Noise pollution is often overlooked or comes in at last place when we generally speak of pollution and its negative impact. However little do we acknowledge, this is equally detrimental to one’s mental health and causes distress.
As a reader of this daily pointed out in a “letter to the editor” regarding the lack of privacy and loud din at the Gynecology and Maternity ward of the state’s premier Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS); the onus is not the hospital management’s alone but must be equally shouldered by visitors and attendants of patients admitted. Rules are written on plaques, people need to follow without coercion. If only!
 Sound levels above 65 decibels is injurious to health while sound levels above 75 decibels could cause serious health problems such as hypertension, anxiety and cardiovascular diseases. High decibels also leads to lack of concentration, inefficiency and must be strictly avoided around silence zones such as hospitals and educational institutions. The use of loudspeakers on religious or festive occasions has become a nuisance especially during late night. In 2005, the Supreme Court banned use of loudspeakers after 10pm. However, this has largely remained on paper. Noise due to illegal modification of motorcycle silencers is also a huge irritant. 
As in any urban city, capital dwellers here have adjusted to the “sounds” of the city as a way of life but several sources of noise pollution are self created causing much distress. The Covid-19 prompted lockdowns and measures briefly showed us the beauty of living in a noise pollution- free environment.
 While there is a lot that the administration can do, it is also citizens duty to adhere to the rules and follow the call for keeping decibels to a minimum in specified places and avoid unnecessary use of sound generally.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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