Eid al Adha Mubarak

Wishing everyone a happy Eid al Adha. May this blessed day bring peace, happiness and prosperity to all!

#Eid #eidmubarak #eidmubarak2024 #EidAlAdha #EidAlAdha2024 #sacrifice #happiness #peace #prosperity #Veritadyne

Are EVs really Eco Friendly?

Are Electric Vehicles really Eco Friendly?

Every year temperatures are soaring all around the world. We talk about global warming, pollution and sustainability. But what can be our individual contributions? How can every individual lower their carbon footprint? Some ways captured in below slide:

While we speak about this, driving hybrids or Electric vehicles surely comes up as an important point of discussion. In India, Tamil Nadu is the hub of car manufacturing, and this has been extended to EVs during the conclave in November 2021, where about 59 MoUs were signed by the TN government with companies specializing in EV manufacturing and technologies, which is expected to bring in revenue around 52k crores and over 92k job opportunities.

While EVs certainly lead to reduced emissions, there are several factors that need to be understood in terms of

• making of the batteries, sustainability of mining for ores, 
• if renewable energy sources are being used to recharge the batteries
• recycling or reusing batteries

Making of the batteries and sustainability of mining for ores:

These car batteries for electric vehicles require rare earth elements including lithium and cobalt. These have a lot of environmental impacts like leaching into surroundings and health impacts for the miners including children who might work in such mines around the world. The purification process of the ores to obtain cobalt is called 'smelting' which in turn causes increased levels of Sulphur oxide in the environment.

Recharging the batteries:

While the logistics of having enough recharge stations at every point is a concern, a bigger concern is using what power are we recharging the batteries? Is renewable energy like wind, solar and water only being used? If we are still using fossil fuels to supply power to the grid and recharging EVs with power from same grid, the whole point of making EVs are completely lost.

Recycling/reusing batteries:

These heavy-duty batteries cannot just be thrown away after use but need to be recycled responsibly. Many manufacturers are forced to plan recycling plants right from the start of setting up manufacturing units. There is also research underway on how batteries with some life left can be repurposed and used for storage in grids.

So, end of the day it is not just about manufacturing or buying EVs, but a whole ecosystem to support this mindset change. Unless governments make public transport more accessible and readily usable by people from all walks of life, unless international policies come together to protect environmental issues, unless every individual make a lifestyle change and decides to do his/her bit for the environment, EVs are not going to be the magic pill!

Please watch my YouTube video in Tamil on this topic. Like, subscribe and share if the contents interest you!

#pollution #ev #sustainability #ecofriendly #power #electricity #renewableenergy

World Bee Day - Take a Stand!

Predating the divergence of primates from other mammals by close to 40 million years, the origin of bees has been pivotal to the proliferation of the grand web of life in general for the past ~124 million years.

Earliest human references of interactions with bees - estimated to be going on for at least 10,000 years - were recorded not long after the emergence of agriculture; highlighting their significance to the fate of human civilizations.

Triggered by industrialization and accelerated by technology, the wanton exploitation of Earth's natural resources, unbridled population growth, ever-increasing forms, magnitude and noxiousness of pollution, and the widening disconnect between human and nature - both materially and intellectually - have greatly imperiled the future of bees.

Take a stand for Bees today!

#WorldBeeDay #beeday #bees #honeybee #agriculture #nature #industry #technology #pollution #sustainability #sustainable #sustainableliving #conservation #SDGs Veritadyne Strategic Consulting

Earth Day 2024

Here we are, marking yet another Earth Day! Some of us might question if our individual choices truly matter in the grand scheme of things!

But, there are many ways an individual can contribute to making the planet a better place, especially in relation to Earth Day 2024. Here are some impactful actions:

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Practice responsible waste management by reducing consumption, reusing items, and recycling materials whenever possible.

2. Conserve Energy: Use energy-efficient appliances and lighting, turn off lights and electronics when not in use, and consider renewable energy sources like solar or wind power.

3. Save Water: Conserve water by fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, using water-efficient appliances, and collecting rainwater for gardening.

4. Support Sustainable Transportation: Use public transport, carpool, bike, or walk whenever feasible to reduce carbon emissions from transportation.

5. Choose Sustainable Products: Opt for eco-friendly products, such as organic foods, biodegradable cleaning supplies, and items made from recycled materials.

6. Plant Trees and Native Plants: Participate in tree planting initiatives and cultivate native plants in gardens to support biodiversity and combat climate change.

7. Reduce Plastic Use: Minimize single-use plastics by using reusable bags, bottles, containers, and utensils. Properly dispose of plastic waste and participate in clean-up activities.

8. Support Conservation Efforts: Donate to or volunteer with organizations dedicated to protecting wildlife, habitats, and natural resources.

9. Raise Awareness: Educate others about environmental issues, advocate for sustainable practices in your community, and participate in Earth Day events and campaigns.

10. Lead by Example: Be a role model for sustainable living by integrating eco-friendly habits into your daily life and encouraging others to join in conservation efforts.

By taking proactive steps and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship, individuals can make a significant positive impact on the planet and contribute to a better future for all.

#EarthDay #EarthDay2024 #earthdayeveryday #earthdayactivities #earth #conservation #sustainability #recycle #saynotoplastic #awareness #environment #ReduceReuseRecycle #reducewaste #sunithashyam #Veritadyne

Happy Tamil New Year

மகிழ்ச்சி, அமைதி மற்றும் செழிப்பு நிறைந்த ஆண்டாக அமைய வாழ்த்துக்கள். இனிய தமிழ் புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துக்கள்!

Wishing you a year filled with happiness, peace, and prosperity. Happy Tamil New Year!

#tamil #tamilnewyear #puthandu 

To New Beginnings!

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” - Arthur Ashe 

What better way to start than by gathering together and celebrating our rich culture and enlightened heritage of diversity, as the symphony of summer unfolds with opportunities for new beginnings!

#newbeginnings #symphonyofsummer #chaitranavratri #gudipadwa #navreh #navratri #navaratri #sajibucheiraoba #ugadi #ugadi2024 #Veritadyne

Health for All

Achieving the theme for World Health Day 2023, ‘Health for All’ is a tall order!

While there are many expectations for improvements in our world health, due to promises in AI, innovations in omics technologies, materials & nanotechnology etc., the actual realization of excellence in healthcare will boil down to getting some basics right!

Not only excellence in treatment of common ailments, but also on improvement of diagnostic tools and preventive health care/wellness, including:
·       Availability of vaccines of all kinds to general public
·       Regular, mandatory screening programs for common issues like blood pressure, diabetes as well as cancers & other diseases
·       Increase in rehabilitation resources for recovering patients from various illnesses including development of communities where people & families can find the necessary support
·       Accessibility & resources promoting inclusivity of people with disabilities
·       Quality childcare where children are taken care of and also provided with quality stimulation and excellent nutrition for growth
·       Women’s and children’s health - more research and research funding allocation
·       Rare diseases research and funding allocation has to increase exponentially
·       Organ donation - universal improvements in policies, procedures and their implementation
·       Neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases – increased workforce, research and sensitization
·       Geriatric population studies
·       Health, fitness and wellness education; nutrition & exercise physiology
·       Mental health research, improvement in international policies and sensitization

Some of the biggest challenges will be in implementing all of the above in addition to latest trends in treatment & diagnostics equally among all countries. Ensuring such accessibility, equity and ethics would remain the biggest challenge in our future. Unless new tools and technologies are monitored for safety & ethics, and made available equally for every man, woman and child, we can unfortunately never claim healthcare for all!

#worldhealthday #health #AI #funding #education #healthcare #future #research #menatalhealth #wellness #ethics #fitness #nutrition #development #children #women

Pic: UPenn

Jamshedji Tata - an inspiration!

Commemorating the life & legacy of Jamshedji Nusserwanji Tata - a man of extraordinary vision, prodigious fortitude, and unyielding industriousness - at 184.

In the words of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, who called him a 'One Man Planning Commission' - "When you have to give the lead in action, in ideas – a lead which does not fit in with the very climate of opinion – that is true courage, physical or mental or spiritual, call it what you like, and it is this type of courage and vision that Jamshedji Tata showed. It is right that we should honour his memory and remember him as one of the big founders of modern India."

#JamshedjiTata#JamdetjiTata #JNTata #tata #Jamshedpur #India #Industry #Steel #tatasteel #founders #planning

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

This year marks the Indian presidency of the G20. India plans to use this to create a unified global health accelerator whereby the world is united in its health preparedness to tackle global emergencies efficiently.

One of the first tweets that I have seen from the government rightfully focussed on antimicrobial resistance and creating an awareness about it in the form of a quiz. Since this is such an important topic, I am writing this article to put down some thoughts on AMR, causes and effective ways of dealing with it. 

What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)? 

AMR happens when microbes of any kind (bacterial, viral or fungal) develop mechanisms that help them to evolve, thereby resisting the effects of the antimicrobial medicine used against them. That means they can't be easily destroyed and treating them in a patient becomes very hard or sometimes impossible, leading unfortunately to death!

Main cause of AMR?

Mainly overuse or misuse of antimicrobials by individuals for themselves, in farming and livestock rearing are all causes. 

Another major cause is improper disposal of:

• Unused antimicrobials
• Water and waste segregation that does not focus on the leaching of medicines into the environment

Why is AMR a cause for concern?

From data in 2019, about 700,000 people die of infections caused due to resistant pathogens every year world over.

In addition to this, the pollution of our environment and water due to improper disposal of unused antimicrobials is also another big problem, leading to further AMR being developed by all kind of microbes leading to creation of 'superbugs'. 

What corrective measures/awareness is required in an individual capacity?

1. Antibiotics should only be consumed when absolutely required and prescribed by a doctor. They should also be taken in the right way, the right dosage and completion of a full course, as not doing this could also lead to AMR. 
2. Disposal of antimicrobial drugs - Please read more about the individual drug and manufacturer's recommendations. Some have take-back policies, some have collection sites to receive drugs back, mail-back programs, or recommended safe options to discard at home. 

However, not all countries have these options and many governments do not require pharmaceutical companies to take responsibility for the proper disposal of unused/expired medicines. 

Need of the hour?

Humankind now needs governments, with their policies in place and pharma companies, with their moral & ethical responsibility to step up and do the needful. 

In India for example, The Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) Rules, 2016 categorises expired drugs rightfully as 'domestic hazardous waste' and mandates that they be segregated, stored in separate bins and disposed in line with the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016 that mandate that the drugs be incinerated at high temperatures.

Unfortunately, due to poor enforcement of the MSWM policies, there is poor management of hazardous waste, including unused/expired drugs & antimicrobials in the country. Waste segregation is an important area for the country where there is a lot of improvement, but policies have to be made clear and their implementation tight to bring everything together to fruition. 

Shared responsibility:

This responsibility for safe discarding of medicines however cannot begin and end with governments alone. Pharmaceutical companies, wholesalers and distributers of medicines, hospitals and any other relevant industry partners should step up and this should be considered a legal responsibility. Very importantly, this properly defined method/flow of medicines will also prevent illegal secondary trade of controlled use medicines.

Other important government stakeholders like pollution control boards, drug regulation boards and other important groups in society are also going to play a vital role in proper implementation of responsibility on the ground! Transparent and well-defined policies and procedures will be vital if this is to be successful.

The above issues are true of many developed and most developing countries, and one would hope that the efforts of the G20 in unifying healthcare response also tastes success in implementing certain universal policies such as safe disposal of antimicrobials to safeguard our environment.

#G20 #G20health #antimicrobials #antimicrobialresistance #antibiotics #antibioticresistance #AMR #governments #policies #law #legal #responsibility #sustainability #socialresponsibility #India #water #land #environment #pollution #waste #wastesegregation #pharmaceuticals #health #implementation #management

Happy Birthday Smt. Sarojini Naidu!

A proponent of civil rights, women's emancipation, and anti-imperialistic ideas, Smt Bharat Kokila Sarojini Naidu was not only an important person in India's struggle for independence from colonial rule but remains one of the most inspiring role models across the world!

Fierce nationalist; freedom fighter; women's emancipation, social welfare, & civil rights proponent; writer; poet; and India's first woman governor!

Tireless crusader and architect of modern India! These below pictures speak volumes about her capabilities and achievements.

#sarojininaidu #civilrights #nationalist #governor #poet #writer #socialwelfare #society #India #rolemodel