Global meltdown leads to Great Indian Depression of CEOs

New Delhi, Oct 12 (UNI) The global meltdown and its impact on Indian economy is turning into the Great Indian Depression, taking a serious toll on the health of the CEOs.

An ASSOCHAM survey of 400 CEOs of Public and Private Companies, whose companies have a high turnover, brings out the tough situation confronting them and the difficulties they experience in fulfilling their commitments, which is leading to restlessness and mental tension.

As many as 60 per cent of the CEOs fell in this category.

Only 32 per cent among them have been able to fight this out by taking recourse to host of recreational methods. The fatigue level of the CEOs has gone up considerably, as they combat formidable problems by adverse economic circumstances thrust by higher input costs and low level of liquidity.

The CEOs surveyed are all members of the apex chamber.

As many as 128 CEOs said they were fighting stress by resorting to yogic and gym exercises, sports such as golf and cycling and sparing time to listen to music and going for a brisk morning stroll.

The CEOs in the age group of 50-65 recommended that their colleagues should go in for Yoga, an ideal way to keep healthy.

They also suggested that the younger lot among them should take a holiday to some hill station to get rid off their mental stress.

The survey brought out that the younger CEOs, in the age group of 30-45, are far more health conscious than their older compatriates.They frequent gyms and take recourse to cycling almost on a daily basis.

But, 68 per cent of the CEOs said they have now lesser time on their hands as they have to meet ambitious targets set by their companies, which have become phenomenally more difficult to achieve in the adverse economic circumstances that they are faced with.

They have to work hard throughout the year and are left with no time to do exercises.

Another interesting fact brought out by the survey is that the CEOs avoid going to doctors for fear that they may be compelled to take antibiotics, even though it may be possible to avoid these.

The only reason that they would visit a doctor is when they have symptoms of diseases like high blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, indigestion and insomnia.

Only 25 per cent of the CEOs felt that the stress was a blessing in disguise as they are able to achieve higher productivity for their organisations.

The survey also brings out that the therapies like ayurveda, naturopathy, massage, acupuncture and acupressure are gaining in popularity, with more and more executives resorting to them instead of standard alleopathic prescriptions.

The executives are also becoming more diet conscious, using a combination of items like fruit, cereals, eggs and brown bread, instead of oily and junk food.

A more balanced diet also helps improve concentration and eliminates toxins from the body.

The moot question then is whether material prosperity is worth trading of for health. An old proverb has it that sweet are the fruits of adversities. If the global meltdown brings people closer to realise the virtues of India's traditional systems of medicine, perhaps it would end up with some gains.

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