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Have you ever considered that your regular commute to and fro work could potentially shave off some years from your life? And no, we’re not talking about road traffic accidents but the slow poison we’re inhaling unbeknownst to us: air pollutants. A new study published in <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(24)00114-1/fulltext">The Lancet Planetary Health</a> by an international team of researchers reveals a terrifying truth: over 7% of daily deaths in 10 major <keyword id="20026638" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-cities" source="keywords">Indian cities</keyword> are attributed to <keyword id="19900550" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-pollution" source="keywords">air pollution</keyword> caused by <keyword id="22110704" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM2-5-pollutants" source="keywords">PM2.5 pollutants</keyword> exceeding the World Health Organization's (WHO) safe limits. These PM2.5 pollutants are microscopic particles, 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, that come from <keyword id="2839914" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vehicle-emissions" source="Orion">vehicle emissions</keyword> and industrial activities. Imagine tiny daggers — that's what these PM2.5 particles are like, infiltrating deep into lungs and even the bloodstream, wreaking havoc on our health. The study found that PM2.5 levels breach WHO guidelines a staggering 99.8% of the time in these cities. The analysis covered major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Shimla and Varanasi. A staggering 7.2% of deaths in these cities, translating to roughly 33,000 annually, were associated with short-term PM2.5 levels exceeding the WHO's recommended limit (15 micrograms per cubic metre) between 2008 and 2019. Delhi, unfortunately, takes the crown for the most polluted. A shocking 11.5% of its annual deaths are attributed to air pollution, translating to a devastating 12,000 lives lost each year. The link between PM2.5 and mortality is undeniable. Researchers found that a mere 10 microgram per cubic metre increase in these pollutants correlates with a 1.4% rise in daily deaths. This risk factor doubles when considering only levels below India's air quality standards, which are, worryingly, less strict than the WHO's recommendations. But here's a surprising twist: the association between PM2.5 and death is even stronger in cities with generally cleaner air, like Bengaluru and Chennai. This suggests that locally produced pollutants, from sources like construction dust or waste burning, might be significant contributors. There is a glimmer of hope, however. The study emphasises that implementing stricter air quality standards and utilising proven pollution control methods from other parts of the world can be game changers. Lowering and enforcing stricter air quality limits will save tens of thousands of lives per year, emphasises Joel Schwartz, a co-author from Harvard University. This study serves as a stark wake-up call. The air we breathe in many Indian cities is a gamble, with every breath potentially harmful. Taking decisive action to curb pollution is not just about a cleaner environment, it's about saving the lives of millions of Indians.

Air pollution kills thousands in Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata every year: Lancet study

The <keyword id="91748" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="indian-rupee" source="Orion">Indian rupee</keyword> has seen successive lows in the recent days. And it fell by another 8 paise on Monday, reaching to an all-time low of 83.80 against <keyword id="6368584" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-dollar" source="Orion">US dollar</keyword> in early trade. The rupee opened at 83.78 before slipping to 83.80 against the dollar. On Friday, the rupee had settled 1 paisa higher at 83.72 in a range-bound session. Last Wednesday, the rupee had plummeted to 83.7425 against the dollar. A Reuters report at the time quoted traders attributing this decline to importers' month-end demand for the dollar. Earlier today, a Bloomberg report had said that any signs of a dovish stance in the central bank’s upcoming policy on August 8 could potentially drive the rupee even lower. According to a PTI report, forex traders noted that the sharp decline in the rupee was driven by a significant downturn in Indian equity markets and substantial foreign fund outflows. The report also added that last week, global stock markets dropped sharply after a disappointing US jobs report raised worries about a possible recession, making investors seek safer options. In addition, the upcoming US elections and rising tensions in the Middle East, especially after the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, are making investors extra cautious. Talking about the recession in the US and how it is worrying investors, Mumbai-based Ajay Kedia of financial services firm Kedia Advisory said as per a report in ANI, "U.S. recession concerns led to worries about foreign outflows from India and emerging markets. "The fall is attributed to concerns over a potential U.S. recession, which has spurred worries about foreign outflows from India and other emerging markets. The selloff in U.S. and Asian equities, following a disappointing U.S. jobs report, has intensified these concerns, causing significant market jitters," Kedia added as per the report. On the other hand, despite the weakening of the US dollar and an 11 percent correction in oil prices, the rupee has remained below the 83.70 level. Meanwhile, the dollar index, which measures the greenback's strength against six currencies, was down 0.24% at 102.95. Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.30% to USD 77.04 per barrel. In the domestic equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex was trading 1533.11 points, or 1.89%, lower at 79,448.84 points. The broader NSE Nifty dropped 463.50 points, or 1.88%, to 24,254.20 points. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers on Friday, offloading shares worth Rs 3,310.00 crore, according to exchange data.

Rupee falls to record low of 83.80 against US dollar, drops 8 paise

As companies worldwide navigate the post-pandemic landscape, many have embraced remote work—where employees work from locations outside a traditional office, typically their homes—and hybrid setups, allowing staff to split their time between home and the office. However, many business leaders have voiced concerns over creativity and <keyword id="19936494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="innovation" source="keywords">innovation</keyword> suffering with these new work modes. Now, a study published in Scientific Reports has provided evidence to support these fears. Conducted by economists from the University of Essex and the University of Chicago, the research indicates that employees working under a hybrid model are less likely to generate innovative ideas compared to their colleagues who are consistently in the office. Moreover, those working remotely tend to produce ideas of lower quality. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="A case for random 'watercooler' conversations at work" comment="subhead" text="A case for random 'watercooler' conversations at work">A case for random 'watercooler' conversations at work</cmsannotation> The study tracked over 48,000 employees from a major Indian IT company across different work arrangements: full-time <keyword id="20979204" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="office-work" source="keywords">office work</keyword>, full-time <keyword id="20665553" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="remote-work" source="keywords">remote work</keyword> and hybrid models. While innovation isn't central to these employees' daily tasks, the company has implemented financial incentives aimed at nurturing and rewarding innovative thinking across the organisation. The researchers found the innovative ideas to be the highest among full-time office workers. Although the quantity of such ideas remained constant during remote work periods too, their quality deteriorated. The hybrid working phase, in particular, saw a drop in both the quantity and quality of ideas, especially within teams that struggled to coordinate their office and home workdays. “Innovation in the workplace can occur through random, spontaneous 'watercooler' conversations between employees. However, these 'productive accidents' are less likely to occur when employees <keyword id="123591" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="work-from-home" source="Orion">work from home</keyword>. Our research has found that innovation is suffering as a result,” explained lead researcher Dr. Christoph Siemroth from Essex's Department of Economics. “Of course, this cost to innovation may be acceptable, given the significant benefits for employees in terms of <keyword id="19901232" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="work-life-balance" source="keywords">work-life balance</keyword>, which makes more flexible employers more attractive.” The study’s findings suggest that to enhance innovation, companies need to consider more <keyword id="22661142" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="structured-hybrid-schedules" source="keywords">structured hybrid schedules</keyword>. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111982335" title="Employees lack trust in HR’s ability to address workplace bullying effectively—and for good reason, says study" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Dr. Siemroth added: “Companies should take steps to coordinate when employees are in the office. Innovation does not work well if half the team is in on Mondays while the other half is in on Wednesdays. Instead, set days where the whole team is expected in the office. While this limits the flexibility of <keyword id="20231204" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hybrid-work" source="keywords">hybrid work</keyword>, our results suggest that innovation benefits as a result.” As businesses continue to adapt to evolving <keyword id="22661140" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="work-models" source="keywords">work models</keyword>, finding the right balance between innovation and convenience remains crucial. Maintaining this thoughtful equilibrium will be key to thriving in a landscape where both employee satisfaction and creative excellence are paramount.

Stagnate from home? Hybrid and remote work models are killing innovation among employees, study finds

A sperm or <keyword id="22773682" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="egg-donor" source="keywords">egg donor</keyword> has no legal right on the child, and cannot claim to be its <keyword id="22773683" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="biological-parent" source="keywords">biological parent</keyword>, the Bombay <keyword id="19900812" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="high-court" source="keywords">High Court</keyword> held on Tuesday, while allowing a 42-year-old woman visitation rights to her five-year-old twin daughters. The woman, in her plea, said her daughters, born via <keyword id="20302787" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="surrogacy" source="keywords">surrogacy</keyword>, were living with her husband and younger sister, who was the egg donor. The petitioner's husband had claimed since his sister-in-law was the egg donor, she had a legitimate right to be called a biological parent of the twins, and that his wife had no right over them. A single bench of Justice Milind Jadhav, however, refused to accept this contention, citing that though the petitioner's younger sister was the egg donor, she has no legitimate right to claim that she is a biological parent of the twins. The court said the role of the younger sister is that of an egg donor, rather, a voluntary donor, and at the most, she may qualify to be a genetic mother and nothing more. An advocate appointed to assist the court in the matter informed it that since the estranged couple's surrogacy agreement took place in 2018, when the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021 had not come into force, the guidelines issued by the <keyword id="19914690" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Council-of-Medical-Research" source="keywords">Indian Council of Medical Research</keyword> (ICMR) in 2005 would regulate the agreement. As per a rule of the guidelines, the donor and the surrogate mother have to relinquish all parental rights, the court noted, adding that in the present case, the twins would be the daughters of the petitioner and her husband. "Under the guideline, it is clearly stated that the sperm/oocyte (egg) donor shall not have parental rights or duties in relation to the child and in that view of the matter, the younger sister of the petitioner can have no right whatsoever to intervene and claim to be the biological mother of the twin daughters," the high court said. As per the plea, the couple could not conceive naturally, and the petitioner's sister volunteered to donate her eggs. In December 2018, the babies were conceived by a surrogate woman and the twin girls were born in August 2019. In April 2019, the sister and her family met with a road accident, and her husband and daughter were killed. The petitioner lived with her husband and twin daughters from August 2019 to March 2021. Following a marital discord in March 2021, the husband moved into another flat with the children without informing his wife. The man claimed that his wife's sister (the egg donor) had been depressed after the road accident and started living with him to take care of the twins. The petitioner filed a police complaint and an application before a local court, seeking interim visitation rights to her daughters. The local court rejected her application in September 2023, following which she approached the high court. The wife said her sister had only donated her eggs and was not the surrogate mother, and hence, she had no legal right or role in the lives of the twins. The high court, in its order, noted that the surrogacy agreement of 2018 between the intending parents, the surrogate mother and the doctor is signed by the petitioner, her husband and the doctor. "It is seen that the petitioner (wife) and Respondent No. 1 (husband) are recognised as the intending parents. At least to a naked eye, there is no ambiguity whatsoever while observing and even concluding that it is the petitioner along with Respondent No. 1 who signed the surrogacy agreement as intending parents," it said. Justice Jadhav held that the lower court order denying visitation rights to the wife was passed without proper application of mind and is unsustainable and quashed it. The court directed the husband to give physical access and visitation rights of the twins to the petitioner for three hours every weekend.

You Searched For "Indians killed" and got 4 results

Air pollution kills thousands in Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata every year: Lancet study

Ashmita Gupta

Rupee falls to record low of 83.80 against US dollar, drops 8 paise

BI India Bureau

Stagnate from home? Hybrid and remote work models are killing innovation among employees, study finds

Kunal Kambli

Sperm or egg donor has no legal right on child, can't claim to be biological parent, says high court

PTI

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