Key Points

Addressing the 27th Annual National Conference of the Indian Association for Bronchology in the capital, VP Dhankhar highlighted the grave health impacts of polluted air, especially on vulnerable groups, and urged a shift toward sustainable living, technological integration in healthcare, and a return to traditional wisdom rooted in nature.

"Just reflect today--air pollution index in this city. You will be amazed when you look at the desirable index, and we are getting away from it. But what is concerning is that we are not serious about it. Like climate change, an existential challenge, we don't have another planet to live on. But everyone thinks it is anybody else's job. The job is for one and all. We are cliff-hanging," he said.

"We need accelerated phasing out of old vehicles. People have to understand that an old vehicle has to be discarded for reasons that concern our health. Merely because an old vehicle is functional on the road does not reflect on its roadworthiness. That has to be done.

The Vice President called on using public transportation, which, he said, is the safest and fastest.

"We must take pride in using public transportation. Our ego should not come in between. In many countries, this is done, and here also the safest, fastest, surest way to reach an airport is through a metro, but that is something we need to make a habit of," he said.

VP Jagdeep Dhankhar specifically pointed out the pollution impact on people of different ages.

"Look at the plight of children who are close to industrial areas. Look at those tender souls. The elderly are exposed to biomass smoke. The farmer faces prairie or crop burning issues. The factory worker inhales chemicals and dust. Invisible citizens whose lives are shaped by the air we breathe. I still recall a person in another country handling the health department saying, a sick child is an assurance to the doctors for their work and pharmaceutical companies for survival. We don't want that scenario. It will be too much for us to go for air purifiers. Selective solutions in democracy do not reflect well for democracy. Solutions have to be for one and all. Because equality is the hallmark of democracy," he added.

Emphasising on the need for integration of technology with medical knowledge, he said that we must bridge medicine with data science, environmental studies, engineering, and artificial intelligence.

"Artificial intelligence--or let us put it in the broad term, disruptive technologies--these have entered our home, our way of life, our workplace, our research centres. Disruptive technologies are much beyond in impact of industrial revolutions. But the challenges have to be converted into opportunities. According to me, distinguished audience, it is a myth that this technology, when employed, will cut into human resource employability. No, you have to tame the technology. You have to use it for our advantage," the Vice President said.

Reflecting on the ancient wisdom for good pulmonary health, VP Dhankhar said, "Our traditional wisdom teaches that respiratory health is inseparable from nature's equilibrium. Reckless exploitation of nature--we are its trustees, and we have become its owners. And we are exploiting not for optimal need but for our greed. A time for all of us to think. Our fiscal prowess, our financial power cannot determine how we use these resources, which are meant not only for individual serving means but have to be utilised equitably for one and all."

- ANI