Soldiers are not Chowkidars; take their lives seriously
In the suicide attack carried out by a terrorist in Pulwama few weeks ago, 40 of our CRPF jawans were killed. We still have not come out of that shock and another incident has been reported from paramilitary camp in Udhampur of Jammu Kashmir on Wednesday night. A CRPF Jawan has shot dead three of his superiors and attempted to kill himself too at the end. It is said that the jawan has a psychological condition that prompted him to do so. Unfortunately our soldiers are causing big damage and killing themselves over complications relating to their mental health. The number of soldiers who kill themselves is higher than the ones that get killed in the warfront, as per a report submitted to the home ministry to the parliamentary committee last year.
In the last six years, more than 700 soldiers have committed suicide in para military troupes in our country. This is the case of paramilitary such as CRPF. But the situation is not any different in defence sector either. Last year alone, 80 soldiers have committed suicide including 8 from navy, and 16 from Army. In 2017, 75 soldiers had committed suicide and 104 had killed themselves in 2016. As per defence ministry data, about 348 soldiers have ended lives between 2014-17 while on duty.
Unfortunately our BSF, CRPF, CAPF, ITBP, SSB and other security agencies lose more men to suicide than in operations. Another concerning issue is many recruited soldiers are quitting service midway even before the completion of their term. For instance about 44,000 men left service either by resignation or voluntary retirement between 2009 and 2012. This has raised some serious questions about internal aspects of our armed forces. Working in such agencies is not the same as working elsewhere. Those men carry the responsibility of the entire nation on their shoulders. It is the responsibility of every citizen to be concerned about their welfare. Every time a soldier kills himself, a possible reason is given. But such issues are not as simple as they seem at the outset.
Senior officers of different defence forces have conducted a study into the matter and have found a few reasons that led the soldiers into such extreme steps. For example: people serving in security forces have to stay far from their families and friends. A normal jawan spends 25 years of his 30 year service period on the line of duty. He gets less than five years to be with his family. To reach home during their month-long holiday takes many days if they hail from remote parts of India. In the next few days, he has to again return to his workplace. Weather is too adverse in places like North East and Kashmir. Mind and body both undergo a lot of uncertainties when serving in such areas.
Jawans and those working under their category do not get any better facilities as the higher officers do. Many people in these forces have a lot of simmering discontentment regarding this. Repeated transfers lead to mental stress. Jawans are angry about the lowly comments and mental torture they have to hear from their seniors. They hate doing personal tasks for their seniors. Promotion hardly comes by and even if a jawan is most diligent, he has to wait at least for 15-20 years till he is promoted. This leads to major feeling of discontentment.
The limitations within security forces are the reason why jawans are subjected to harassment. Government and senior officers have taken up a few reconciliatory steps to fix this disparity. Services of mental health professionals has been sought to address many issues during times when they leave on holiday, come back from home and at the time of their joining. This gives them some solace. Uniforms and food has been improved, and family accommodation is being provided to those who are newly married and been posted by the border. Yoga, sports and entertainment opportunities have been increased. But none of these have brought any solace to the soldiers who feel these are just bare compensation.
At the same time, vacant positions across the army are another reason for increased pressure on soldiers. About 61,000 recruitments are awaited. CRPF needs 18,000, BSF needs 11,000, CISF needs 3,182, UTBP needs 5,786, Sashastra Seemabal needs 18,942, Assam Rifles needs 3,840 posts to be filled up. As of now the soldiers have to cover up for those posts too which have been lying vacant. Hence they face additional work pressure. These posts are to be filled on priority. Staff of security agencies are the ones that guard us with their lives. It is the duty of the country to provide them with proper facilities. Our central government, especially the defence ministry has to do the needful since this is the question of India’s safety.
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Assam's Byrnihat tops global pollution list; Delhi most polluted capital: Report
New Delhi (PTI): Thirteen of the world's top 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Byrnihat in Assam topping the list, according to a new report published on Tuesday.
The World Air Quality Report 2024 by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir said Delhi remains the most polluted capital city globally, while India ranked as the world's fifth most polluted country in 2024, down from third in 2023.
The report said India saw a 7 percent decline in PM2.5 concentrations in 2024, averaging 50.6 micrograms per cubic metre, compared to 54.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Yet, 13 of the world's 20 most polluted cities are in India.
Air pollution in Delhi worsened, with the annual average PM2.5 concentration rising from 102.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023 to 108.3 micrograms per cubic metre in 2024.
The Indian cities in the world's top 20 most polluted cities are Byrnihat, Delhi, Punjab's Mullanpur, Faridabad, Loni, Gurugram, Ganganagar, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, Muzaffarnagar, Hanumangarh and Noida.
Overall, 35 percent of the Indian cities reported annual PM2.5 levels exceeding 10 times the WHO limit of 5 micrograms per cubic metre, the report said.
The high level of pollution in Byrnihat, a town on the border of Assam and Meghalaya, is due to emissions from local factories, including distilleries, iron and steel plants.
Delhi grapples with high air pollution year-round and the problem worsens in winter when unfavourable meteorological conditions, combined with vehicular emissions, paddy-straw burning, firecrackers and other local pollution sources, make the air quality hazardous.
Air pollution remains a serious health risk in India, reducing life expectancy by an estimated 5.2 years.
According to a Lancet Planetary Health study published last year, about 1.5 million deaths in India every year from 2009 to 2019 were potentially linked to long-term exposure to PM2.5 pollution.
PM2.5 refers to tiny air pollution particles smaller than 2.5 microns, which can enter the lungs and bloodstream, leading to breathing problems, heart disease and even cancer. Sources include vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions and the burning of wood or crop waste.
Former WHO chief scientist and health ministry advisor Soumya Swaminathan said India has made progress in air quality data collection but lacks sufficient action.
"We have the data; now we need action. Some solutions are easy like replacing biomass with LPG. India already has a scheme for this, but we must further subsidise additional cylinders. The first cylinder is free, but the poorest families, especially women, should receive higher subsidies. This will improve their health and reduce outdoor air pollution," she told PTI in an interview.
In cities, expanding public transport and imposing fines on certain cars could help. "A mix of incentives and penalties is necessary," she said.
"Finally, strict enforcement of emission laws is crucial. Industries and construction sites must comply with regulations and install equipment to cut emissions instead of taking shortcuts," the former director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research added.
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