Breathe Easy: Personal Stories of Fighting Pollution in Delhi

Breathe Easy: Personal Stories of Fighting Pollution in Delhi

Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world, with air quality often reaching hazardous levels. The high levels of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and ozone in the air can cause serious health problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease. According to a study by the Health Effects Institute, air pollution was responsible for over 1.6 million deaths in India in 2019.

However, despite the grim situation, there are some people who are fighting pollution in Delhi with courage and determination. They are taking various actions to reduce their exposure to pollution, raise awareness among others, and demand change from the authorities. 

Here are some of their personal stories:

Anjali Dalmia: Anjali Dalmia is a 19-year-old student and environmental activist who founded the Youth Frontliners, a group of young volunteers who distribute masks, plants, and pamphlets to educate people about air pollution. She also organizes protests and campaigns to urge the government to take action on air pollution. She says that she was inspired by her grandfather, who died of lung cancer due to pollution exposure.

Bhargav Krishna: Bhargav Krishna is a researcher and public health expert who works at the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), a non-profit organization that aims to strengthen public health training, research, and policy development in India. He has been tackling air pollution issues in India since 2014 through his work at PHFI. He says that his wife’s diagnosis of asthma at age 28 motivated him to fight for cleaner air. He has also completed his doctor of public health (DrPH) degree from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where he acquired skills in conducting research and translating it for various stakeholders.

Rajeshwari Singh: Rajeshwari Singh is a 32-year-old entrepreneur and environmentalist who walked 1,100 kilometers from Vadodara to Delhi in 2018 to raise awareness about air pollution. She called her journey “My Right to Breathe” and carried a banner with the same slogan. She says that she wanted to show people that air pollution is not just a Delhi problem, but a national problem that affects everyone. She also wanted to inspire people to take action and adopt eco-friendly lifestyles.

Vikrant Tongad: Vikrant Tongad is a 32-year-old environmental lawyer and founder of Social Action for Forest and Environment (SAFE), a non-governmental organization that works on various environmental issues such as air pollution, water conservation, waste management, and forest protection. He has filed several petitions and complaints in courts and tribunals against polluting industries, power plants, construction projects, and government agencies. He says that he believes in using legal tools to fight for environmental justice.

These are some of the personal stories of fighting pollution in Delhi. They show that ordinary citizens can make a difference by taking individual and collective actions to protect their health and environment. They also show that there is a need for more awareness, education, and advocacy on air pollution among the public and the policymakers. By sharing their stories, they hope to inspire others to join them in their fight for cleaner air.

This article based on my knowledge and current information ( helped - AI ) .