Pollution Contribute about 40% to the Toll of Deaths in India: Dr. R. Kumar

By Tricitynews

Chandigarh 24^th September:- The Society for Promotion of Ethical and Affordable Health Care (SPEAK) in collaboration with Post Graduate Government college 46-B, Chandigarh organized a seminar on the topic ‘Clean environment Healthy Life’ at the college premises. The situations of pollution at present and future challenges were discussed by the speakers during the event.

Presenting his keynote address Dr. R. Kumar President of SPEAK narrated the woes of unhealthy environment, its magnitude and how it kills slowly but surely, contributing about 40% to the toll of deaths in India. Dr. R. Kumar said that in the name of development and modernity we have damaged our environment and produced sickening conditions for the community.

Kahan Singh Pannu IAS, Head Tandrust Punjab Mission and Secretary Agriculture, Punjab was the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion K S Pannu said that population is the mother of all the problems being faced by people today but nobody is ready to talk about it and take measures to tackle the problem. He said uncontrolled population is the biggest mistake committed by society and the worst part is that everybody is doing nothing but just passing the buck to other. He said stubble burning is a big problem faced by people of Punjab and Haryana every year but nobody is ready to learn the lesson. He admired the efforts of SPEAK India to promote preventive health and clean surroundings.

Speaking on the topic ‘Lung and Heart/Air Pollution’ Dr. S.K. Jindal, professor emeritus PGI elaborated on the ill effects of polluted air and how it leads to lung cancer, chronic obstructive lung disease and heart failures. Restricting vehicular emissions can help.

Prof. Ajay Duseja from the Hepatology Dept PGI while speaking on the topic ‘Liver and GIT/Water pollution’, outlined the aspects of contaminated and scarce water all over the country and resultant diarrheal diseases and liver damage playing havoc with the life of citizens specially children. He focused over the hand hygiene as a measure to reduce water borne diseases.

Prof. Ravinder Khaiwal of public health department PGI spoke on the topic ‘Plastics, Chemicals, Medicines Internal Environment’ while highlighting the dangers of plastics and chemicals in our foods and drinks. He further cautioned about the abuse of prescription drugs esp. antibiotics, pain killers and anxiolytics.

Senior Journalist, Ms Harvinder Khetal in her lecture, ‘Social and Economic Cost of Pollution’ talked about impact of global environment pollution on the economy of the world. She dwelt on the socio-economic aspects of pollution. She emphasized that over-population and poverty cause pollution and pollution accentuates disease and poverty.

The seminar was preceded by one act play highlighting the importance of clean environment and potential of suffering from diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and lung diseases in polluted set up. Principal Rosy Walia Joshi welcomed the guests and Prof. Praveen Choubey proposed vote of thanks.