22/04/2017
26th April is celebrated across the globe as International Noise Awareness Day. There is clear distinction between sweet sounding voice and disturbing noise. A calibrated voice within the decibel limits can work as therapy and beyond can be disastrous. In today's world, we encounter different kinds of pollution of which noise is least prioritized and hence ignored. On the flip side, it can have serious implications if left unchecked. Temporary or permanent hearing loss, growth retardation of foetus inside womb, increasing sugar levels in diabetic patients, high BP, aggravated heart diseases, hyperacidity, insomnia and other countless number of diseases are its major areas of concern. India is amongst the noisiest country with 4 out of top 10 slots are taken by Indian cities.
Any movement of this proportion requires people 's active participation besides requiring funds to mobilise various activities attached to it. To carry forward the movement of keeping unwarranted sounds in limits across our country, NISS have initiated a mission to curb the cacophony of honking and other discrete sounds prevalent all around us. National initiative for safe sound (NISS) is a national initiative by Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Associations of all ENT specialists of India to create public awareness about noise pollution. This body is already functioning in various states of India such as Sikkim, Kerala and City like Mumbai in this area to curb the menace rising out of unchecked sounds. Interestingly Sikkim state is already declared as no horn zone. We as part of this national campaign, through NISS Rajasthan Chapter have decided to observe NO HORN DAY on 26th April across our state in unison with various NGOs such as Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Social clubs such as Sangini and other private philanthropists etc to spread the message of sweet silence.
In the process, we have printed about 35000 stickers for cars and two wheelers courtesy these organisations and approached major public and government schools for volunteers to cover major road crossings in the cities to make people aware of bad impact of honking sound on 26th April 2017. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has already released a poster of No horn day to foster silence as priority in society.
To spread awareness in the masses to use horns only in emergencies, we are organising lectures through various mediums, holding press meet & panel discussions, putting posters, hoardings and banners, distributing pamphlets etc.
