RAJAT CHAUHAN HAN

Today, more than two-thirds of us are going to die because of lifestyle diseases. Outdoor sports, exercise and increased physical activities are very important for a better quality of life. But doing these activities in Delhi’s polluted air is more detrimental than beneficial.

Dr Naveen Dang, an avid walker for the last three decades, who runs a renowned pathology laboratory in the city, had moved here in the mid-1980s. He has been talking about poor air quality ever since. He is of the opinion that we have reached a point of no return. Even though he admits that Delhi is not worth living in, he himself will never leave the city because it has helped him grow professionally. This is his home and he is not leaving it. Even though he knows it’s killing him slowly.

On November 6, 2017, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had declared ‘public health emergency’ in Delhi and wanted the Half Marathon cancelled. I don’t think cancelling sporting events is really a solution. Air quality in Delhi NCR hasn’t been good for years now; it’s not that it’s got bad recently. We need to think long term. Somehow, no one is interested. Politicians played a blame game and citizens became very emotional about it.

Dr KK Aggarwal, president of IMA, says that a “concentration of PM 2.5 can cause tiny, hazardous particles to enter the lungs”. PM 2.5 had reached 1,500 on November 8 around India Gate when 50 is considered satisfactory. The number had stayed