Satyam All Set To Launch Its Campus In Interior China

A campus, in one of the tier two cities of China, will be set up by Satyam Computer Services for cashing in on cash advantages. Projected to be about 75,000 sq. mt. (square meters) this campus will have a capacity to accommodate nearly 2,000 people, most of them being local talent.

“As the middle kingdom is emerging significant in our de-risking plan of North America, we’re exploring every possibility to ramp up operations in China”, as per Virender Aggarwal, who is Satyam’s Senior VP for Middle East, India, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

Focus of this campus will be mainly on application, enterprise applications, and application maintenance. Also the company has inaugurated its third facility in China. Spread over 500 sq. mt., the 100-seater development center is situated in Guangzhou Software Park. The facility is designed to increase nearly 1,000 employees towards the end of the year 2008.

RNCOS has just published its much awaited market research report on “Opportunities in Chinese Software Industry (2007)”. As per the research report, “Exports is the biggest revenue generator for the Chinese software industry. And, the new centers launched by Satyam will surely help in further strengthening of the software industry, with its operations encompassing Beijing, Dalian, and Shanghai.”

Key issues and facts addressed by this report include:

· Pinpoint sectors of growth and identify driving factors.
· The situation of China in Software outsourcing.
· The software exports levels.
· The piracy rate in last few years.
· Get insight into trends in market performance.
· The government policies for software industry.
· The future opportunities for Chinese software industry.
· Identify market and brand leaders and understand the competitive environment.
· Key Challenges and Strategies.

About the report

RNCOS report presents and analyzes the current developmental trends in the Chinese software industry. The report identifies the problems encountered by software industries and examines the factors, which may play a vital role in the growth of the software industry of China.

For more information visit: http://www.rncos.com/Report/IM087.htm

Current Industry News: http://www.rncos.com/blog

Animal rights in Mexico

“Gimme Shelter” Monterrey’s Animal Welfare Crisis

Animal rights is a forbidding topic in Mexico -an oxymoron, almost- even in Monterrey, Mexico’s affluent financial core. Except for the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains, encircling the Monterrey metropolis, the city resembles U.S. urbanity complete with fast food franchises, strip malls and ubiquitous Starbucks on suburban streets. Yet Mexico-U.S. comparisons abound in the treatment of homeless animals, particularly in Monterrey.

Stray dogs, unlike other areas of Mexico, are largely absent from Monterrey, an industrial city of 3.5 million humans. Just a handful of dogs were observed during a recent visit, skinny and scurrying through San Pedro Garza Garcia, the privileged neighborhood surrounding the University of Monterrey (UDEM). While an absence of animals running loose on city streets denotes a sophisticated urban infrastructure-something the Greeks studied prior to the 2004 Athens Olympics, and municipal officials are just starting to learn in Beijing. Turkey continues to wrestle with the problem of countless breeding stray dogs and cats in their ongoing struggle to join the European Union, an issue facing other developing nations dependent on Euros, tourism, and weakening U.S. dollars: Former pets starving and scurrying around city streets are nothing well-heeled travelers wish to see.

Monterrey continues to look toward northern neighbors when it comes to street animals, at least on the outside. With so much international business and trade-Mexico’s most prominent corporations are based in Monterrey-officials know Monterrey’s setting, rich with galleries, parks, public art, theaters and tourist centers, is a distant cry (or bark or meow) from the Mexican majority, especially concerning human and animal rights. This contrast is especially piquant for Californians raised on Baja sensations and Mexican beaches-Ensenada, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas, for example-where stray dogs and cats even outnumber those selling timeshares, a sad fact of life matched only by Mexico’s innumerable indigent natives, orphans and beggars.

But Monterrey is different, at least in the privileged part of town. Peoples’ pets are rarely seen (presumably lounging inside the walled, gated gardens of the city’s many mansions), although several were observed leading human companions on leisurely strolls through Monterrey’s ample parks and green spaces. Although pet stores are not yet a common site in Monterrey-apparently

2008 Beijing Olympics – Get Information of World Travel and Beijing Olympic Games Venues

“One world One Dream,” Olympics slogan calls the world to unite in the Olympics spirit.
Olympic games are the most prestigious, and multi-sports event held in every four year. It’s thrill and excitement starts building year before it actually starts. The Summer Olympics will commence on August 8th 2008 and end on August 24th 2008. The opening ceremony will be held in Beijing National Stadium, which can accommodate 91,000 spectators and begins at 08:08: 08 P.M. as 8 is lucky number in Chinese culture. After an exhaustive ballot of International Olympic Committee, Beijing was awarded to host prestigious Olympics games, beating the likable candidates like ‘Toronto’, ‘Paris’, ‘Istanbul’ and ‘Osaka’. Athletes from round the world will compete in 302 games event in 28 games.

Olympics Games venues

2008 Beijing Olympics is going to be a magnificent and host country is all geared up. To make this event a huge success “The Government of China” has constructed 31 venues in Beijing and 5 more venues are outside Beijing in Qingdao, Hong Kong, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Qinhuangdao. Its largest architectural pieces will be the “Beijing National Stadium” earmarked for Football and Atheletics, “Beijing National Indoor Stadium” with the accomodating capacity of 19,000 spectators is for Artistic Gymnastics, Trampolines and Handball; “Beijing National Aquatics Centre” is for Swimming, Water Polo and Diving; “Olympic Green Convention Centre”; “Olympic Green”, and “Beijing Wukesong Culture and Sports Center” including 59 training centres for the atheletes.
Also in the list are, “Beijing Shooting Range Hall”, “Wukesong Indoor Stadium”, “Laoshan Velodrome”, “Shunyi Olympic Rowing- Canoing Park”, “China Agricultural University Gymnasium”, “Peking University Gymnasium”, “Beijing Science and Technological University Gymnasium” and “Beijing University of Technological Gymnasium”.

2008 Olympics sports

Total 302 gaming events will be played in 2008 beijing olympics Games in Beijing, out of which 165 men’s events, 127 women’s events and 10 mixed events will take place. This year total nine new events will be added. Some of the games to be played in Beijing Olympics are Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing, Cycling, Diving, Soccer, Gymnastics, Handball, Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling and lots more.

Torch Relay

With the theme of “Journey of Harmony,” Olympic torch relay will began on the historic grounds of Olympia, the birthplace of Olympism, where the Ancient Olympic Games took place and then torch will travel through every continent except Antarctica.

Beijing Tour

With Olympics on the cards, Beijing expects millions of spectators, coming from round the globe. Beside games, Beijing has abounding tourist attractions to offer. ‘Temple of Heaven’, ‘Tanzhe Temple’, ‘Temple of Azure Clouds’, ‘Yunju Temple’, ‘Five Pagoda Temple’, ‘Temple of The Reclining Buddha’ is some of its celebrated temples. Beautiful and manicured parks like ‘Fragrant Hills Park’, ‘Xiangshan Park’, ‘Beihai Park’ and ‘Zhongshan Park’ are the star attractions. Discos and nightclubs are perfect chill out zones and add to its raucous nightlife. With several deluxe hotels and palatial resorts: accommodation is not an issue. Shop to your heart content in posh shopping complexes and savor the taste of delectable cuisines.

Over 7 million tickets will be sold for various sporting events, so grab your ticket now and take off for an unforgettable experience, that awaits you in Beijing.

China, The Most Ancient Empire On The Earth

A country with the biggest population on the Earth, a country closed for a several decades; nowadays

China is becoming one of the most interesting tourist destinations in Asia.

China is one of the oldest states in the world and the only, surviving till today.

For visitors China offers a great variety of choices. Whether you are interested in Chinese history, Chinese culture or Chinese scenery, your trip will be very interesting.

Of course, those who like to know China should visit its Capital – Beijing. Beijing is a capital city for over 800 years now. Thirty-four emperors have lived and ruled the nation in Beijing and it has been an important trading city from its earliest days. Now Beijing is a modern metropolis, but you still can see the traces of the Chinese glorious story – Forbidden City – the largest and best-preserved imperial palace complex, a section of the Great Wall and the largest sacrificial complex in the world – the Temple of Heaven. In the old part of Beijing people still leave in small houses, that don’t differ from those their ancestors lived in. This part of the city looks like they missed at least 100 last years. However there is another Beijing – modern, with skyscrapers and prestigious hotels, with restaurants and bars. The world-biggest central square, ruefully famous Tian’anmen Square attracts a lot of tourists. In 2008 Beijing will host the Olympic Games, so the amount of modern buildings and tourist services will increase significantly.

Shanghai with its population of about 18 millions is the biggest city in China. Originally Shanghai was a seaside fishing village, but today it has become a multi-cultural metropolis with both modern and traditional Chinese features. Known as “the Oriental Paris”, Shanghai is the top shopping destination in China. It also can be called the most Western Chinese city. As a port city Shanghai survived a considerable foreign influence.

A very special place in China is Hong Kong. It became a part of China only in 1999 and still had strong links with the West, particularly with the Great Britain. Today Hong Kong is a great international trading post, a powerful manufacturing base and one of the world’s largest financial centres. Hong Kong is also famous for its cinema.

Another interesting experience in China could become a cruise along Yangtze, the greatest Chinese river. Usually they last from 5 to 22 days. You will visit Chongqing, Fengdu, Sandouping and some other Chinise places of interest.

Amazing world of the mysterious Tibetan civilization is without any doubt worth visiting but it’s a subject of a separate trip that will take about 2 weeks.

Anyway, China has a lot to offer and you can choose your own travel program to see what you want.

The Regions of New Zealand

Where is New Zealand, exactly? New Zealand is two islands in the Pacific, but it is not a Pacific Island.

All those islands we normally think of as “Pacific”: New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands, and Tahiti, lie between 15 and 23 degrees South.

They are north of the Tropic of Capricorn…

… New Zealand is south of it. By a long way.

New Zealand stretches from 35 to 47 degrees south, and covers 270 000 square kilometres. It is:

the size of Burkina Faso, Colorado, Equador, the UK, or the Western Sahara
twice the size of Bangladesh, Fujian Province (China) or Greece
four times the size of Sri Lanka
half the size of Madagascar, France or Kenya
and would fit comfortably into the Caspian or Baltic Seas…

Some geography…

For the sake of convenience, we can divide up the country into 2 degree bands of latitude. Down here, the numbers get bigger as we travel south. And it gets colder. Down here, birds fly NORTH for the winter…

The regions of New Zealand fall into these bands as follows:

34-36 Northland
36-38 Auckland, The Coromandel
38-40 Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Rotorua, Taupo, Eastland, Hawkes Bay, Wanganui-Manawatu, Taranaki
40-42 Wellington, Wairarapa, Marlborough, Nelson
42-44 The West Coast, Canterbury, Christchurch
44-46 Mt Cook-MacKenzie, Wanaka, Queenstown, Otago, Dunedin, Fiordland
46-48 Southland, including Stewart Island

What else can you find at these latitudes?

Following the same bands of latitude around the Southern Hemisphere, the regions of New Zealand share their parallels with:

34-36 Buenos Aires, Adelaide and Canberra in Australia, and Cape Town in South Africa (in fact, Cape Town is NORTH of the northern-most point of New Zealand, and Sydney is the same…)
36-38 Auckland and the Coromandel lie in the same band as Melbourne
38-40 Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Taranaki cover large slices of Argentina and Chile
40-42 Wellington, Wairarapa, Marlborough, Nelson – more Chile.
42-44 West Coast, Canterbury (Christchurch) are neighbours with Hobart
44-46 Otago, Southland (Dunedin) is the same as… Patagonia! (just look at the landscapes to see why…)
46-48 more Patagonia…

The Northern Hemisphere

While it’s not an accurate comparison, New Zealand is in the middle of the ocean with no part of it further than 130 kilometres (about 80 miles) from the coast, in the same bands of latitude in the Northern Hemisphere you will find (moving north):

34-36 Cyprus, Kabul, Tokyo, Los Angeles
36-38 Seoul, Tunis, Athens, San Francisco
38-40 Ankara, Beijing, Lisbon
40-42 Istanbul, Tashkent, Madrid, Rome, New York
42-44 Almaty, Vladivostok, Sofia, Toronto, Boston
44-46 Bordeaux, Milan, Belgrade, Bucharest, Ottowa
46-48 Geneva, Seattle

Now you know where you’re heading. All you need to do is get here…

http://www.luxury-new-zealand.com/flights-to-new-zealand.html
About the Author

Stephen Hay invites you to explore the opportunities for luxury travel and accommodation in New Zealand.

The site, http://www.luxury-new-zealand.com/, brings together all luxury offerings in New Zealand. Private jet companies, charter yachts, luxury rental cars, luxury adventure holidays and 165 luxury lodges, resorts and boutique hotels for your enjoyment.

10 Things to Do Before I Die : a Gap Year in Asia !

10 things to do before I die : Be Happy, Figure out the Meaning of Life, Be really really good, Buy a House … Volunteer in Asia ! ‘All I want to do is have a little fun before I die’ sings Sheryl Crow, don’t we all ! If you would make a list of 10 things to do before you die, what would be on it ? Would a Gap Year Abroad be on the list ? What about a Gap Year in Asia ? More and more people are thinking of doing just that. Asia is a magical continent with a whole range of cultural experiences on offer. There are so many Gap Year programs in Asia such as Volunteer Programs, Conservation Volunteering Work, Teaching English, Meaningful Tours and Backpack Travel.

Where to Go for your Gap Year Abroad Program in Asia ?

The first decision you will need to make is where to go for your Gap Year Program in Asia. There are some great destinations in Asia : China, Thailand and Vietnam and much more. It all depends on your personal preference and what you want to do when you get there. Each country in Asia definetely has its own flavor and the only way to really discover where a country is right for you is to go there. There is plenty of information on the internet so do your research and visit the country that most appeals to you. Thailand is a favorite for Gap Year travelers. In Thailand you can do volunteer travel, conservation work, meaningful tours or just lying on the beach. Vietnam is called the jewel of Asia. Economic development is increasing rapidly and more and more travelers are visiting Vietnam. In Vietnam you can join a volunteer program, join tours and much more. China is always a favorite with its great culture, food and economic advancement.

The two main volunteering activities are teaching and conservation work. In China you can teach English in the great cities of Beijing and Shanghai or in rural China and you can also do conservation volunteering with the Giant Panda bear. In Thailand there is a lot of volunteering work available doing teaching and conservation work. Vietnam is a great destination for volunteering, it is a country in full development and there is a great need for volunteering work.

Should I organise my own volunteer program or join a voluntary agency ?

You could do it yourself but there are drawbacks to this. For starters you will need a few weeks in the country to organise things. You could research on the internet for a project and it might work out well but it is a hit or miss. Does this project suit you, will you get support, what about your accommodation ? It would not be advisable to do things like this. You would need to be in the country and visit several projects to get a feel. You will also need to hire an interpreter. The other option which most people are taking is to join an organised volunteer organization. The benefits are that you will have a fully organised program so you can enjoy the experience fully.

A Recap of the 2008 Olympic Betting

The summer Olympics in Beijing China are just around the corner. After some political disputes relating to the freedom of the Tibetan people, government unrest’s and speculation that they might be boycotted; the Olympics are finally just around the corner. It is really an exciting time as usually this time of year; punters do not have many choices in performing internet betting operations aside from European cup football qualifiers and exhibition matches.

After all the politics aside, this event will likely trigger rises in betting activity from the major European betting houses hosted in places like Gibraltar and Malta.

As far as football is concerned, the favorites are the Brazilian team. With legendary names that have already rocked the European club crowd all playing together in one team, it is highly unlikely that any other team in the world might be able to take gold from them. Germany is the favorite to win the field hockey while the USA is favorite to win in basketball as the dream team goes once again to claim gold in overseas national competitions. Only thing left to see if there will be a surprise in any one of these events and if so, a shocking sports world event where the media will surely make a huge issue about.

On a more general note, China is the favorite to take home the most medals, while USA comes in a close second, and a likely punter bet for USA to get the most as the odds are really good for this country. Another important note that might interest punters is whether or not world record may be broken. The odds favor a NO in terms of Colt or anyone else breaking the 100m world record. In overall women’s gymnastics, the odds favor the USA with China being a strong second. An interesting note on the most gold medals favors the Germans and the Australians to get the most gold medals over the Chinese and the USA team; perhaps due to the Swimming competitions among others.

One interesting bet currently in major betting markets such as betfair is 3.85 odds backing Serbia to win the Men Water Polo sport competition. Odds in general across major betting houses like the one mentioned and others seem somewhat favorable to the punter odds wise as companies will be looking to bring in clients and increase betting activity by upping the odds a bit in some categories, and also in order to increase general activity given the fact that August is somewhat of a sluggish month usually throughout the years as there are hardly major competitions for punters to bet on.

The 2008 Olympics will surely be ones where punters will make millions in betting, this for Europe alone. It also gives a more global chance for people interested in their own countrymen to place bets and back them, and an opportunity for everyone in the world that is actively watching the event to open accounts with major betting houses and place bets across sports and countries during the generally boring August in terms of major sports activity.

2008 Olympics: Advice to travelers attending the Beijing Olympics

Beijing is such a charming and ancient city that it seems a waste to travel that far and only see Olympic events. When I was in the city in 2006, I was traveling with my family in the spring of the year. We were able to hire a guide through word of mouth from friends in China. But when I looked on line (http://www.tour-beijing.com/) , I found a web site that does just this very thing for you.

We were accompanied by a tour guide and a driver in a van. Our accommodations while not luxurious were perfectly adequate. The tour guides in China are all regulated by the government and are required to take tourist to certain government owned businesses and scenic locations. Still we received a very personal and individual experience. We were absolutely overwhelmed by the history, beauty and people in this city.

Even if I were familiar with the city, I would never attend the Olympics and expected to find my way around in this enormous city without specific help and knowledge. Firstly, the Chinese are not fluent in English. I do realize that the China government has pushed for the Chinese to learn English so that they can accommodate our needs. But, if you were to, for example, wander away from the beaten track you would need to have a back up plan to at least return to your hotel. A business card from your hotel with ensure that a taxi returns you to the correct location. Secondly, this very old city is not designed or planned. It grew up over many, many centuries. While we expect to see some logic in cities when we travel, you will not find it here. Thirdly, you are dealing with a huge mass of humanity. The Chinese are making a real effort to provide mass transportation for their people but it takes time. I did not travel on the subway system in Beijing but I have been on the subway in Shanghai many times. I only ventured out at rush hour one time. You needed to be strong and determined. Elderly or handicapped people are almost never seen.

So my advice to you in this situation is to sign up with a tour group, pay what ever it costs and follow the group leader. This is no time to be going on a travel “adventure”. In fact, even as much as I travel, I cannot imagine it.

Alternative Medicine – Avenue for Medical Tourism

The history of alternative medicine is a rather interesting one, and has its
origins in traditional methods of medicine. Alternative medicine has been
in existence since time immemorial. Being a primeval science, this medicinal
system has been known to man since the early days of his time on Earth. Using
natural ingredients to prevent and cure most illnesses has perhaps been man’s greatest foray into medical science. Traditional medical practitioners aimed at prevention of diseases associated with an increase in resistance of the human body. As an expert rightly pointed out, “The study of the history of alternative medicine is fascinating on a variety of levels, not just concerning other and often better ways of preserving and restoring health.”

 

Practised for thousands of years, alternative medicine includes systems like
Acupuncture, Ayurveda and traditional Asian medicine. Alternative medicine branches
out from the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatments and
therapies. CAM is often combined with formal, conventional medicine, integrating
both medical practices, in order to give the best results to patients. It can be said that
the earlier methods of medicine were attempted at achieving a balance between bodily
and natural energy. Energies were sought as positive and negative energies, where
positive energies were to bring in happiness and health and negative energies an
incapacitation of resistance to face any ailments. Matters of utmost importance in
deciding therapies or treatments in these earlier medical systems were factors like
one’s lifestyle, one’s habits of eating and one’s occupational pressures.

 

The earliest use of traditional remedies dates back to 2800 BC in China.
Practised all over the world in more than a hundred disciplines, alternative medicine
has aided medical tourism in an unprecedented manner. Using alternative medicine
and following alternative medical practices not only removes any possible additional
affects of the illness but also increases the resilience of the body. It is generally
claimed that natural remedies are not only less inimical to human physiology
but they also help in retaining body pliancy. Systems of natural, traditional
medicines use a combination of ingredients to restore the bodily constituents. In
fact, natural remedies are considered more as food, given their natural constituents.
Since alternative medicine is based on completely natural methods and there is
no usage of any chemicals, there is no danger of any interference with the organic
system. A holistic approach as opposed to looking at a set of symptoms and a
treatment that delves into the root-cause of an illness are some of the distinct and
highly acknowledged features of alternative medicine. It is also opined that
widespread use of modern medicine has deteriorated the immune system in the
human physiology and has resulted in these modern medicines becoming less
effective. It is also often said that alternative medicine is the only way to cure
some incurable diseases.

 

A Brief History of Alternative Medicine

The history of alternative medicine can be traced back to some 5000 years, when the Chinese and Indians discovered traditional and Ayurvedic therapies to heal the body and the mind. The real objective was to identify the deterrents in the body system which caused ailments, and
strengthened the body’s immunity. The therapies mainly incorporated self-care, lifestyle
changes and various preventive measures. The normal practices that were followed in the early stages of the history of alternative medicine include the extractions of the bark of willow trees. Many kitchen ingredients were also used for treating patients. The treatments were considered as the blessings of God, as it brought immense relief to the writhing bodies and prayer was considered as one of the strongest weapons in waging war against ailments.
Source: “A Brief History of Alternative Medicine”, http://www.med-help.net/med-history-of-alternativemedicine.
html

 

Alternative Medicine and Medical Tourism

Today, alternative medicine holds out immense potential in attracting medical
tourists. For example, India is likely to become a major hub for medical tourism,
with revenues from the industry estimated to grow from US$333 million in 2007
to US$2.2 billion by 2012, says a study by the Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII) and McKinsey.3 The major competitive advantages that India faces are cost
effectiveness and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Naturopathy.
The world has witnessed the development of many traditional as well as modern
systems of medicine in the 20th century. Path-breaking discoveries like penicillin,
technological advancements in modern surgery, major research advancement in stem
cell research and genetic structure, and the development of traditional medical systems
like traditional Chinese system of medicine, Acupuncture, Osteopathy, Homeopathy,
Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani and others have all been a part of developments in the
omnipotent territory of global medicine. The major competitive advantages that India
has are cost effectiveness and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Naturopathy.
The last few years have seen countries with their own individual expertise attracting
tourists from all over the world and promoting medical tourism like never before.

India

In India, medical tourism in alternative medicine has its ancestry in South India
and some places in North-Eastern India. Internationally famed for its natural remedies and therapies, Kerala’s schools of medicine have embraced Siddha,
Naturopathy and Ayurveda in treating their patients. These traditional medical
practices are estimated to attract high-end medical tourists from Europe and
Middle Eastern countries. The vital advantages that a country like India faces
with regard to medical tourism are its traditional therapies like yoga and Ayurveda
combined with tourist attractions in states like Kerala and north-eastern states.
Naturopathy, a therapeutic system based on natural remedies, trusts natural
elements like air, water and sunlight, combined with therapeutic massages and
conditioning and toning of the human body. Naturopathy believes that the human
body has the capacity to heal on its own, provided it is in a healthy environment.
With a holistic approach to well-being, Naturopathy believes that the three
physical entities – the physical body, the supernatural soul and the mind – must
be integrated through natural energies. “A recent survey shows that 76% of global
drugs are consumed by USA and European countries. We believe that freedom
from diseases and drugs can only be achieved by living a natural life style.”4
Ayurveda, the most ancient health care system, takes its ingredients from nature.
The use of herbs, materials like gold and mercury and many household ingredients
make this science easily accessible to common man. Ayurveda claims to cure diseases
like diabetes with the aid of nature. The Siddha medical system, which is a part of
Ayurveda, employs herbs, minerals and advanced scientific techniques under ancient
principles of medical science to cure many chronic diseases. It is named as one of
the most complicated and intricate forms of medicine. Siddha considers nature
and man as one essential entity. It claims that physiological characteristics like
human aging can itself be arrested with natural remedies.

Naturopathy has evolved medical tourism in India in more than one ways.
With its systems of medication using all natural ingredients to restore the holistic
disease-fighting nature of the human body, the medicine has created increased
chances of its own survival through tourists from all parts of the world visiting
India to reap its benefits. As Vitthal Kamat of the Kamat Group of Hotels says,
“With Naturopathy and Ayurveda along with the world renowned tourist attractions
and heritage places, the tourism sector can grow in leaps and bounds.”5 Naturopathy
in “KayaKalp”, a naturopathy centre in Himachal Pradesh, run by the Vivekananda Medical Research Trust in India has served medical tourists in detoxifying, immunizing and rejuvenating through Yoga, Pranayama, Panchkarma, Meditation and Naturopathy. Its therapies are claimed to be drug-less and extremely natural. Naturopathy takes the help of Ayurvedic preparations for healing processes like Panchkarma and improvement of blood circulation.

India’s pioneer in alternative therapy – medical tourism, Kerala, has visitors
from all over the world in the months of June, July and August. These months are
looked upon as the best period for cure of bodily ailments through Ayurveda.
High quality medical facilities provided at low prices are the main tourist attraction
in Kerala. Mr. M Narayanan, head of Poovar Island Resort says that there are
tourists from countries like Australia, Europe and Germany. The packages offered
in these Ayurvedic spas include services like Ayurvedic oil massages, powder
massages, vegetarian diets, detoxification programs and a lifestyle change. In fact
it is little known that Ayurveda includes not just massages, but a whole gamut of
services like herbal and natural diet plans, natural healing therapies, and therefore
a full-fledged medical system.

Ayurveda Gram, a unique Ayurvedic Institution in Bangalore offers Ayurveda
in its wellness form to medical tourists. It offers services like Customized Yoga,
Pranayama, Meditation, and a vegetarian diet to boost metabolism. Its sprawling
campus full of medicinal herbs and natural surrounds helps in the processes of
cure for specific ailments like Arthiritis, Spondilytis, Cholesterol, Sinusitis, Peptic
Ulcer and Obesity. Other therapies by Ayurveda Gram include Stress Management
therapies, Panchkarma and rejuvenation therapies.

AYUSH, the department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha
and Homeopathy was formed under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act,
1970. One of the most recent awareness activities undertaken by AYUSH was a
health fair organized in parts of Hyderabad, Chennai, Indore and New Delhi.
AYUSH ensured that the major Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha manufacturers in
India participated in this health fair.

Another famous Ayurvedic centre in India is the C V N Kalari Centre for
Ayurveda. Kalari is one of the approved Ayurvedic centres recognized by the
Kerala Tourism Department.6 Kalari has its customers from many foreign countries. The centre specializes in Marma Chikitsa (the application of pressure on specific
nerve points) and other special practices of healing. Having both therapeutic and
rejuvenative aspects in them, these specialized healing procedures take extensive help
of Ayurveda to treat the ailing.
Some Ayurvedic resorts have formulated Ayurvedic kitchens that help improve
the effectiveness of oil treatments. Diet regimens, detoxification programs and other
processes that give a glowing skin to the customer are very popular. Some of these
Ayurvedic resorts also arrange for cooking classes to help their customers acquire
and maintain the lifestyle that they are introduced to in these spas and resorts.
Ananda, an Ayurvedic Spa in the Himalayas is one of the most famous destination
resorts in India. It offers specialty Ayurvedic packages like Aroma therapy massages,
reflexology programs for rejuvenation, stress release programs, personalized Yoga
sessions, body composition analysis and weight reduction programs through Yoga
and Ayurveda. Ananda claims that its packages and therapies cure many ailments
like headaches, nausea, climatic disorders, facial paralysis, insomnia, asthma, neuralgia
and does general improvement of metabolism.

China

The 3000 year-old method of traditional medicine in China has gained popularity
as the world’s most popular medicine, being used by more than a quarter of the
world in treating even chronic diseases like cancer, AIDS, allergies and heart diseases.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses medicinal herbs, therapeutic exercises
and acupuncture to cure ailments. TCM diagnoses illnesses based on the five elements
theory and the yin-yang theory. The five elements theory base their evaluation on the
five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water to establish a connection between
human physiology and pathology and the natural environment.7 The movement of
these five elements constantly rules the functioning of the human body and thus
establishes the interdependence of both.

The yin-yang theory calls for comprehending the bright and dark sides of
the universe, in other words, the opposite properties of the universe.8 The relative
nature of yin and yang represents the interrelationship between substance and function. As traditional chinese medical practitioners say “Only with ample
substance can the human body function in a healthy way; and only when the
functional processes are in good condition, can the essential substances be
appropriately refreshed.”

Chinese herbal medicine is more known as Chinese materia medica. This includes
Chinese crude medicine, prepared drugs in pieces, traditional Chinese patented
medicines and simplified Chinese medicinal preparations. Chinese herbology, a major
aspect of TCM addresses the art of combining medicinal herbs.10 It visualizes the
entire human body’s balance of energies and spirit to treat a medical condition.
Herbs are combined into different potions of various characteristics for the sake of
different individuals being treated by TCM practitioners. Herbs like Astragalus,
Ginkgo, Ginger, Green Tea, Siberian Ginseng and Garlic are used to treat several
ailments. Around 300 mineral and animal extracts and 400 formulae are used to
cure diseases, in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Acupuncture, as part of TCM is used to unblock the flow of vital energy through
the human body.11 One of the oldest healing techniques in the world, this traditional
method aims at “restoring health through simulation of specific points on the body.”12
Ailments like nausea, addictions and some kinds of pains are claimed to be treated
with the help of acupuncture.

Taking advantage of its abundant human resources, China is luring medical tourists
into its web of alternative medical therapies. Wellness packages in China come at
low costs and without any side-effects, thanks to proliferated Traditional Chinese
Medicine. Several massages and spas have been set up in recent times that provide
mental health and physical well-being to medical tourists with the help of Chinese
medicinal herbs. Wellness apartments are established for the purpose of serving
senior medical tourists. These wellness apartments facilitate these tourists in
practising their own hobbies and also conducting medical activities like Taiji.

Germany

Germany’s alternative medical practices have their origins in Homeopathy, a
medical system that was developed by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician.
Homeopathy considers symptoms as disturbances of vital forces that have
connection with the human body. Homeopathic advocators believe that this
medical system has the ability to cure acute diseases like flu, cold, pains, depression
and fatigue, constipation, irritability other than chronic diseases. It is claimed to
cure allergies and allergic disorders like Eczema and Asthma. Moreover, this
medical system is child friendly, in the sense, that the medication given by
homeopaths is sweet to the tooth and therefore acceptable. Homeopaths are known
for debonair and their hands free treatment of patients. They concentrate more
on the patient’s state of mind and attitude towards life. The preparation of different
potions in Homeopathy is done mostly with the help of herbs, minerals and
animal extracts. Also, it is often reasoned that since the dosage that homeopaths
prescribe is in such minute constitutions and because they come in dilutions of
substances like water and alcohol there is no chance of any side-effects.
Germany also stands famous for its herbal remedies. Regulated by Commission
E14 on the purity and pharmaceutical activity, these herbal medicines in Germany
have come a long way in preventing and curing many diseases like cancer, AIDS and
other serious ailments. Most physicians in Germany are required to be educated in
Alternative therapies, so that it serves complimentary to modern medical treatments.
As Mark Blumenthal, chairman of the American Botanical Council points out, “Most
of the clinical research that’s conducted on the leading herbal medicines in the United
States comes from Germany.”15

With more than 300 spa towns, Germany has become the premier destination
for health and wellness in Europe.16 One of the most famous resorts in Germany
is the Baltic Spa Resort in Warnemunde. Situated on the shore of the Baltic Sea,
it idealizes the sea as a “homeopathic pharmacy” and claims that “it contains all
important trace elements and has a similar composition to human blood”17 Sea water is said to have revitalizing effects in treating bodily ailments like respiratory
illnesses, sleep disorders and obesity. Other than these, mental disorders like
depression, anxiety and agony are claimed to be cured with the help of the sea.
Sea breeze is said to be specifically effective in treating cardio-vascular as well as
dermatological conditions. Major advantages that Germany faces are in terms of
both cost and quality. As Axel Steller, the CEO of the Arab German Health
Foundation points out, “In the US, operations are four to five times more expensive
as they are in Germany”.

Japan

Japanese medicine is known as Kanpo or Kampo, a herbal medicine that forms part
of well-researched modern clinical methods and also traditional methods of
medicine. A Japanese variant of the traditional Chinese medicine or the Oriental
medicine, Kanpo adheres to the body’s natural instincts and natural mechanism
of healing. For this purpose, medical treatment involves diagnosis of the tongue,
abdomen and pulse. At each stage of the treatment, different formulae that are
necessary to bring the body back to normalcy, are prepared by the physician.
These herbal medicines are regulated by the Japanese Government. Kanpo
medicine is used to cure many acute and chronic ailments like cardio-vascular,
respiratory, digestive, reproductive and dermatological conditions and immune
system corrections and even disorders like bedwetting, high cholesterol and
hepatitis. Though Kanpo therapies take longer than usual to work, this medical
system uses some very natural diagnosis and treatment methods and concepts
like water, blood and air to identify bodily symptoms. Also, it is claimed that
these herbal medicines produce no side-effects because of their natural
compositions. Japanese therapists of Anma visit countries like India and Singapore
to help in promotion of health tourism. Anma, a traditional Japanese massage, is
said to be a complete form of Shiastu19 that treats the body to release blood flow
in a proper manner to rejuvenate the body.

Apart from attracting tourists for its natural herbal medical treatments, Medical
tourism in Japan has become popular thanks to its volcanic areas that have allowed
the formation of some hot mineral water springs called Onsen. Japanese Onsen serve as places where the ailing can get alternative treatments to modern medical
practices. These have medicinal properties that heal wounds, alleviate pains and
replenish energy levels. Senior tourists and people suffering from many kinds of
aches and pains come flocking to these mineral water springs. The healing
properties of these springs are accentuated by the surrounding volcanic soil that
is composed of many minerals and curative elements.

Outlook of Medical Tourism in Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is here to stay, claim some traditional medical practitioners.
Given its perceived advantages over the modern medical techniques and the expensive
western medicines, alternative medical therapy is gaining ground in many developing
as well as developed countries. Practices like Ayurveda and Homeopathy claim that
surgery may always be the last option in case of treatment of an ailment. Natural
medicines like herbs and minerals can all be partaken as food and not medicines as
such, since their composition is all natural. Alternative medicine is used in conjunction
with modern medicine to treat many chronic ailments like diabetes and AIDS. This
helps modern medical practitioners to evolve a closer relationship with the patient
and cure him to a greater extent, thus giving him a new perspective to life. It follows
that one should never overlook the disposition of the traditional cures suggested by
our ancestors. These provide a standpoint from where one can comprehend the
profundity of traditional and alternative medicine, and gauge the tremendous potential
of alternative medicine in medical tourism.

Please seek author’s permission for reprint. Send a reprint request to kirrti82@gmail.com.

References
1. www.hinduonnet.com
2. “Kerala”, www.takekerala.com
3. “Prospects of Medical Tourism in India”, www.mpiweb.org
4. “Medical Tourism push for Penang and Langkawi”, http://thestar.com.my
5. www.wikipedia.com

The People’s Republic Of China

The People’s Republic of China might be the world’s third largest country, but it has the largest population. Spring and autumn are certainly the best times to visit China the majority of China. However, the highlands are better seen in the summer. The weather itself is a bit extreme and ranges from very cold to very hot.

The country should be avoided during major public holidays, like the Chinese New Year, which usually occurs in February, unless you like crowds and don’t mind being stuck in traffic jams- even the kind on two feet. Chinese festivals are fun and colorful though, so you may enjoy them anyway. The Lantern Festival with its exciting lion dances marks the end of the New Year celebrations.

China offers a variety of landscapes to tour from the Silk Road to the Guangxi Province to the deserts of the Xinjiang Province. Sailing down the Yangzi River is exciting, yet you might prefer the excitement of shopping at one of the more modern areas of China.

When visiting China, one has the possibility of seeing some amazing sites. Do not be afraid to explore outside of the main cities. Below is a list of the top ten sites that should not be missed on your visit.

- Huangshan, China’s most spectacular mountain.

- The amazing Great Wall of China.

- Forbidden City in Beijing.

- The Zhangjiaje National Forest Park.

- The amazing Xi’an Terra Cotta Warriors

- The Yosemite of China, Jiuzhaiqou.

Eating in China can be a different experience. The Chinese are known to make use of many food items that western palette would think strange. Your adventurous spirit will be tested. As always, in the main cities, you will find plenty of restaurants that cater to the western palette. You will never be far from finding a place to serve you a burger.

The majority of the country speaks Mandarin Chinese. Over one hundred ports of entry exist, yet most people enter China by way of Hong Kong, Beijing, or Shanghai.

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