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with the BJP suffering a setback. Mehbooba Mufti’s endeavours are needed. Changes to the
Having prematurely celebrated to give peace a chance at least in Indian Forest Act too are
victory in Karnataka, the ruling the holy month of Ramzan. essential.
BJP proved that even the best This has also been endorsed MaheSh kuMar
and the most powerful can by National Conference chief
commit a big blunder. Omar Abdullah and his father We may need booths
However, the party must keep Farooq Abdullah along with dispensing pure air
an eye on the happenings in the other leaders. With reference to the online report “World’s four
week through a political prism. But the peace-making most polluted cities in India; Delhi ranks ninth,
says WHO” (May 12)
It should realise that the loss in decision must be reciprocated It is alarming that the World
Bengaluru’s Vidhana Soudha is a wholeheartedly to maintain Health Organisation has ranked
blessing in disguise. peace across the Valley and 14 Indian cities to be among the
While the BJP’s futile quest to success whereof may find an 20 most polluted ones globally.
form its 21st State Government extension and the people of the This is a serious issue as it does
has made 2019 interesting, Valley may live in peace without affect countless lives even if it
one hopes that the BJP will any bloodshed. may appear to be invisible.
not instigate MLAs in the rival Gun and bullet can never In most of our cities, many
Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress be a solution to any problem. of us have come to terms with
combine to precipitate the fall Dialogue in an amicable and the need to buy drinking water.
of a coalition Government in relaxed atmosphere can help In future we may confront a
Karnataka. bring peace. situation where we may need
JS acharya azhar a khaN to pay for and use booths
dispensing pure air. Policies
The Indian electorate has Only long-term measures to fast track the use of electric
lost hope for a corrupt-free will help cut weather deaths vehicles should be a priority.
Government. The minimum With reference to the column Being You titled aG raJMohaN
expectation in Karnataka now is “Have some patience weather baba, life is out of
gear” by Yashica Jalhotra (May 31)
for a stable Government which Sadly, a good number of people It is no surprise that air pollution
the Congress-JD(S) combine are were killed and several others is widespread in urban India.
unlikely to deliver. The coming injured across the country as The state of our public transport
together of the two arch-rivals rain, thunderstorms hit various such as buses is a separate story.
is a proof that the Congress is states, throwing life out of gear Many of them have poorly
ready to tolerate any amount of and leaving behind a trail of maintained engines which
insult to take on the BJP. destruction. result in thick trails of diesel
The first gross insult was Trees are elixir of life- fumes and smoke. The impact of
the appointment of HD essential and are a must for good this on other road users and the
Kumaraswamy as the Chief environment so that people quality of air is unfathomable,
Minister, despite the fact that live a healthy and hearty life. which makes one wonder
the JD(S) had lesser number Simultaneously, there are laws whether there are any emission
of MLAs. As future unfolds, we to protect them but they need control tests at all.
will see many such awkward amendments so as to allow the A study in Nature Commu-
situations. But this will not removal of weak and dangerous nication showed that “low-
salvage the image of the BJP trees, ones which are likely to fall powered vehicles (autos and
juggernaut, it will have to wait easily on low speed of air-storm. two-wheelers), which form
for a long time. One way is to check their a chunk of vehicles in many
Nk DaS Gupta strength at regular intervals to towns in Asia, emit more air
see how much velocity-speed contaminants than cars and
Gun and bullet can’t be a of air it can withstand. For the trucks. Emissions from the
solution to any problem weak ones, necessary corrective exhaust of two-stroke vehicles
With reference to the report “Unilateral truce actions must be taken. This way were found to be of several
offers a bleak hope in Kashmir” by Riyaz Wani
(May 31) lives of human beings can be thousand micrograms per cubic
The Union Government’s order saved and loss of property can metre”. As the paper suggests,
for a unilateral ceasefire in be minimised. India needs to set a separate
the embattled Valley has been With weather almost target for hydrocarbon and
widely welcomed. It is but the becoming unpredictable, nitrogen oxides.
outcome of Chief Minister necessary long-term measures GovarDhaN reDDy

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