Data Literacy: The Language of Today & Tomorrow

Let's recognise that literacy goes beyond reading and writing—data literacy is crucial for everyone. From everyday decisions to shaping our digital future, understanding data empowers us all. Data literacy is for both businesses and everyday individuals in today's digital age. This blog highlights how understanding and utilising data can empower people to make informed decisions, drive innovation, and navigate the digital world with confidence.

What is literacy? At its core, literacy is commonly defined as the ability to read and write. However, a more refined interpretation considers it the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in ways that allow us to communicate effectively and understand the world. By this standard, if we apply about 75% of this definition, we could argue that most of the global population is literate. Hurray, that’s certainly something to celebrate.

But let’s pause for a moment and consider the modern world we inhabit—a world no longer just connected by human interaction, but also by invisible forces like radio waves, microwaves, and other forms of data we interact with daily. Much like our human senses of touch and feel, we are now constantly in touch with data, even if we can’t always see it. Welcome to the age of technology.

Technology: An Inescapable Reality

The world we live in today is not just tech-enabled, it’s tech-dominated. Whether we embrace it or resist it, technology touches every part of our lives. It has become deeply woven into the fabric of our existence, shaping our daily activities, decisions, and interactions. It’s no longer a luxury or choice but a necessity. So, in order to thrive in this tech-driven world—whether as a consumer, professional, or brand—we must develop the ability to read, process, analyze, and act on data. Ignoring this new reality is no longer an option.

Data Literacy: The New Imperative

As technology continues to expand its influence, data literacy has emerged as the critical skill of our time. Data literacy is defined as the ability to explore, understand, and communicate with data in meaningful ways. In essence, it’s simply an extension of the traditional literacy we are familiar with, but adapted for the digital age. We must not just become consumers of data but interpreters and users of it, optimizing this resource for our personal and professional survival.

Do We All Need to Become Data Scientists?

No, we do not need to become full-fledged data scientists or analysts. The beauty of today’s world is the simplification of data tools. Just as most of us can now use computers and smartphones without needing to understand complex coding languages like COBOL, Java, or Python, the same applies to data. Technology now translates data into forms we understand, from intuitive dashboards to voice interfaces. The barrier to entry is lower than ever before.

We are Already on the Path to Data Literacy

Believe it or not, we are all already on the path to becoming data literate. When you interpret a graph, read a company’s financial report, check the calorie count on a food label, or glance at a weather update on your phone, you are interacting with data. Think back to an earlier time—did we ever have this much data at our fingertips? If you ask your grandparents about their teenage diets, they would likely have no idea how many calories or carbs they consumed daily, nor would they care about step counts. But today, we interact with this data without a second thought.

From Personal to Professional: Data is Everywhere

This shift is not just limited to our personal lives. At work, we navigate a sea of data points: Employee IDs, Aadhaar numbers, PAN cards, Social Security numbers, medical IDs, and passport numbers. Everything about us, both online and offline (if offline even exists anymore), is captured, processed, and analysed for decisions that impact businesses globally.

Embracing the Future of Literacy

Rather than fear this tidal wave of data, we should embrace it. The faster we adopt data literacy, the quicker we can stay ahead of the curve.

For businesses, especially in a country like India, we had an edge globally due to our large population of English speakers and our inherent prowess in math and science. But the world has caught up, and India risks being left behind. To reclaim our competitive edge, it is essential to train our people not just in basic data literacy but also in the more technical aspects like data science and analytics. Without this, we risk becoming the dinosaurs of the digital age.

So I conclude by stating that Data Literacy is not a luxury—it’s the new literacy of the 21^st century. From individuals to businesses, the ability to understand and make decisions based on data is crucial for survival and success in this increasingly digital world. Let’s not get left behind.

Walk for a Longer and Healthier Life

 The Importance of Walking to Keep Our Leg Muscles Strong

In this blog article, I want to share my insights, based on my research, readings, and experience, on the importance of walking to maintain strong leg muscles.

The quickest way to lose muscle strength (atrophy) is through inactivity, especially in the leg muscles. When we sit or lie down for extended periods, our legs remain motionless, directly impacting muscle strength. This makes it crucial to keep our legs active.

Exercises such as walking, climbing stairs, running, and cycling are excellent for increasing muscle mass.

For a better quality of life in old age, stay active and avoid muscle wastage.

Remember, "Aging starts from the feet upwards," so it's vital to keep your legs active and strong. As we age, our feet should always remain active and strong. An interesting fact: if you don't move your legs for just two weeks, your leg strength can decrease by the equivalent of ten years. Therefore, regular exercises such as walking, taking stairs, and cycling are essential.

Our feet act as pillars that support the entire weight of our bodies. Another fascinating fact is that 50% of our bones and muscles are located in our legs. The largest and strongest joints and bones in the human body are also found in the legs.

About 70% of human activity and energy expenditure are carried out by our legs. The foot is the center of body movement. Together, our legs contain 50% of the body’s nerves, blood vessels, and blood flow. Studies show that aging starts from the feet upwards.

To everyone, it's never too late to start exercising your legs, even if you are over seventy or eighty. Try to walk at least 30-40 minutes a day to keep your leg muscles healthy.

For those who have entered in their 40’s, it is extremely crucial for you to change your lifestyle and start walking and taking stairs if can’t run, remember: it's never too late. We all get older every day, but staying active can slow down the aging process.

Let’s start walking today.

 

OMICRON IS A TROJAN OF CORONA VIRUS…BEWARE…BE AWARE

 

Yeah Baby When You See Me Coming
Yeah You Better Run For Cover
Cos You Know When I Find You, I’m Gonna Be Your Lover.

Tujhse Log Kahenge, Na Kar Ignore Mujhe
Mein Toh Lakh Bura Hoon, Neend Chura Loon, Hosh Uda Doon
Main Toh Baahon Mein Le Ke, Raah Bhula Doon, Baat Bigaad Doon
Chahe Jahaan Khud Ko Chupaa, Baaton Hi Baaton Main, 

Ek Mulaqat Mein Le Loon…. 

Bachna O Insaano, Lo Mein Aa Gaya
Ae Insaano O logo, Lo Mein Aa Gaya
Insaano Ka Aashiq, Vaccino Ka Dushman
Apni Ada Hai Auron Se Juda, Hai Ho. Bachna O Insaano.

 

Yes, we have heard this song and loved this song. Apologies for twisting the lyrics a bit, but that’s exactly what this Omicron Virus must be singing and laughing at us.

 

Why?

 

Did I hear you asking Why?

 

Okay so what is this Omicron variant of Corona virus? We have read, experiencing and believe that this variant is:

• Not severe
• Will Not cause Death
• Will not need Hospitalization or Oxygen
• Is type of a regular Viral or Flu
• And many believe that this Omicron virus variant is actually a vaccine to Delta variant and would eventually kill the deadly Delta variant.

 

I shall say, Caveat Emptor.

 

So, does anyone have an answers to or actually question what happened to Delta variant or the previous variants / mutations of this Corona virus which stopped the world? Did they Die or flew away into space to infect another planet? Or because they mutated into another variant, hence they stopped existing. Hmm, is that so?

 

Ok, what is the purpose of me writing this blog or rather talking about this Omicron which seems like our savior?

 

Even if we do not have much knowledge of these viruses or want to believe in what we are reading and hearing, then can we just ask these very basic and simple questions; 

If this is not a severe variant and would not kill us, does not require hospitalization etc. etc. then why are countries going back to lockdowns? Why are restrictions coming back? Why are governments imposing CoVid protocols? If the above reasons are true, then should we all Pray to get infected? Shouldn't we all go out and party, so we get infected and hence become immune and then kill this spoilsport and party-spoiler virus? Shouldn't we proactively get infected and create heard immunity? Shouldn’t Governments encourage us all for this?

 

No, it is not that, it does not work like that. Think a bit and you would get the answer.

 

The real reason for me to write this blog is that 

I suspect we are soon going to get infected by a much more deadly variant.

 

This Omicron variant, what it first did is moved away from Droplet method (reason why social distancing protocols helped curtail its spread) of spreading the virus to becoming Air-borne by befriending its less notorious distant cousin, the common cold-cough virus & Flu and through them or rather piggy-backing them, it made coronavirus airborne and hence Omicron is spreading at much faster rate. Now if it is airborne then social distancing does not help, one can get infected even if you are indoors, because air flows from outside into our homes, offices, and workshops, everywhere. That's why people who are vaccinated, wearing masks, and not venturing out, are also getting infected. No, I am not making a statement here that one should stop wearing a mask and stay indoors. On the contrary, we have to wear a mask or masks (two)… actual masks and not those ordinary cloth mask (fashionable, flimsy or home-made masks), or cover our nose-n-mouth with handkerchief etc. That will not help. We need to wear an N95 mask or other medically tested and approved mask which stops bacteria, & virus and over that a double or triple layer mask (which could be a cloth or disposable surgical mask), cover as much as possible all exposed skin and wash up with soap and wash your clothes immediately before you touch anything. Keep yourself hydrated, drink hot/warm beverages as often as possible, and practice all those immune building diet and exercises. 

Please Do Not take this Omicron variant lightly, because I suspect that this is a Trojan Virus.

What it is doing is entering our systems, staying in the upper respiratory tracts of our lungs (so there is not much difficulty in breathing or high fever etc.) or attacks or Gut, Digestive System and we ignore it as a common Flu, which is prevalent during this time of the year, (that's why it is also being called as Flurona) and weakening our system from inside. That is, it is marking the people who have got infected with Omicron, creating a space or room inside our body. In 4-5 days of taking meds and other medical actions & steps, we start feeling alright and healthy again and start living in the assumption (false assumption) of having built antibodies to now fight corona virus and hence we become carefree and (further) lower our guards. And that's exactly what this Fox of a variant Omicron’s objective is, because (I am very sure) there is a much more dangerous, severe, and highly infectious (airborne) variant in making, which would be camouflaged under Omicron’s cape and attack the world soon.

It would first attack all those who had been infected with a milder version of this virus, which we today know as Omicron. This Virus will attack us from two sides; 

• 
  From inside that is all those who had/have been infected with Omicron and recovered, the virus is still inside you and will mutate inside with another non-severe or not dangerous virus or maybe in this case with a bacterium and form a new deadlier variant. And worst is that it is already inside you, and you would suddenly get sick… very sick without even realizing what caused the infection. 
• And second attack would be from outside where this Omicron would mutate with its  predecessors like Delta or others and form a much more deadly variant, which because of Omicron would be airborne and infect all of us much faster and more severe. We all would be like sitting-ducks ready to be attacked (infected) either from inside and/or outside.

 

I don't have any concrete answers on how we can protect ourselves from this inevitable attack, except that we should be extremely vigilant, take precautions, stop living in fool’s paradise or false belief of built immunity. Take all precautions like;

• Get vaccinated; cocktail vaccinations are showing good results, like CoviShiled with Pfizer (but just don't attempt to mix any vaccine. Clinical trials are still going on) 
• Mask up. Proper masks
• Talk less, especially in this weather, because when we talk, our speech has higher volumes of moisture in this weather, which causes our mask to get damp/wet leading to higher concentration of virus/bacteria sticking to them, not just yours but others which are floating in the air and infect us.
• Eat healthy
• Daily Exercises, especially Cardio to improve and strengthen your Heart and Lungs
• Comorbid people, don't miss out on your meds and be extra vigilant
• Improve your immunity by eating nutritious foods
• Avoid exposing skin and wash your clothes with disinfectants regularly
• Don't overuse Sanitizers because they compromise your immunity and also the virus and bacteria would soon become immune to them.

 

Lastly, keep in touch with your family and friends and try helping each other. Be strong, Be Positive because we can overcome this only if we are together… Only If We Are Together, We Can Defeat This Virus.

 

 

 

mRNA Vaccines: What are they and is it safe to take?

India will soon get the other two vaccines from the US, which would be the first mRNA vaccines for India and there are some serious confusions on what these vaccines are and their possible side effects. 

 

I am daring to take the bull by its horns and attempting to explain these two vaccines and their side effects.

 

Pfizer & Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

Both Pfizer & Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is a two-dose vaccine to prevent COVID-19 and unlike CoviShield, Covaxin and other vaccines, these two are associated with mRNA. The doses are administered 28 days apart, and the vaccine trains the immune system to fight against future infections with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. 

 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an authorization for people in the United States aged 18 or older. Earlier this week Pfizer got its clearance to administer its vaccine to 12-to-17-year old’s too and the vaccination to this age group has already started. The vaccine has also been authorized for use across the European Union after a recommendation by the European Medicines Agency, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom. Clinical trials data show that the vaccine has an efficacy of 94.1% at preventing symptomatic COVID-19.

 

What is DNA & RNA 

Deoxyribonucleic Acid, more commonly known as DNA, is a complex molecule that contains all the information necessary to build and maintain a living organism. All living things have DNA within their cells. In fact, nearly every cell in a multicellular organism possesses the full set of DNAs required for that organism.

 

However, DNA does more than specify the structure and function of living things, it also serves as the primary unit of heredity in organisms of all types. In other words, whenever organisms reproduce, a portion of their DNA is passed along to their offspring. This transmission of all or part of an organism's DNA helps ensure a certain level of continuity from one generation to the next, while still allowing for slight changes that contribute to the diversity of life.

The information in DNA is stored as a code made up of four chemical bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). Human DNA consists of about 3 billion bases, and more than 99 percent of those bases are the same in all people. The order, or sequence, of these bases determines the information available for building and maintaining an organism, similar to the way in which letters of the alphabet appear in a certain order to form words and sentences.

 

DNA bases pair up with each other, A with T and C with G, to form units called base pairs. Each base is also attached to a sugar molecule and a phosphate molecule. Together, a base, sugar, and phosphate are called a nucleotide. Nucleotides are arranged in two long strands that form a spiral called a double helix. The structure of the double helix is somewhat like a ladder, with the base pairs forming the 

ladder’s rungs and the sugar and phosphate molecules forming the vertical sidepieces of the ladder.

 

An important property of DNA is that it can replicate or make copies of itself. Each strand of DNA in the double helix can serve as a pattern for duplicating the sequence of bases. This is critical when cells divide because each new cell needs to have an exact copy of the DNA present in the old cell.

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) is a molecule similar to DNA, but unlike DNA, RNA is single-stranded. An RNA strand has a backbone made of alternating sugar (ribose) and phosphate groups. Attached to each sugar is one of four bases--adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine (C), or guanine (G). RNA, in one form or another, touches nearly everything in a cell. RNA carries out a broad range of functions, from translating genetic information into the molecular machines and structures of the cell to regulating the activity of genes during development, cellular differentiation, and changing environments.

 

On the basis of molecular size and function, there are many types of RNA, the three most well-known and most commonly studied are messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), which are present in all organisms. These and other types of RNAs primarily carry out biochemical reactions, similar to enzymes. Some, however, also have complex regulatory functions in cells. Owing to their involvement in many regulatory processes, to their abundance, and to their diverse functions, RNAs play important roles in both normal cellular processes and diseases.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries the genetic code from DNA in a form that can be recognized to make proteins. The coding sequence of the mRNA determines the amino acid sequence in the protein produced.

 

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is the catalytic component of the ribosomes. In the cytoplasm, rRNAs and protein components combine to form a nucleoprotein complex called the ribosome which binds mRNA and synthesizes proteins (also called translation).

 

Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a small RNA chain of about 80 nucleotides. During translation, tRNA transfers specific amino acids that correspond to the mRNA sequence into the growing polypeptide chain at the ribosome.

 

mRNA Vaccine Characteristics 

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the Moderna vaccine are an mRNA vaccine. While these two are the first mRNA vaccines to be authorized for use in humans, scientists have been researching this technology for many years. 

 

How does an mRNA vaccine function: the mRNA provides the body with genetic information to produce viral or bacterial proteins, in this case, the spike protein found on the surface of SARS-CoV-2. These proteins trigger an immune response and the production of specific antibodies, preparing the body to fight off an infection if it comes into contact with the pathogen in the future.

 

The vaccine only carries the information needed to make a small part of the virus. It does not contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and it cannot cause COVID-19. 

 

Enzymes in our cells quickly degrade the mRNA molecules in the vaccine once the spike protein has been made. What many people think that mRNA changes or alters our DNA or creates some sort of malfunction of our DNA, which would have a long-term adverse effect on us, or it causes Neurodegenerative Diseases like Alzheimer’s or Dementia, etc. this is not true. It is not possible for the mRNA vaccine to alter the body’s genetic information.

 

Common Side Effects

The FDA’s fact sheet for this vaccine lists the following general side effects. Also, they shared the percentages of frequency reported in phase 3 clinical trial data:

• Fatigue (70%)
• Headache (64.7%)
• Muscle pain (61.5%)
• Joint pain (46.4%)
• Chills (45.4%)
• Nausea and vomiting (23%)
• Fever (15.5%)

 

The clinical trials found that side effects were more commonly reported after the second dose and lasted around 2–3 days.

 

Recipients also reported the following injection site reactions:

• Pain (92%)
• Swelling (14.7%)
• Swelling of armpit lymph nodes, specifically (19.8%)
• Redness (10%)

 

People who have had other authorized COVID-19 vaccines like CoviShield and Covaxin have also reported these side effects.

Among recipients of mRNA vaccines, however, there have been more frequent reports of these side effects from people who have had the Moderna vaccine. The study states that after the second dose, 82% of Moderna vaccine recipients reported injection site reactions, compared with 69% of Pfizer vaccine recipients.

 

There have also been reports of people experiencing a red, itchy, swollen, or painful rash at the injection site. Known as “COVID arm” the rash can appear several days after the vaccination. 

 

 

Allergies and Anaphylaxis

Allergic reactions, severe and otherwise, have been reported as possible side effects of the vaccine, as a response to certain ingredients in the vaccine.

 

Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, is a rare side effect of vaccination. Out of 7,581,429 Moderna vaccine doses administered, there have been 19 reports of anaphylaxis, fewer than 3 cases per million.

 

The vaccine fact sheet lists the following potential symptoms of a severe allergic reaction:

• Difficulty in breathing 
• Swelling of the face and throat 
• Rapid heartbeat 
• Rash all over the body 
• Dizziness 
• Weakness 

 

Like the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine contains an ingredient called polyethylene glycol (PEG), which has raised concerns regarding its potential to induce an allergic reaction.

 

PEG, which is commonly found in laxatives, works in the vaccine as a protective coating for the mRNA molecule as it enters cells. It is still unclear whether PEG is the cause of the reported allergic reactions or whether the concentration of PEG in the vaccine is enough to cause a reaction.

 

It is worth noting that a PEG allergy is extremely rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anyone with a history of an allergic reaction to PEG should not get an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and should speak to their doctor about an alternative.

 

Dermal Fillers

Moderna reported three cases of lip or facial swelling in clinical trial participants who had previously had a dermal filler cosmetic injection. The company said that the reactions were likely related to vaccination. 

 

A possible explanation for this side effect is that the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which the mRNA helps the body to produce, interacts with regions around the dermal filler and induces an inflammatory response.

 

The CDC report that “Infrequently, people who have received dermal fillers might experience swelling at or near the site of filler injection (usually face or lips) following administration of a dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.” 

 

Hence, people who have dermal fillers can have mRNA COVID-19 vaccines but that they should contact a healthcare professional if they experience any swelling after the vaccination.

 

So, as I conclude this blog post of mine, I hope to have cleared unwarranted doubts about mRNA vaccines and what side effects should be expected.

 

Lastly, this Coronavirus is not going anywhere, and we have to live with it for an unseeable future. Vaccines are one way to protect us from getting severe infection. Yes, soon we would have better medicines to treat the infection, but till that happens, get vaccinated. It doesn't matter which vaccine you take; they all provide a certain degree of protection. No vaccine would guarantee 100% protection, because as the COVID-19 virus is mutating, so are the developments and studies on these vaccines. 

 

As the adage goes, “Precaution Is Better Than Cure”.

 

Get Vaccinated and Follow All The COVID-19 Safety Protocols.

 

Stay Safe

Stay Healthy

 

Maintain Social Distance and Mask Up.