This time, we delve into the disturbing reality experienced by many residents of New Delhi, who are facing an unprecedented pollution crisis. In the clinic dedicated to pollution-related illnesses, Deepak Rajak, an asthmatic, struggles to catch his breath. His condition has worsened in recent days, forcing him to seek urgent medical attention to try to relieve his respiratory distress.
At the age of 64, Rajak testifies to the devastating impact of pollution on his health, complaining of shortness of breath and incessant coughing fits. Dependent on his job as a dry cleaner to support his family, he finds himself in a bind, forced to brave air saturated with toxic particles on a daily basis.
The clinic at Ram Manohar Lohiya Hospital has become a refuge for many patients like Rajak, trying to find respite from this unbreathable climate. Outside, a toxic haze has settled over the city, turning day into night and threatening the lives of millions of residents. Pollution levels are so high that they far exceed the thresholds considered dangerous for human health, placing Delhi at the top of the list of the most polluted cities on the planet.
For Rajak and his family, fighting pollution has become a daily struggle, oscillating between medical emergencies, financial hardships and the uncertainty of tomorrow. His daughter, Kajal, expresses concern over her father’s increased risk of relapse, fearing another hospitalization that would further increase the already heavy financial burden on their family.
Delhiites are trapped in this toxic atmosphere, reporting breathing difficulties, eye irritations and intense sore throats. In an atmosphere where smog invades the streets and homes, every inhalation becomes a challenge, every step outside a health risk.
The impact of this pollution crisis is alarming, highlighting the devastating health consequences for the city’s residents. Cases of asthma, lung diseases and other respiratory ailments are on the rise, prompting authorities to declare a state of medical emergency and take drastic measures to try to limit the damage.
In the face of this health emergency, the poignant stories of Deepak Rajak and so many other Delhi residents underscore the urgency of action to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations. While we wait for sustainable solutions to combat pollution, these voices are a testament to the resilience and determination of the city’s residents in the face of an invisible enemy that threatens their daily lives and their futures.