Video Editor: Kunal Mehra
Video Producer: Aastha Gulati
On the day after Diwali, every news channel was discussing the deteriorating air quality in Delhi. Unsurprisingly, Delhi fared worse than most other cities on the Air Quality Index (AQI).
However, not many know that in my hometown Jaipur, the situation was very similar. The AQI ranged from 582 to 717 on 27 October, the noise of crackers could be heard till the following night. It seemed as if the city was enveloped in smog. Instead of spreading cheer on Diwali, we knowingly contributed to pollution in the air.
So who is to blame? Is pollution the fault of the government? The citizens? I took to the streets of Jaipur for an answer.
Most residents expressed difficulty in breathing the morning after the ‘festival of joy’.
“I went to the city last night and was gasping. I felt suffocated due to the pollution in the air.”Saurav, Resident
For those with respiratory diseases, the situation was even worse.
“The pollution levels were too high, I wasn’t able to breathe. My asthma peaked as well. I still can’t talk properly.”Urvashi, Resident
Residents expressed concern about the increasing levels of pollution.
“Crackers should be banned in Jaipur like they are in Delhi. I am very unhappy. The festival of lights has been reduced to a festival of pollution for me.”Urvashi, Resident
Setu, a student, said Jaipur might need air purifiers soon.
“I think Jaipur is also becoming one of those cities that will require air purifiers.”Setu
Are the citizens aware enough? Manan answers:
“I thought there is a lot more awareness among people regarding crackers but no, there isn’t. People still don’t realise how bad the air quality is.”Manan, Resident
What about citizen’s collective responsibility?
“People must know what air quality index of every city and area is so that they are aware and know what steps to take to decrease air pollution levels. People also need to take responsibility, it is not only the authorities that are to blame.”Saurav, Resident
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