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New Delhi, the capital of India, is choking. It’s not just the thick smog that blankets the city every
winter, nor the toxic haze that blankets everything in sight, but a deeper, more worrying reality: the
escalating pollution levels are becoming a dire public health crisis. I never fully understood the
severity of this until it became deeply personal. A few weeks ago, I woke up to an itchy throat,
burning eyes, and a persistent cough—symptoms that matched what news reports had been
describing: the thick smog covering everything from Lahore to Delhi. This wasn’t a far-off, abstract
issue anymore; it was a daily reality.1
The air in New Delhi is now more than just polluted; it is an assault on the senses. Every year, this
the issue grows worse. And it’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a matter of life and death. Respiratory
diseases, heart problems, and even premature deaths are increasing at alarming rates due to the
persistent air pollution. So, what can we do about it?
The Root Cause:
One major culprit behind the worsening air quality is stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. After
During the harvest season, farmers in these states burn crop residue to clear their fields quickly. While this
practice is largely due to outdated agricultural practices, it creates a significant problem for the Delhi
region. The northern winds carry the smoke from these fires directly to Delhi, creating a pollution
"vacuum" over the city. The toxic smog from these fires often combines with the city's already high
pollution levels, pushing the Air Quality Index into hazardous zones.2
Another primary source of pollution is the rising number of private vehicles on the road. New Delhi
has seen a rapid increase in vehicle ownership, with each family owning at least one car. This has
resulted in massive traffic congestion, more honking, and, of course, more emissions. The city's
transportation infrastructure is struggling to keep up with this growth, making it difficult to reduce
the impact of these pollutants.3
These accompanied by the concerning amounts of crackers being burnt in Diwali and heavy winter
air suffocates the capital slowly4
Solutions:
The first solution is relatively straightforward but politically and economically challenging: a stricter
enforcement of stubble burning regulations. While the government has implemented bans in the
In the past, they have not been effective enough to stem the tide. We need a national policy that not only
bans this practice but also provides farmers with viable alternatives—like machinery or incentives for
better waste management practices after harvest. This is crucial, as a significant portion of Delhi’s
Pollution during the winter months is tied to the smoke from these agricultural fires.
The second solution lies in the way we move around the city. New Delhi is a city stuck in traffic,
where the air is thick with the exhaust of thousands of vehicles, particularly private cars. The simplest answer to this problem would be promoting public transport and encouraging carpooling. However,
this would require a massive overhaul of Delhi's transportation infrastructure and a cultural shift
toward greater reliance on public transit. But there is another, less conventional approach to this
problem: soft power.
What if we reimagined how people view a "cleaner" lifestyle? Most of us associate comfort, success,
and progress with owning a private car or flying in a private jet. This aspirational image is often
glamorized by the media. Politicians, celebrities, and business moguls are often celebrated for their
ostentatious displays of wealth, like flying in private jets or driving luxury cars. This constant cycle
consumption not only fuels the demand for luxury but also perpetuates a culture of wastefulness.
The more people see these figures as role models, the more they aspire to mirror their lifestyles,
which in turn leads to increased emissions and pollution.
So, what if we shifted the narrative? Imagine a campaign that rebrands sustainability and a "cleaner"
lifestyle as the true mark of success. What if, instead of showing off private jets or luxury cars, we
celebrated leaders and influencers who prioritize clean energy, use public transportation, or invest in
Electric vehicles? We need to reframe a "cleaner lifestyle" as not only accessible but as a symbol of
progress. This would shift the social narrative from one of luxury consumption to one of responsible
living.
By promoting public transportation, electric vehicles, cycling, and sustainable practices in our
communities, we can help shape a new aspirational culture that prioritizes the planet. A subtle yet
powerful shift in public perception could make environmentally friendly choices seem not just
possible but desirable.
The pollution problem in New Delhi is urgent 5, and it affects each one of us. While strict
regulations on stubble burning and vehicle emissions are necessary, we must also look at how we, as
a society, view and pursue progress. The shift toward a cleaner, more sustainable future will require
changes not just in government policies or technological innovations but in our cultural attitudes as
well.
