The Malayalam month of Karkkidakam is that time of the year when Ayurveda becomes the buzzword and many head to Ayurveda centres to rejuvenate themselves. And among celebrities and politicians are many employees in Technopark who also religiously go for different kinds of Ayurveda treatment regimes during the month.
Kavitha Panicker, an employee in an MNC, is someone who ensures that she spends some time during this season every year to take care of her well being at a clinic in Pettah. “For nearly four years now, I have been going for njavarakizhi and podikkizhi (different kinds of massage), along with any other treatment that my doctor prescribes,” says Kavitha.
What makes employees like Kavitha take up Ayurveda is the nature of their job and the resultant health issues. Stress, depression, sore muscles, backache, lack of sleep, joint pain are some of the lifestyle problems that plague techies and to deal with all that most of them turn to Ayurveda for solutions or to alleviate it. “In my case it was spondylosis. A few years ago, the pain became so severe that I couldn’t even raise my hand. It is common among the IT crowd because of the long hours we spend in front of the computer. The treatment reduced the pain. Since then, I go for an annual wellness regime to prevent such health issues,” she says.
Arun Sasi
In the case of Arun Sasi of IBS Software, it was acute pain in the heels that made him seek help. “When your body gains weight, that takes it toll of the heels,” says Arun. He goes for a 22-day regimen, which includes a therapeutic massage using herbal powders, oil massage and kizhi treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis forced Anoop G.S. of RM Education Solutions Pvt Ltd to seek help from Ayurveda physicians. The 35-year-old was told that a sedentary lifestyle was one of the cause of rheumatism in youngsters too. “So I had to go through certain procedures and continue to do so every year during Karkkidakam,” Anoop says.
Anoop G.S.
However, taking time off for such treatment is quite difficult for techies rushing to beat deadlines. “I am at the clinic by around 5.30 am and I go for work after the massage though my doctor is unhappy about my air-conditioned cabin. But staying away from work as recommended by the physicians would not be possible for many of us,” says Arun. Work from home is an option, but not all companies encourage it.
Sip of goodness
Meanwhile, those who are hard-pressed for time try to make up by consuming Karkkidaka kanji, considered to extremely good for health.
Biju Sundaran
“I came to Thiruvananthapuram during a Karkkidakam eight years ago and, by chance, I tasted the kanji at Guruvayoorappan Hotel in the city. That became a habit and now I regularly buy the kits and have it during this period of the year,” says Biju Sundaran, employee with an MNC.
Gayathri Sujaya Babu
Gayathri Sujayababu and Aravind Sudheer Babu are also fans of the kanji. “It doesn’t taste very good, but when you look at the benefits I don’t mind. I often have the gruel at Pathayam organic restaurant and wish they had an outlet here in Technopark,” says Gayathri, an employee of Zafin Software Centre of Excellence.
Aravind Sudheer Babu
Aravind, working with Socius Innovative, a start-up in Technopark, too swears by the kanji. “It is an acquired taste. You can have it with honey or thoran made with ten different leaf varieties. I prefer the latter. It has become a way of life for me,” Aravind says.
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