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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Poriborton!

BJP candidate for Bhabanipur and Nandigram constituencies Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the prestigious Bhabanipur seat, shows a certificate of election on Monday. Pic: PTI Mumbai: The Bengali word “Poriborton” translates to profound change. While it was initially fiercely utilized as the central battle cry for the assembly elections in West Bengal, the final tally from all five state elections reveals that the spirit of the word has swept across...

Poriborton!

BJP candidate for Bhabanipur and Nandigram constituencies Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the prestigious Bhabanipur seat, shows a certificate of election on Monday. Pic: PTI Mumbai: The Bengali word “Poriborton” translates to profound change. While it was initially fiercely utilized as the central battle cry for the assembly elections in West Bengal, the final tally from all five state elections reveals that the spirit of the word has swept across the entire nation. The recent electoral outcomes have fundamentally rewritten the established rules of Indian democracy. From a massive anti-incumbency wave overturning fifteen years of rule in Bengal, to a political novice shattering a six-decade Dravidian stronghold in Tamil Nadu, and the Congress-led alliance successfully dislodging the incumbent Left in Kerala, the electorate has delivered a highly decisive mandate. Alongside sweeping consolidations of power in Assam and Puducherry, these results collectively disrupt historical traditions and reshape the national political landscape for years to come. Titan Toppled In West Bengal, the call for Poribartan finally resonated with enough force to bring down a formidable political fortress. A relentless anti-incumbency wave has overturned Mamata Banerjee’s fifteen-year rule. For a decade and a half, the Trinamool Congress maintained an iron grip on the state’s narrative, having previously ousted the Left Front on the very same promise of sweeping change. The defeat of the incumbent government signifies a monumental shift in the political psychology of Bengal. The electorate, driven by an urgent desire for a new direction, has dismantled a deeply entrenched political machine. This result forces a complete recalibration of power dynamics in eastern India, leaving a massive political vacuum that victorious forces will now rush to fill, fundamentally altering the governance trajectory of the state. Duopoly Shattered Equally seismic is the political earthquake that has struck Tamil Nadu. For six decades, the state’s political arena was fiercely guarded by a seemingly unbreakable Dravidian duopoly, with power alternating predictably between established giants. However, the emergence of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by cinema icon Thalapathy Vijay, has dismantled this historical dominance. By emerging as the single-largest party in the assembly count, the TVK has achieved what generations of politicians deemed impossible. This is not merely a change in government but a profound cultural and political revolution. The voters of Tamil Nadu have overwhelmingly opted for a fresh narrative, proving that star power coupled with an untested political promise can still upend deeply rooted ideological empires, ushering in an entirely new era of leadership. Absolute Dominance Meanwhile, the political landscape in the Northeast has witnessed a different kind of decisive mandate. In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has not only retained power but has emerged significantly stronger, securing a third consecutive term. This victory effectively cements an aggressive regional hegemony and signals the near-total ouster of the Congress party from Assam’s mainstream politics. The result brings an ironclad continuity to the state, allowing the incumbent administration to push forward its agenda without any formidable legislative friction, while leaving the state’s oldest party desperately searching for political relevance. Pendulum Swings In Kerala, the electorate has delivered a decisive blow to the incumbent Left Democratic Front. The Congress-led United Democratic Front has successfully dislodged the government, claiming a vital victory in a state renowned for its fiercely contested, oscillating elections. This resurgence of the UDF injects critical new life into the state’s Congress machinery, drastically altering the governance model in Kerala. The outcome firmly proves that the traditional pendulum of Kerala politics still possesses the momentum to swing back fiercely against the incumbent, denying the Left a continued and uninterrupted grip on power. Comfortable Continuity Further down the coast in Puducherry, the mandate favored stability within a rapidly changing national map. The National Democratic Alliance government, led by the AINRC, comfortably secured its return to power. This victory ensures that the NDA maintains a crucial administrative foothold in the southern union territory, providing a steady anchor for its regional allies amid the broader national churn. When viewed collectively, these independent state results weave a complex tapestry that will inevitably reshape national politics. The fall of towering regional satraps in West Bengal and the disruption of the historic Dravidian stronghold in Tamil Nadu indicate a national electorate that is deeply restless and entirely unafraid to discard legacy systems. For the national opposition, the revival in Kerala offers a much-needed glimmer of hope, though it is heavily overshadowed by the existential crisis they face in Assam. The spectacular rise of new regional entities introduces a fresh, highly unpredictable variable into the national coalition arithmetic ahead of future general elections. Ultimately, the political center of gravity has fundamentally shifted, proving that “Poribartan” is no longer just a localized slogan, but the defining new reality of the country.

Beyond the Bag: Labelling, Sealing, and Storing Waste Right

Segregation is not just about coloured bags—it’s about protecting people, reducing costs, and preserving the planet.

In my last article, I described the colour-coding system that was used for the segregation of biomedical waste. Let us explore this aspect a little further.


Segregation is not just about putting waste in different coloured bags—it’s about ensuring that each step, from labelling to sealing and storage, is handled with care and clarity. This section explains how healthcare facilities can implement segregation practically and the many advantages of doing it right, from safety to sustainability.


Occupiers can procure coloured bags or bins required for segregation directly from the operator of a common facility. These colour-coded bags and containers should be printed with the biohazard symbol and labelled with details such as date, type of waste, waste quantity, sender's name, and receiver's details, as well as barcode labels so that they can be tracked till final disposal.


These bags and sharps containers should be sealed and kept ready for collection once they are filled up to three-quarters of their capacity. These plastic bags should never be stapled but may be tied or sealed with a plastic tag or tie. Replacement bags or containers should be available at each waste-collection location so that once a bag is filled to its desired capacity, it can be readily replaced by a new one. In healthcare establishments, the segregation process is handled mostly by the housekeeping staff. Many of these waste handlers are uneducated and may not be able to read the instructions regarding segregation. For this, the CPCB has published a pictorial guide in which there are interactive, colourful posters displaying the process of segregation.


Advantages of segregation: Implementing a robust segregation programme is crucial for any healthcare facility aiming to manage its waste responsibly and effectively. Mixing the waste at the source of generation can have an adverse effect on the treatment process.


1. Enhanced Safety:

Reduces Occupational Hazards: Segregation minimises the risk of injury to healthcare workers and waste handlers from sharps (needles, etc.) and infectious materials.


Prevents Cross-Contamination: Proper segregation prevents the mixing of infectious waste with general waste, reducing the risk of disease transmission.


Improved Infection Control: By separating waste streams, healthcare facilities can implement more effective infection control measures, protecting patients, staff, and visitors from ‘nosocomial’ or ‘hospital-acquired’ infections.


1. Reduced Treatment Costs:

Each of the four categories of biomedical waste requires specific treatment because of its varied composition before disposal. Segregation ensures that only truly hazardous and infectious waste will be treated with specialised and often costly methods, reducing overall treatment costs.


Optimises Resource Allocation: By streamlining waste management processes, segregation allows for more efficient use of resources and potentially reduces waste disposal expenses.


2. Environmental Protection:

Prevents Environmental Pollution: Proper segregation prevents hazardous materials from contaminating soil and water sources, protecting the environment.


Promotes Recycling: Segregation enables the recycling of certain materials, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and conserving natural resources.


Reduces Landfill Volume: By segregating non-hazardous waste for recycling and composting, the volume of waste going to landfills is reduced.


3. Legal Compliance:

Adherence to Regulations: Effective segregation is often a requirement of national and international regulations for biomedical waste management, helping healthcare facilities avoid legal penalties.


Improved Reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to proper waste management through segregation can enhance a healthcare facility's reputation.


4. Promoting Sustainability:

Resource Conservation: Segregation facilitates the recycling and reuse of materials, promoting resource conservation and reducing the environmental footprint of healthcare facilities.


Reduced Carbon Footprint: By optimising waste management processes and promoting recycling, segregation contributes to a more sustainable healthcare system.


Proper segregation is the foundation of safe and sustainable biomedical waste management. It protects people, reduces treatment costs, and helps safeguard the environment, making it an essential practice for every healthcare facility.


(The author is an environmentalist.)

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