dehli's annual struggle

Delhi is a city where dreams thrive and chaos and contradiction coexist. Majestic monuments, electric energy, and history are boasted by it through every street corner. Every year, autumn turns into winter and Delhi becomes enveloped by a haze of pollution that muffles sound, sight, and breath.

In spite of the repeated warnings of scientists, environmentalists, and doctors, Delhi's tragic tradition of worsening air quality continues, and it worsens especially during the festive season. The capital’s tale of pollution is as cyclical as the seasons, and each year, an invisible threat is created from the air that chokes millions who call it home. Delhi is infamous for its air pollution, which remains alarmingly high throughout the year. According to the Air Quality Index, its levels frequently fall into the “very poor” or “severe” category. Dust from construction, vehicular emissions, industrial discharges, and crop stubble burning from neighboring states all contribute to this toxic cocktail.

But as if the constant gray fog isn’t enough, the festive season pushes the city to the brink. Firecrackers, a staple of celebration, light up the skies and turn Delhi’s air into a minefield of toxins. As the night of festivities ends, the morning sun struggles to rise above the thick blanket of smog. It isn’t just an environmental crisis—it’s a public health emergency.

Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most joyous times in India. It’s a time for families to come together, for communities to sparkle with vibrant colors, and for homes to be adorned with glowing diyas and fairy lights. However, this celebration often comes with a darker side: the bursting of firecrackers. Anaar bombs, chakris, and skyshots that light up the night sky also fill the air with microscopic pollutants that settle in the lungs of Delhi’s residents. The irony is stark. A festival meant to symbolize the victory of good over evil becomes a reason for despair as the air quality deteriorates, leading to a surge in respiratory issues, burning eyes, and an increase in hospital admissions. While firecrackers are the most visible culprits during this time, they exacerbate an already dire situation created by everyday pollution sources. Year after year, the government announces measures to combat pollution. Campaigns like Odd-Even Traffic Schemes and bans on firecracker sales attempt to mitigate the problem. However, these efforts are met with limited success. Many people view such bans as an infringement on their freedom to celebrate. Crackers are sold illegally or burst without restraint, ignoring warnings from environmental experts.

The reluctance to change isn’t rooted in ignorance alone. Deeply entrenched traditions, cultural significance, and a sense of defiance make the battle against pollution a complex one. People rationalize their actions by saying, “It’s just one day,” or “What harm can a little celebration do?” But in a city where pollution levels already exceed safe limits, even one day of cracker-bursting can have catastrophic effects. The morning after Diwali is a somber one for Delhi. Roads that were bustling with life the night before are eerily quiet, shrouded in a dense fog that smells of chemicals and burnt paper. The AQI, which might hover around 200-300 on a regular day, skyrockets to over 500—a level deemed hazardous by international standards.

For children and the elderly, this air is particularly cruel. Schools are forced to shut down, and outdoor activities become impossible. Hospitals report an influx of patients with breathing difficulties, aggravated asthma, and even cardiac issues. Masks, which became commonplace during the COVID-19 pandemic, are again pulled out—not as a preventive measure against disease but as a shield against the city’s own air.

Delhi’s air pollution crisis is a cautionary tale for the rest of the world. It’s a reminder of how cultural traditions, when left unchecked, can become detrimental to the very people they’re meant to bring joy to. But it’s also a story of resilience—a city that, despite its challenges, continues to strive for a better tomorrow.

The path to cleaner air won’t be easy, but it isn’t impossible. As the city stands at the crossroads of tradition and survival, it’s up to its people to choose a future where Delhi’s beauty isn’t shrouded in smog but bathed in light—pure, clean, and free.