God is kind and generous. He has given the same quality and design of lungs to every human-being across the globe. The rich and the poor, the powerful and the ordinary, the multiple genders and the multiple age groups breathe the same number of times each day of their life. What do they breathe in Punjab? Air that no longer remains the same which our forefathers inhaled. We know about the depleting air quality in Punjab today. We occasionally talk about it. What do we do about it?

Clean Air is a human right. Including for the policy makers. They suffer too. Isn’t it time to reignite the passion to co-create better quality of air for the benefit of every citizen of Punjab? We all generally look towards the Government to solve the problems. Government alone can’t do enough. We need to create partnerships to collectively solve the problem of endangered air quality in each city and village of Punjab. A-B-C-D [Academia – Business – Civil Society – Doctors] needs to come forward to join hands with the Government. How? Let’s delve deeper.

In Punjab, the government must take a proactive stance, recognizing the severity of air pollution and the need for a coordinated response. By bringing together Academia, Business, Civil Society, and Doctors, the government needs to harness a diverse range of expertise and resources to formulate an inclusive and effective strategy. Government leadership is pivotal in setting the agenda, coordinating efforts, and ensuring the successful implementation of initiatives aimed at mitigating air pollution.

A joint brainstorming could put the intent for action on a common pedestal of contemplated impact. The orchestration of thought leadership may be facilitated by anyone taking the lead from A-B-C-D. The priority assigned should be the highest. The consistency of holding in big cities and towns of Punjab should be regular. The action agenda should remain agile with prompt implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

A – Academia’s Role in Education, Research and Innovation

In the transformative landscape shaped by governmental guidance, academic institutions should actively engage in research and consistently develop innovative solutions to decisively tackle the foundational causes of air pollution. The government, in its forward-thinking approach, should actively facilitate and encourage partnerships among universities, research institutions, and pertinent government agencies, with a keen emphasis on fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. This concerted effort should center around the exploration and implementation of sustainable technologies, the utilization of non-fossil fuel alternative energy sources, and the formulation of urban planning strategies, all of which should significantly contribute to the reduction of pollution levels.

To uphold its commitment to environmental stewardship, the government should continue its active support and generous funding of research initiatives. This deliberate investment should ensure that Academia assumes a pivotal role in shaping policies and implementing practices that should unequivocally promote environmental sustainability. Through this collaboration, the government and Academia should collectively work to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and actionable solutions, fostering a synergistic relationship that is indispensable for effective air pollution control.

Galvanizing the power of youth is an important segment for the academia. We need to shape the right mindset of the young students to actively participate in becoming a better responsible citizen for mitigating the threat of air pollution in their surroundings. Additionally, they need to play a pivotal role in shaping the thoughts of their families and other people around.

B – Business Sector’s Contribution to Air Quality and other Sustainable Practices

In the imminent future, the government should intensify its engagement with the business sector, urging and incentivizing the widespread adoption of sustainable practices, green technologies, and eco-friendly production methods. A comprehensive system of incentives, subsidies, and forward-looking regulatory frameworks should be meticulously crafted to serve as catalysts, compelling businesses to proactively diminish their carbon footprint. Positioned as a facilitator, the government should strive to cultivate an environment where businesses are not merely held accountable for their environmental impact but are also integral contributors to the sustainable development in Punjab.

Anticipating a paradigm shift, the government should actively initiate and nurture Public-Private Partnerships, forming robust collaborations with businesses to implement visionary projects focusing on cleaner production methods, waste reduction, and the seamless integration of green technologies. This symbiotic collaboration should herald a new era where the business sector is a pivotal ally in the battle against air pollution, harmonizing economic growth with an unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility. Punjab should emerge as a trendsetter in India.

C – Civil Society Empowerment and Advocacy

The government should comprehensively acknowledge the pivotal role of civil society in championing awareness, advocating for transformative policy changes, and mobilizing communities towards a sustainable future. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community groups, RWAs and impassioned activists should, in harmonious partnership with the government, take the lead in propelling initiatives that should holistically address the foundational causes of air pollution. The government, in its foresighted approach, should actively endorse and generously fund civil society organizations, providing them with the necessary resources to orchestrate impactful awareness campaigns, workshops, and seminars.

This synergy with civil society should serve as an impetus, empowering communities to proactively engage in environmental conservation endeavors. By actively involving citizens in decision-making processes, the government should ensure that the collective intelligence and boundless energy of the community are harnessed, thereby laying the groundwork for effective and enduring solutions that should usher in a sustainable and environmentally conscious era.

Citizen Action Groups formed in each City and Town can pave the way for clean air for the current and future citizens of Punjab.

D – Doctors and Healthcare Sector’s Role in Public Health

The healthcare sector, epitomized by dedicated doctors, should assume a paramount role in comprehending and mitigating the health ramifications stemming from air pollution. The government should forge dynamic collaborations with healthcare institutions, professionals, medical associations and private healthcare providers, collectively shaping forward-thinking strategies that effectively tackle both immediate and enduring health concerns.

The government’s public health agenda should seamlessly incorporate routine health check-ups, pervasive health awareness campaigns, and an unwavering promotion of respiratory health. Through active participation in the A-B-C-D partnership, where doctors and healthcare professionals are integral contributors, the government should champion a comprehensive approach that unequivocally prioritizes the well-being of citizens. This collaborative synergy should pave the way for a futuristic healthcare landscape that proactively safeguards the population of Punjab from the health impacts of air pollution.

The government’s pioneering A-B-C-D approach, facilitated through a visionary Public-Private Partnership, should stand as a paradigm for the potent potential of collaborative endeavors in combatting air pollution. The strategic amalgamation of Academia, Business, Civil Society, and Doctors, orchestrated by the government, should exemplify an all-encompassing and forward-thinking strategy. 

As this collaborative saga continues to unfold and adapt to the evolving times, Punjab should emerge as a living testament to the transformative influence wielded by a cohesive A-B-C-D partnership on the realms of air quality, environmental sustainability and public health. 

Think for a while. If we do not do it now. Then when? Kirat jiyo…only we can do it for ourselves in Punjab. No one will come to do it for us. Vand Chakho…benefitting the community with our generous actions is our responsibility, as part of Government and A-B-C-D. Naam Japo…we can pray and be with God only when we justify our dutiful karma. Not doing enough tantamount to insulting God for his generosity.

Dr. P S Bakhshi, National Core Committee Member, Doctors for Clean Air and Climate Action, Lung Care Foundation

Dr. Rajiv Khurana, Founder – Trustee, Lung Care Foundation