National
Day after Diwali: Delhi air toxic but better than last year (Lead)
New Delhi, Oct 20 (IANS) The air quality in Delhi and its adjoining areas was toxic and a thick blanket of smoke hung in the skies on Friday as lung-clogging particulate matter, PM2.5, went beyond dangerous levels, a night after Diwali revellers burst firecrackers despite a Supreme Court ban on their sale.
The average air quality index on Friday was between 370-400, which was better than last year when it measured 445.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal, the average PM2.5 level in Delhi and NCR on Friday was 181 micrograms per cubic metre, significantly lower compared to the day after Diwali in 2016 when it measured 343 micrograms per cubic metre. The satisfactory limit of PM2.5 is 60 micrograms per cubic metre.
PM2.5 are fine particulate matter that can enter lungs and get absorbed in the bloodstream, and can cause respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases and even lung cancer.
“The share of PM2.5 increased during Diwali period and became 60-70 per cent which made air quality more toxic,” according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) of the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences.
According to the data recorded by air quality monitoring stations of the CPCB, levels of PM2.5 touched alarmingly severe levels in at least 12 centres where it ranged between 406 and 416 at 7 p.m. The severe level means that air pollution can even affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing diseases.
The air quality index was recorded “very poor” at seven stations – where it ranged between 321 and 394 at 7 p.m. The index value between 300 and 400 is considered “very poor” that can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.
The air quality is likely to improve on Sunday in Delhi and adjoining Gurugram and Noida satellite towns. The region remained engulfed in a thick haze almost through the day, after the Diwali night that was less noisy than previous years.
The Supreme Court ban on sale of firecrackers didn’t prevent people from lighting sparklers, rockets and loud Diwali “bombs” though the volume was lower than previous years. Some people claimed to have travelled out of the city or shopped online to buy firecrackers, while many claimed they used last year’s leftover stock to celebrate Diwali.
The court on October affirmed the ban it had imposed on the sale of firecrackers in the Delhi and NCR. The court said the ban would be lifted at the end of this month if there was any positive effect during Diwali.
Experts, however, opined that the Supreme Court ban on the sale was just not enough.
Sunil Dahiya, a Greenpeace India activist, said: “There is enough evidence to prove the regional and comprehensive nature of air pollution. The need today is to curb the major sources of pollution along with curbing the episodic sources, such as Diwali firecrackers, to achieve breathable air throughout the year, and across geographies.”
–IANS
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Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.
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