Delhi is now in a position of extreme environmental crisis. This city is suffering the curse for the sins that it has committed to the environment. The increasing extremeness of the temperature, increasing water shortages, the higher usage of concrete and heavy constructions, lack of greenery and regular pollution in winter are now habitual to Delhiites. Environmentalists claim that breathing in Delhi will mean that you are constantly cutting down your total number of breaths for your life. All organisms including humans are now the victims of the environmental crisis in this megacity. Thus, the situation is so alarming that it demands urgent limelight. However, for no reason the topic is lying in vain which can have catastrophic ramifications for us. 

Water shortage in Delhi 

Delhi government on May 29 has directed to impose a fine of ₹2000 on water wastage. This decision has a background of water shortage that erupted in Delhi. Delhiites are now in a position to fight to get a bucket of water through tankers. Delhi water minister Atishi has written to Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Siani and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath to release additional water for the capital for 1 month till the monsoon arrives.

Delhi depends on its neighbouring states for the fulfilment of 86.5 % of its water supply. The minister mentioned that the increase in water demand amid heatwaves and the gradual decrement of the level of Yamuna River’s lower-than-normal level of 674.5 feet are the main reasons behind this shortage. Yamuna River is polluted too with harmful Arsenic components in its refinement has an additional financial burden on the government.  

The fatal heatwave attack  

Currently, Delhi is also suffering from fatal heatwave attacks. The New Indian Express reported that 87 deaths have been reported due to severe heatwaves in Delhi. The situation is fatal as the average temperature is roaming around 50 degrees Celsius these days and breaking the records of climatic history. We can anticipate the major reasons behind it can be the increase in urbanization and a decrement in the green belt in the cities.

Hindustan Times reported that over 7500 trees have been cut down for Delhi-Dehradun highways. The attempts for the transplantation of trees and replantation remain futile due to a lack of post-plantation care for plants and trees. An increase in urbanization has raised the demand for concrete which tends to absorb the heat thus forming a trap. This tap is also responsible for increasing heatwaves that already have proved fatal. This gradual increase in temperature needs an alarming remedial measure to get rid of health problems arising here. 

Annual pollution: Every citizen smokes here 

Hindustan Times reported that breathing freely in the air of Delhi during winter means you are consuming at least 30 cigarettes every day. The cancerous atmosphere in Delhi is something that has been in the limelight for years, but no concrete measure has solved this issue inspired by the ‘intelligent’ attempts made to solve it.

The major source of pollution we can attribute to vehicular emissions and stubble burning in neighbouring states. This stubble can be controlled with the recommended scientific measure, but the only loophole that remains is in the system of execution. Although Grap measures and an odd-even system have been introduced to solve the environmental crisis in Delhi. Unfortunately, it failed to produce the expected results. This pollution is resulting in diseases including Asthma and other lung diseases that are gradually depreciating the average life span of Delhiites inside the borders of Delhi 

What is the way forward to solve envrionmenatl crisis? 

To solve this issue, we require strict and concrete measures here if we want to get a humane environment. Having clean Air and water is part of Article 21 of the constitution thus the urgent measures to get our nature back is the necessity of time. 

1. The water pollution in Yamuna requires some high-tech solutions. Recently Anand Mahindra offered help to anyone who can engage in startups of robots cleaning water. The government is already spending a lot on refining Yamuna water and on heavy machinery to clean it.

If we transfer that budget to procure AI robots and tools to automatically absorb the waste present, there and magnetically attract all iron-made objects. Then it can help to make the process faster. 

1. To solve the problem of air pollution, the only apparent way is to stop the burning of stubble. Thus, heavy investment in Recycling or collection of stubble is required here. Thus, a direction of funds can only solve the problem with present execution 

1. Green belts needed to be increased to balance the greenery loss here. Post-plantation care should also be the responsibility of a specially formed committee of government to at least allow them to grow feasibly.  

Thus, in a nutshell, we shall conclude that we are in an era of environmental crisis that requires urgent attention. If we want to give a safe and healthy land to our next generation the topic which deserves the limelight must be provided limelight in the context in which it demands.    

References

Freepik images, The New Indian express, The Hindu, Hindustan times, Pinterest images

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/finite-supply-rising-demand-is-delhi-facing-a-water-crisis-101717179351653.html

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Health is something that is considered a crucial right of every citizen. It has also been classified as one of the basic needs of human beings. This makes a moral obligation to the government to provide accessible and affordable health services to every person without any discrimination. However, how viable are these lines outside the paper? What is health insurance aiming at and why? Are hospitals too classified by the status of the person? How many patients of government hospitals are satisfied with the services they get in these hospitals? What is the scope of the middle class if not covered in the Ayushman Bharat Yojna of government? This blog shall deal with aspects and ramifications of gradual capitalization of the health sector in the economy.  

Whose responsibility if you are ill?  

In a socialistic economy health, education, food, water and all other expected basic needs are considered to be the responsibility of government and no private institutions are allowed to operate in these spheres. The former USSR is an apparent example in this case. However, the model of economy which we are following is the mixed economy model. It postulates that while allowing private institutions to operate, the government will intervene whenever required. Thus, we are following a ‘socialistic pattern’ of society.   

This system has its ramifications as there is no fixed responsibility. Thereby dividing society into two categories. It includes those who have ample amounts of capital and will pursue luxurious health treatment in hospitals. On the other hand, those who don’t have an ample number of resources will be served in government hospitals and newspapers will be aware of their functions which are especially exposed during the COVID pandemic. It is not an allegation on the responsibility of the government, but it becomes necessary to highlight the fact that even if the beds in private and costly hospitals were vacant during COVID-19, no person with low economic status could get treated there. Even when it could have reduced the pressure on government machinery.  

Middle class in the middle of the sea  

On one hand, those who are controlling the means of production and have ample amounts of money in their hands will pursue costly hospitals in cases of any chronic and acute illness. Ayushman Bharat covers all those who are in BPL and can be classified as poor. The middle class, who has an average income on the other hand is lying in the middle of the sea. Chronic diseases such as Cancer are too costly to afford. Thus, having no benefit from any of the schemes the only option that remains in the hands of the middle class is to depend on hoaxes of health insurances whose extraction itself has ample number of terms and conditions. Despite this fact, this class is forced to pursue it at least to get financial safety against diseases.   

This has made this health insurance industry up to a 637 billion dollar industry making it a profitable sphere for business. When business enters, the motive gets turned to earn profit and how much the conditions of the patient are cared for, remains an unanswered question.   

Although the financial backbone is necessary to run any institution what if it is getting clashed with having the right to equal and quality health for all? In any civilized society if I am ill, how viable it is to question who will take care of me when I lack finances and belong to the middle class?   

Just as the distinction exists between private and government schools, this distinction is apparent in the case of hospitals too that is providing the proof of having three classes of patients when we want to get treated depending on the presence of money in hands.  

How satisfactory are government hospitals?  

By recognizing this need there are thousands of government hospitals existing all over the country. It is a subject of politics especially in Delhi where the state government has aimed to raise the quality of government hospitals and was somewhat successful in the same sphere. However, government hospitals are unfortunately notorious for their functioning in the country.  

But there are a lot of problems which the government is currently facing for the same: –  

(1) Deficient infrastructure-

The management of public property becomes difficult when it tends to frequently depreciate.   

(2) Deficient manpower-

Although stiff competition is there in medical examinations, however, seats remain vacant   

(3) Unmanageable patient load-

The ideal patient-doctor ratio must be 1 doctor per thousand patients however it is 2500 patients per doctor and limited infra making it an unmanageable patients load  

(4) Equivocal quality of services-

The quality of government hospitals needed to be equivocated to the standards that are required to bridge the gap  

(5) High out-of-pocket expenditure-

More investments in the health sector which are required to manage the expenditures of patients.  

The way forward:  

Thus, we required machinery to solve the problems arising from the increasing capitalization of the health sector. This can include the following steps: –   

1. In situ production of medicines: –

If medicines are being produced in India itself we can avoid the import charges which will help to reduce the total charges of medicines making them affordable.

2 Filling vacant seats in medical colleges: –

Still, 2454 seats are vacant medical seats are there. All the medical and non-medical seats must be filled as soon as possible. 

3. Uniform pricing for medicines: –

The government through its machinery must ensure a uniform pricing for similar medicines. This must be approved by a single certification institution.  

4. Extending the scope for Aayushman Bharat Yojna:-

If the benefits of this scheme get extended to the middle income group, then it will help patients to get treated without any financial burden on them. Provisions must be there for middle class too with some required exceptions  

5. Cancer must be the responsibility of government:-

Cancerous diseases are the kind of diseases that not only required heavy machienary and infrastsucture for recovery but also it requires the drugs and therapies that are too much costly to affort even for higher middle income group. Thus through specialized institutions and with the help of industrailists, cancer must be the repsonsibility of government to have sooth medical treatement.   

 In a nutshell we shall conclude that health is something which is subjected to be the topic of elections every year. Thus the promises here must be maintained. India really requires a branded health infrastructure that foreign citizens also get ready to pay for treatement here. 

References

images- freepik images

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On the occasion of the sixth International Day of Yoga coming on 21st June 2020, PM aims at spreading awareness among the masses to become an active participant of the same through video blogging contest. This contest is open for people all over the world.

The contest is a joint effort by the Ministry of AYUSH and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and has gone live on the social media handles of the Ministry of AYUSH on 31st May 2020.

Entry in the contest can be made through uploading a video of 3 minutes of duration containing 3 yogic practices done by the individuals (kriya, asana, pranayama, bandha or mudra). A brief description about these yogic practices are also to be mentioned in the video as in “how these practices have influenced their life.”

For the Indian contestants, prizes worth Rs.1 lakh, 50K and 25K for 1st, 2nd and 3rd ranking within 6 categories have been announced.

Details of the global prizes will be announced shortly on the Yoga Portal of Ministry of AYUSH.

In the contemporary phase of lockdown and social distancing, mental and physical health is of utmost importance. Thus, a step taken by the prime minister of India shall contribute towards the same.  

The post My Life My Yoga appeared first on DU Times.

Gym V/s Yoga

With physical fitness gaining a prior spot in the to-do list of everyone worldwide, numerous techniques of fitness and exercise are also budding up, for instance, aerobics, meditation etc. The lost treasure of various fitness activities is gaining momentum again. One of the recent hit being “Yoga”, thanks to PM Modi’s efforts, we have now a Yoga Day too that is celebrated not only in India but worldwide. The other stark opposite(can be said so) is the gym.  While both of them being equally adopted and practiced, drawing a comparison between the two is something which is going to be no less interesting.

A gym, short form for Gymnasium finds its origin from ancient Greece. The first gymnasium in history dated over 3000 years ago in ancient Persia. After this, gyms disappeared and reappeared in mid 20^th century with  various gym chains such as Gold’s gym, YMCA etc. Now a days it’s an indoor facility with various equipment for exercise and fitness. The trend of gym is catching fire day by day.

 Yoga and its Indian Roots

On the other hand, Yoga has its roots in ancient India from Rigveda. Yoga has been prevalent in India but it gained popularity  in the West only in the 20^th century, all credits to  Swami Vivekananda. Gradually, Yoga began to be seen as a meditational and spiritual exercise along with physical. Along with these, it has also gained popularity because of it’s medical benefits.

Now coming to the status quo;

Current statistics show that though a number of people buy gym memberships, only 40% of them retain and continue the membership, rest of them bid out due to various reasons such as hectic schedules and work load. Since gyms require a proper indoor setting, equipments, instructors etc. , It can not be done at the comfort of your home without putting the extra effort of going to the particular gym unlike Yoga which does not require equipments or any specific setting. And not even any financial factor can stop you from doing Yoga. In the vicinity of your rooms, in parks, anywhere and anytime, the simple postures are magically effective.

The View of People

Some people might have a view that for fast weight loss, one should do gym instead since it requires you to do rigorous physical hard work and a lot of sweating happens. Although, I do not deny the fact that gyms are helpful in weight loss but one myth that I would like to break here is, Sweating does not imply weight loss at all. In fact, this fact is equally true that once you leave doing the gym after getting into shape, you lose all that you achieved. So if you go to the gym, it has to be regular.

Yoga has long term benefits. Some people might think that because Yoga is
about postures, it might not result in
getting the perfect shape that you want. But it is a myth. It has been experienced that Yoga is immensely helpful in fighting diseases, it makes you flexible and active. Our ancestors surely have left us a treasure in the name of Yoga to be cherished by all of us forever.

Priyanka Dudeja | Content Writer | DU Times

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