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Catalysts for Change: Meet India’s ‘Bicycle Mayors’ advocating biking for a greater tomorrow

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Most folks affiliate biking with health or leisure, however for Bicycle Mayors (BMs), it’s a highly effective instrument for change. Present in practically each metropolis in India and throughout continents (besides Antarctica — thank God for that!), these mayors are a part of a world management initiative, the Bicycle Mayor Program, began by BYCS Netherlands.

Their mission? To encourage a billion folks to undertake biking as a way to sort out civic points, infrastructural challenges, sedentary existence, and environmental hazards.

Who’re Bicycle Mayors, and what do they do?

Bicycle Mayors are the face and voice of biking of their cities. The Bicycle Mayor Community is a bunch of like-minded individuals who imagine “Bicycles rework the cities and cities rework the world.” These mayors not solely advocate biking but additionally attempt to perceive its position inside their cities, contemplating historic context, public attitudes, and coverage implications.

“Being a Bicycle Mayor isn’t nearly making change; it’s about doing it intelligently,” mentioned Sathya Sankaran, Bengaluru’s BM. With over a decade of biking expertise, he burdened the significance of making use of techniques considering and public coverage to create a lasting impression.

Turning into a Bicycle Mayor is a voluntary position. Dalip Sabharwal, 38, Delhi’s BM, has lengthy advocated for biking to work. His appointment as BM allowed him to attach with numerous organisations working in direction of sustainable improvement. “Many individuals cycle as a health exercise, however that doesn’t make our cities more healthy as a result of they nonetheless use automobiles for every day commutes,” mentioned Sabharwal, who now focuses on encouraging automotive customers to modify to bicycles.

BMs additionally have interaction with stakeholders to develop biking infrastructure and encourage public dialogue about biking. They problem the notion that bicycles are symbols of poverty. This notion can change when folks from totally different financial backgrounds come collectively to cycle, based on Sourav Chattopadhyay, 30, BM of Howrah, a software program engineer by career.

Remodeling cities by biking

Thane’s BM, Chirag Shah, is working to enhance biking infrastructure and promote biking to work, college, and markets. His dream is to make Thane India’s biking capital.

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“The duty of representing biking has been a studying expertise. I understood the interaction between authorities, companies, and society, and how one can transfer the needle on biking adoption,” mentioned Sankaran, 50.

Chennai’s BM Felix John performed an necessary position in the course of the COVID-19 lockdown. Below him, bicycles have been used to move important provides. This grassroots effort gained the UN World Bicycle Day Award in 2021. “As half of a bigger collective generally known as Aid Riders of India, with over 750 volunteers, our initiative has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2022,” John instructed indianexpress.com.

Firoza Dadan, 53, Mumbai’s first Bicycle Mayor and director of Good Commute Basis, notes that COVID-19 was a turning level for biking fanatics. “With fewer automobiles on the street, extra youngsters got here out to cycle. It was a growth like by no means earlier than,” mentioned Dadan, who has spent over twenty years selling biking as a sensible commuting alternative in Mumbai with initiatives like Cycle2Work and MeCycleRider. Dadan considers investing in cycles nearly as good as shopping for gold and desires folks to embrace biking for commuting.

Challenges alongside the best way

Being a BM comes with challenges. One of many largest is resistance to vary, particularly in terms of creating bike lanes or different infrastructure enhancements. “No health exercise can maintain us wholesome if the environment isn’t wholesome,” mentioned Sabharwal. He argued that fifty per cent of air air pollution in Delhi NCR is attributable to vehicular emissions, emphasising the necessity to scale back automotive dependency.

Sabharwal practices what he preaches—he’s diminished his automotive utilization by greater than 80 per cent. “I solely use my automotive for household outings. For the previous six years, I’ve been utilizing bicycles for my every day commutes,” he mentioned.

One other problem is funding. Biking infrastructure and applications are costly, and securing the required funding isn’t all the time simple. Security can be a serious concern, with cyclists and pedestrians being essentially the most weak street customers. “Highway security is about habits, not simply infrastructure,” mentioned Sabharwal, who organises street security campaigns by his membership, Delhi Pedalers & Runners.

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Within the hope of a greater tomorrow with a concentrate on 2030

BMs are working in direction of making Indian cities extra cycling-friendly by numerous initiatives, together with college workshops, company periods, consciousness campaigns throughout marathons, and so forth. “Together with that we carry on doing giveaway campaigns for the captive cyclists which incorporates distribution of ‘security lights’ for the protection of the cyclists to ‘scarf and caps’ to beat the warmth,” mentioned Sabharwal.

BMs and their volunteers goal to realize 50 per cent of metropolis journeys by bicycle by 2030 by the 50 x 30 initiative, to realize lasting change. This bold purpose requires a drastic shift in transportation habits and a cultural change is critical. “We launched the Commute-Bi-Cycle initiative, which incorporates an annual January problem. Contributors are inspired, recognised, and impressed to proceed biking past the problem,” defined John.

Bicycles are the “greenest and most economical mode of transportation” one can consider, based on Sabharwal. “Biking reduces site visitors, which, in flip, reduces the psychological stress of metropolis driving. Most significantly, it helps us battle local weather change. Every time we speak about internet zero targets, an important step is to modify to bicycles,” he mentioned.

Biking is a implausible approach to enhance well being and health. It’s a low-impact train that improves cardiovascular well being. It strengthens muscle tissues and boosts temper. “It permits folks to get energetic, be wholesome and be an answer, not an issue within the metropolis,” mentioned Sankaran, who additionally based a sustainability start-up.

Past health, biking is a sustainable mode of transportation that may assist scale back greenhouse gasoline emissions and fight local weather change. “Biking is mankind’s greatest invention to battle local weather change, second solely to strolling,” Sankaran mentioned.

In a world more and more targeted on sustainable residing, the Bicycle Mayors of India should not simply advocating for biking—they’re catalysing change, one pedal at a time.

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Which of your favorite vegetables and fruit made it to EWG’s 2024 ‘Soiled Dozen’ record?

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All of us love a plate of recent vegetables and fruit, however we regularly neglect that beneath the colourful colors––of these leafy greens or shiny apples––might lurk a cocktail of chemical substances nobody would knowingly select to devour. Because of fashionable farming practices pushed by firms and authorities initiatives to extend crop yields, pesticides have turn into a typical but invisible a part of our produce. Whereas these chemical substances assist shield crops from pests, they pose a silent however regular menace to our well being.

Yearly, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases the “Soiled Dozen” record mentioning vegetables and fruit almost definitely to be coated in pesticides. In 2024, strawberries, spinach, and apples prime the record, adopted by grapes, peaches, pears, nectarines, bell peppers, scorching peppers, cherries, blueberries, and inexperienced beans. In keeping with the EWG, a complete of 209 pesticides had been discovered on this stuff.

Pesticides do an efficient job at retaining the bugs away, however long-term publicity to even low ranges of pesticides has been linked to points like hormone disruption, fertility issues, and even neurological problems in people.

How are you going to clear your produce?

In keeping with holistic well being coach Isha Lall, there is no such thing as a magic components to utterly remove pesticides, however there are easy hacks with which you’ll cut back their presence:

Vinegar Soak: Similar to how we soak grains or pulses earlier than cooking, soaking your fruits and veggies in a vinegar-water resolution for about 20-Half-hour might help dissolve many floor chemical substances. Consider it like giving your produce a mini detox, much like how we cleanse our programs.

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Salt and Turmeric Water Rinse: A great old style saltwater soak can do wonders. “I like so as to add turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties whereas salt helps to interrupt down the pesticide residues, ensuring your produce stays nutrient-rich,” stated Lall.

Baking Soda: For these not eager on vinegar or salt, a baking soda wash is a confirmed, efficient technique to take away cussed chemical substances, appearing like a mild scrub in your fruits and veggies.

Do you have to change to natural produce?

“If the thought of pesticides worries you, natural produce may look like the best way to go. However do be aware that ‘natural’ doesn’t all the time imply pesticide-free; it simply means artificial pesticides weren’t used,” Lall stated. Whereas natural meals are inclined to have decrease pesticide ranges, she warned that the worth tag could be steep for the lots.


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Gazing at your canine can join your mind with theirs, analysis exhibits

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It would sound far-fetched, however current analysis means that canine’ and people’ brains synchronise after they take a look at one another.

This analysis, performed by researchers in China, is the primary time that “neural coupling” between totally different species has been witnessed.

Neural coupling is when the mind exercise of two or extra people aligns throughout an interplay. For people, that is usually in response to a dialog or story.

Neural coupling has been noticed when members of the identical species work together, together with mice, bats, people and different primates. This linking of brains might be necessary in shaping responses throughout social encounters and would possibly lead to advanced behaviour that will not be seen in isolation, corresponding to enhancing teamwork or studying.
When social species work together, their brains “join”. However this case of it taking place between totally different species raises attention-grabbing concerns in regards to the subtleties of the human-dog relationship and would possibly assist us perceive one another somewhat higher.

What’s new pet canine?

The canine was one of many first animals people domesticated. They usually have an extended historical past of sharing time and area with us. Canines should not solely companions for us, in addition they have key roles in our society, together with therapeutic assist, detecting ailments and defending and herding livestock.

Because of this, canine have developed some spectacular abilities, together with the power to recognise and reply to our emotional state.

Within the current research, the researchers studied neural coupling utilizing brain-activity recording gear referred to as non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG). This makes use of headgear containing electrodes that detect neural indicators – on this case, from the beagles and people concerned within the research.

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Researchers examined what occurred to those neural indicators when canine and folks have been remoted from one another, and within the presence of one another, however with out taking a look at one another. Canines and people have been then allowed to work together with one another.

Look into my eyes

When canine and people gazed at one another and the canine have been stroked, their mind indicators synchronised. The mind patterns in key areas of the mind related to consideration, matched in each canine and particular person.

Canines and individuals who turned extra acquainted with one another over the 5 days of the research had elevated synchronisation of neural indicators. Earlier research of human-human interactions have discovered elevated familiarity between individuals additionally resulted in additional intently matching mind patterns. So the depth of relationship between individuals and canine could make neural coupling stronger.

The flexibility of canine to kind sturdy attachments with individuals is well-known. A 2022 research discovered the presence of acquainted people might cut back stress responses in younger wolves, the canine’s shut relative. Forming neural connections with individuals may be one of many methods by which the dog-human relationship develops.

The researchers additionally studied the potential impact of variations within the mind on neural coupling. They did this by together with canine with a mutation in a gene referred to as Shank3, which may result in impaired neural connectivity in mind areas linked with consideration. This gene is liable for making a protein that helps promote communication between cells, and is particularly ample within the mind. Mutations in Shank3 have additionally been related to autism spectrum dysfunction in people.

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Examine canine with the Shank3 mutation didn’t present the identical stage of matching mind indicators with individuals, as these with out the mutation. This was probably due to impaired neural signalling and processing.
Nonetheless, when researchers gave the research canine with the Shank3 mutation, a single dose of LSD (a hallucinogenic drug), they confirmed elevated ranges of consideration and restored neural coupling with people.

LSD is understood to advertise social behaviour in mice and people, though clearly there are moral considerations about such therapy.

The researchers have been clear that there stays a lot to be realized about neural coupling between canine and people.
It would nicely be the case that trying into your canine’s eyes signifies that your respective mind indicators will synchronise and improve your connection. The extra acquainted you might be with one another, the stronger it turns into, it appears.

So the subsequent time a canine gazes at you with their pet canine eyes, bear in mind you possibly can be enhancing your relationship.

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How is pores and skin purging completely different from zits breakouts? Dermatologists clarify

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Folks with oily, acne-prone pores and skin aren’t any strangers to breakouts. The redness and irritation from a broken pores and skin barrier may be painful and difficult to take care of. Pores and skin purging, alternatively, typically happens when introducing potent skincare remedies like chemical peels. So, what makes pores and skin purging completely different from typical zits breakouts? To clear up the confusion, indianexpress.com spoke to dermatologists.

In keeping with Dr Shareefa Chause, dermatologist and cosmetologist at Shareefa’s Pores and skin Care Clinic, pores and skin purging is a kind of allergic response to new skincare merchandise, resulting in blemishes, irritation, or zits. “It is a course of the place pores and skin accelerates cell turnover, inflicting breakouts as impurities floor. It typically occurs on the brow and is normally short-lived,” she stated. Pimples breakouts, nevertheless, stem from hormonal imbalances, clogged pores, and generally bacterial infections.

Dr Varsha Reddy, dermatologist at Zennara Clinics, agreed. “Pores and skin purging is the results of accelerated cell turnover, which clears out clogged pores and ultimately results in more healthy pores and skin. It’s non permanent and a part of the method when utilizing merchandise like retinoids, AHAs, and BHAs.”

For these experiencing pores and skin purging, Dr Reddy beneficial avoiding harsh substances. “Restrict the usage of robust actives like retinoids or AHAs/BHAs, and give attention to soothing the pores and skin with mild cleansers and hydration. Keep away from alcohol-based toners and scrubbing, which might additional irritate the pores and skin,” she stated.

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Dr Chause additionally stated that persistence is vital. “If purging is because of a brand new product, proceed utilizing it because the response is non permanent. Maintain your pores and skin moisturised to assuage irritation and permit time for the product to work,” she stated.

In keeping with her, sustaining good pores and skin hygiene is important to efficiently deal with pores and skin purging in addition to zits breakouts. She additionally beneficial avoiding touching your face incessantly with soiled palms as it could actually enhance the chance of an infection.

Who’re extra vulnerable to getting breakouts, and purging?

Pimples can have an effect on individuals of all ages, although it’s commonest in youngsters. Hormonal adjustments, comparable to these throughout puberty and being pregnant, in addition to genetic elements, eating regimen, and the usage of occlusive lotions, can contribute to the event of zits.

“Pores and skin purging is extra frequent in people with acne-prone or very delicate pores and skin, particularly when beginning new remedies or skincare merchandise that speed up cell turnover. This course of may cause non permanent breakouts that resemble zits,” stated Dr Reddy.

*DISCLAIMER: This text relies on data from the general public area and/or the consultants we spoke to. All the time seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.*


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