In a bid to meet the growing demand for clean energy, India is considering a significant reduction in import taxes on solar panels. The government aims to bridge the gap between local production and rising demand by cutting the import tax from 40% to 20%.

India to slash import tax on solar panels | World Business Watch

Job creation will be the biggest challenge for Indian policymakers as the India's young population continues to grow. India has already overtaken China as the most populous country and about 53% of India is below the age of 30. But India's young do not seem to find full-time jobs, especially in the urban areas. Urban unemployment was at 6.8% in the January-March quarter. The share of urban workers with full-time jobs declined to 48.9% in December 2022.

India faces massive youth unemployment crisis | World Business Watch

<p>The Indian government said on Wednesday (May 31) that the economy grew 6.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2022-23, which pushed the annual growth rate to 7.2 per cent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The official data showed that the growth in the January-March period was higher than the 4.5 per cent expansion in the previous October-December quarter of 2022-23.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) stated that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had expanded by 4 per cent in the January-March period of 2021-22.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The economy expanded 7.2 per cent in 2022-23 against a 9.1 per cent growth in 2021-22.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The NSO, in its second advance estimate of national accounts, had pegged the country's growth at 7 per cent for 2022-23.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The official data mentioned that the "real GDP or GDP at Constant (2011-12) Prices in the year 2022-23 is estimated to attain a level of ₹160.06 lakh crore, as against the First Revised Estimates of GDP for the year 2021-22 of ₹149.26 lakh crore."</p>

<p>"The growth in real GDP during 2022-23 is estimated at 7.2 per cent as compared to 9.1 per cent in 2021-22," it added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Annual <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GDP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GDP</a> Estimates (in Lakh Crore) and Growth Rates (%) at Constant Prices.<a href="https://twitter.com/Rao_InderjitS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Rao_InderjitS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PIB_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PIB_India</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NITIAayog?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NITIAayog</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MOSPI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MOSPI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NSO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NSO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIStats?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIStats</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DataForDevelopment?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DataForDevelopment</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KnowYourStats?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KnowYourStats</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GDP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GDP</a> <a href="https://t.co/FDWzNZctF3">pic.twitter.com/FDWzNZctF3</a></p>
— Ministry of Statistics &amp; Programme Implementation (@GoIStats) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoIStats/status/1663892021587886082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>As quoted by the news agency Reuters, Upasna Bhardwaj, who is the chief economist at the Kotak Mahindra Bank in Mumbai, said, "The sharp upside to the GDP growth suggests the resilience of the Indian economy despite the global slowdown."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"However, we remain watchful on the sustainability of the strength especially when much of the non-agricultural growth has been led by public investment, while consumption remains tepid," Bhardwaj added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India's neighbour China has registered an economic growth of 4.5 per cent in the first three months of 2023.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'This India is different': Morgan Stanley report&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The latest report by Morgan Stanley noted that India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has seen a massive transformation. It has gained a position in the world order and becoming a key driver for Asia and global growth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This India is different from what it was in 2013. In a short span of 10 years, India has gained positions in the world order with significant positive consequences for the macro and market outlook," it said. "India has transformed in less than a decade."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report has listed the 10 big changes that have happened since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014. It said that bringing corporate tax at par with peers was one of the biggest supply-side policy reforms.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The Indian government said on Wednesday (May 31) that the economy grew 6.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2022-23, which pushed the annual growth rate to 7.2 per cent.

The Indian government said on Wednesday (May 31) that the economy grew 6.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2022-23, which pushed the annual growth rate to 7.2 per cent. The official data showed that the growth in the January-March period was higher than the 4.5 per cent expansion in the previous October-December quarter of 2022-23. The data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) stated that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had expanded by 4 per cent in the January-March period of 2021-22. The economy expanded 7.2 per cent in 2022-23 against a 9.1 per cent growth in 2021-22. The NSO, in its second advance estimate of national accounts, had pegged the country's growth at 7 per cent for 2022-23. The official data mentioned that the "real GDP or GDP at Constant (2011-12) Prices in the year 2022-23 is estimated to attain a level of ₹160.06 lakh crore, as against the First Revised Estimates of GDP for the year 2021-22 of ₹149.26 lakh crore." "The growth in real GDP during 2022-23 is estimated at 7.2 per cent as compared to 9.1 per cent in 2021-22," it added. Annual #GDP Estimates (in Lakh Crore) and Growth Rates (%) at Constant Prices.@Rao_InderjitS @PIB_India @NITIAayog @PMOIndia #MOSPI #NSO #GoIStats #DataForDevelopment #KnowYourStats #GDP pic.twitter.com/FDWzNZctF3 — Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (@GoIStats) May 31, 2023 × 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 #𝐆𝐃𝐏 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 (𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐡 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐞) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 (%) 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬.@Rao_InderjitS @PIB_India @NITIAayog @PMOIndia #MOSPI #NSO #GoIStats #DataForDevelopment #KnowYourStats #GDP pic.twitter.com/SGsbYiotbC — Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (@GoIStats) May 31, 2023 × As quoted by the news agency Reuters, Upasna Bhardwaj, who is the chief economist at the Kotak Mahindra Bank in Mumbai, said, "The sharp upside to the GDP growth suggests the resilience of the Indian economy despite the global slowdown." "However, we remain watchful on the sustainability of the strength especially when much of the non-agricultural growth has been led by public investment, while consumption remains tepid," Bhardwaj added. India's neighbour China has registered an economic growth of 4.5 per cent in the first three months of 2023. 'This India is different': Morgan Stanley report The latest report by Morgan Stanley noted that India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has seen a massive transformation. It has gained a position in the world order and becoming a key driver for Asia and global growth. "This India is different from what it was in 2013. In a short span of 10 years, India has gained positions in the world order with significant positive consequences for the macro and market outlook," it said. "India has transformed in less than a decade." The report has listed the 10 big changes that have happened since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014. It said that bringing corporate tax at par with peers was one of the biggest supply-side policy reforms. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: GDP grows 6.1% in March quarter, 7.2% in 2022-23

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its next generation of navigation satellites on Monday. With this India has demonstrated the ability to evolve as it alerts from previous rocket failures in August 2021.

ISRO Chief Dr. S Somnath speaks to WION, says 'India has means to make indigenous systems global'

<p>The film culture in the Kashmir Valley is on the rise. Since the opening of the first film theatre in Srinagar after three decades, the first-ever Kashmiri-produced Bollywood film has been released. And the movie is running houseful over the weekends in the valley's sole theatre.&nbsp;</p>

<p>'Welcome to Kashmir' is the first-ever Kashmiri-produced Bollywood film released in the theatre of Kashmir Valley. The film produced by a Kashmiri and shot in the beautiful locations of the valley has been getting an overwhelming response from the public. The lone theatre in the valley says the movie is running houseful over the weekends and they were not expecting such a response.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''Movie released on May 26 and on the very first day we had a houseful show. We did not expect it but it's getting a lot of response. People are booking online and on weekends it's running houseful. Most of the people are coming to watch over the weekend and people are excited that a Kashmiri film has been made and released here only,'' said Aamir Rashid, Inox Srinagar, Staff.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The film talks about crucial issues like drug addiction, women empowerment and many other issues faced by the people of the Kashmir Valley. It throws light on various challenges that the youth of the valley face. The film director Tariq Bhat has shot the film in various beautiful destinations across the Kashmir region. And the people who are coming to watch the film are appreciating&nbsp;the subject, as well as the talent in the film who are from the valley itself.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;G20 Srinagar Meet: India showcases Kashmir's rich culture</strong></p>

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<p>''This is the first step to women empowerment, the girl Mateena in the film has worked in Netflix and everything. It's a very good feeling. The message that has been given through this film is also very good. I would urge everyone to come and watch this film. The message against all the social evils like drugs etc in the movie should be appreciated. People should come and watch it. It's time to accept the change and I hope our talent is channelised. It's very good that we are able to see the movie of Kashmir in Kashmir only, '' said Mehar Attir, Audience.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Most of the film's cast is from the Kashmir Valley, and people are happy the talent of the valley is finally getting a platform to showcase their talent.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/three-islamic-countries-attended-india-hosted-g20-meet-in-jammu-and-kashmir-596478"><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;Three Islamic countries attended India-hosted G20 meet in Jammu and Kashmir</strong></a></p>

<p>''I am very happy that children from Kashmir who have a lot of talent have come forward. A film called Notebook was released a few years ago and my child had worked in it. Now Tariq Saab has taken this initiative and especially talking about the drug issue in Kashmir is a big initiative. Kashmir needs such movies. It has a women empowerment message too and it's a big platform for the artists of Kashmir,'' said Anita Chandpuri, Audience.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The film also gives hope to other filmmakers in the Kashmir Valley to make many more films in future.&nbsp;</p>

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The film culture in the Kashmir Valley is on the rise. Since the opening of the first film theatre in Srinagar after three decades, the first-ever Kashmiri-produced Bollywood film has been released.

The film culture in the Kashmir Valley is on the rise. Since the opening of the first film theatre in Srinagar after three decades, the first-ever Kashmiri-produced Bollywood film has been released. And the movie is running houseful over the weekends in the valley's sole theatre. 'Welcome to Kashmir' is the first-ever Kashmiri-produced Bollywood film released in the theatre of Kashmir Valley. The film produced by a Kashmiri and shot in the beautiful locations of the valley has been getting an overwhelming response from the public. The lone theatre in the valley says the movie is running houseful over the weekends and they were not expecting such a response. ''Movie released on May 26 and on the very first day we had a houseful show. We did not expect it but it's getting a lot of response. People are booking online and on weekends it's running houseful. Most of the people are coming to watch over the weekend and people are excited that a Kashmiri film has been made and released here only,'' said Aamir Rashid, Inox Srinagar, Staff. The film talks about crucial issues like drug addiction, women empowerment and many other issues faced by the people of the Kashmir Valley. It throws light on various challenges that the youth of the valley face. The film director Tariq Bhat has shot the film in various beautiful destinations across the Kashmir region. And the people who are coming to watch the film are appreciating the subject, as well as the talent in the film who are from the valley itself. Watch: G20 Srinagar Meet: India showcases Kashmir's rich culture × ''This is the first step to women empowerment, the girl Mateena in the film has worked in Netflix and everything. It's a very good feeling. The message that has been given through this film is also very good. I would urge everyone to come and watch this film. The message against all the social evils like drugs etc in the movie should be appreciated. People should come and watch it. It's time to accept the change and I hope our talent is channelised. It's very good that we are able to see the movie of Kashmir in Kashmir only, '' said Mehar Attir, Audience. Most of the film's cast is from the Kashmir Valley, and people are happy the talent of the valley is finally getting a platform to showcase their talent. Also Read | Three Islamic countries attended India-hosted G20 meet in Jammu and Kashmir ''I am very happy that children from Kashmir who have a lot of talent have come forward. A film called Notebook was released a few years ago and my child had worked in it. Now Tariq Saab has taken this initiative and especially talking about the drug issue in Kashmir is a big initiative. Kashmir needs such movies. It has a women empowerment message too and it's a big platform for the artists of Kashmir,'' said Anita Chandpuri, Audience. The film also gives hope to other filmmakers in the Kashmir Valley to make many more films in future. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

First-ever Kashmiri production garners great support in Srinagar following release in sole theatre

The Narendra Modi government completed nine years in power on May 30 and a report released on the same day stated that India had recorded an extraordinary 23 times rise in military exports during the same period. The government attributed policy initiatives and reforms as the driver of change.

India's defence exports grew 23 times in 9 yrs, says govt

A wrestling scandal has engulfed India. Top wrestlers including Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia along with two-time World Championship bronze medalist Vinesh Phogat have been protesting for five months against Wrestling Federation Chief Brij Bhushan Singh who is accused of sexual harassment. They were ready to immerse their medals into the river Ganga but halted their plan. The wrestlers have given a five-day ultimatum to the Indian government to take action against Singh.

Should India's wrestlers immerse their medals? | WION Sports Extra

<p>Birmingham got its first British-Indian Lord Mayor after the local councillors of the West Midlands city of England chose Chaman Lal to represent it as its first citizen.</p>

<p>Lal was born in the village of Pakhowal in Hoshiarpur before he moved to the UK, where he served as a local councillor for many years.</p>

<p>He came to Birmingham with his mother in 1964 and has lived in the city ever since.</p>

<p>"It is a very proud moment for me and our family, as a son of an army officer born in India, but made in Birmingham," Lal said in his acceptance speech at a mayoral ceremony last week.</p>

<p>"I am an adopted Brummie, and I never thought that one day I would become the Lord Mayor of my adopted city. I would like to thank my fellow councillors for electing me as their first citizen and of our great city which happens to be the highest civic role entrusted to a serving councillor," he said.</p>

<p>Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Chaman Lal, said: “By accepting this honour, I am very proud to be able to serve this great city as Lord Mayor.</p>

<p>“When I was first elected to the city council nearly 30 years ago, I never imagined that one day I would become Lord Mayor.</p>

<p>"It will be a huge privilege to serve this city as First Citizen, and I look forward to representing Birmingham locally, nationally and internationally over the coming year.</p>

<p>“I’m also keen to meet people from our diverse communities and will do all I can to support organisations and volunteer groups that help vulnerable residents, especially during the current cost of living crisis.”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Birmingham?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Birmingham</a>'s first British-Indian Lord Mayor takes up office as First Citizen: <a href="https://twitter.com/BrumLordMayor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrumLordMayor</a> Cllr Chaman Lal was invested as the city's new Lord Mayor at the council's AGM yesterday<br />
Read full story here 👉 <a href="https://t.co/FGnfSZybY2">https://t.co/FGnfSZybY2</a> <a href="https://t.co/4E30PRXPdO">pic.twitter.com/4E30PRXPdO</a></p>
— Bham City Council (@BhamCityCouncil) <a href="https://twitter.com/BhamCityCouncil/status/1661333755582185473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>"He believes in lifelong learning and continued his academic studies in economics and law on part-time degree courses at the local Polytechnic. He qualified as an engineer in electronics and became an apprentice with an electronics company. He progressed to becoming their youngest chief engineer in the service department and was later promoted to the post of manager of the service department," Birmingham City Council said.</p>

<p>"He has served many years on the West Midlands Transport Authority and has a keen interest in improving public transport. As Chair of the Transport Scrutiny Committee, he led several Task and Finish Groups including making the recommendations for the best e-ticketing solution for the WMPTA which led to the introduction of the contactless travel (Swift Card) in the West Midlands area," the local council noted.</p>

<h2><strong>British Sikh councillor creates history, becomes first turban-clad Lord Mayor of UK city</strong></h2>

<p>British-Sikh councillor, Jaswant Singh Birdi, based in Coventry, has created history by becoming the very first turban-clad Lord Mayor of the central England city.</p>

<p>He recently took charge as Lord Mayor with the official Chains of Office with his wife Krishna by his side as the Lord Mayoress.</p>

<p>“I am so proud to become Lord Mayor of my adopted home city,” said Birdi.</p>

<p>“It has given so much to myself and my family over the years and I will be honoured to show why I love it so much and to promote the city and the wonderful people who live here,” he said.</p>

<p>“As a Sikh, it also means so much that I will be wearing the Chains of Office and the turban. It will help show what a happy multicultural city we have and maybe inspire others as well,” he added.</p>

<p>Before taking charge as the Lord Mayor, he served as a local councillor in the city for 17 years, representing Bablake Ward for the past nine years, following two terms of office in the 1990s in the Hillfields Ward.</p>

<p>Besides being a councillor, Birdi has also been actively involved in setting up religious, social, and community projects in Coventry.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
In his role as Lord Mayor, and the ambassador of the city, his chosen charities for support for the year include Muscular Dystrophy Charity, the Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind, and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Charity.</p>

<p>He has succeeded Councillor Kevin Maton in the role of Lord Mayor and Councillor Mal Mutton has been named the Deputy Lord Mayor for the coming year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Previously, he served as Deputy Lord Mayor for the past 12 months and was presented with the Chains of Office at the Annual General Meeting at Coventry Cathedral last week. The ceremony was attended by members of his family.</p>

<h2><strong>Birdi's early life and Career</strong></h2>

<p>Jaswant Singh Birdi was born in Punjab and spent some time as a child in Kolkata, West Bengal before he moved to Coventry 60 years ago.</p>

<p>He emigrated with his parents to Kenya in East Africa in the mid-1950s, where he had his primary and secondary education and emigrated to the UK in the 60s to carry on with his further education.</p>

<p>The Coventry City Council took to its official Twitter handle and congratulated Birdi on taking charge as the Lord Mayor.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We're pleased to be able to announce that <a href="https://twitter.com/birdijaswant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@birdijaswant</a> is the new Lord Mayor of Coventry.<br />
<br />
Cllr Birdi was presented with the Chains of Office today at our AGM.<br />
<br />
You can read about Cllr Birdi's life, career and chosen charities on our website now: <a href="https://t.co/GPiQdteqSS">https://t.co/GPiQdteqSS</a> <a href="https://t.co/lYkVLAaEbx">pic.twitter.com/lYkVLAaEbx</a></p>
— Coventry City Council (@coventrycc) <a href="https://twitter.com/coventrycc/status/1659144364491145217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>"We're pleased to be able to announce that&nbsp; @birdijaswant is the new Lord Mayor of Coventry. Cllr Birdi was presented with the Chains of Office today at our AGM," the tweet read.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Birmingham got its first British-Indian Lord Mayor after the local councillors of the West Midlands city of England chose Chaman Lal to represent it as its first citizen.

Birmingham got its first British-Indian Lord Mayor after the local councillors of the West Midlands city of England chose Chaman Lal to represent it as its first citizen. Lal was born in the village of Pakhowal in Hoshiarpur before he moved to the UK, where he served as a local councillor for many years. He came to Birmingham with his mother in 1964 and has lived in the city ever since. "It is a very proud moment for me and our family, as a son of an army officer born in India, but made in Birmingham," Lal said in his acceptance speech at a mayoral ceremony last week. "I am an adopted Brummie, and I never thought that one day I would become the Lord Mayor of my adopted city. I would like to thank my fellow councillors for electing me as their first citizen and of our great city which happens to be the highest civic role entrusted to a serving councillor," he said. Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Chaman Lal, said: “By accepting this honour, I am very proud to be able to serve this great city as Lord Mayor. “When I was first elected to the city council nearly 30 years ago, I never imagined that one day I would become Lord Mayor. "It will be a huge privilege to serve this city as First Citizen, and I look forward to representing Birmingham locally, nationally and internationally over the coming year. “I’m also keen to meet people from our diverse communities and will do all I can to support organisations and volunteer groups that help vulnerable residents, especially during the current cost of living crisis.” #Birmingham's first British-Indian Lord Mayor takes up office as First Citizen: @BrumLordMayor Cllr Chaman Lal was invested as the city's new Lord Mayor at the council's AGM yesterday Read full story here 👉 https://t.co/FGnfSZybY2 pic.twitter.com/4E30PRXPdO — Bham City Council (@BhamCityCouncil) May 24, 2023 × "He believes in lifelong learning and continued his academic studies in economics and law on part-time degree courses at the local Polytechnic. He qualified as an engineer in electronics and became an apprentice with an electronics company. He progressed to becoming their youngest chief engineer in the service department and was later promoted to the post of manager of the service department," Birmingham City Council said. "He has served many years on the West Midlands Transport Authority and has a keen interest in improving public transport. As Chair of the Transport Scrutiny Committee, he led several Task and Finish Groups including making the recommendations for the best e-ticketing solution for the WMPTA which led to the introduction of the contactless travel (Swift Card) in the West Midlands area," the local council noted. British Sikh councillor creates history, becomes first turban-clad Lord Mayor of UK city British-Sikh councillor, Jaswant Singh Birdi, based in Coventry, has created history by becoming the very first turban-clad Lord Mayor of the central England city. He recently took charge as Lord Mayor with the official Chains of Office with his wife Krishna by his side as the Lord Mayoress. “I am so proud to become Lord Mayor of my adopted home city,” said Birdi. “It has given so much to myself and my family over the years and I will be honoured to show why I love it so much and to promote the city and the wonderful people who live here,” he said. “As a Sikh, it also means so much that I will be wearing the Chains of Office and the turban. It will help show what a happy multicultural city we have and maybe inspire others as well,” he added. Before taking charge as the Lord Mayor, he served as a local councillor in the city for 17 years, representing Bablake Ward for the past nine years, following two terms of office in the 1990s in the Hillfields Ward. Besides being a councillor, Birdi has also been actively involved in setting up religious, social, and community projects in Coventry. In his role as Lord Mayor, and the ambassador of the city, his chosen charities for support for the year include Muscular Dystrophy Charity, the Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind, and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Charity. He has succeeded Councillor Kevin Maton in the role of Lord Mayor and Councillor Mal Mutton has been named the Deputy Lord Mayor for the coming year. Previously, he served as Deputy Lord Mayor for the past 12 months and was presented with the Chains of Office at the Annual General Meeting at Coventry Cathedral last week. The ceremony was attended by members of his family. Birdi's early life and Career Jaswant Singh Birdi was born in Punjab and spent some time as a child in Kolkata, West Bengal before he moved to Coventry 60 years ago. He emigrated with his parents to Kenya in East Africa in the mid-1950s, where he had his primary and secondary education and emigrated to the UK in the 60s to carry on with his further education. The Coventry City Council took to its official Twitter handle and congratulated Birdi on taking charge as the Lord Mayor. We're pleased to be able to announce that @birdijaswant is the new Lord Mayor of Coventry. Cllr Birdi was presented with the Chains of Office today at our AGM. You can read about Cllr Birdi's life, career and chosen charities on our website now: https://t.co/GPiQdteqSS pic.twitter.com/lYkVLAaEbx — Coventry City Council (@coventrycc) May 18, 2023 × "We're pleased to be able to announce that @birdijaswant is the new Lord Mayor of Coventry. Cllr Birdi was presented with the Chains of Office today at our AGM," the tweet read. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

British-Indians script history by becoming Lord Mayors of Birmingham and Central England City

The accused in the killing of a 16-year-old girl in Delhi is being produced in a court today. Earlier, he was taken to a government hospital for a medical examination after stabbing a 16-year-old to death on Sunday evening. The accused allegedly killed the girl after she rejected his advances.

Delhi murder case: 20-yr-old accused Sahil arrested, murder weapon yet to be recovered

The Indian defense industry has been steadily expanding over the past decade, the Indian government has been actively promoting defense exports which AIDS self-reliance and also boosts the economic growth and now with a 23-fold increase India's defense exports are at an all-time high in just a span of nine years India's defense exports have reached an all-time high worth in nearly 1900 million dollars in 2022 and 2023 surging from a mere 82 million dollars in 2013 and 2014. The remarkable increase reflects India's progress in the global defense manufacturing sector with exports reaching more than 85 countries.

Global demands for Indian radars, simulators and armoured vehicles

Green growth and that's something that we really have been discussing with the Indian side for a long long time no doubt that we need really to change the direction that we have established and set for many many years the Western world including Denmark we have been really riding on a fossil fuel driven economy even now Denmark in the early 1970s where we were forced to change our Direction and now we have a government world leader in green renewable energy but it was something that will be forced to India is not being fostered India is taking a a step a political step so you do it out of your own will and therefore it's so important but without India turning towards green growth there will be no planet that we can live in for the future so India is important.

India, Denmark to focus on energy efficiency: Danish ambassador to India

In an alleged incident of mob lynching in the Indian state of Maharashtra, a minor boy was killed and two others were injured on the suspicion of theft. The incident reportedly took place in the Parbhani district of Maharashtra early on Saturday.

Maharashtra: Minor allegedly lynched on suspicion of theft, five suspects booked

A 16-year-old girl was stabbed to death by her 20-year-old boyfriend in the Indian capital Delhi. The horrific incident happened in a crowded alley, yet nobody stopped to save her. Are people losing empathy? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Delhi girl murdered by boyfriend, stabbed 22 times

Dhoni is going strong in his game at the age of 43. The legend says that he will not take the easy way out by retiring. How does Dhoni still make crowds go wild? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Story of the magical Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Will India buy F-16 jets? US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti told WION that as of now 'anything is on the table'. Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: Will India buy F-16s? Watch US Ambassador Eric Garcetti's responds

India stands solidly committed to assisting the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security. The world's largest democracy boasts of a proud history of UN peacekeeping, dating back to its inception in the 1950s. As per the Stockholm international peace research institute, India is among the top contributors of military personnel to UN and non-UN multilateral peace operations.

India's proud history of UN peacekeeping: Contribution of more than 253,000 troops

Covid-19 cases are rising once again. The cases are proliferating in the epicentre of the virus. The current wave of Covid-19 infections in China could be as high as 65 million cases a week. Experts, however, have told that the current surge is 'unlikely' to impact India. As the country has already been exposed to the Omicron subvariant causing the surge.

Why India need not worry about China’s recent COVID surge

This is a busy time for the India-US relationship where the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the United States in the month of June. From a NATO plus alliance to the sale of F-16s to cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the PM’s visit to the US in June- Ambassador Eric Garcetti speaks to WION.

Eric Garcetti on India-US relations and PM Modi's June visit to the US

India's top wrestlers have threatened to hurl their medals into the river Ganges as they demand the arrest of the head of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) over sexual harassment allegations.

Wrestlers give 5 days time to nab WFI Chief | India News

Embark on extraordinary travel stories with us in WION Wings as we take you on a mesmerising journey through diverse destinations and fascinating global events. Join us as we uncover the world's wonders, witness remarkable achievements, and delve into the captivating beauty of nature. From the prestigious G20 delegates meeting in Kashmir to the vibrant lunar festival in Sofia, Bulgaria, this immersive experience will leave you awestruck.

G20 Kashmir Summit, Kashmir's Floating Vegetable Market & 7 wonders record

<p>The Delhi police apprehended the accused named Sahil from Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr in the Shahbad dairy murder case on Monday (May 29)&nbsp;for stabbing his&nbsp;16-year-old girlfriend&nbsp;over 20 times and bludgeoning her to death. According to police sources, when Sahil shut down his phone and went into hiding after the episode, he made a phone call to his father, which gave away his exact location, reported ANI.</p>

<h2>What happened?</h2>

<p>According to the police, the girl was walking down the street on Sunday (28 May) when Sahil approached her and repeatedly stabbed her with a knife before hitting her in the head with a stone at least five times in broad daylight. Police got information that a corpse was lying on a road in the Shahbad dairy neighbourhood.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi | "The accused (Sahil) is in police remand for two days. Every aspect of this matter is being investigated from all angles. We will share full details only after collecting all the evidence," says Ravi Kumar Singh, DCP Outer North District on Shahbad Dairy murder case <a href="https://t.co/kLpmfbLdD6">pic.twitter.com/kLpmfbLdD6</a></p>
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<p>The&nbsp;girl&nbsp;and Sahil were reportedly in a relationship, but they had a fight a day before. The girl&nbsp;was about to attend the birthday party of her friend Neetu's daughter when the accused attacked her. According to the early findings of the post-mortem study, the assault left her with a ruptured skull.</p>

<p>“It was my daughter’s birthday and she (the victim) had gone shopping. She bought clothes and said she was going to meet another friend but never came back,”&nbsp;Neetu told&nbsp;Times Now.</p>

<p>Sahil then switched off his mobile phone seconds after the alleged murder and fled the scene. He then took a bus to Bulandshahr.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-7-dead-several-injured-as-bus-carrying-pilgrims-falls-into-gorge-in-jammu-598135">India: 8 dead, several injured as bus carrying pilgrims falls into gorge in Jammu</a></p>

<h2><strong>How did the police nab him?</strong></h2>

<p>After the alleged&nbsp;murder, Sahil went into hiding in Bulandshahar. According to the authorities, his phone had been switched off, but the accused subsequently called his father, revealing his whereabouts. He was then put under technical surveillance.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>He fled the scene of the crime and was staying with a relative. After arriving, he contacted his father, and the cops tracked him down.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sahil, accused of the 16-year-old girl murder case in Delhi has been arrested near Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh.<br />
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<p>“After the incident, the accused Sahil switched off his mobile phone and fled to his aunt’s house in Bulandshahr by bus. However, after reaching there, he called his father and after that, the police arrested him through technical surveillance,” a police officer investigating the case was quoted as saying by ANI.</p>

<h2><strong>Confession</strong></h2>

<p>During an interrogation&nbsp;by the police, Sahil allegedly stated that the girl wanted to break up with him, which upset him. She had threatened to call the police if he did not keep his distance.</p>

<p>Sahil told the police that he thought she had contact with an ex-boyfriend. According to police sources who spoke to NDTV,&nbsp;he was enraged that the girl was ignoring him and had no remorse.</p>

<p>He allegedly plotted the murder and got the knife used to murder the girl 20 days prior in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.</p>

<p>The murdered girl's&nbsp;family has demanded the harshest punishment for the accused.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The Delhi police apprehended the accused named Sahil from Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr in the Shahbad dairy murder case on Monday (May 29) for stabbing his 16-year-old girlfriend over 20 times and bludgeoning her to death.

The Delhi police apprehended the accused named Sahil from Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr in the Shahbad dairy murder case on Monday (May 29) for stabbing his 16-year-old girlfriend over 20 times and bludgeoning her to death. According to police sources, when Sahil shut down his phone and went into hiding after the episode, he made a phone call to his father, which gave away his exact location, reported ANI. What happened? According to the police, the girl was walking down the street on Sunday (28 May) when Sahil approached her and repeatedly stabbed her with a knife before hitting her in the head with a stone at least five times in broad daylight. Police got information that a corpse was lying on a road in the Shahbad dairy neighbourhood. Delhi | "The accused (Sahil) is in police remand for two days. Every aspect of this matter is being investigated from all angles. We will share full details only after collecting all the evidence," says Ravi Kumar Singh, DCP Outer North District on Shahbad Dairy murder case pic.twitter.com/kLpmfbLdD6 — ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2023 × The girl and Sahil were reportedly in a relationship, but they had a fight a day before. The girl was about to attend the birthday party of her friend Neetu's daughter when the accused attacked her. According to the early findings of the post-mortem study, the assault left her with a ruptured skull. “It was my daughter’s birthday and she (the victim) had gone shopping. She bought clothes and said she was going to meet another friend but never came back,” Neetu told Times Now. Sahil then switched off his mobile phone seconds after the alleged murder and fled the scene. He then took a bus to Bulandshahr. ALSO READ | India: 8 dead, several injured as bus carrying pilgrims falls into gorge in Jammu How did the police nab him? After the alleged murder, Sahil went into hiding in Bulandshahar. According to the authorities, his phone had been switched off, but the accused subsequently called his father, revealing his whereabouts. He was then put under technical surveillance. He fled the scene of the crime and was staying with a relative. After arriving, he contacted his father, and the cops tracked him down. Sahil, accused of the 16-year-old girl murder case in Delhi has been arrested near Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh. (Source: Police) pic.twitter.com/TtGnRAR37B — ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2023 × “After the incident, the accused Sahil switched off his mobile phone and fled to his aunt’s house in Bulandshahr by bus. However, after reaching there, he called his father and after that, the police arrested him through technical surveillance,” a police officer investigating the case was quoted as saying by ANI. Confession During an interrogation by the police, Sahil allegedly stated that the girl wanted to break up with him, which upset him. She had threatened to call the police if he did not keep his distance. Sahil told the police that he thought she had contact with an ex-boyfriend. According to police sources who spoke to NDTV, he was enraged that the girl was ignoring him and had no remorse. He allegedly plotted the murder and got the knife used to murder the girl 20 days prior in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The murdered girl's family has demanded the harshest punishment for the accused. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Shahbad murder case: How cops nabbed Sahil, accused of stabbing teen girlfriend 20 times

<p>Air India handed over an “unruly passenger” to security officials on May 29 after he verbally abused and harassed a crew member on board the AI882 flight from Goa to Delhi. A spokesperson for the company said that the male passenger also went on to physically assault a crew member, who continued with his aggressive behaviour even after landing at the Delhi airport. The company has also reported the incident to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, India’s top aviation regulatory body.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Statement released by Air India</strong></h2>

<p>“The said passenger verbally abused the crew members and then went on to physically assault one of them on board. On landing at Delhi airport, the passenger continued with the unprovoked, aggressive behaviour and was handed over to the security personnel. We have also reported the incident to the regulator," the spokesperson said.</p>

<p>The statement added that the safety of the crew members and passengers is the utmost priority of Air India. "Safety of our crew and passengers is of utmost importance to us and we strongly condemn this unruly behaviour of the passenger. We will offer all support to the affected crew members," the spokesperson said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Air India amends existing in-flight liquor policy after Pee-gate scandal</strong></p>

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<p>A similar incident also emerged last month when an individual allegedly caused harm to two female crew members on board an Air India flight from Delhi to London. The passenger is now facing a two-year flying ban imposed by Air India.</p>

<h2><strong>DGCA’s regulations for unruly passengers</strong></h2>

<p><strong>Under the DGCA's guidelines</strong>, an unruly air passenger can face a flying ban of varying durations, depending on the severity of their actions. These guidelines categorise unruly behaviour into three distinct levels, each representing a different degree of misconduct.</p>

<p><strong>Level 1 behaviour</strong> includes actions such as physical gestures, verbal harassment, and unruly inebriation, which can cause discomfort or disturbance to fellow passengers and airline staff. While these actions are undesirable and unacceptable, they are considered less severe than those falling under higher levels of misconduct.</p>

<p><strong>Level 2 behaviour</strong> involves physically abusive acts like pushing, kicking, or engaging in sexual harassment. These actions pose a direct threat to the safety and well-being of both the cabin crew and other passengers. The severity of the physical harm caused differentiates Level 2 behaviour from the less aggressive Level 1 actions.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-scorpio-bites-woman-on-board-air-india-flight-589789"><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;India: Scorpion bites woman on board Air India flight</strong></a></p>

<p><strong>Level 3 behaviour</strong> represents the most severe and life-threatening category of unruly conduct. It includes actions such as damaging aircraft operating systems, engaging in physical violence like choking or even committing murderous assault. These acts endanger the lives of those onboard and jeopardise the integrity and safety of the entire flight.&nbsp;</p>

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Air India handed over an “unruly passenger” to security officials on May 29 after he verbally abused and harassed a crew member on board the AI882 flight from Goa to Delhi.

Air India handed over an “unruly passenger” to security officials on May 29 after he verbally abused and harassed a crew member on board the AI882 flight from Goa to Delhi. A spokesperson for the company said that the male passenger also went on to physically assault a crew member, who continued with his aggressive behaviour even after landing at the Delhi airport. The company has also reported the incident to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, India’s top aviation regulatory body. Statement released by Air India “The said passenger verbally abused the crew members and then went on to physically assault one of them on board. On landing at Delhi airport, the passenger continued with the unprovoked, aggressive behaviour and was handed over to the security personnel. We have also reported the incident to the regulator," the spokesperson said. The statement added that the safety of the crew members and passengers is the utmost priority of Air India. "Safety of our crew and passengers is of utmost importance to us and we strongly condemn this unruly behaviour of the passenger. We will offer all support to the affected crew members," the spokesperson said. Watch: Air India amends existing in-flight liquor policy after Pee-gate scandal × A similar incident also emerged last month when an individual allegedly caused harm to two female crew members on board an Air India flight from Delhi to London. The passenger is now facing a two-year flying ban imposed by Air India. DGCA’s regulations for unruly passengers Under the DGCA's guidelines, an unruly air passenger can face a flying ban of varying durations, depending on the severity of their actions. These guidelines categorise unruly behaviour into three distinct levels, each representing a different degree of misconduct. Level 1 behaviour includes actions such as physical gestures, verbal harassment, and unruly inebriation, which can cause discomfort or disturbance to fellow passengers and airline staff. While these actions are undesirable and unacceptable, they are considered less severe than those falling under higher levels of misconduct. Level 2 behaviour involves physically abusive acts like pushing, kicking, or engaging in sexual harassment. These actions pose a direct threat to the safety and well-being of both the cabin crew and other passengers. The severity of the physical harm caused differentiates Level 2 behaviour from the less aggressive Level 1 actions. Also Read | India: Scorpion bites woman on board Air India flight Level 3 behaviour represents the most severe and life-threatening category of unruly conduct. It includes actions such as damaging aircraft operating systems, engaging in physical violence like choking or even committing murderous assault. These acts endanger the lives of those onboard and jeopardise the integrity and safety of the entire flight. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

‘Unruly passenger’ assaults crew member on board Air India flight, handed over to authorities

India's relationship with the UK is a long-standing friendship that has spanned decades. On a diplomatic visit to India, the UK minister of State for South Asia spoke to WION. His lordship delves into the potential around India-UK Free Trade Agreement and UK's response to the recent vandalism in the country.

UK MoS Lord Tariq Ahmad on 3-city tour

<p dir="ltr">Moving down three spots, India was ranked eighth in the world's most polluted countries in terms of air quality in the <a href="https://www.iqair.com/in-en/world-most-polluted-countries">2022 World Air Quality Report </a>by Swiss company IQAir. As per the findings of the report,&nbsp;12 out&nbsp;of the 15 most polluted cities in central and south Asia were located in India, as they were in the previous year.</p>

<p>The report states that India's annual average PM2.5 level in 2022 was 53.3 g/m3, slightly lower than the 58.1 average in 2021. It was, however, significantly higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO) annual PM2.5 concentration limit of 5 g/m3.</p>

<p>Bhiwadi in Rajasthan's Alwar district was the most polluted city in India and the second-most polluted in the Central and South Asia area, with annual PM2.5 levels of 92.7 g/m3.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Darbhanga and Asopur in Bihar were not far behind, with 90.3 and 90.2 levels, respectively. Patna, Ghaziabad, Dharuhera, Chapra, Muzaffarnagar, Greater Noida, Bahadurgarh, and Faridabad are among the other Indian cities on the list of the 15 most polluted in the region.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>What does India lack in its fight against air pollution?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>India has implemented a variety of regulations aimed at various sources of air pollution, ranging from industry to road traffic. Despite this, its air quality has steadily deteriorated, to the degree of today's public health catastrophe.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>On January 10, 2023, India's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) marked four years of its implementation. Three years after its inception, the targeted cities have made little headway in decreasing air pollution, and in some cases, such as Chennai and Mumbai, pollution has worsened.</p>

<p>“The difficulty in achieving a lasting impact from these initiatives is multi-faceted,” Suresh Ramasubramanya&nbsp;Iyer, Senior Fellow and Area Convenor, Centre for Environmental Studies, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) told WION.</p>

<p dir="ltr">“Air pollution stems from numerous sources: vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, construction dust, and agricultural practices like crop burning, to name just a few. Controlling each of these sources presents its own unique set of challenges. Moreover, plans that seem effective in theory often confront various obstacles during implementation. They require robust collaboration and coordination between different departments and sectors,” he said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr">“Besides, ensuring that sufficient funding and resources are available, raising public awareness, encouraging participation, and enforcing strict pollution control measures are equally vital. Another often overlooked obstacle is the lack of political willpower to tackle air pollution. It's a complicated issue with no quick fixes. Many politicians might be hesitant to act due to the potential economic implications of stricter regulations, creating a conflict between short-term economic gains and long-term environmental health,” he noted.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Air pollution can affect Covid-19 vaccine efficacy: Study</strong></p>

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<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Only six nations attained WHO's safe limit</strong></h2>

<p dir="ltr">Chad, a landlocked nation in central Africa, was named the world's most polluted, with annual PM2.5 levels of 89.7 g/m3. Iraq came in second only to Chad (80.1), followed by Pakistan (70.9), Bahrain (66.6), and Bangladesh (65.8).</p>

<p dir="ltr">Based on the IQAir analysis, only 13 of the 131 nations and areas covered in the report achieved PM2.5 concentrations of 5 g/m3 or less – the WHO limit for yearly PM2.5 concentrations. Guam in the western Pacific Ocean had the lowest annual PM2.5 levels at 1.3 g/m3, followed by French Polynesia (2.5), the US Virgin Islands (2.9), Bermuda (3.0), and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (3.3) in the Caribbean.</p>

<p dir="ltr">At the same time, just six nations, namely Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, and New Zealand, reached the WHO's safe level.</p>

<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Heath toll of air pollution</strong></h2>

<p dir="ltr">Air pollution killed an estimated 1.6 million people in India in 2019 – the highest number in the world, according to a <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(22)00090-0/fulltext">Lancet report</a>.&nbsp;The report&nbsp;also noted that air pollution was the most severe in the Indo-Gangetic plain, where New Delhi and many of the most polluted cities are situated.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">“Air pollution is a mixture of harmful chemicals which via multiple mechanisms will damage the airways, blood vessels,&nbsp;and can lead to irreversible organ damage,” Dr Arjun Khanna, Head, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad,&nbsp;told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">“Airways and lung diseases are getting more difficult to treat. The number of chronic intractable coughs I see these days are&nbsp;substantially more than it was a decade ago. Previously, when a patient asked whether they could buy an air purifier for their home, I would tell them that we didn't have enough evidence to support the usage of these devices. My response has entirely changed now. Air purifiers, in my opinion, are no longer a luxury for people who live in Delhi NCR, but rather a necessity.&nbsp;The number of children and adolescents suffering from chronic respiratory disorders is far more than in the past. These trends are highly alarming,” said Dr Khanna.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/air-pollution-increases-speeds-bone-loss-among-postmenopausal-women-says-study-571192">Air pollution speeds up bone loss in postmenopausal women, says study</a></p>

<h2><strong>Way forward for India</strong></h2>

<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/trending/10-countries-with-worst-air-quality-1682427749866">Air pollution mitigation</a> is a multi-stage process. “We need to understand that it takes decades to reduce high air pollution levels.&nbsp;The US&nbsp;took almost three decades to come to its&nbsp;present level,” Prof Sagnik Dey, Institute Chair Professor,&nbsp;Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, IIT Delhi, told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">“Efforts cannot be ad-hoc arrangements and we have to target reducing emissions at the source,” noted Prof Dey.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">“India needs to prioritise interventions, impose stringent emission norms, adopt a cross-sectoral plan in air sheds, focus on sustainable plans and engage with awareness activities at multiple levels,” he added.&nbsp;</p>

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Moving down three spots, India was ranked eighth in the world's most polluted countries in terms of air quality in the 2022 World Air Quality Report by Swiss company IQAir.

Moving down three spots, India was ranked eighth in the world's most polluted countries in terms of air quality in the 2022 World Air Quality Report by Swiss company IQAir. As per the findings of the report, 12 out of the 15 most polluted cities in central and south Asia were located in India, as they were in the previous year. The report states that India's annual average PM2.5 level in 2022 was 53.3 g/m3, slightly lower than the 58.1 average in 2021. It was, however, significantly higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO) annual PM2.5 concentration limit of 5 g/m3. Bhiwadi in Rajasthan's Alwar district was the most polluted city in India and the second-most polluted in the Central and South Asia area, with annual PM2.5 levels of 92.7 g/m3. Darbhanga and Asopur in Bihar were not far behind, with 90.3 and 90.2 levels, respectively. Patna, Ghaziabad, Dharuhera, Chapra, Muzaffarnagar, Greater Noida, Bahadurgarh, and Faridabad are among the other Indian cities on the list of the 15 most polluted in the region. What does India lack in its fight against air pollution? India has implemented a variety of regulations aimed at various sources of air pollution, ranging from industry to road traffic. Despite this, its air quality has steadily deteriorated, to the degree of today's public health catastrophe. On January 10, 2023, India's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) marked four years of its implementation. Three years after its inception, the targeted cities have made little headway in decreasing air pollution, and in some cases, such as Chennai and Mumbai, pollution has worsened. “The difficulty in achieving a lasting impact from these initiatives is multi-faceted,” Suresh Ramasubramanya Iyer, Senior Fellow and Area Convenor, Centre for Environmental Studies, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) told WION. “Air pollution stems from numerous sources: vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, construction dust, and agricultural practices like crop burning, to name just a few. Controlling each of these sources presents its own unique set of challenges. Moreover, plans that seem effective in theory often confront various obstacles during implementation. They require robust collaboration and coordination between different departments and sectors,” he said. “Besides, ensuring that sufficient funding and resources are available, raising public awareness, encouraging participation, and enforcing strict pollution control measures are equally vital. Another often overlooked obstacle is the lack of political willpower to tackle air pollution. It's a complicated issue with no quick fixes. Many politicians might be hesitant to act due to the potential economic implications of stricter regulations, creating a conflict between short-term economic gains and long-term environmental health,” he noted. ALSO WATCH | Air pollution can affect Covid-19 vaccine efficacy: Study Only six nations attained WHO's safe limit Chad, a landlocked nation in central Africa, was named the world's most polluted, with annual PM2.5 levels of 89.7 g/m3. Iraq came in second only to Chad (80.1), followed by Pakistan (70.9), Bahrain (66.6), and Bangladesh (65.8). Based on the IQAir analysis, only 13 of the 131 nations and areas covered in the report achieved PM2.5 concentrations of 5 g/m3 or less – the WHO limit for yearly PM2.5 concentrations. Guam in the western Pacific Ocean had the lowest annual PM2.5 levels at 1.3 g/m3, followed by French Polynesia (2.5), the US Virgin Islands (2.9), Bermuda (3.0), and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (3.3) in the Caribbean. At the same time, just six nations, namely Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, and New Zealand, reached the WHO's safe level. Heath toll of air pollution Air pollution killed an estimated 1.6 million people in India in 2019 – the highest number in the world, according to a Lancet report. The report also noted that air pollution was the most severe in the Indo-Gangetic plain, where New Delhi and many of the most polluted cities are situated. “Air pollution is a mixture of harmful chemicals which via multiple mechanisms will damage the airways, blood vessels, and can lead to irreversible organ damage,” Dr Arjun Khanna, Head, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, told WION. “Airways and lung diseases are getting more difficult to treat. The number of chronic intractable coughs I see these days are substantially more than it was a decade ago. Previously, when a patient asked whether they could buy an air purifier for their home, I would tell them that we didn't have enough evidence to support the usage of these devices. My response has entirely changed now. Air purifiers, in my opinion, are no longer a luxury for people who live in Delhi NCR, but rather a necessity. The number of children and adolescents suffering from chronic respiratory disorders is far more than in the past. These trends are highly alarming,” said Dr Khanna. ALSO READ | Air pollution speeds up bone loss in postmenopausal women, says study Way forward for India Air pollution mitigation is a multi-stage process. “We need to understand that it takes decades to reduce high air pollution levels. The US took almost three decades to come to its present level,” Prof Sagnik Dey, Institute Chair Professor, Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, IIT Delhi, told WION. “Efforts cannot be ad-hoc arrangements and we have to target reducing emissions at the source,” noted Prof Dey. “India needs to prioritise interventions, impose stringent emission norms, adopt a cross-sectoral plan in air sheds, focus on sustainable plans and engage with awareness activities at multiple levels,” he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab | Gasping for breath: What is India doing about its air pollution crisis?

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