Forwards!?! Think again..

Information is all around us, thanks to Technology.  But how often do we go just a step ahead and check the authenticity of the info we get, esp in case of forward messages.

Not trusting the message I get, makes me feel bad about my skepticism.  Nevertheless, when I cross checked, I felt it was worth the effort.

1. Recently a pic of July calendar was posted on FB, claiming that to be a Money bag as per Feng Shui.

 

                                            Do I have to say more?

2. I often get forwards from my friends for the need of Blood and they even give the contact no, if someone is willing to donate.  

This is something which I hate to doubt, but of more than 100 such messages I’ve received; only one happened to be an active contact no.  Yes, the phone nos given in most of the times are fake ones.  Such messages are as good as forwarding god’s pic with the threat of poverty/other difficulties in life, if you don’t forward further.

3.   Cure for Blood Cancer at Adyar Institute.

But, the fact is:

"Imitinef Mercilet" is apparently an alternative spelling of the cancer drug, Imatinib mesylate. It is true that Imatinib (or "Imitinef") is available free of charge for patients who have been admitted to the Adyar Cancer Institute hospital for cancer treatment. However, the Institute is not handing out the drug freely to all as suggested in the message. Moreover, the drug does not actually cure all blood cancers as claimed in the message.  Info from (http://www.hoax-slayer.com/free-blood-cancer-medicine.shtml)

4. Help line numbers:

None of the phone numbers in this forward message is valid.

  

5. Calling 1098 in case of excess food in your party/function.

The message we often get is :
Please CHECK WASTAGE OF FOOD
If you have a function/party at your home in India and food gets wasted, don't hesitate to  call 1098 (only in India ) - Its not a Joke, This is the number of Child helpline.
They will come and collect the food. Please circulate this message which can help feed many children.

But Childline India (1098) on their website childlineindia.org.in very clearly states that:

Warning : We understand there is a chain mail circulating that says - one should call up 1098 to pick up left over food after a party etc so that it is not wasted. This is not true. We are India 's only and most widespread Children's phone emergency outreach service (1098) for children in need of care and protection. We do not pick up food or distribute food. This mail was not initiated by us, kindly do not circulate it. Your cooperation is appreciated.

6. AIDS through paani puri.

One mail which all of us, for sure have received at least once and obviously the most ridiculous one. 

A good explanation found in this write up at : http://lavannya.blogspot.in/2006/05/aids-and-paani-puri.html

7. Coughing helps in case of Heart Attack.

Everyone seem to think that, if one gets a heart attach when alone at home, coughing would put the heart on right track. But please beware, anyone trying this would only be coughing to death.

The simple reason, as I learned in First Aid training, is that during a heart attack patient's heart should be kept calm than to stress it with heavy coughing, in simple words, "just worsening the heart attack".  

More details : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cough_CPR

For the love of their life,  please please, PLEEEAASE don't suggest Cough CPR to near and dear ones.

Enough being said, I conclude not to believe all the forwards, unless the info is verified.

Here is a funny statement by a Chain Forward Victim:

"Made some hundred wishes before forwarding those Ganesha, Tirupathi Balaji, Sai Baba pics.  Now most of those wishes are married to someone else" ;)