World Environment Day serves as a global platform to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable living. As the world grapples with pressing environmental challenges, it's imperative to instil a sense of environmental responsibility in the next generation. Parents, as the primary educators of their children, have a unique opportunity to shape their children's attitudes and behaviours towards the environment. By teaching their children eco-friendly habits, parents can instil a sense of environmental responsibility that will benefit both their children and the planet.

Here are some eco-friendly habits that parents can teach their children to foster a more sustainable future. These habits focus on reducing waste, conserving resources, protecting wildlife, and making environmentally conscious choices. By incorporating these practices into their daily lives, children can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable planet for generations to come.

Habits Kids Should Learn

Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children's attitudes and behaviours towards the environment. Here are 9 eco-friendly habits parents can teach their children:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Teaching children the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle can help them develop a mindset of sustainability. Encourage them to think critically about their consumption habits and find ways to minimize waste. By reducing their consumption, reusing items whenever possible, and recycling materials, children can make a significant contribution to environmental protection.

Conserve Water

Water is a precious resource that is essential for life. Teach children the importance of conserving water and demonstrate practical ways to reduce water usage. This could include taking shorter showers, turning off the faucet while brushing teeth, fixing leaky faucets, and using water-efficient appliances. By conserving water, children can help to protect our planet's natural resources.

Save Energy

Energy consumption has a significant impact on the environment. Teach children how to conserve energy by turning off lights when not in use, unplugging electronics, and using energy-efficient appliances. Explain the benefits of energy conservation, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving money on energy bills.

Plant Trees

Trees play a vital role in the environment by absorbing carbon dioxide, providing shade, and supporting biodiversity. Encourage your children to plant trees in your community or backyard. Explain the benefits of trees and the positive impact they can have on the environment.

Compost Food Waste

Composting food scraps is a simple and effective way to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for gardening. Teach children how to set up a compost bin and the benefits of composting for the environment. By composting, children can help to reduce landfill waste and create a more sustainable ecosystem.

Choose Sustainable Products

Encourage your children to choose products that are made from sustainable materials and have minimal packaging. Explain the importance of supporting businesses that prioritize environmental responsibility. By making conscious choices, children can help to reduce their environmental impact.

Reduce Plastic Consumption

Plastic pollution is a major environmental problem. Teach children the harmful effects of plastic and encourage them to use reusable bags, water bottles, and containers. Explain the importance of reducing plastic waste and the positive impact it can have on our oceans and wildlife.

Educate and Protect Wildlife

Wildlife plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Teach children the importance of wildlife conservation and encourage them to respect and protect animals. Explain the threats facing many species and the steps they can take to help protect them.

Walk, Bike, or Take Public Transportation

Reducing car pollution is essential for protecting our air quality and combating climate change. Encourage your children to walk, bike, or take public transportation whenever possible. Explain the benefits of reducing car use, such as improving air quality, reducing traffic congestion, and promoting physical activity.

As oncologists, we often meet patients at some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Yet there are times where a patient's journey reminds of the extraordinary resilience that people can show while facing the challenges that cancer presents

I recently treated a 38-year-old woman whose story has stayed with me.

Having just welcomed her baby into the world, her demanding yet joyful routine revolved around feeding schedules and sleepless nights. It was during this period that she noticed a hard lump in her breast.

Breast Lumps Can Cause Aggressive Breast Cancer

A sonomammography revealed a suspicious BIRADS 4A lesion. A biopsy confirmed Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), which is one of the more aggressive forms of breast cancer. It was classified as a Stage III disease after evaluation through PET-CT which showed involvement of the axillary lymph nodes. The tumor also had a high Ki-67 index, indicating that it was growing rapidly.

Facing Cancer While Caring for A Newborn

The untimely diagnosis found the mother facing difficult questions about cancer treatment, her future and her ability to care for her child. One of the immediate challenges was that she had to stop breastfeeding.

Under the guidance of her pediatrician, her baby was transitioned to bottle feeds. This can be an emotionally challenging process for mothers as the feeling of guilt tends to seep in when breastfeeding plans are disrupted by illness.

A Modern Treatment Approach

After detailed and prolonged discussions with the patient and her family, we initiated treatment with neoadjuvant immunotherapy using pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy. This approach has emerged as one of the more prominent advances in the treatment of high-risk Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, having significantly improved outcomes for many patients.

Motherhood is a physically and emotionally taxing experience but the patient showed incredible strength during her cancer therapy, driven by her child and the unwavering support of her family.

Following completion of neoadjuvant therapy, repeat PET-CT imaging showed a near-complete response. She subsequently underwent surgery, and the final pathology report revealed a pathological complete response, meaning no residual invasive cancer had been detected.

This was the desired outcome for the treating team as well as the patient. She later completed the remaining course of immunotherapy, bringing her total treatment duration to one year. Today, both mother and child are doing well.

Breast Cancer Can Occur During Pregnancy

This tremendous journey highlights an important message. The fact that breast cancer can occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period deserves wider attention. Any breast lump that persists or feels unusual should be evaluated by a healthcare professional, as early diagnosis remains one of the most important factors in achieving positive outcomes.

The process is reflective of the advances in cancer treatment that are changing the outlook for patients with aggressive cancers. These advances are done through the integration of immunotherapy into treatment protocols which is helping more patients achieve improved long-term outcomes. The mother’s story is a reminder that cancer and motherhood are not mutually exclusive journeys.

Her ability to navigate this path is due to her timely diagnosis, access to appropriate treatment, family support and personal resilience. What began as a frightening diagnosis soon after childbirth ultimately became a story of hope, courage and survival. This is a powerful reminder to every new mother who might discover an unusual breast lump, that listening to your body and seeking medical advice early can make all the difference.

Pregnancy should not be regarded as a physical journey since it is a very emotional and deeply transformative phase in any woman's life. As the body changes itself to support new life, expecting mothers usually experience pain in the back, fatigue, and breathing-related discomfort. When practised under proper medical guidance, prenatal yoga can be very safe and highly supportive throughout pregnancy.

Supports Better Flexibility and Body Balance

As pregnancy progresses, the center of gravity of the body is shifted by the growing uterus. This can even impact posture and overall movement of the body. Prenatal Yoga normally includes gentle stretches and a controlled level of movement, which helps to improve the flexibility and stability without even placing unnecessary strain on the mother's and baby's bodies.

Yoga helps in:

• Reducing pregnancy-related back pain: Pain in the lower back is one of the most common discomforts that is mainly experienced during pregnancy. Gentle Yoga also assists in strengthening the back and provides better support to the spine.

• Improving breathing and oxygen flow: Mindful breathing also assists expectant mothers in managing breathlessness and calming the nervous system. Breathing-related awareness can assist women in remaining composed during the birth of a child.

• Reducing stress and anxiety: Pregnancy also causes emotional problems due to changes in hormones and physical discomfort during the birth of a child. Prenatal yoga integrates movement, exercises related to breathing, and relaxation techniques, which help reduce stress and mental fatigue. A good, calm mother is more likely to experience emotional well-being throughout the journey of pregnancy.

• Promoting better sleep: Most of the pregnant women also struggle with sleep-related patterns, due to body aches, frequent urination, which may help women to feel more confident and well prepared for the birth of a child.

• Preparing the body for labor: Prenatal yoga also plays a good role in building strength and controlled breathing, which can support the body during labor. Gentle hip opening movements and all relaxation techniques also help women to feel more confident and well prepared for the birth of a child.

• Encourages mother-baby connection: Prenatal yoga also provides expecting mothers with dedicated time to connect well with their baby. All these practices can also enhance the existing bond between mother and child, making the journey of pregnancy feel more positive.

India’s Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a notification ending the over-the-counter (OTC) sale of all syrups, including cough syrups.

Under the new rules, a doctor's prescription will now be required to purchase cough syrups across the country.

“Consequently, the sale and dispensing of cough syrups in smaller villages will now be required to take place only through duly licensed pharmacies in accordance with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Rules framed thereunder,” the notification said.

Why Are the Rules Being Amended?

The amendment comes months after contaminated cough syrups were linked to the deaths of 22 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, raising fresh concerns over the safety and regulation of commonly used liquid medicines.

Following the incident last year, health authorities in India had banned three cough syrups Coldrif, Respifresh TR and ReLife after traces of diethylene glycol (DEG) were detected in the products. The Coldrif contamination was linked to the deaths of 22 children in the country.

“The amendment has been undertaken to strengthen regulatory oversight of syrup formulations and to align the exemption framework with contemporary public health and safety requirements,” the notification said.

“The measure is expected to promote responsible distribution and sale of cough syrups while ensuring greater compliance with regulatory standards across the country,” it added.

Also read: Introducing Eggs Before Age One May Lower Allergy Risk by 17%, Says Study

Experts Welcome Move To Restrict Cough Syrup Sales

Dr Kuldeep Kumar Grover, Associate Director, Pulmonology and Critical Care, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram called it a

"a good initiative to include all syrup varieties, cough syrups included, under prescription medicines".

Cough syrups have substances that might lead to drowsiness, addiction, or drug interaction in patients who do not seek medical advice before taking the medicines.

"It is important to note that a cough could be a symptom of other serious conditions like infections, asthma, and allergies. Prescription-based access encourages proper evaluation, accurate treatment, and safer medication use," Grover said.

Dr. (Prof.) Mohsin Wali, former Physician to the President of India, said cough syrups and similar formulations often contain suppressants such as codeine and dextromethorphan (DXM), along with other solvents.

Dr. Wali, Senior Consultant and Head of Preventive Cardiology at Pacific One Health, recalled previous incidents in which contaminated Indian-made cough syrups were linked to deaths in Gambia and other African countries.

"Industrial-grade solvents were detected in some of these products, leading to kidney failure, severe metabolic acidosis, and, in some cases, death," he said.

According to Dr. Wali, the new notification will help curb the overuse, misuse, and addictive use of cough syrups while improving patient safety.

What Did The Notification Say?

The Ministry notified an amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, through Gazette Notification G.S.R. 927(E) dated December 29, 2025, published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), dated December 30, 2025.

The amendment omits the word “Syrup” from Schedule K, Serial No. 13, Entry 7 under the heading “Class of Drugs.”

Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945, provides exemptions from certain provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the rules framed under it for specified classes of drugs.

Before this amendment, Entry No. 13 of Schedule K permitted the sale of cough syrups in villages with a population of less than 1,000 without requiring compliance with certain retail sale licensing provisions.

With the omission of the word “Syrup” from the entry, this exemption will no longer apply to cough syrups.

Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers dealing with cough syrups have been advised to ensure strict compliance with the applicable licensing and regulatory requirements under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Drugs Rules, 1945.

Ban On Pediatric Cough Syrups

Last year, India formally prohibited the use of certain commonly available OTC cough and cold medicines in children below the age of four.

The policy move, notified through a gazette notification, banned a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride—two ingredients commonly found in pediatric cough syrups.

The decision followed growing global concerns over the safety of these medicines in very young children, with India joining several countries that have introduced stricter regulations.

Countries including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom had previously issued guidelines or warnings regarding the use of OTC cough and cold medicines in young children.