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Here is a conversation between grandmother and her granddaughter about the deteriorating air quality in Delhi .

Grandmother: Have you seen the newspaper today ? Three more flights have been cancelled due to Delhi’s air pollution. The Supreme Court has declared it a public emergency.”

Kriti: Grandma, our science teacher was explaining us the other day that:

According to a recent WHO survey of world cities, Delhi is the worst of any major city in the world. In addition, air pollution in India is estimated to kill about 2 million people every year. India has the world’s highest death rate from chronic respiratory diseases and asthma.

Kriti: Grandma, are we the only ones living in the gas chamber or you also faced the same problem when you were young ?

Grandmother: Dear, when I was young way back in 1970s. During that period industrialisation and urbanisation were just starting in India. I remember, air quality was far more better then. People had healthy and simple way of living.

However, nowadays situation is worsening in metro cities. The most critical cause of Delhi‘s poor air quality is the burning of crops by farmers in breadbaskets states of India. Massive cover of grey smoke seems to cover Delhi like blanket, which is getting worse day by day.

Kriti: Grandma, which are breadbasket states of India ?

Grandmother: Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are called bread basket states of india.

Kriti: But grandma, states like Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pranesh have always been the major breadbasket of India since Green Revolution.
So, why burning of crops didn’t have such peril affect in past as they are having now?

Grandmother: That is because it was only in last decade that farmers in neighboring states of Delhi started cultivation of paddy which has also lowered the ground water levels due to which farmers mainly start rice farming right after set of monsoon which further adds to less time for farmers to start a new cycle of crops. So, to hasten this process they tend set their crops stubble on fire.

Another chief reason which makes the situation acutely hazardous and peril is Delhi’s geographical condition, Himalayas act as barrier and simply direct the pollution from crop stubble fire towards Delhi. I hope that the government should quickly take strict measures to curb burning of stubble and should provide alternative solutions to farmers.

Kriti: Yes, I agree with you. This is very insightful grandma! I have gained so much knowledge from you.

I would also like to add another major reason which has aggravated Delhi’s pollution problem is its increasing population due to migration of workforce. This is leading to the growth of the carbon footprint per person as there are more buyers and drivers of automobiles now.

Grandmother: What is carbon footprint? I have never heard of it .

Kriti: Carbon footprint is the quantity of Carbon dioxide that is being released in atmosphere as a result of activities of an individual.

Grandmother: Okay. What I make out from your point is that we all have carbon footprints.

Kriti: That’s true grandma and there is a lot we can do to reduce it like we all can contribute our part on individual as well as on community level by car pooling, planting more trees, raising awareness, minimizing use of air conditioners and by switching to renewable sources of energy.

Grandmother: Yes, you are absolutely correct. We all have to share this responsibility for making Delhi a better place to live. Anyways, What are your plans for Diwali next week ? I read in the newspaper that government has requested everyone to not to use firecrackers.

Kriti: Yes, that is true. Firecrackers mainly consist of sulphur, carbon and other chemicals for coloring, binding effects, which adds up to causing more pollution.

Grandmother: You are so well aware of all this then why do you burn crackers on Diwali?

Kriti: No grandma I do not burn fire crackers now. My friends and I have taken a pledge that we will contribute our best to save our environment.

Grandmother: That’s a brilliant idea! You all children of today are going to be youth of tomorrow and the youth of a nation is it’s biggest power. I believe if you all continue to remain mature in your thoughts and actions then golden days for our nation are not far away.

Kriti: Absolutely Grandma, this process of curbing air pollution is not a mere objective or a goal to be achieved by a party or an individual to improve air quality of Delhi, it is a fundamental human-right to breathe clean air not the one equivalent to smoking 50 cigarettes a day.

Grandmother: Yes my child it is rightfully said that “We are never too young to make a difference.”

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