It is alarming that New Delhi, India, has witnessed the worst pollution in recent years.
A public health emergency was declared by doctors in Delhi as air quality reached alarming levels. Some streets in the Indian capital recorded pollution levels 40 times the World Health Organisation recommended safe level. The annual post-harvest burning of crop stubble in Punjab fuelled the crisis.
Carbon emissions from automobiles, industries, diesel generators and power houses are on an increase.
The latest crises started after the Diwali celebrations. Millions of fire crackers were set off polluting the air. This is what happens to Delhi, every year after Diwali. Delhi reacts to every incident with loud protests but we do not see such protests before or after Diwali. The youth should join hands and create awareness among people before the festivity to reduce the use of fire crackers. It would be impossible to stop fireworks altogether but steps can be taken to reduce it by putting a restriction on the type of crackers used. I do understand this festival comes once a year and people would like to enjoy it to the best of their ability, but the aftermath is something that largely affects pollution levels. It takes Delhi days and weeks to reel back to normal life. One day of happiness and celebration ruins the lives of many especially those who are asthmatic, suffering from heart ailments and other health issues. Healthy children can also be effected. Hoping the residents of Delhi will wake up and realise the harm they are doing to themselves. Otherwise there would be no point in them holding rallies and conferences or awareness to go green and celebrating days like Earth Day, Environment Day, etc.
- The reader is a logistics manager, based in Dubai.
