Safe water to drink and safe air to breathe is our right

Today is the third day of the ongoing 25th MTNL Perfect Health Mela. And, we have a series of “infotainment” activities lined up for you.

Clean water and air are essential to life. But, with rising pollution, these basic necessities can no longer be taken for granted.

Air pollution has become a much-talked about topic these days. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants reiterating the need for urgent action to check the dangerously high levels of pollution. What should worry us all is that 14 cities in India, along with our national capital Delhi, are among the 20 most polluted cities in the world with regard to PM2.5 levels in 2016. For PM10 levels also, 13 Indian cities are included among the 20 most-polluted cities of the world in 2016.

Besides air pollution, water pollution is another very important public health concern. Water pollution affects drinking water, rivers, lakes, oceans and water bodies. Industrial waste, microbial pollutants from sewage, waste water, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, leakage from landfills are some of the common sources of water pollution. Polluted water is harmful to the health of humans and animals and also adversely affects the environment.

Given their significance, safe water and air have also been included in the Sustainable Development Goals “Clean water and sanitation” (SDG 6) and “Sustainable cities and communities” (SDG 11).

Day three will focus on two conclaves.

The “Puricare” Conclave on right to safe water and air will discuss this very crucial environmental issue.

The second conclave today on Fertility will be moderated by Dr Kaberi Banerjee, Clinical Director, Advanced Fertility & Gynaecology Center, New Delhi.

The Panelists include Mr AR Kohli, Former Governor of Mizoram; Mr Amit Gujral, Head Corporate Marketing LG, Mr JK Jain, Chairman DASNAC; Ms Anita Singh Member Executive Committee, INTACH; Ms Pinky Anand Additional Solicitor General of India and Ms Shobha Mishra Ghosh, Assistant Secretary General FICCI.

These conclaves will be followed by a Qawwali performance by the renowned Warsi Brothers.

The theme for the Mini Mela today (9 am to 1 pm) is Adolescent Girls Health Mela by Maharaja Agrasen Adarsh Public School, Pitampura

The highlight of the day is “Anmol”, competition for the specially-abled, who will participate in activities like Yoga, painting, singing, dance and diya decoration.

The National Youth Fest, Harmony & Eco Fest will continue today and will feature Folk dance, Aerobics, Painting, Poster making + slogan writing.

There are free health checkup camps every day of the Mela, as also today.

Entry to the Mela is free for all.

I welcome you and your family and friends to the Mela.

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Immediate Past National President IMA