3 Things Superbugs in the air, a silent crop killer, and 10-min delivery row
Jan 15, 2026
Harish Damodaran, National Rural Affairs and Agriculture Editor at The Indian Express, discusses the Orobanche parasite threatening India's mustard crops, which could severely impact edible oil security. Soumyarendra Barik, a reporter at The Indian Express, highlights the Labour Ministry's move to eliminate 10-minute delivery promises from quick-commerce firms, linking it to the ongoing gig-worker social security debate. The conversation also touches on the connection between Delhi's winter air and antibiotic-resistant superbugs, showcasing the dangerous interplay between health and the environment.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Hospitals And Crowds Raise Local Risk
- Staph concentrations spike in crowded markets and near hospitals due to population density and poor medical waste disposal.
- Hospitals act as breeding grounds for resistant strains and form biofilms on surfaces, worsening AMR.
Environment And Behaviour Drive Resistance
- Overuse, OTC access, and improper disposal of antibiotics create low-dose environmental exposure that drives bacterial evolution.
- Resistant bacteria can transfer resistance genes to others, accelerating multi-drug resistance development.
Use Antibiotics Only With Prescription
- Do not take antibiotics without a doctor's prescription and complete the prescribed course exactly.
- Push for stricter OTC regulations and avoid prophylactic or mid-course stoppage of antibiotic strips.