- While we were growing up, especially in the late twentieth century, one of the most common refrains heard all around was the growing population consuming the limited resources available. As a country, India was always considered poor in all respects, not only in terms of purchasing power parity but also in other equally important day-to-day amenities to lead a dignified existence, as compared to other advancing/advanced countries. Indeed, the globalization and liberalization in the 1990s were a game-altering measure that would change the face of the country like never before. Then came the revolutionary boom in the information technology-driven sector, which completely overhauled the way the whole world would function.
PC: Sky News
- The moot point to ponder over here is whether India has made telling progress in ensuring some of the most fundamental necessities like cleanliness, hygiene, and civilized living standards that would be compared to the best in the world. We have quite a distance to travel before being bracketed alongside others. Yes, we like to be termed an aspirational society, but have consistently failed to deliver on certain inescapable aspects in the desired manner. How are we addressing the perennial pollution challenge in Delhi, for example? Agreed, environmental concerns are being looked into by the authorities. Is it enough, though? What have we done to address this glaring anomaly that keeps hitting the global headlines all the time? Sweet little.
PC: The Indian Express
- Indicatively, last week the PM 2.5 level in Delhi was 1000% higher than in both Denmark and Singapore. This extreme winter pollution, unmitigated year after year, is not a matter of opinion. Every official and institution acting as if this data is disputable only worsens the problem. Others have that usual casual attitude. Against this tide, those who are crying themselves hoarse about a health emergency feel themselves brushed aside. Outsiders disrupt this sterile status quo. Their crisp observations of reality flare through the smog. Danish shuttler Anders Antonsen, World No 3, has pulled out of the India Open for the third time, never mind another $5000 fine. Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, the 2021 world champion, has been clear that the weather is hurting his health.
PC: Education News
- Further, whatever Indian players’ compulsions for demurring that these are ok conditions, it lacks credibility. Ditto for the Badminton Association of India, labelling various complaints as politics. When the playing conditions in other Indian cities are visibly better, neither Indian nor international athletes should be subjected to torment in Delhi. As terrible as the air is, it hasn’t been the only complaint. There’s been a monkey sitting in the stands. Play has been interrupted by bird droppings. Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt has found overall conditions to be very dirty and pointed to how unfair it would be if athletes fell sick as a result. India has set its sights on hosting the Olympics. We must undertake Himalyanisque works to be anywhere near that. Simple.
