The aftermath of Diwali in Delhi reveals a dire situation for children as pollution levels skyrocket. One in three kids in the capital is asthmatic, facing organ damage from toxic air. The city’s crowded hospitals narrate the distressing tales of families grappling with the hazardous impact.
1. Personal Stories of Struggle
Construction worker Pankaj Ram faces repeated wage loss as his 18-month-old son battles breathing difficulties. The city’s hospitals, like Kalawati Saran, witness anxious parents grappling with respiratory issues in their children.
2. Diwali Worsens Pollution Woes
Diwali exacerbates Delhi’s already severe pollution. Crop burning, stagnant weather, and firecrackers create a lethal mix. Despite a court ban on fireworks, air quality plummets post-Diwali, affecting vulnerable lungs, especially in children.
3. Worsening Health Crisis
With studies showing nearly one in three Delhi children being asthmatic, hospitals witness a surge in respiratory cases after Diwali. Doctors warn of a 30% spike in respiratory cases, with children’s developing organs more susceptible to damage.
4. Drastic Measures to Protect Children
Parents are forced to keep asthmatic children indoors to shield them from the equivalent of smoking 25-30 cigarettes a day. Fearful of future health implications, families cope with the stress of limiting outdoor activities for their children.
5. Impact Beyond Respiratory Issues
Beyond respiratory problems, pollution contributes to mental health issues in children. Psychiatrists are now part of pollution outpatient departments to address mood swings, depression, and other related concerns caused by indoor confinement.
6. Supreme Court’s Stark Warning
Amid the blame game and political wrangling, the Supreme Court starkly terms the situation as “the complete murder of our young.” The bleak reality underscores the urgency to address the catastrophic impact of pollution on children’s health.
Jotting it down
The post-Diwali scenario in Delhi paints a distressing picture of children grappling with the devastating effects of air pollution. As clinics overflow with cases, the city faces a critical health emergency, emphasizing the urgent need for measures to safeguard the well-being of the younger generation.
