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Bazinga: Colleges Must Install Air Purifiers, says DU

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The Students’ Welfare Committee (SWC) that met last week has decided to install air purifiers in the colleges to assure a pollution-free space for students in times of acute pollution.

 

Delhi has been a gravely polluted space, and it remains so with an alarmingly increasing ratio of pollutants being added into the atmosphere, especially after Diwali celebrations. Even though the Government of Delhi tried to reduce pollution this year, by organising a Diwali celebration and light show in Connaught Place, the results have still been underwhelming. Keeping this in mind, the SWC of the University of Delhi (DU), in its meeting on 1st November, decided to notify all colleges to install air purifiers by the end of the coming month.

This decision was taken after various protests from the students to close colleges, with respect to the pollution in the city were organised throughout the Campus.

“It would not be possible for the colleges to shut down, the University understands the importance of healthcare and values the same, but providing leave to students could lead to the syllabus not being

completed on time and, thus, the Varsity has decided to install air purifiers to ensure that the students’ breath cleaner air,” Bhushan Sarthee Roy, a Committee member, stated.

In the meantime, the Committee has also decided to provide the students with pollution masks at a subsided rate.

Air purifiers are expensive and, thus, this decision was also criticised as the purchase of such a large quantity would not only require additional resources but they also need to be maintained. A memorandum has been sent to the Ministry of Education, with respect to the implementation of the same. Some colleges were not supportive of this decision. “Such a move would mean that the college has to make various changes to accommodate the installation of purifiers.

The Committee has instructed the colleges to bear installation charges and that in turn would reflect on the college fees,” An official, who did not wish to be named, stated. This move has been applauded by many.

“It’s such a relief that DU has decided to install purifiers. It was very difficult to breathe the past week, and many students were suffering from chest pains,” Avantika, a second-year B.A. (Honors) English student at St. Stephen’s College, said.

This move has garnered both negative and positive attention from students and management alike. The news surely comes as a relief to the students as long as the expenses are not added to their term bills.

 

Disclaimer: Bazinga is our weekly column of almost believable fake news. It is only to be appreciated and not accepted.

 

Featured Image Credits- Global News CA

Stephen Mathew

[email protected]

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DUB Speak

5 Natural Ways to Fight the Smog

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As you read this, take in a deep breath. So, what is that weird irritation in your throat? You hit the bull’s eye if you guessed smog or pollution.  

Yes, it is that time of the year again. Suffocating air, watering eyes, irritated skin, and agitated temperament. “Nevertheless, he walked into a Gas Chamber”, was said for the Holocaust but the statement holds true even for an individual who relocated to Delhi. The national capital ranks amongst the Premier Polluted Cities in the world. It feels like the Air Quality Index (AQI) meter is determined to achieve higher figures, on almost a daily basis. With the entire city reeling under hideous air pollution, which is bound to translate into SMOG in the upcoming days of frosty winter, we jot down this article to fetch you STUDENT FRIENDLY ways of coping with smog.

It seems like Mother Nature had foreseen this day and we as university students cannot ignore our constant lack of funds. To beat the stuffy smog, we suggest a few naturally available eatables, that aid the fight with smog.

  1. Broccoli

I am terribly sorry to have played with your feelings right in the first suggestion. But then, it is better to be “safe” than “sorry”. Without boring you by getting into technicalities, let us get straight to the point- Broccoli is good at restricting the flow of toxins and pollutants inside the body, according to studies and researches. So, the next time you see Broccoli on a pizza, devour it gracefully.

 

  1. Ginger

This is one thing the consumption of which is in itself a paradox. We love it in our cup of Chai, but hate to bite into it, solely because of its bitter taste. Chai lovers are going to love me after they read what I write next. Ginger Helps In Dealing Effectively with Smog. Now that I have given you a reason to get drunk on Chai, you may enjoy a guilt-free series of chai cups. ENJOY!

 

  1. Citrus Fruit

Citrus is another food division which, if included adequately into your diet, can give stupendous results in terms of protection from Smog. Citrus fruit is a renowned guardian of lung health. So get ready to gorge on juicy oranges, or chug that delicious fruit juice from the citrus family of fruits.

 

  1. Foods rich in Magnesium

Remember the time when your parents included hoards of dry-fruits in your “food wala bag” while you were about to leave? It is high time that you finally get to eating those nuts, for it has been observed that Magnesium rich foods (essentially dry-fruits) are helpful in aiding your lungs to cope with strain caused as a result of excessive air pollution.

 

  1. Water

I know it may not sound like a very good idea given the fact that it is the Winter season, but drinking water is the best thing you can do to your body in this particular period. That does mean some additional trips to the washroom, but if it helps improve your lung and skin health, it is totally worth it. In this special scheme, you get the added benefit of flawless skin.  Now that’s a win-win situation right there. 

 

However, apart from this, buying masks and adorning your faces with them is always an option. However, not only will that be heavy on your pocket, but you also get to take relatively few selfies for Instagram and Snapchat with hashtags like #SMOG #DELHI #Pollutionindelhi etc.

 

Feature Image Credits: Exporters India

Aashish Jain

[email protected]

 

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News

No ‘Odd-Even’ Scheme, Delhi Government Withdraws Plans Even After Approval From NGT

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The Delhi Government, on Saturday, has sanctioned to desist the ‘odd-even’ car rationing scheme in light of the NGT poser regarding the rationale behind the decision. The policy was earlier announced for November 13 to 17 with the intent of depurating the smog-filled air in the city. A crisis situation emerged when the levels of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and PM 10 entered the severe category. The government declared that schools must be shut down and the people were suggested to wear N95 masks as protection against toxic Delhi smog.

While stubble burning in neighbouring states and fire-crackers have been traced as the primary contributor to the dangerous levels of air pollution in the city, yet they are not the only contributor to the distress of Delhiites. Despite several warnings of worsening air quality before winter, the municipalities turned a blind eye to pollution caused by open burning of waste, and improper disposal of construction and demolition waste. This year, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) did not issue a single fine for open burning of waste. The North Delhi Municipal Corporation, meanwhile, fined only 10 people.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) pulled up the Delhi government for failing to act for the entire year until the air quality deteriorated to the extreme levels. “You tell us what is the purpose of implementing Odd-Even again? It seems you just want to reduce vehicles from roads” the court said noting the long list of exceptions. The Central Pollution Control Board has told the Green Court that two-wheelers cause more pollution compared to four-wheelers. Questioning the end result of banning cars when millions of two-wheelers are left unregulated. The court said, “If you are removing 500 cars from roads and allowing 1,000 two-wheelers, what purpose will it serve?” The court further remarked that the exemption from the Odd-Even scheme will be granted only to the CNG vehicle and emergency services such as ambulance and fire service while, earlier, this exemption pertained to women, two-wheelers and VVIPs.
Responsively, the Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot stated that ‘the Delhi Government could not compromise on the safety of women.’ He also accepted the fact that Delhi Government did not have enough public transport alternatives to accommodate over 60 lakh two-wheeler riders.’ Though the scheme has been called off, for now, the government may appeal for a review in the Green Court on Monday, to allow the car rationing policy with the previously practised exemptions.

Recently, the Delhi government’s had also decided to allow free travel for commuters in all DTC and cluster buses between November 13 and November 17, when the odd-even scheme was proposed to be implemented. This was done in order to encourage the use of public transport. It is unclear, now, whether such a decision will be implemented even after the suspension of the odd-even policy.

Experts, however, said there was a need for a long-term plan to reduce emissions. The Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) has issued a ‘Comprehensive Action Plan for Air Pollution Control in Delhi & NCR’ that enlists a combination of short, medium and long-term action for each source of pollution and indicates agencies responsible for implementation. A member of the EPCA and the director-general of the Centre for Science and Environment, Sunita Narain, said if the long-term measures already identified and suggested by the EPCA are not implemented, “air quality cannot improve”.

Image Credits: Hindustan Times

Varoon Tuteja

[email protected]

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News

Death by Breath: Odd-Even is Back, from Monday

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With air pollution reaching galloping levels in Delhi, the authorities are finally awake from their slumber and the Odd-Even rule will be implemented again from November 13, 2017.

The Arvind Kejriwal Government announced on Thursday to bring back the Odd-Even car rationing scheme for five days from November 13 to November 17, 2017 as part of a graded response plan to tackle the hazardous levels of air pollution in the Capital, with air quality worsening for the third straight day. This is the third time that Delhi will try the radical road-rationing scheme during which private cars with even and odd-numbered plates ply on alternate days.

Top officials of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), however, questioned the timing of the plan, suggesting the emergency measure may not be required any longer because weather conditions would improve from Friday, clearing the toxic haze that has engulfed Delhi since Monday night. The scheme will be in place from 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., beginning Monday. Women drivers, two-wheelers and vehicles carrying children in school uniform, in addition to VVIPs, would be exempted from its provisions, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said. “The exemptions will be similar to last year and there is no need for people to panic,” he told reporters, adding that CNG vehicles having valid stickers would be exempt. The Minister also added that the Delhi government would not allow cab aggregators such as Uber and Ola to resort to surge pricing during the period in Delhi. Motorists will have to pay ?2,000 if they violate provisions of the scheme, which will be enforced by teams of the Delhi police, the transport department and sub-divisional magistrates.

According to the government, vehicles of the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, Governors, the Chief Justice of India, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Union Ministers, Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, and SPG protectees, among others, will be exempt. Embassy vehicles do not come under odd-even rules and neither do commercial vehicles bearing yellow number plates. However, the Delhi government has not given any exemption to its Ministers, including the Chief Minister. Women only vehicles, including children of age up to 12 years, travelling with them will be exempted. Vehicles driven or occupied by handicapped persons will also be exempt. Two wheelers will be exempted from the scheme like the last two phases of the odd-even rationing scheme. CNG-driven vehicles, battery or electric-operated vehicles and hybrid vehicles will not be under the ambit of this scheme. The Delhi government has directed DTC to hire 500 buses from private contractors to tackle the rush of commuters during the odd-even implementation week. Delhi Metro will also provide 100 small buses during the period.

A study by atmospheric scientists of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and Kanpur and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology Pune had found that 15-day road-rationing in January 2016 brought down pollution levels by just 2-3%. The Delhi government’s own assessment of the next round, in April of the same year, said the drive did little to reduce pollution or congestion.

 

Feature Image Credits: The Indian Express

Oorja Tapan
[email protected]

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