Diwali is the time of the year when our nation’s children are on holiday and festivities are rampant. Sadly this fun time for children is also when firecrackers and fireworks are available in plenty. The word “firecrackers” evokes quite a bit of emotion and is often associated with great joy but one must realize that the chemical smoke and gases released from firecrackers can be regarded as a serious concern for the capacity of eyes for children.

It is shocking to know that mothers and fathers have been using firecrackers for this long despite it being scientifically proven to be a pollutant and one that can heavily damage children’s eyesight.

But now, as a parent, most people see things differently—firecracker smoke, while dazzling, risks young eyes and health. From choosing eco-friendly lights and indoor activities, ensuring a festive, safe celebration for your children’s well-being is important and necessary. Dr. Neeraj Sanduja, MBBS, MS - Ophthalmology, Ophthalmologist, Eye Surgeon shares all about the toxic effects of smoke from the firecrackers kids so lovingly enjoy bursting and how harmful they can be for their eyes.

Hazardous Effects of Firecracker Smoke

The smoke from firecrackers is a blend of toxic chemicals and fine particles, each carrying potential harm for the delicate tissues of the eyes. Here are some key pollutants present in firecracker smoke that pose specific dangers:

Particulate matter: These are the fumes exhaled from burning that are extremely small but can infiltrate deep into the lungs and eyes creating lesions and scars.

Sulfur dioxide & nitrogen oxides: These gasses emit acid rain, it's easy to comprehend how detrimental it is to the human body.

Heavy metals: If consumed through the skin lead arsenic or any other toxic metals emitted through firecrackers will inflict great damage.

Common Eye Conditions Linked to Firecracker Pollution in Children

Exposure to firecracker smoke can cause a range of immediate symptoms in children, as well as chronic eye problems that may not become apparent until much later. Children are at high risk of developing some symptoms upon exposure to firecracker smoke, and these include:

Red eye syndrome: Clinical eye examinations show that the eyes can be red and watery, as well as itchy due to the smoke's chemicals.

Eye pain: Another common complaint in children is a burning and stinging sensation in the eye areas.

Intolerance to light: The burning of firecrackers leads to the emission of smoke that can irritate the eyes and increase their sensitivity.

Corneal damage: Severe inflammation of the outer layer of the eyeball caused by exposure to smoke may be a more damaging injury caused than previously mentioned damages of the inner layer.

Long-Term Effects of Firecracker Smoke on Eye Health

While some eye issues may appear right after exposure, others may develop subtly and manifest over time, resulting in chronic eye conditions. Dr Neeraj exclaims, "Of great concern is the fact that parents may not notice these initial signs and the signs that are causes are others since these are only some of the diseases that are dangerous but children who continuously come into contact with air polluted by firecrackers may consider the following risks:

Cataracts

Glaucoma

Dry eye syndrome

Tips for Protecting Children’s Eyes During Diwali

Parents can observe the following measures to shield their children's eyes from the harmful effects of firecracker smoke:

Avoid exposure: In the first place, the best way to avoid damaging children’s eyes is to prevent any contact with firecracker smoke. Encourage children to remain in the house or in well-ventilated areas during a firework display.

Wear protective eyewear: In the event that children have to go outside during a firework display, they should wear protective eyewear such as goggles or sunglasses.

Rinse eyes thoroughly: In case of exposure of firework smoke to the child’s eyes, the affected eyes should be washed with plenty of clean water.

Seek medical attention: If a child suffers from intense pain in the eyes, redness in the eyes or any changes in vision after exposure to cracker smoke, he/she should be taken to a medical facility as soon as possible.

Parental Guidance During Diwali

1.⁠ ⁠Educate Children on Firecracker Safety

2.⁠ ⁠Monitor Air Quality Index (AQI)

3.⁠ ⁠Plan Indoor Activities During Peak Pollution Hours

4.⁠ ⁠Encourage Healthy Eye Habits (Regular Exams, Hygiene)

Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Firecrackers

1.⁠ ⁠Eco-Friendly Firecrackers

2.⁠ ⁠Laser Light Shows

3.⁠ ⁠Community Events (Parades, Festivals)

4.⁠ ⁠Indoor Games and Activities

5.⁠ ⁠Environmentally Conscious Celebrations

Firecrackers undoubtedly liven up the festivities; however, the use of firecrackers and their impact on the health of children has caused a lot of concern, especially their vision. It has become crucial to protect young developing eyes from fire cracker pollution which is harmful to them, especially in the long run. In this manner, we are able to assist in the preservation of our children’s eyesight and create safe and happy festive occasions for everyone.

Many women may come across the term "breast density" following a mammogram, but not all of them fully understand what it implies. The fact that someone has dense breasts does not mean that they have cancer or that they will definitely get it.

On the other hand, greater breast density can be linked to a higher risk of breast cancer and may also make it more difficult to detect certain cancers on a mammogram.

What Is Breast Density?

The breast density is the ratio of fibrous and glandular tissue to fatty tissue in the breast. Dense breast tissue is a normal variation and is especially frequent in younger women. It should be clear that women cannot tell themselves if their breast has dense tissue or not; it has to be assessed using breast imaging, typically a mammogram.

Breast density is usually divided into four types, going from almost all fatty tissue to very dense tissue, and women who have heterogeneously dense or extremely dense breasts are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer than women whose breasts are mainly fatty.

Also read: Alcohol-Linked Cancer Deaths Doubled In US: Colorectal Leads In Men, Breast Leads In Women

What Do Dense Breasts Indicate?

A major concern is that on a mammogram dense tissue appears white, just as many breast abnormalities—some of which are cancers—do too. This makes it harder for radiologists to spot certain abnormalities. Women need not be alarmed if their mammogram report states that their breasts are dense.

Breast density is just one of the factors to take into account when evaluating the risk of breast cancer; family history, age, past breast conditions, genetic mutations, hormonal factors, reproductive history, and lifestyle must also be considered.

It will depend on a woman's total risk level whether or not further screening is needed. Although mammography is still an important method of screening, in certain individual cases a doctor may suggest extra imaging, for example breast ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Such tests are not required automatically for every woman who has dense breasts.

Also read: How Scientists Blocked Drug-Resistant Triple-Negative Breast Cancer With A Two-Step Drug Method

What Should Women Do?

Women should also know what is normal for their breasts. If a new lump is detected, there is a persistent change in the shape or size of the breast, the skin becomes dimpled, the nipple turns inwards, there is an unusual discharge from the nipple or there is ongoing discomfort, then it is advisable to have a healthcare professional look at it. Yet the majority of breast changes are not cancerous and symptoms by themselves are not enough to make a diagnosis.

Lifestyle plays a big role in maintaining breast health. One way of reducing the overall risk of breast cancer is to keep a healthy weight, remain physically active, limit alcohol intake, avoid tobacco, eat a well-balanced diet and stick to the recommended screening programmes.

Women must not regard breast density as a diagnosis. The main point is that women should not be afraid of dense breasts but should understand what this means for them. They must talk to their family doctor about their mammography report and their individual risk factors and then follow a screening programme suitable to their risk.

Breast density is therefore a valid reason for having a screening examination, not one for concern. By understanding breast density and talking to a breast specialist, women can make informed choices regarding screening and make sure that any potential abnormalities are assessed as early as possible.

By Dr. Meghal Sanghavi, Consultant Onco Surgeon, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central

Teachers are unarguably one of the most important influences during the early stages of a person's life. Along with learning and wisdom, teachers can also influence a child's or adolescent's mental health. Thus, they help shape students who are the future of any society or nation. This impactful profession and its contributions are celebrated worldwide, including in India.

The deteriorating mental health condition in students has escalated into a major global public health concern, heavily accelerated by academic pressure, systemic changes, and digital isolation. The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and Indian governmental bodies like NCERT have shared data that reveals a grim situation: there is a huge gap between the rising psychological distress among youth and the infrastructure available to support them.

The role of teachers in youth mental health is a topic that the study "A Shelter for the Heart: The Impact of Teacher Quality on Students' Mental Health" has thoroughly analyzed. The research, published in the journal Health Economics in 2026, was conducted in China and included 3,529 Grade 7 students, 86 classrooms, and 43 schools throughout the country. The study examines the impact of teacher quality, proxied by teacher experience, on student mental health.

How Do Teachers Protect Students' Mental Health?

According to the study, the role of the head teacher is particularly important to a student's mental well-being. While subject teachers are primarily responsible for learning, the study emphasizes that experienced teachers might do more than improve grades—they may also help protect students' mental health.

The study finds that the more experienced head teachers tended to build stronger teacher–student relationships, communicate more with parents, and create more supportive classroom environments. They were less likely to ignore or isolate struggling students and more likely to try to help them. All in all, the researchers concluded that school environments play an important role in determining adolescents’ mental health.

Mental Health On Location And Gender

The study “A study on mental health of students teacher in relation to their achievement in education psychology” by researchers at Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University, Chennai, found significant differences in mental health based on gender and location, with female and rural student-teachers reporting better mental health than their male and urban counterparts.

Teacher Distress Linked To Student Mental Health

A 2024 study published in BMC Psychology by researchers from McMaster University, the University of Sydney, the University of Johannesburg and the Hospital for Sick Children examined the relationship between teacher distress and student mental health. The researchers analysed data from 23,568 students and 1,478 teachers across 268 schools in Ontario, Canada. The researchers suggested that supporting teachers’ mental health and creating safer school environments could also benefit students’ well-being.

A 2019 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders by researchers led by Stephen Harding also suggested that better teacher well-being was associated with better student well-being, highlighting the potential importance of supporting teachers’ mental health within schools.

Teachers Day 2026

Teachers’ Day 2026 in India is celebrated on September 5 to honour the contribution of teachers and educators. The day marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India’s first Vice President and second President, who was a distinguished philosopher, scholar and teacher. Since 1962, his birthday has been observed as Teachers’ Day in India. The occasion recognises teachers’ role in shaping students’ knowledge, character, confidence and well-being, while inspiring future generations to learn, grow and contribute to society.

Deceased organ donation covers our organ needs. In India, we are woefully short of organs such as kidneys and livers in cases of liver and kidney failure that need to be transplanted.

Deceased donation, as the name sounds, is a donation by people who are brain dead, whose family has now accepted and has willingly donated their organs for the benefit of the rest of the world.

Live donation, on the other hand, is a donation by living or emotionally related individuals who want to donate a kidney to a diseased patient. A live donation is usually transplanted immediately. It's done in the same centre, and both are done together, as the harvesting of the organ from the donor and transplantation are done simultaneously.

On the other hand, a deceased organ from a cadaveric donor may be harvested in a different geographical location and may be transported over time and over a lot of distance to another centre.

Deceased donation can be done for organs that cannot be transplanted by live donation, which are so consequential to a human body, such as the heart, lungs, and pancreas. They are very vital and cannot be transplanted from a live patient to another.

In a deceased organ donation, we can even donate tissues such as the cornea, skin, and blood vessels, which are required as a part of donation, as a part of other organ donation transplant programmes or, for example, in giving vision to people who have a white cornea or corneal opacity.

These are a few differences between live and deceased or cadaveric donation.

Dr. Vikram Shah Batra, Director - Urology, Kidney Transplant and Uro Oncology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka