Negligence of urban citizens
The per capita income, education level, urbanization and access to information resources of the country's capital, Delhi, are much higher than those of the average Indian. But on Diwali, despite all the directives and orders of the Supreme Court, millions of people in the capital celebrated so much that the next day the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 900 in the morning. An AQI above 200 is considered harmful to human health, and an AQI above 300 is considered hazardous. According to the World Air Quality Report 2023, Delhi is one of the four most polluted cities in the world this year. While the burning of paddy straw in Punjab and Haryana is being blamed for the pollution in Delhi, pollution from fireworks has worsened the situation. Farmers burning stubble is wrong, but there are economic reasons behind it and the compulsion to quickly prepare the fields for the next rabi crop. But even the so-called literate society did not show more awareness. In many societies, a space was reserved for bursting firecrackers. Perhaps those residents were thinking that 'joyful fireworks' in one place would not worsen the air quality in the whole community. Such negligence towards the environment should be considered a wake-up call.
Nawaz Ashraf
Guwahati
Why we need gender equality
Gender equality means that men and women today have equal rights; both have equal resources and opportunities. If we look at the world, even today in many places, women are not given equal rights as men. Women are discriminated against in terms of employment. Women are also victims of domestic violence. Today, many parents consider men superior to women, which is wrong. Countries where men and women have equal rights are making great strides, will be able to contribute to progress in the political field, and will do something new for the country. If women are educated, then they will be able to move forward and help run the family better.
There is a 'man' in every woman; there is a 'he' in every 'she' and a 'hero' in every 'heroine'. Give equal opportunities to women, and you will see the benefits with your own eyes.
Chandasmita Kashyap
Gauhati University.