Eight Days In A Gas Chamber (Pollution in Delhi)

This is the before (left) and after (right) image of India Gate. Usually, the before and after type of images shows the improvement in the state of something, but in Delhi, the case appears to be opposite.  

It has been eight-days, and still the monstrous pollution is hovering above our heads in Delhi. Surprisingly, it seems the issue is not so big to be addressed by our honorable Prime Minister. The ministers are busy in blaming each other rather than coming up with an efficient solution. Every year during the winter months, same problem is arising, but we have no solution, rather we are breathing it because we have no alternative. 

Why the people in power politicizing this crisis? Why are they not concerned with health and well-being of the citizens of Delhi? Definitely, the concern right now is only about human beings but what about animals? The stray animals are coughing and sneezing just like us because of the mess which we created. Yes, the whole responsibility is not on the people in power.

So from where this problem started, it started when innumerable statues of Ravana where burnt with unimaginable excitement of common people and our dear politicians. When we are aware of the consequences of such acts then why are we promoting them? Where is it written that when Lord Rama defeated Ravana, Ravana burnt and burst with crackers? Who came up with this idea? It is definitely us because sky-shots are beautiful aesthetically. It is surely clear that we have forgotten the essence of Dussehra. Loads of crackers burst on Diwali. This is definitely not the first year when this happened it is being done since decades.

Something has to be done, but what? Ban on crackers might cause unemployment for sometime but it will be big step against pollution that we are facing right now. Stop on stubble burning. Various other steps are being suggested by media. We have to plant more and more trees and have to take care of them at the same time, instead of allowing deforestation for infrastructure (as happened in Mumbai past month). The nature is our only hope. We are blessed with rationality, we have to utilize it to understand the value of nature.  For whom will this infrastructure will be beneficial if the citizens will not be here (some will migrate from here and some might meet their fate). 

Each individual has to take responsibility to stop this pollution because everyone matters and every action matters. But this is not the end. New Year's Eve is not so far, again there will be crackers, again there will be pollution, again blame-game of politicians, again sun-less days in winters, things will come back to normal and this vicious circle will repeat itself year after year. And we are stuck here as always. This is the high-time to take actions. There is need for "environment sensitization". More the involvement of citizens, more the impact. It has been days of not seeing the blue sky, stars, warmth of sun, breath of fresh air.

We intuitively will not feel obliged to take action, Government has to intervene. The law has to be made to stop pollution-generating activities. Strict actions are required. This is the wake-up call for us. Either we can act or wait for the miracle to occur which can save us all.

#DelhiPollution