Reportage
Ambient air pollution aside, PM2.5 levels in Delhi’s households are up to 29 times beyond WHO’s safe limit
EPIC-India’s new study has found that the indoor air pollution (PM2.5) levels in low and high income households in Delhi was 23 and 29 times the WHO safe limit of 10 μg/m³, respectively. Meanwhile, 56% of surveyed households declined the free, month-long user trial with indoor air quality monitors.
Gaon Connection
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tests positive for COVID19 amidst Omicron outbreak
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa contracted COVID19 infection on a day when the country recorded an increase from 17,154 to 37,875 new cases within 24 hours. Details here.
Gaon Connection
What is Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath corridor project which PM Modi inaugurated today
PM Modi is on a two-day visit to his Lok Sabha constituency in Varanasi where he is visiting places of religious significance. The biggest highlight of his visit is the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath corridor project. Details here.
Gaon Connection
Nagaland Killings: Victims’ families refuse compensation; demand AFSPA be repealed in the Northeast
The Nagaland government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 500,000 each to the families of the 14 civilians killed in firing by the Indian Armed Forces. However, the families and village council have refused to accept the compensation until the Army personnel involved in the killings are ‘brought to justice’.
Gaon Connection
Lamp posts on the foggy road of alcohol addiction
Gaon Connection collaborates with the World Health Organization South-East Asia (WHO SEARO) for a social campaign – Meri Pyaari Zindagi – a series of audio and video stories that aims to raise awareness on alcoholism and its terrible impact on both physical and mental health. Neelesh Misra narrates a story of a young man trying to drown his heart-break in drink. Can his friends cut through the alcoholic fog that surrounds him?
Gaon Connection
380 days later, tents at Singhu Border come off as farmers’ protest draws toward an end
Since November 26 last year, thousands of farmers had been camping at Delhi’s borders to protest against the three contentious farm laws. With Parliament repealing the laws and the central government agreeing to the other demands in writing, farmers head back home today on December 11. Thus, one of the longest farmers protests in the country winds up. Gaon Connection captures the mood at the Singhu border.
Sarah Khan
Parliament Winter Session: Study on Omicron variant underway, decision on booster shots after study concludes, says Health Minister
Health Minister Mansukh Mandviya informed Lok Sabha that government-appointed experts are studying Omicron — the most infectious variant of COVID19. He assured that a decision on the need to announce the need for booster shots of vaccines will be announced on the basis of the experts’ advice. More details here.
Gaon Connection
Daily wage workers in UP’s Pilibhit Tiger Reserve not paid for 11 months; warn of protest
Aggrieved by financial difficulties arising out of the non-payment of their services for the almost a year, daily wage workers in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve have warned of demonstrating in Lucknow if their payment is not released by December 20. Field director of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve blames the state government for the delay in release of funds.
Mohit Shukla
Lemongrass cultivation greens Banka’s barren land and promises profit to farmers
Nearly 1,000 acres of ‘banjar bhoomi’ in Banka district of Bihar is today flush with green as lemongrass cultivation has proved to be surprisingly bountiful on the stony and unforgiving terrain. With help from the district administration, more than 500 farmers have transformed their barren lands into fragrant fields, and have also set up their own FPO to export the lemongrass oil.
Nidhi Jamwal
Gujarat HC pulls up Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation for banning non-veg food street vendors
Street vendors call it a violation of their fundamental right. In its defence, the municipal corporation stated that selling non-vegetarian food on the streets created a ‘health hazard’. Details here.