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As Health Concerns Grow, Experts Advocate for Safeguards and Responsible Pesticide Use

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In a recent Regional Policy Dialogue on Climate Change and Its Impact on Agriculture at Panjab University, Babita, IAS, Agriculture Commissioner for the Government of Punjab, underscored the urgent need for reforming agricultural policies. This call for change is driven by rising public health concerns and environmental challenges.

With increased cases of hypertension and kidney diseases, Babita highlighted the crucial link between agriculture and health. “The overuse of pesticides and chemical fertilizers depletes soil and water biodiversity and contributes to significant health issues. Ignoring the connection between agriculture and health comes at too great a cost,” she stated.

Advocating for sustainable agriculture, she championed soil regeneration and the reduction of chemical inputs. While crop diversification can help restore ecological balance, she emphasized the importance of providing support to farmers during this transition. “Agriculture is also a business, and the economic impacts of these changes must not be overlooked. We need to ensure that sustainable practices are both economically viable and socially inclusive,” she added.

R.K. Sapra, IFS (Retd) and former Managing Director of the Haryana Forest Development Corporation, remarked on the excessive consumption of chemical pesticides and fertilizers in Punjab and Haryana. “This is adversely affecting the health of our communities and our planet. True sustainability cannot be achieved without a significant reduction in chemical usage,” he noted.

Dr. P.K. Kingra, Head of the Department of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology at Punjab Agricultural University, highlighted that climate change poses serious threats to our water resources. Alongside promoting crop diversity, there must be substantial investments in water conservation strategies, such as rainwater harvesting, to ensure long-term agricultural sustainability. He pointed out that the Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) technique can save 30-35% of irrigation water compared to traditional methods, marking a pivotal step towards sustainable rice cultivation.

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The event also recognized achievements in sustainable agriculture with the Sustainability Awards, honoring individuals and organizations making impactful changes. The Department of Soil & Water Conservation, Punjab, was recognized for its innovative initiatives to conserve water and combat groundwater depletion. Mohinder Singh Saini, Chief Conservator of Soils, accepted the award on behalf of the department, which has implemented treated water projects that irrigate over 25,000 hectares, halving groundwater extraction and reducing electricity consumption across more than 12,000 tube wells. The Reviving Green Revolution Cell was also honored for promoting Regenerative and No-Burn Agriculture to sustainably manage crop residue and minimize pollution.

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MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

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New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.

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8 Patients Dead In Jaipur Hospital Fire

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Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.

Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.

Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.

Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.

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75-Year-Old Man Marries 35-Year-Old, Dies Before Honeymoon

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Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.

The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.

The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”

However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.

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Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.

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