Neurology and Dean of Medicine – University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Former President, British Medical Association, Royal Society of Medicine and General Medical Council, Former Warden, Green College, Oxford, former President, World Federation of Neurology.

            He has described Dr. Puri with so many qualifying qualities as “a dedicated, enthusiastically caring physician.” He further writes about Dr. Puri that “he believes properly that clinical medicine is concerned not just with diagnosis and management but also with disease prevention.” He congratulates Dr. Puri for his energy and initiative.

            The book has proved beneficial for the commoners and the professionals alike whose first two editions have been appreciated worldwide in thirty-six countries. It inspires us that we should keep our body in good health which is our duty. Otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. Health is a precious asset which we must recognize and appreciate it and for good health and its appreciation, here is Dr. Ajit Singh Puri’s book that unfolds the causes, symptoms, precautions and preventions right from the fatal cancer to coronary diseases, diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, uric acid, diseases of the nervous system, tuberculosis, allergy and bronchial asthama, diseases of the abdomen, kidneys, endocrine diseases like thyroid, leprosy, AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases an many old age ailments. Moreover, Dr. Puri has taken pains to explain the ill effects of smoking and tobacco chewing, alcoholism, obesity related diseases, sudden cardiac collapse. He has also apprised the people with various clinical tests for the detection of various common diseases, urgent and necessary steps for first aid to prevent and control some common serious onset of ailments. Above all, he has added special subject on essential dietary measures for the prevention of common serious diseases. Even an appendix on exercise has also been added that plays a significant role in maintaining sound health, improving bone density and preventing osteoporosis, controlling blood sugar levels and so on. Infect exercise is panacea for all diseases and it should be carried out keeping in view one’s own state of health. The foundation of success in life is good health and the basis of happiness. There should be an active will and impulse towards good health.

            The book carries in itself a number of features. That is why it has been appreciated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr. B.P. Kean, Director, External Co-operation and Partnerships, WHO Geneva, Switzerland conveyed the comments which are worth meaningful. B.P. Kean found that the book “has served the purpose for which it was written by preserving the well-being of many who would otherwise have fallen seriously ill.”

            Dr. Puri also inaugurated the World Diabetes Day 2014 campaign marking a three year focus on healthy living and diabetes.

            His father Dewan K.S Puri was a renowned Forensic Science expert whose book ‘Selective Works of Dewan K.S Puri’ published by Dewan K.S Puri Foundation was released by the Vice-President on 11 January 2002. He was an internationally known forensic criminologist who was credited with 55000 cases with hundreds of research papers and books. Dewan K.S Puri memorial Gold Medal is awarded annually at Punjabi University Patiala convocation to topper of M.Sc (Forensic Science) By virtue of his good-will and selfless service to the needy, Puri Road at Patiala was named after Dewan K.S Puri, Father of Dr. Ajit Singh Puri.

            His grandfather Devi Singh was a Dewan in the earstwhile Princely State of Patiala under the Maharaja Rajinder Singh. He served the Maharaja as Mir-Munshi.

            Dr. Puri’s book is undoubtedly a remarkable one. He has also launched Dewan K.S Puri Hospital at Puri Lodge Puri Road, Patiala. Dr. Ajit Singh Puri launched the hospital as its founder Chairman. It is an added attraction to see that S. Sukhdev Singh Puri is the younger brother of Dr. Ajit Singh Puri, an IPS officer who belonged to Maharashtra Cadre. His younger brother Jagjit Singh Puri is former IAS officer who belongs to Punjab Cadre.

            Suresh Kumar, IAS officer of Punjab Cadre, Chief Principal Secretary to Captain Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab, is a close relative of Dr. Ajit Singh Puri.

            Dr. Ajit Singh Puri, a dynamic and energetic person always remains in action for the upliftment of the needy ones. Recently, he had the distinction to inaugurate Raj Multi Speciality Hospital, Khanna in Punjab State.

            Dr. Puri’s distinctive qualities of long standing rank supported by his genius and hard work to ameliorate the healthy vision of the people in general inspired him to write the book on Common Diseases which won name and fame in the world. He presented his book to the President of India, Dr. Giani Zail Singh and the Vice-President of India, Shri Krishan Kant.

            He also presented his book to Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari. So actions speak louder than words. Every person should possess this valuable book that carries topics on various common diseases with their symptoms and preventions that will certainly go a long way to cure the people of their diseases if a little bit of care supported with genuine exercise is put in our lives that will definitely reduce the intake of medicines.

             The author of this review, Dr. Jaswant Singh Puri, Recipient of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa), Punjab Ratta and Human and Animal Rights Activist has shown his interest and involvement with utmost earnestness to highlight the review of Dr. Ajit Singh Puri’s book “Speaking of How to Prevent Common Diseases” in a nutshell without losing any topic.

 

Dr. Jaswant Singh Puri
Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa)
Punjab Rattan,
Member Dewan Family, Erstwhile Princely State of Patiala
M-  9316520136