3 Things Green firecrackers, Nobel in Medicine 2025, and US-India Russian oil row
Oct 17, 2025
Sophiya Mathew, an environmental journalist at The Indian Express, discusses the Supreme Court's decision to allow green firecrackers in Delhi amid public health concerns. She highlights the balance between celebration and environmental safety. Anonna Dutt, also from The Indian Express, shares insights on the groundbreaking Nobel Prize-winning discovery of regulatory T cells and their implications for immune responses and medicine. Finally, the conversation shifts to the geopolitical landscape as Trump's claims about India's Russian oil purchases spark national debate.
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How Green Crackers Reduce Emissions
- NEERI-developed green crackers alter formulations to cut particulate emissions by about 30% and avoid highly toxic chemicals.
- They also release dust suppressants and water vapour to help particulate matter settle faster after bursting.
Public Health Concerns Persist
- Public opinion divides: many worry green crackers still harm children, the elderly and those with respiratory illness.
- Experts caution large volumes of even lower-emission crackers can create dangerous pollution spikes.
Follow Certification And Sale Rules
- Sellers must stock only CSIR/NEERI-certified green crackers with visible logos and QR codes to avoid confiscation.
- Authorities will limit sale locations, patrol with pollution bodies and cancel registrations for violations.