Delhi's Air Disaster
Nov 23, 2024
The alarming air pollution makes the politically majestic Delhi an unhealthy place to live. The city, already an air-tight compartment, questions its suitability as a national capital.
Delhi, the capital of India, is where all our so-called national leaders reside and have settled with their families. It is the political capital where the Indian government machinery functions. Delhi has been a historical place since the days of the Mughal Empire. Every corner of the city speaks a story, extending back to the Mughal era through the British Raj and post-independent India. Delhi has seen many leaders and numerous palace coups. Today, however, Delhi steals the headlines for a reason that subverts its regale history. It is dangerously polluted. The air quality has deteriorated to the level it poses severe health risks to its residents. Worsening breathing troubles threaten Delhi's status as a livable place.
Despite the presence of ministers and the Parliament House in Delhi, rulers refuse to take any significant initiative to control the pollution. According to some reports, a political war is ongoing in the capital; for our politicians, everything is politics. They attempt to derive some benefit from every issue. Still, no one has taken the right steps to address this crisis. The Delhi government requested permission to make artificial rains for relief.
Nevertheless, State and Central governments seem more focused on playing politics than making appropriate decisions to protect Delhi. The Supreme Court of India and the new Chief Justice of India (CJI) have intervened in this matter, directing the governments to take action against pollution. Schools have been shut down for the past few days, and no one knows how long this will last. The CJI has further instructed all judges to conduct virtual hearings, and more government offices may also shut down to help combat pollution. The air crisis in Delhi is just the beginning; many Indian cities are on the brink of similar crises. Cities like those in Uttar Pradesh, Bangalore, and Mumbai may be the next in the line. One day, everyone will have to pay their lives for the air disaster that shrouds Delhi.
Every time, farmers become culprits of the pollution, citing the reason for post-harvest waste burning in Haryana and Punjab. Is this the only reason for the pollution? While there should be a regulation on waste burning everywhere, no government takes this matter seriously enough. Vote bank politics, religion, caste, and other sentiments often hinder the plans to safeguard the planet and humanity.
Thermal power plants contribute 16 times more to pollution than agri-waste and stalk burning, yet this topic rarely receives attention because significant business interests are involved. A pressing question arises: if we control emissions from thermal plants, where will we find alternative energy sources? Why is India not promoting renewable energy sources more vigorously? While these solutions will be necessary in the future, the urgency to address them is often overlooked.
People of Delhi are struggling to breathe, yet no one takes to the streets to demand their right to live in a clean environment! Clean water and pure air are people's natural rights, but we rarely fight for them. Instead, we advocate for reservations and other silly issues, forgetting all existential crises.
Our comfort, money, and routines become the priorities of our lives! People are dying and being hospitalised but without specific reports detailing the extent of the crisis. If it were a pandemic like COVID-19, we would have accurate numbers and media coverage. Just imagine—over 1.2 million people died last year in this country. If it were due to COVID-19, there would have been a consistent count and widespread media attention.
Our top leaders have access to clean water and pure air, unlike the ordinary people. They probably have oxygen chambers in their homes and instruct citizens to stay indoors to avoid pollution. But if they do not venture outside, how will they understand the plight of the common people? It is expected that only outdoor air may be polluted while the indoor air remains clean. Wouldn’t it be convenient if magical air purification machines were available for every home?
SAJIKUMAR
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