Pollution Archives

Delhi Ki Sardi: Breathing in an Open-Air Kingdom of Poison

In Delhi, winter is now the time of difficult breathing. The throat itches, the eyes water, the nostrils hurt. A city that lends itself so well to the outdoors forces everyone to stay indoors with windows shut tight.

Priyansh July 25, 2016

DisArré

EXCLUSIVE: Firecracker Ban Ke Side Effects

We visit Delhi after SC's judgement that banned the sale of crackers and imposed a two hour time limit on bursting green crackers. Even the idea of clean air has sent everyone’s brain into toxic shock.

Arré Bench July 20, 2016

POV

Smog Crisis: Delhi is Not Poisonous, Its People Are

Delhi gears up for winter like heroes in sci-fi films prepare to enter cities that have been struck by epidemics – with masks, but raring to go into battle. The Capital’s terrible air quality is due to a combination of reasons – but at this point, Dilliwalas, did you really need a cracker ban to stop yourselves from worsening it?

Manik Sharma June 29, 2016

Animals

A Dog Experiences War. We Call it Diwali

We are under attack. Almost every minute a bomb goes off. From the window I can see children with guns and soldiers running around yelling code words at each other, “Happy Diwali! Happy Diwali!”

Arré Bench June 22, 2016

Earth

And Then the Smog Struck

In Delhi, we’ve never actually done anything. At best, we’ve pointed out the flaws and the issues plaguing us; at worst, we’ve exploited them. We were smug. Until the smog struck.

Akhil Sood April 30, 2016

Earth

Toxic Air Killed 1.2 Million Indians in 2017. Why Are We Still Celebrating With Firecrackers?

From inaugurations of events like the IPL to star-crossed lovers in our films staring dreamily into the distance as the sky lights up with fireworks, we’re hostage to the belief that no celebrations are complete until a few rockets have been fired into the night sky.

Oishorjyo March 16, 2016

Pop Culture

Why Aren’t We Ready Yet to Let Go of the Yeti

The Indian Army discovering Yeti prints in the Himalayas is great news to those who wish the world had a little more mystery to it. The Abominable Snowman is an icon unto himself; a reminder that there’s more to the world than skyscrapers, hyperloops, and bullet trains.

Dushyant Shekhawat March 4, 2016

Bollywood

PETA & the Pollution Fuss: How Priyanka Chopra’s Asthma & Love for Animals Disappeared at Her Wedding

Priyanka Chopra, an anti-pollution campaigner and lover of animals, is in the internet doghouse for her wedding that featured fireworks and an elephant. But what is the point of celebrity endorsements, anyway? Does anyone take them seriously? How many people saw that damn Manyavar ad and decided to get married?

#VALUE! March 3, 2016