According to a report by the World Health Organisation, there should not be more than 35 decibels of noise in the surrounding environment during sleep.
Mumbai:
Living in metropolitan Mumbai requires perceptual tolerance to deal with noise and noise pollution every day. The constant screeching of auto engines, the sound of traffic, the constant honking of numbers. Office towers, apartment roofs and the sound of rooftops emanating from the construction of a new metro line… it’s a daily occurrence for all Mumbaikars. Out of all this maybe there is not much difference in common people’s busy life, but it does make a difference to a woman and it makes a difference to her for years. The name of the woman is Sumaira Abdulali.
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When environmentalist Sumaira Abdulali started a campaign against noise pollution in India’s financial capital Mumbai two decades ago, friends, professions and even her word of mouth insisted it was a fool’s errand. “People said it was funny to even try, because Indians love noise,” says Sumaira Meera.
Bloomberg Sumaira says in the conversation, ‘When we first started talking about ‘No Horn Please’ in 2008, Mumbai Police did a program. During this I met Amitabh Bachchan. He also appreciated my work. Similarly in 2010 this event was organized in which actors Jaaved Jaffrey, Sachin Khedekar and Shreyas Talpade met. Later he also sent me some messages, the video of which we have made.
Sumaira says, “I started working in the areas of environment and pollution in 1998. But going forward, I feel that if something concrete is to be done, then it is very important to have an institution. So I registered ‘Awaaz Foundation’ in 2006. The philosophy and modus operandi of Voice Foundation is different from other NGOs. We do not ask for funds from anyone, nor do we receive any donations from abroad. We work only on the strength of our volunteers.
Sumaira Abdul told that in the last few years, there is a steady decrease in the level of noise pollution at the places of Diwali. Sumaira said that on festivals like Diwali, Ganesh Utsav and Eid, the level of noise pollution in the metropolis is continuously decreasing. Thanks to the common people as well as the Mumbai Police and the Government of Maharashtra for this. Hopefully things will get better in the years to come.
He further added, “My work in the overall environment and noise sector has had a huge impact. That’s why making changes. In 2012 we released a document on sandmining on behalf of ‘Voices Foundation’ in the United Nations, while in 2002 people were not aware about the do’s and why’s. Today the whole world is conscious in this regard. Even just a month ago when the head of the UN came to Mumbai, we had requested him to send the agenda of international trade of mining, so that environmental damage caused by it could be stopped.
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