When You Wake Up To A Smoggy Reality

Have you woken up feeling trapped in a haze of anger, hurt, and despair, only to realise it’s not just in your head but the air you breathe, too?

That sinking feeling, knowing that not only has your day been awful, but the foreseeable future doesn’t look any brighter. You’re trying to stay positive, but let’s be honest – sometimes it feels like you’re grasping at straws.

You’re not alone in this. We’ve all been there at some point. For some, it’s an occasional visitor; for others, it’s a constant, unwelcome houseguest. And for a few, it’s like a shadow, always lurking.

So, what’s the escape plan? How do you claw your way out of this pit of gloom? How do you find a silver lining when the sky seems perpetually grey?

Finding Your Oasis
We’ve all been there and have found a few lifelines that work for us:
·       Taking a long walk
·       Drowning in your favourite tunes
·       Losing yourself in a good book
·       Laughing along with a beloved movie
·       Chanting positive affirmations
·       Swimming away the blues
·       Playing with your pet
·      Having heart-to-hearts with loved ones
·      Meditating in solitude
·      Being one with nature

These might be temporary fixes, but sometimes, that’s all you need to get through the day. You can find what resonates with you, or better yet, create your go-to list.

The Irony of Gratitude
Recently, I tried the whole positive affirmation thing. You know, the kind you see in YouTube videos:
“Thank you for this day. Thank you for the air I breathe. Thank you for the gift of life.”

Sounds nice, right? But here’s the catch – if you’re living in a place like Delhi, choked by pollution, thanking the universe for the air you breathe feels like a cruel joke.

If you’re a visitor, stepping off a plane in Delhi is like stepping into a gas chamber. Your throat rebels, and hospitals overflow with respiratory cases.

Ask a doctor for advice, and you’ll likely hear, “Find a place with cleaner air.”

But let’s face it, for the average person, that’s not so simple.

The Plight of the Middle Class
It’s frustrating, especially if you’re a tax-paying, middle-class professional. You’re doing your part, yet necessities like clean air seem like a luxury.  While it harms one and all, for those with asthma, breathing disorders, or compromised lungs, it is inhaling poison.

Do spare a thought of the long-term damage on little children and how their lungs would look over decades of absorbing filthy air.

Politicians across the spectrum pay lip service, but real change? That’s as rare as a breath of fresh air in a smog-filled city.

They do little to prohibit farmers from burning stubble. After all, they can’t afford to displease them as farmers form a crucial voting bloc in many regions. Agriculture is a significant part of the Indian economy, and a large portion of the population is engaged in farming. Political parties hanker for the support of this large and influential group to secure votes during elections.

The urban middle class has a comparatively smaller voter base and lacks clout. Some of us are known to leave the city for a short break if voting falls on a Monday or a Friday. So, why should politicians even care for us?

If you and I must suffer, that’s a small price.

Farmers are often well-organised and have strong community networks. Gaining their support can help in grassroots mobilisation and spreading the party’s message effectively in rural areas. Winning their support is paramount for every political party.
Well, why don’t we pack up and leave? It’s not that easy.

So, what’s left for us? Buying air purifiers that only clean the air inside. But what about when we step out? Who’s going to clean up that mess?

What You Can Do
So, here’s the thing – we can’t just sit back and accept this as our fate. We must raise our voices, demand action, and not settle for just surviving. Until we unite to form a bloc, vote and ensure no one runs away from the city, we will be taken for granted.

The choice is ours. And if we still don’t, the blame lies with us.