Delhi AQI disaster: Akums President–Finance Rajkumar Bafna resigns over well being considerations
In an unprecedented transfer linking company management choices to environmental well being considerations, Mr. Rajkumar Bafna, President–Finance of Akums Medicine and Prescribed drugs Ltd, has tendered his resignation, efficient 31 December 2025, citing the continued Delhi air pollution disaster as the first cause. The corporate confirmed acceptance of his resignation and mentioned Mr. 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 shedding an skilled finance chief, however acknowledged Bafna’s considerations, notably round well being dangers related to deteriorating air high quality.
The regulatory submitting submitted to the Nationwide Inventory Trade and BSE reaffirmed that Bafna’s resignation was because of private causes.
Delhi’s air air pollution scenario
On the time of publication, Delhi’s Air High quality Index (AQI) stays dangerously excessive, with real-time readings at instances exceeding 390-400, ranges categorized as Very Poor to Extreme and Hazardous for human well being.
Dense smog continues to blanket the town, lowering visibility, worsening respiratory issues, and prompting authorities to take care of stringent Graded Response Motion Plan (GRAP) measures. Neighboring elements 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 setting 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 effectively 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 accordance with world well being information:
- High quality particulate matter (PM2.5) can penetrate deep into the lungs, lowering lung operate, triggering bronchial asthma, bronchitis, and exacerbating continual respiratory ailments.
- Quick-term exposures could cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, complications, and fatigue.
- Lengthy-term inhalation of polluted air will increase the danger of coronary heart illness, stroke, continual obstructive pulmonary illness (COPD), lung most cancers, and untimely dying.
- Susceptible teams — together with youngsters, the aged, and people with preexisting situations — face heightened threat even at decrease publicity ranges.
Consultants additionally spotlight rising proof displaying air pollution’s influence on immune operate, cognitive well being, and start outcomes, additional broadening the general public well being stakes tied to extended publicity.
Well being warnings amid poor AQI
With AQI values often surpassing the 300 mark — a stage at which critical well being results are frequent — well being authorities advise the general public to:
- Keep away from outside train and extended outside publicity particularly throughout early morning and nighttime smog peaks.
- Use air purifiers and N95-grade masks to cut back inhalation of high quality particles.
- Preserve home windows and doorways closed at dwelling to restrict indoor air pollution penetration.
Medical professionals are notably alarmed about days with “Very Poor” and “Extreme” AQI, warning that even wholesome people might start to expertise critical respiratory and cardiovascular signs. Quick-term publicity can set off bronchial asthma assaults, irregular coronary heart rhythms, and elevated hospital visits, whereas cumulative publicity over years compounds continual illness threat.
This is among 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 subject, however one with actual private {and professional} penalties.
