A top financial executive at a major pharmaceutical company has resigned from his high-profile position, citing the severe air pollution in the national capital as the primary reason for his departure and subsequent decision to leave the city.
Executive Cites Unmanageable Pollution as Reason for Exit
Rajkumar Bafna, who served as the President of Finance at Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited, stepped down from his role, attributing his decision directly to the deteriorating air quality in Delhi. In an internal email dated December 3, Bafna wrote to a senior official, stating his intention to resign due to the pollution levels. The company formally accepted his resignation on December 12, confirming his relief from duties effective December 31.
Bafna, a Mumbai native who had spent two decades there, had moved to Delhi only in July. He found the daily environmental conditions overwhelming and unmanageable. "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," Bafna explained. He emphasized that his choice to return to Mumbai with his wife was a personal one, driven by health and well-being concerns.
Health Deterioration and Company's Acknowledgement
Senior officials at Akums Drugs noted that Bafna's health had visibly suffered during his stay in Delhi. He was frequently seen coughing, and colleagues observed that prolonged exposure to the poor air quality had taken a toll on his overall wellbeing. A company official remarked, "For people who aren't born here, coping with the pollution can become extremely difficult." The company's official communication acknowledged his resignation was due to health-related concerns, directly linking it to the city's pollution.
Bafna has already left Delhi and is currently at his native place in Rajasthan. He clarified that while pollution is a universal problem in the city, his decision to leave was a personal call based on his inability to adapt.
Sparking a Broader Social Media Debate
This high-profile resignation has ignited widespread discussion on social media platforms. The move has prompted many users to question the real cost of living and working in India's increasingly polluted metropolitan hubs. The conversation has expanded beyond this single incident, turning into a debate about quality of life, corporate responsibility, and the health hazards professionals are willing to endure for their careers.
The case of Rajkumar Bafna underscores a growing concern among professionals relocating to cities with severe environmental challenges. It highlights the difficult choices individuals must make between career advancement and personal health, putting a human face on the statistics of urban air pollution.
