Navarathan Kaur Deora went to the fasting venue, not only to express her solidarity but to tell them the dos and don’ts associated with fasting.
The volunteers of India Against Corruption observing a fast unto death in Chennai in support of Anna Hazare’s fight against corruption are definitely not doing it for publicity sake. They mean what they say and they are taking all precautions to ensure they can fast without exhaustion.
Thursday saw Aurangabad-born and Chennai settled Navarathan Kaur Deora (78) at the fasting venue, not only to express her solidarity but to ensure their good health even without food.
For more than two hours, she told them the dos and don’ts associated with fasting. “She observes fast on certain days in the week regularly for more than six decades. Over the years she has acquired a lot of traditional knowledge and strategies to stay fit even as one avoids food,” her son Bhavanesh Deora, told DNA.
Many volunteers said they have never come across a person like Navarathan Kaur all these years. “This is a new experience to me. As a child I have seen many leaders fasting here in Chennai to express their solidarity with Mahatma Gandhi. But there was nobody like this Maa to take care of the freedom fighters,” said TA Chari, an octogenarian.
Navarathan Kaur gave a lecture to the volunteers on how to undertake a fast without getting exhausted physically and mentally. “You should take water on a regular basis. While taking water, never gulp it. Pour the water in a tumbler and just sip it,” she told the volunteers.
Bhavanesh translated her Hindi teachings into Tamil and English. She also asked them not drink water while lying down. “You should sit , breath normally and then sip the water. Don’t forget to gargle while you are about to finish drinking the water,” said Navarathan Kaur.
She also explained how to avoid pitham (bile), a health hazard arising out of indefinite fasting. “Those undertaking fast for two or three days start getting a burning sensation in the stomach as well as numbness in foot and hands. This can be cured by applying sandal paste or a mixture of ghee and some medicinal plants,” she said.
Navarathan Kaur was the star of Thursday’s fasting. “We feel so encouraged and relieved that fasting has become a pleasant experience thanks to Maaji,” said one of the IAC volunteers.
Before leaving the venue she gave tips on how to break the fast.
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