Pollution, diseases, dirt and plastic do not define India. No country is 100% perfect, and our’s too. Pollution, health and waste are the real challenges in India, but they are not without solutions.
The government initiated various programs under different departments for different purposes. These programs not only achieve their own objectives but also silently improve our DNA health and overall wellness.
Here is the list of 10 Indian programs that are silently improving our genetics, strengthening our DNA and preventing DNA damage.
Key Topics:
Ayushman Bharat – PMJAY & Health and Wellness Centres
Ayushman Bharat is the largest Indian health program initiated and managed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (National Health Authority). The agenda here is to provide financial and primary health coverage to the citizens of India, particularly to the poor and rural population.
This covers primary healthcare, wellness and testing. It also allows the early detection and treatment of chronic and genetic diseases and thereby reduces overall disease burden on the population.
The recent updates in the scheme also covered genetic testing, surgery, if needed and treatment. This present program silently supports our genetic health by providing screening, testing and treatment options.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
The program founded by India’s Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, held by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs / Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, is again the largest nation-wide project.
The project is conducted to raise awareness and promote cleanliness, eliminate defecation and improve sanitation. Under the project, over 100 million toilets have been made. This, to a greater extent, reduces infection and disease spread.
Waste and poor disposal practices are among India’s major challenges. Many people dump garbage, spit, or discard daily waste in open spaces and water bodies. This contaminates and pollutes natural resources, causing serious diseases and infections, leading to DNA damage.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan indirectly strengthens our DNA and improves our genetic health and well-being.
Poshan Abhiyan (National Nutrition Mission)
The Ministry of Women and Child Development initiated the Poshan Abhiyan to fight against malnutrition in India. The agenda of the present mission is to improve and provide quality nutrition to maternal, child and adolescent.
India showed a decline in malnutrition and anemia after the project was initiated. The Poshan Bharat Abhiyan provides nutrients, micronutrients – folate, iron, B12 and antioxidants, etc, which support DNA replication, repair and reduce oxidative stress damage.
The National Nutrition Mission is truly a stepping stone for improving India’s genetic health and overall wellness.
National Tobacco Control Program
India has the highest tobacco consumption rate, the reasons – high illiteracy rate, colonization and inadequate awareness. The National Tobacco Control Program is yet another largest and nation-wide program conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
We are all aware of the mutagenic effect of tobacco. It directly damages our DNA, reduces our genomic stability and leads to conditions like cancer. India is the capital of cancer and the reason is extreme tobacco consumption.
In addition, these cancer-susceptible genes can be passed on to the next generation, increasing their risk of developing cancer. The program spread awareness, made regulations to prevent tobacco use. This will improve the overall DNA integrity and genomic stability.
National Clean Air Program
The present program has been conducted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to improve the air quality. Air pollution is another big problem in India. Again, uncontrolled industrialization and lack of education are the reasons.
The main agenda of the present program is to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 20–30% in non-attainment cities. Research suggests that air pollution affects our genetics.
The project helps reduce mutagens, carcinogens, harmful chemicals and free radicals from the air that damage our DNA, produce genetic instability and cause chromosomal abnormalities.
Jal Jivan Mission
Contaminated water is a critical problem in India. Jal Jivan Mission was established by the Ministry of Jal Shakti with the objective to provide clean, safe and adequate drinking water. Contaminated water contains harmful chemicals, infectious agents, and mutagens that damage our DNA and affect the epigenetic profile.
This results in digestion and skin-related problems and in some areas it can even lead to cancer. Even tap water is not safe for our DNA. Jal Jivan Mission provides quality water that would improve our overall genetic health and wellness.
It also prevents exposure to heavy metals, contaminants that are known to cause DNA breaks and mutations.
National Action Plan on Climate Change
The present nationwide program has been conducted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to fight against the world’s current biggest problem – climate change.
Climate change makes living conditions inadequate for living beings. It also causes genetic and epigenetic changes. The objectives of the present program not only help improve the climate but also encourage the use of renewable energy sources and reduce fossil fuel dependence.
This indirectly reduces pollutants, carcinogens, and other chemicals that damage our DNA and destabilize our genome.
Related article: How Climate Change is Driving Genetic Adaptation- 4 Real Examples.
National Viral Hepatitis Control Program
Initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the present program also holds a crucial importance in the Indian healthcare sector. The program’s main objective is to eliminate Hepatitis B and C by 2030 as a public health threat through testing, treatment and vaccination.
This reduces viral infection that integrates into our genome and produces genomic instability and cancer-like conditions.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
Biomass has been extensively used as a fuel source in Indian households in villages. It causes indoor pollution, produces harmful chemicals and mutagens and increases the health risk for women.
To provide free LPG connections to poor and rural Indian households, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has been established by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Over 9 crore LPG connections are provided to the common public, resulting in a significant reduction of biomass fuel usage and thereby lowering the likelihood of DNA damage and adverse health conditions.
National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) / FAME India
Automobiles are the largest contributors to air pollution. It produces harmful chemicals like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, nitrosamines and other harmful chemicals. It not only contaminates the air but also causes oxidative stress, DNA and chromosomal damage and genomic instability.
With the mission to promote hybrid or EV vehicles and reduce air pollution, the present mission has been conducted by the Ministry of Heavy Industries. This project will silently reduce the air pollutant burden on our DNA, improve our genetics, health and overall well-being.
Wrapping up:
Why do we have to care about our DNA? Just because it causes ailments or cancer? No, it causes more serious damage, actually.
The weakened DNA passes on to the next generation and their next generations. After each generation, our DNA becomes weaker and vulnerable to damage, alteration and diseases.
So, it isn’t just about us! India’s entire gene pool or genetic constituent would be weakened and vulnerable. And it has already started; genetic diseases and cancer numbers are increasing gradually.
Scientists predict that by the coming decade, this condition will become even more dangerous.
Thankfully, these and hundreds of other programs, initiated by our government, are silently protecting our DNA and strengthening our genetic health. All we have to do is support our government to engage in these kinds of activities.
Sources:
- Ayushman Bharat – PMJAY & Health and Wellness Centres – Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
- Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) – Ministry of Women & Child Development.
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) – Ministry of Jal Shakti
- Jal Jeevan Mission – Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- National Tobacco Control Programme – Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana – Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) – Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.
- National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) / FAME India – Ministry of Heavy Industries.
- National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) – Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.
- National Viral Hepatitis Control Program – Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
