Dr Rajiv Khurana Founder Lung Care Foundation ,Sh Vijay Rai Patron LCF along with stakeholders and young Interactors from Rotary Public School ,Gurugram
The enormity of the problem caused by air pollution and climate change is rising with each passing day. To bring together the collective energy of the Government and citizens to work towards mitigating the health impacts of air pollution and climate change, it is important that key stakeholders come together to think and act.
Doctors for Clean Air and Climate Action (DFCA), is a pan-India network of doctors working passionately towards creating awareness about the health impacts of air pollution for advocacy and action towards clean air. Doctors for Clean Air and Climate Action (DFCA) is an initiative of the Lung Care Foundation, a Guinness world record-holding non-profit organization. Presently, the DFCA network is associated with 21 National Medical Associations and over 2,50,000 doctors to be a part of the clean air and climate action narrative.
Leading doctors and multiple stakeholders along with young changemakers from Gurugram launched the Doctors for Clean Air and Climate Action- Haryana Chapter and City Action Group Gurugram in collaboration with Rotary Public School, Gurugram .The objective of the program was to deliberate and collectively evolve an action agenda by engaging multiple stakeholders in Gurugram in bringing about corrective and positive change for cleaner air and climate action.
This program had the patronage of Dr. Naresh Kumar, Joint Commissioner, MCGalong with multiple stakeholders representing Gurugram Municipal Development Authority, doctors, professionals,academia, media, leaders from civil society, and other stakeholders.
The round table discussion was conducted where Key Advisors and Influencers put their creative minds together to make lasting sustainable solutions towards mitigating air pollution and reducing the impact of climate change in Gurugram.
The program’s unique feature was that it was organized to keep the event’s carbon footprint to a minimum. Efficient use of communication technology was ensured by making all participants join the event through a QR code. After scanning the code, they joined the DFCA Haryana launch and City Action Gurugram WhatsApp Group, where the entire program resource materials were available to them. This initiative helped us save paper. Care was also taken not to include any plastic items.
The event ended with a commitment from all the stakeholders to work together for cleaner air and a safer environment.
Dr. Naresh Kumar, Joint Commissioner, MCG started by congratulating Lung Care Foundation for all their initiatives and efforts. He shared that people of his generation who grew up in fresh air are now causing pollution and asking people of this generation to handle the issue. He furthershared his commitment to making pollution mitigation his primary agenda.
Dr. Arvind Kumar, Founder Trustee, of Lung Care Foundation, emphasized how air pollution is no longer a health or environmental issue but is a huge public health emergency that needs urgent interventions now.
Mr. Rajiv Khurana, Founder Trustee, Lung Care Foundation said that clean air solutions for people are not in technology. It lies in the way we live with our ideology. Avoid treating the problem when it comes with full force. Let’s think of life and ways to tackle problems at source.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri, Senior Consultant, Thoracic, Thoracoscopic, and Robotic Surgeon in Institute of Chest Surgery, Medanta, Gurugram said that around 16.7 lakh deaths in India were attributable to air pollution accounting for 17•8% of the total deaths in the country in 2019. Breathing polluted air puts everyone at risk for lung cancer, heart disease, strokes, and more. We must prioritize efforts for achieving clean air for the health of our citizens. Air pollution is now a health emergency so if the human race doesn’t want to get fossilizedthen the time to act is now.
Mr. R.K. Sharma, Advisor Gurugram Municipal Development Authority shared the various efforts that GMDA has been taking for air pollution mitigation. He highlighted the installation of numerous air quality monitors throughout Gurugram and also motivated citizens to believe in their individual actions.
Mr. Vijay Rai, Patron Lung Care Foundation said that Climate and health are twin big risks that the humanity faces today. We are already in a state of global emergency. Air pollution and its deadly effects on Health has brought everyone to a tipping point.The world is in dire need of change agents and air pollution warriors to fight this biggest battle of our lives. It’s a clarion call for the society and professionals in every space to create a mass movement for “clean air & healthy lives”. Let’s together be the champions of positive change!
Ms. Shipra Misra, CEO, CKIC-DRIIV said that Environmental issues are a concern for all and require immediate S&T intervention. Landfills, industrial and sewage effluents, causes of air pollution etc. need to be solved urgently using technology. DRIIV is bringing academic institutes such as IITs, NGOs, corporates, government bodies such as GMDA, MCG, Haryana Pollution Control Board and all other stakeholders together to address these issues, starting with Gurugram as a pilot. If successful, these pilots can be scaled up nationally.
Dr. Deepak Bhatia,a renowned Radio logist highlighted the importance of preventive efforts and pledged his commitment to working towards improving air quality and thereby improving the health of children and people in Gurugram.
This has to be a peoples movement soon engaging all citizens of Gurugram along with other stake holders led by Doctors for Clean Air and Climate Action working on a mission for a safer ,healthier world for all said RtnSandeepp Saxena Global Convenor SDGChoupal citizens engagement SDG action initiative supported by over 50 stakeholders which includes large national & international organisations ,NGOs &government .
