We need Austria-type stringent norms on mobile towers: Juhi Chawla
Monday, Sep 30, 2013, 7:39 IST |
Agency: DNA
From being a successful actress, Juhi Chawla, 45,
has emerged as a crusader. For the past three years, she has been leading a
campaign to create awareness about the dangers of mobile tower radiations. In
an interview with dna City Editor S Balakrishnan, she spoke
about her campaign. Excerpts:
Juhi Chawla
How did you get into this campaign against
mobile tower radiation?
Well... I live in Malabar Hill, bang
opposite Sahyadri guest house...Three years ago my husband Jay called me out to
the balcony and pointed out to the 14 cellphone towers atop the guest house and
wondered how safe they were. Honestly, I had no clue. He asked me if I could do
some research and find out the answer. I promptly went to the Internet
and what I discovered shocked me. I have been living with my family in
the direct line of powerful radiation from 14 cellphone towers.
The
reality hit me. I told myself that it would be a crime to keep quiet after
knowing the dangers of this radiation. I wrote letters to the chief minister
and BMC commissioner. I was fighting a lone battle. It was then that my
neighbour Prakash Munshi joined me. We went to Sahyadri Guest House and asked
the staff if they have permission for all these towers. We discovered that they
had permission from the Public Works Department (PWD) for only one tower.
We
then decided to sensitise our neighbours about the issue. We put up a few
banners and started our campaign. As luck would have it, several journalists
had gathered at the guest house. When they saw us, they crossed over to our
side and asked what our campaign was all about. When the media highlighted our
campaign, we received tremendous response. I am happy to inform you that the 13
illegal towers have been removed from atop the guest house. Still as a matter
of precaution, I have put radiation shields in my bungalow. I want every Indian
to be aware of the dangers of this radiation and take necessary precautions.
Hence this campaign.
So do I take it that you are not basically against
mobile phones or mobile phone companies?
Certainly not. Mobile phones have
their uses for communication. But if they are used indiscriminately and unthinkingly
then we will have an entire population over a billion who are at risk. The
radiation from cellular phone towers certainly affect our health. I am not
saying that throw out all cellphone towers. All that I am demanding is
stringent norms for mobile towers. Austria has some of the world’s most
stringent norms for cellphone tower radiation. Why can’t we have that? Why
can’t our government have the same concern for the health of its people as the
Austrian government has for its citizens?
Union minister of state for
telecom and SoBo MP Milind Deora says that the norms prescribed by his ministry
for cellphone tower radiation is 10 times more stringent than what has been
prescribed by the World Health Organisation. Isn’t that reassuring?
We did
meet Milind and explained our concerns to him. The issue is that even the
prescribed norms are not adequate. Also, the ground reality is very different.
My team has gone with radiation measuring meters and the results are highly
disconcerting. We need to have a limit to the number of towers that can be put
up atop a building. It should be a strict “no, no” when it comes to schools and
hospitals. Also the distance between a tower and buildings in the neighbourhood
needs to be laid down. Most importantly, we need to get the cellphone companies
to invest in the latest technology like the one adapted in the US, which
renders radiations less riskier. We should get the companies to pump in money
on relatively safe technology.
Are you suggesting a restriction on
the use of mobile phones?
Mobile phones are here to stay. I would like to
appeal to the users to take a few precautions. Ideally, whenever a handset is
sold, the company should give out literature recommending safe usage practices.
That is not being done now. The government should insist on that. But, from our
side, we should always prefer to use a landline if it is around to make a call.
The second precaution is do not keep your mobile phone close to your ear soon
after you dial a number.
The moment you dial a number, a whole lot of
radio activity is triggered. So keep the phone a little away from your ear
while the call is being connected. Ideally, I would favour an increase in call
charges which will compel people to reduce cellphone usage. Today it costs only
a few paise per call which is why the usage is indiscriminate. The increased
revenue received by the mobile firms after the call charges are raised should
be ploughed back to upgrade technology to increase safety norms.
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