India is facing a serious health problem because of the poor quality of air we breathe. Pollution levels are extremely high, especially in cities like Delhi, where the air is filled with harmful smoke and dust. This dirty air is causing many people to suffer from breathing problems, allergies, and other health issues. Sadly, instead of fixing the problem, some people blame those who fall sick, saying they have “low immunity”. This is not true and ignores the real issue, which is the need to clean up our air.
This was recently pointed out by Debarghya aka Deedy Das, a popular tech influencer, who took to X to reveal how every time he is in India, his eyes water, he blows his nose more, and coughs more often.
Every time I’m in India, I notice my eyes water more, I blow my nose more and people in general cough more.
My parents always said these were “allergies” but whenever they come to visit me in the US, they miraculously disappear.
We live in denial of a massive health crisis.
— Deedy (@deedydas) November 30, 2024
He claimed that there are many who say “you grew up like this”, but we didn’t. The air quality when we were growing up was much better. The summers weren’t this hot either.
There’s also this annoying rhetoric of “oh has America made you weak” and “remember you grew up like this”. I don’t think human bodies were meant to live like this. Why is surviving this framed as a symbol of strength and pride?
It should be concern and alarm.
— Deedy (@deedydas) November 30, 2024
Yesterday, I was at a wedding in Delhi where one side was American. When asked about India, they were polite at first.
When I got to know them though, they said “yeah the air is crazy here. Im trying to be careful. I don’t know if it’s safe to even workout.”
— Deedy (@deedydas) November 30, 2024
This is not just the case with Delhi, which is currently one of the most polluted cities in the world, but with cities like Bengaluru too, which boasts about its remarkable weather.
And this is not an AQI subtweet. The narrative that “only Delhi winters are bad” is ridiculous.
People in the “clean” city of Bangalore also cough all the time, have clogged noses and a long list of “allergies”. I lived there for a year and can attest to that.
— Deedy (@deedydas) November 30, 2024
He wasn’t alone in this declaration. There were several other people who shared similar stories of experiencing allergies while in India. We cannot look away from the fact that we are amidst a massive health crisis.
This is accurate. I arrived in Mumbai yesterday and even with air purifiers in my hotel room and wearing a N95 mask outside, my throat and eyes burn. I agree, it’s a pretty serious health situation.
— Bryan Johnson /dd (@bryan_johnson) December 1, 2024
India is a democracy in denial. Unhealthy food causing diabetes, unhygienic habits etc, all in denial.
— Lord Immy Kant (Eastern Exile) (@KantInEast) November 30, 2024
Delhi people live happily with 200-220 AQI levels throughout the year, it’s only when AQI crosses 400 do we raise hue and cry.
— Amitesh Jasrotia (@bookjelly) November 30, 2024
My sinus issues have been increasing ever since I moved to India in 2017. But I have noticed that even in places with clean air (very low AQI), dust is a problem.
I think there’s more to this than just air pollution. In all Indian metros air pollution (fine particles from…
— Caleb (@caleb_friesen2) November 30, 2024
On every trip back to India, the first week is spent in respiratory and digestive distress. Meanwhile people be hacking and coughing randomly thinking it’s normal. Denial indeed!
— Raj Dabre (@prajdabre1) November 30, 2024
This is obvious the minute you land in a major Indian city.
The moment I first landed in Delhi I thought there was a massive wildfire…. Turns out that was “good air quality season” per the locals.
IMO this is one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world.
— Alexis Rivas (@alexisxrivas) December 1, 2024
In Punjab, we have a flood of Diesel Generators everywhere
Right now as I type this, I can’t open windows or doors because of the diesel fumes outside my home
If at all someone opens them, the head begins to ache, nausea begins to happen
But this is what it is
— Shekhar Dutt (@DuttShekhar) November 30, 2024
It’s pollution and dust allergy. I sneeze non stop when I am in North India during winters.
— Pritika Mehta (@pritika_mehta) November 30, 2024
I am from India & I face the same issue here. The problem is the construction/maintenance of roads/buildings happening everywhere at all times, the minute dust particles are in the air that people inhale. Air pollution due to fossil fuel vehicles are also a big problem.
— Swapnil (@abhikarmax) November 30, 2024
Everyone deserves to breathe clean air and stay healthy.