Letters to The Editor — April 30, 2025
The warning sounded by the World Health Organization, UNICEF and Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance), in the context of World Immunization Week, April 24-30, of 'increases in vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks threatening years of progress', is one that should not be ignored under any circumstances. Neglecting this could be catastrophic for the world.
All children and adults (especially women) should be immunised according to the latest national immunisation schedule sanctioned by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and ICMR. The Government of India must ensure that there is no slowing down of immunisation coverage.
Dr. Sunil Chopra,
Ludhiana, Punjab
Stray dog issue
As an octogenarian veterinarian, I have been keenly following the narratives on the stray dog problem.
Unfortunately, implementation of vaccination and sterilisation has not been as robust as it should have been, with concerns about inadequate outreach and sterilisation rates. A significant proportion of dogs remain reproductively active. As human health and life are important, this is an issue that has to be tackled through a more stringent and practical approach. Dog shelters can be set up in each corporation zone, roping in even corporates under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. In many countries even pets are not allowed loose on a street.
Dr. T.N. Varadarajan,
Chennai
Shaji N. Karun
Shaji N. Karun, one among the pantheon of great film-makers, has become a glowing chapter in Kerala's rich film history. As a director and cinematographer, he excelled in both worlds. With his classic films such as Swaham, Piravi and Vanaprastham, he made an indelible mark in world cinema. And, while at the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy and Kerala State Film Development Corporation, he proved to be an institution builder.
Ayyasseri Raveendranath,
Aranmula, Kerala
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The Hindu
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- The Hindu
What happens to your lungs after one year in a highly polluted city like Delhi
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Nearly one in three children suffers from some form of respiratory difficulty. Adults aren't spared either. Even those without pre-existing conditions report more frequent respiratory infections, shortness of breath, and a lingering cough that simply doesn't go away. In fact, the likelihood of developing chronic respiratory symptoms in Delhi is 1.7 times higher than in places like Pauri Garhwal, a region with far cleaner air. Pollution alters your lungs In the first few months of exposure, symptoms might be mild — a sore throat, an occasional wheeze, or a nagging cold. But over time, the lungs adapt in ways that aren't healthy. Medical specialists warn that by the 4–8 month mark, the lungs are in a state of chronic inflammation. They're working harder to filter the air, leading to cellular changes that can impair function. By the end of a full year, long-term exposure sets in. Lung capacity decreases, particularly in children and older adults. 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