NEW DELHI: A day after stepping down as the finance head of a pharmaceutical manufacturing company due to Delhi's deteriorating air quality, the executive said he would move back to Mumbai. Adjusting to Delhi's environment after spending two decades in Mumbai proved overwhelming, he pointed out.
"I'm from Mumbai and moved to Delhi in July. I lived in Mumbai for 20 years, but the daily climate here was something I couldn't manage. I just couldn't handle it," said Rajkumar Bafna, who has resigned from Akums Drugs.
He added, "My wife and I came to Delhi together, but choosing to return to Mumbai is a personal decision. Pollution is a general problem for everyone, there's nothing specific against anyone. I felt it was a personal call, so I decided to leave. I have already moved out of the city and am at my native place in Rajasthan."
Senior company officials said Bafna was frequently seen coughing and that prolonged exposure to poor air quality appeared to have visibly affected his health and overall wellbeing. "For people who aren't born here, coping with the pollution can become extremely difficult," said a senior official.
An internal email accessed from Akums Drugs revealed that Bafna resigned from his position with effect from Dec 31. In the email sent to a senior official on Dec 3, Bafna wrote, "I would like to inform you that due to Delhi pollution level, I am resigning from my position as president finance. Kindly relieve me asap."
The company formally acknowledged his resignation on Dec 12, attributing it to health-related concerns, and confirmed that he would be relieved of his duties at the end of Dec.
The resignation has since triggered widespread discussion on social media, with several users questioning the cost of living and working in what they described as an increasingly polluted environment.
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Meghna Dhulia is an Assistant News Editor at The Times of India, ...
Read MoreMeghna Dhulia is an Assistant News Editor at The Times of India, bringing over a decade of experience in journalism. She specialises in education reporting, covering both foundational and higher education with a clear, insightful lens. Her work sheds light on critical issues shaping the future—ranging from policy impact and systemic challenges to compelling human stories from the field. Her experience also extends to the news desk, where she has overseen editorial workflows, ensuring readers receive balanced, reliable and impactful news.
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