Environmental pollution is the contamination of the physical and biological components of the earth’s ecosystem to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected.

Types of pollution include air ,water ,soil ,noise , light and thermal pollution.

India’s environmental pollution – 22/32 cities exceed WHO air quality limits, 70% water polluted, 35% rise in CO2 emissions, 18% increase in waste generation (2020).

Effects of environmental pollution on human health – 

1. Harms the respiratory system by causing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, respiratory infections and reduced lung function, leading to increased morbidity and mortality.
2. Harms the cardiovascular system by increasing risk of heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, atherosclerosis and cardiac arrhythmias due to inflammation, oxidative stress and vascular damage.
3. Harms reproductive and developmental health by increasing risk of birth defects, low birth weight, infertility, miscarriage and neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism.
4. Harms the nervous system, causing neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s), neurodevelopmental disorders (ADHD, autism), cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety and nerve damage, affecting quality of life.

Environmental pollution’s far reaching consequences necessitate immediate attention. Long term exposure to pollutants threatens human health, contaminates ecosystems and imperils biodiversity. To ensure a sustainable future, collective efforts are crucial to reduce emissions, enforce policies and adopt eco friendly practices, prioritizing the well being of vulnerable populations and the planet.

Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy aimed to expand the Mughal Empire’s control over South India. From 1658 to 1707, he used military force and strict Islamic laws but faced strong resistance leading to regional unrest, economic troubles and the empire’s decline.

Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy unfolded in four phases-

1. Initial Deccan campaigns (1658-1680) involved diplomacy and alliances through strategic marriages, treaties with Bijapur and Golconda by appointing local governors and supporting Shivaji’s rival, Mirza Raje Jai Singh.
2. Aurangzeb’s conquest of Bijapur and Golconda from 1681 to 1687 was marked by strategic military victories including the capture of Bijapur in 1686 and Golconda in 1687, incorporating these Deccan Sultanates into the Mughal Empire.
3. Aurangzeb’s Maratha wars (1687-1700) were a series of costly, unsuccessful campaigns against Shivaji’s successors, Sambhaji and Rajaram featuring guerrilla warfare, sieges and Mughal defeats, draining resources and weakening imperial control.
4. Aurangzeb’s consolidation and decline (1700-1707) saw weakened Mughal control, rising Maratha power and imperial fragmentation, marked by Mughal retreat from Deccan, Maratha expansion and succession crises, sealing the empire’s decline.

Destruction of Aurangzeb  through his policy –

1. Personal destruction through prolonged campaigns, weakening his health, mental strain, isolation from family and spiritual crisis, culminating in a lonely and troubled death in 1707.
2. Empirical destruction through economic drain, military exhaustion, legitimacy crisis, succession struggles, internal rebellions and external threats, weakening the Mughal Empire’s foundations, fragmenting territories and paving the way for British colonization and eventual decline.
3. Destroyed his legacy leading to Mughal Empire’s decline, rise of regional powers, British colonization, empire fragmentation, loss of Islamic unity and a tarnished historical image, forever marking him as a divisive figure.

Aurangzeb’s policies marked by military expansion and religious orthodoxy, ultimately led to the Mughal Empire’s decline,fragmenting its territories, fostering regional resistance and cementing a legacy of controversy and division.

Arya Samaj Mission started in 1875 by Swami Dayananda Saraswati which works for social change and education. It fights against social injustices, empowers women and promotes equality, education and hindu values for a better society.

Social contributions – 

1. Combated child marriage through awareness campaigns, education and advocacy, influencing the 1929 Child Marriage Restraint Act and promoting girls’ education.
2. Fought against untouchability through social reform, inter dining and temple entry movements promoting equality and advocating for legal abolition under the 1955 Untouchability (Offenses) Act.
3. Promoted widow remarriage through social acceptance, education and legal advocacy influencing the 1856 Hindu Widow Remarriage Act and empowering women’s rights.
4. Opposed the caste system through egalitarian teachings, inter caste marriages and social integration, advocating for a classless society based on vedic principles.

Educational contributions –

1. Established over 1000 schools and colleges including DAV institutions, providing affordable education by promoting girls’ education and empowering marginalized communities nationwide.
2. Promoted girls’ education through establishing Kanya Mahavidyalayas (women’s colleges), schools and hostels, empowering millions with literacy, skills and independence since 1886.
3. Revived and encouraged vedic studies through establishing Gurukuls, publishing vedic texts and conducting workshops, promoting ancient Indian wisdom and cultural heritage globally.
4. Fostered scientific temper and critical thinking through Dayananda Anglo Vedic (DAV) institutions integrating modern science with vedic values, promoting rational inquiry and intellectual freedom.

Arya Samaj Mission had a profound impact by empowering millions through education, social reform and women’s rights, transforming India’s social fabric, fostering progress and inspiring future generations significantly.

Technology plays a vital role in modern life by enhancing communication, productivity and accessibility. It revolutionizes healthcare, education, entertainment, and commerce, connecting people worldwide and improving overall quality of life with innovative solutions.

Impact of technology on the daily lives of human –

1. Transformed communication through social media, messaging apps, video calls and emails, enabling instant global connectivity and information exchange anywhere, anytime.
2. Revolutionized work and education through remote collaboration, online courses, virtual classrooms and automated tasks, increasing flexibility, productivity and global access.
3. Improves health and wellness through telemedicine, fitness trackers, health apps, online resources and personalized medicine, enhancing disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment accessibility.
4. Transforms entertainment and leisure through streaming services, online gaming, social media, virtual reality and digital content, offering limitless, on demand access to global entertainment.
5. Revolutionizes shopping and commerce through e commerce, digital payments, online marketplaces and mobile wallets, enabling fast, secure and convenient 24/7 transactions worldwide.
6. Streamlines daily routines through smart homes, wearable devices, mobile apps and digital assistants, automating tasks, enhancing organization and increasing efficiency and convenience.

In conclusion, technology’s transformative impact on daily life is profound, enhancing connectivity, productivity and access to information, while also presenting challenges and ethical considerations for a balanced digital future.

Climate change refers to the long term changes in the Earth’s climate especially a change in the average weather conditions or in the distribution of weather patterns over a significant period of time (decades to millions of years) which can be caused by various factors including variations in solar radiation, volcanic eruptions and human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor.

Long term consequences of Climate change –

1. Rising sea levels due to climate change will cause catastrophic coastal flooding, erosion, saltwater intrusion, displacement of millions, loss of infrastructure and destruction of ecosystems, habitats and livelihoods worldwide.
2. Climate driven extreme weather events will intensify by causing devastating heat waves, droughts, floods and storms, leading to loss of life, displacement, food insecurity, economic disruption and infrastructure destruction globally.
3. Coral bleaching due to climate change causes devastating consequences by habitat loss for marine life, fishery decline, reduced shoreline protection, decreased tourism,l and economic losses, threatening reef ecosystems’ very existence.
4. Fuels human migration and conflict by displacing millions, straining resources and sparking social unrest, as drought, sea level rise, and scarcity of food and water escalate tensions.
5. Imperils food and water security by causing crop failures, reduced yields, changed growing seasons, water scarcity and increased food prices, threatening global stability and human well being.

Climate change demands urgent collective action as its devastating impacts on ecosystems, economies and human well being intensify, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices, renewable energy and global cooperation.