I did not know what to expect when Naina Gautam began moderating a session with Dr Chandrakant Pandav, Public Health Expert and Iodine Man, organised by Voices of Bharat: Yuva for Sustainability on World Health Day. I had come across his name before, but names often remain distant until the person behind them begins to speak.

What followed was not just a discussion, but a shift in perspective, one that moved beyond facts and into the realm of awareness, responsibility, and reflection.

Beyond Science: A Call for Peace and Harmony

When asked about the theme of World Health Day 2026, “Together for Health, Stand with Science”, Dr Pandav responded in a way that immediately stood out. He said he would have preferred “peace and global harmony” as the theme.

His reasoning was simple yet thought-provoking. Science, he explained, has always been a part of India’s heritage. It is not something new. But peace, true harmony between people and nature is something we continue to overlook.

This idea reframed the conversation. It was no longer just about scientific progress, but about the values guiding that progress.

One Health: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Relevance

When the discussion turned to the concept of One Health, the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well-being, Dr Pandav did not refer to modern frameworks alone. Instead, he pointed towards ancient Indian knowledge systems.

The idea, he explained, has always existed: take care of humans, take care of animals, and take care of plants and flowers. It is a simple principle, yet deeply profound.

Interestingly, it was the COVID-19 pandemic that pushed him to revisit and explore these traditional ideas more deeply, highlighting how crises often lead us back to forgotten wisdom.

Zoonotic Diseases and the Cost of Human Behaviour

One of the most striking parts of the session was his explanation of zoonotic diseases. He described humans as territorial and aggressive, constantly expanding into spaces that once belonged to nature.

Diseases like Kyasanur Forest Disease, he explained, are not random, they are consequences. When humans invade ecosystems, disrupt wildlife, and ignore natural boundaries, the balance is broken.

His message was clear: Respect nature, respect animals, trees, and plants. Sustainability begins with reducing human selfishness.

Delhi: When Pollution Becomes Personal

Dr Pandav’s reflections on life in Delhi brought a personal dimension to the discussion. Having lived there since 1971, he witnessed the city’s environmental decline firsthand.

Within a decade of exposure to polluted air, he developed asthma, carrying an inhaler alongside his stethoscope. His description of Delhi as both the “capital of pollution” and the “capital of diabetes” was stark and unsettling.

His comments on the Yamuna River, polluted by industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and garbage, added another layer of urgency. These were not abstract problems; they were lived realities.

The Pandemic of Disinformation

In a world flooded with data, Dr Pandav highlighted a different kind of crisis, what he called a “pandemic of disinformation” during COVID-19.

He explained that the quality of data depends on three critical factors:

  • The observer
  • The instrument
  • The training of the person using it

This insight reinforced the importance of questioning information rather than accepting it blindly. In public health and sustainability, the ability to distinguish reliable data from misinformation is crucial.

Lessons for the Next Generation

For young people aspiring to work in public health and sustainability, his advice was practical and grounded. Work hard. Stay resilient. Manage your time effectively. And above all, believe in yourself.

He reinforced this message by drawing on the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, emphasising that self-belief is the starting point for any meaningful contribution to society.

A Simple Yet Lasting Message

When asked for a final thought, his response was simple, “Believe in yourself. First take care of yourself, then take care of others.” There was nothing complex about it. Yet, it carried weight. It brought the entire conversation back to its core; awareness, responsibility, and balance.

The session was not just about public health or sustainability. It was about rethinking how we see the world and our place within it.

“A for Awareness, Not A for Apple” captures this shift perfectly. Knowledge alone is not enough. Awareness of our actions, our impact, and our responsibilities is what truly drives change.