In an unprecedented transfer linking company management selections to environmental well being considerations, Mr. Rajkumar Bafna, President-Finance of Akums Medication and Prescribed drugs Ltd, has tendered his resignation, efficient 31 December 2025, citing the continuing Delhi air pollution disaster as the first motive. The firm confirmed acceptance of his resignation and mentioned Bafna will likely be formally relieved of his duties on the finish of this 12 months.
In a December 3 inner e mail — later shared with the corporate’s administration — Bafna wrote that as a result of persistently hazardous air high quality in Delhi, he was stepping down from his position and requested an expedited transition. Akums responded with remorse for dropping an skilled finance chief, however acknowledged Bafna’s considerations, significantly round well being dangers related to deteriorating air high quality.
The regulatory submitting submitted to the Nationwide Inventory Alternate and BSE reaffirmed that Bafna’s resignation was as a result of private causes.
Delhi’s air air pollution state of affairs
On the time of publication, Delhi’s Air High quality Index (AQI) stays dangerously excessive, with real-time readings at occasions exceeding 390-400, ranges labeled as Very Poor to Extreme and Hazardous for human well being.
Dense smog continues to blanket town, lowering visibility, worsening respiratory issues, and prompting authorities to take care of stringent Graded Response Motion Plan (GRAP) measures. Neighboring components of the NCR, together with Ghaziabad and Noida, have additionally reported extreme AQI ranges above 400, underscoring that the air pollution disaster extends past Delhi’s metropolis limits.
Regardless of occasional short-term aid in some pockets, meteorologists and atmosphere planners warn that the winter season, stagnant winds, crop-burning in surrounding states, and elevated particulate matter all mix to maintain air pollution ranges excessive properly into early 2026.
What poor AQI does to your physique
Air air pollution is greater than only a nuisance — it instantly impacts human well being, particularly when AQI breaches the “Unhealthy” threshold. In response to world well being information:
- Wonderful particulate matter (PM2.5) can penetrate deep into the lungs, lowering lung perform, triggering bronchial asthma, bronchitis, and exacerbating power respiratory illnesses.
- Brief-term exposures could cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, complications, and fatigue.
- Lengthy-term inhalation of polluted air will increase the chance of coronary heart illness, stroke, power obstructive pulmonary illness (COPD), lung most cancers, and untimely dying.
- Weak teams — together with youngsters, the aged, and people with preexisting situations — face heightened danger even at decrease publicity ranges.
Specialists additionally spotlight rising proof exhibiting air pollution’s impression on immune perform, cognitive well being, and delivery outcomes, additional broadening the general public well being stakes tied to extended publicity.
Well being warnings amid poor AQI
With AQI values incessantly surpassing the 300 mark — a stage at which severe well being results are frequent — well being authorities advise the general public to:
- Keep away from out of doors train and extended out of doors publicity particularly throughout early morning and nighttime smog peaks.
- Use air purifiers and N95-grade masks to cut back inhalation of tremendous particles.
- Preserve home windows and doorways closed at dwelling to restrict indoor air pollution penetration.
Medical professionals are significantly alarmed about days with “Very Poor” and “Extreme” AQI, warning that even wholesome people could start to expertise severe respiratory and cardiovascular signs. Brief-term publicity can set off bronchial asthma assaults, irregular coronary heart rhythms, and elevated hospital visits, whereas cumulative publicity over years compounds power illness danger.
This is likely one of the uncommon events in India’s company historical past the place environmental situations have instantly influenced a key govt’s resolution to step down, highlighting the gravity of the air air pollution problem confronting Delhi and its workforce. Bafna’s resignation serves as each a company milestone and a stark reminder: environmental degradation is not only a coverage situation, however one with actual private {and professional} penalties.
