Influenced culture of India
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Reference
A tragic incident at EY has sparked a debate about corporate culture and leadership. The untimely death of a junior employee has raised concerns about how multinational companies deal with such crises and the impact of leadership on employee well-being.
Background
EY is facing criticism for its insensitive handling of the death of a junior employee.
The company has denied overwork as the cause, did not attend the funeral and ordered its employees to remain silent. The state government has started an investigation on this and people are outraged.
Why in discussion?
The incident has attracted national attention as an opposition leader met the grieving family and the government has launched an investigation into the case. EY's response has come under scrutiny, as many believe the firm has been more concerned about legal issues than employee welfare.
What was the effect on India's culture?
Indian social norms and the media often glorify economic success over ethical behavior. In workplaces, sometimes abusive behavior becomes normal, with leaders and influential people setting a bad example.
This has created a cultural environment where employees feel pressured to prioritize results over well-being.
Leadership and Culture: An Important Link
A study by the Harvard Business Review highlighted that the actions of leaders during a crisis have a significant impact on the culture of an organization. In EY's case, its leadership's response appears to be driven by legal concerns rather than empathy, making the situation worse.
The gap between corporate culture and reality
Many companies boast about their corporate culture, but few address real-life employee challenges.
Managers today often feel overworked and emotionally exhausted, which negatively affects team engagement. EY's handling of the situation reflects this difference.
Industry and social impact on corporate behavior
Workforce behavior is influenced by industry pressures. For example, in areas such as food delivery, speed is prioritized, while aviation focuses on safety. Social influences, such as the media's focus on money, also shape corporate culture, which often prioritizes transactional relationships over real accountability.
Setting the Right Tone: Leadership Lessons for CEOs
The CEO should lead by example and hold top managers accountable for promoting a healthy work culture.
Providing platforms for employees to voice their concerns, avoiding hero culture and ensuring that issues have real consequences are key to maintaining a supportive work environment.
Conclusion
EY's behavior in the case of employee death reveals significant flaws in its organizational culture. Leaders need to focus on empathy and accountability to promote a healthy workplace.
Way forward
To prevent such incidents, organizations should prioritize employee welfare, implement clear communication channels and ensure leadership accountability. Adopting these steps can create a culture that values people more than profits.
Floods and landslides in Nepal
Reference
Nepal is currently grappling with a devastating humanitarian crisis as floods and landslides continue across the country due to heavy monsoon rains.
Recent disasters have resulted in loss of life, extensive damage to infrastructure and increased vulnerability of affected communities. This situation highlights the urgent need for effective disaster management strategies in a country already prone to natural disasters.
Background
Nepal has a monsoon season from June to September, with heavy rains that often cause floods and landslides.
These events have historically caused significant destruction, especially in hilly and mountainous areas where the terrain is fragile. Recent climate change trends have increased the frequency and intensity of such disasters, posing serious challenges to disaster management in the country.
Why in the news?
The recent floods in Nepal have grabbed headlines due to their catastrophic impact, with at least 170 people confirmed dead and many missing.
Entire areas of the capital Kathmandu have been submerged and essential highways have been severely damaged. The crisis has fueled debate about the ongoing effects of climate change and the effectiveness of government disaster preparedness strategies.
Current causes of floods in Nepal
- Heavy monsoon rains
The monsoon season brings heavy rainfall, which has been above normal in recent years. Due to this heavy rain, the rivers overflow, causing flash floods.
- Climate change Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns have made heavy rainfall events more frequent and severe, increasing the risk of flooding.
- Urbanization
Rapid urban development, particularly in Kathmandu, has led to inadequate drainage systems, leading to water logging in urban areas.
Effect of flood on Nepal
- loss of life
The death toll has reached alarming levels, with many still missing.
- Displacement
Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes, increasing humanitarian needs and straining local resources.
- Damage to infrastructure
The widespread destruction of roads, bridges and buildings has disrupted transportation and communication, hampering rescue efforts.
Current causes of landslides in Nepal
- Heavy rain
Like floods, landslides are often caused by heavy monsoon rains that soak the soil.
- Human activity
Activities such as road construction and deforestation destabilize slopes, increasing the risk of landslides.
- Earthquake
Seismic activity in Nepal can displace soil and rock, causing landslides.
Impact of landslides on Nepal
- Loss of life and injury
Landslides can be fatal, trapping people and vehicles, especially on highways.
- Disruption of infrastructure
Landslides often block essential routes, isolate communities and hamper rescue operations.
- Economic consequences
They damage agricultural land and disrupt livelihoods, increasing economic instability.
Steps taken by the Government of Nepal to prevent floods and landslides
- Disaster risk management framework
Establishment of comprehensive legislation and agencies to effectively manage disaster risks.
- Early warning system
Implementing systems for timely alerts about possible floods and landslides.
- Development of infrastructure
Upgrading drainage systems and constructing retaining walls to manage water flow and stabilize slopes.
Conclusion
Recent floods and landslides in Nepal have underlined the country's vulnerability to natural disasters caused by climate change. Although the government has taken significant steps to tackle these challenges, the impact on lives, infrastructure and the economy is profound.
The way forward
It is important for the government to increase community resilience through better disaster preparedness and response strategies. Strengthening infrastructure, improving early warning systems and promoting sustainable land-use practices are important.
Glaciologists dig deep into permafrost to predict future climate change disasters
Context
Collapse of permafrost, made up of permanently frozen rock or soil, is an emerging threat in the Himalayas due to climate change. Melting of permafrost can destabilize the ground, threatening infrastructure and communities in the region.
Background
Permafrost is found in areas where soil or rock remains frozen for at least two years.
Due to the increase in global temperature, this frozen layer is melting, causing the ground to collapse. Although such phenomena have been observed in places like Canada, their role in Himalayan disasters is still being investigated.
Why in the news?
S.N. Remya, a glaciologist from Kerala and part of India's Arctic Expedition, is researching permafrost at Himadri Station in Norway. His work focuses on assessing the likelihood of permafrost collapse in the Himalayas and providing early warning to affected communities.
Permafrost
Permafrost refers to ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years. It is commonly found in polar regions such as arctic, sub-arctic and high altitude regions.
Permafrost can extend hundreds of meters below the surface and contain organic matter such as soil, rocks, and even dead plants and animals that were long ago trapped in the ice.
Climate change will cause disasters in future!! How?
Climate change can cause many disasters in the future due to its wide-ranging effects, including
- Melting of permafrost
As global temperatures rise, permafrost begins to melt, releasing large amounts of greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide and methane that were previously trapped. This can accelerate global warming, thereby creating a feedback loop.
- Rising sea level
Along with the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, the thermal expansion of water increases the sea level. This increases the risk of coastal flooding, endangering millions of people living in low-lying areas.
- Extreme weather events
Warmer temperatures can promote more intense storms, hurricanes and typhoons, resulting in more destruction. Heatwaves, droughts and wildfires are also becoming more frequent and severe.
- Disruption of ecosystem
Many species are adapted to specific climates, and rapid changes can lead to habitat loss, threatening biodiversity. This can disrupt food chains and ecosystems.
- Impact on agriculture and water supply
Changing weather patterns can affect crop yields and water availability, leading to food insecurity and conflict over resources.
- Increase in the outbreak of diseases
Warming temperatures and changing ecosystems can promote the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever as mosquitoes and other vectors expand their range.
Effects of Permafrost
Permafrost is characterized by frozen soil or rock, under which layers of ice form. As the climate warms, this ice melts, causing the ground to slide or collapse. Although there is no definite link between permafrost and recent disasters in the Himalayas, the possibility is being studied.
Himalayan Permafrost Research: Challenges and Gaps
There is limited data on permafrost in the Indian Himalayas and significant knowledge gaps still exist. Remya's research aims to fill these gaps, and once completed, will help map similar areas in the Himalayas using satellite imagery.
Fieldwork Challenges: Polar Bears and Arctic Conditions
In the Arctic, Remya has to conduct her research amid the threat of polar bears, for which she has to live with a guard armed with a gun for protection.
Conclusion
Permafrost collapse in the Himalayas is an emerging risk exacerbated by climate change, potentially destabilizing infrastructure and communities.
While this phenomenon is well known in other regions, its impact on the Himalayas is under investigation. Continued research is needed to understand and mitigate the risks posed by thawing permafrost.
The way forward
Comprehensive studies should be conducted to map sensitive Himalayan areas to address permafrost risks, combining satellite data with field research.
An early warning system informed by ongoing research to protect communities and infrastructure should be implemented. Collaboration between scientists, governments and local populations will be critical to reducing future disasters.
