Renowned for its lightweight and luxurious texture, Chanderi silk has long been a symbol of grace and tradition. iTokri’s handloom Chanderi silk sarees, intricately woven by skilled artisans using age-old techniques, pay homage to this rich legacy. Each saree is a work of art, showcasing the vibrant colors and delicate motifs that have made Chanderi silk a timeless choice for festive wear.

Read This: These 5 looks of Aditi Rao Hydari Gave Us a Heart Quake!

A Collection That Celebrates Tradition and Individuality

The new collection features a wide array of designs, offering something for every taste. From traditional motifs that reflect the deep cultural heritage of India to modern interpretations with a contemporary twist, iTokri’s collection ensures that every woman can find a saree that resonates with her unique style. Whether it’s the understated elegance of a classic design or the bold vibrancy of a contemporary piece, these sarees promise to make a statement during the festive season.

Speaking about the collection, Nitin Pamnani, Co-Founder of iTokri, said, “Durga Puja is not just a festival; it’s a vibrant celebration of culture, strength, and unity. Our new collection of handloom Chanderi silk sarees is designed to reflect the rich tapestry of Indian heritage while empowering women to express their individuality.”

The intricate craftsmanship of each saree is evident in the meticulous weaving and the use of traditional motifs that tell a story through every thread. These sarees are not just garments; they are expressions of the artisans’ dedication to preserving the age-old craft of Chanderi weaving, a tradition that continues to thrive in the hands of skilled craftsmen.

Supporting Artisans and Celebrating Craftsmanship

At the heart of iTokri’s mission is the commitment to supporting local artisans. By offering these handcrafted sarees, the platform helps preserve traditional techniques and provides a sustainable livelihood for weavers. “At iTokri, we believe in supporting local artisans and celebrating their craftsmanship, ensuring that each saree tells a story that resonates with the spirit of the season. As we embrace the joy of Durga Puja, we invite everyone to explore our collection and experience the beauty of tradition woven into every thread,” added Pamnani.

Durga Puja, known for its grandeur and cultural significance, is the perfect occasion to don a saree that embodies both tradition and modernity. iTokri’s handloom Chanderi silk sarees, with their vibrant hues and intricate detailing, reflect the energy and spirit of the festival, making them ideal for the celebrations.

Complete the Festive Look with Accessories

To complement its stunning sarees, iTokri has also introduced a selection of matching accessories, including blouses and jewellery, making it easy for customers to complete their festive look with minimal effort. The curated selection of accessories is designed to enhance the beauty of the sarees, offering a seamless way to create a polished, festive ensemble.

Available Now: Shop the Collection

iTokri’s exclusive handloom Chanderi silk saree collection is now available for purchase on their website. With Durga Puja around the corner, this collection offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate in style, embracing the spirit of the festival with a saree that reflects the beauty of tradition and the joy of craftsmanship.

This festive season, explore iTokri’s handloom Chanderi silk sarees and accessories to make your Durga Puja truly unforgettable.

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Early musical success

My exploration of music as a youngster led to me developing a keen intuition for musicality, which eventually led me to meet the renowned music producer in the United Kingdom, Dr. Zeus. With his help, I released an international music album that gained significant global success, leading to performances with A-list international pop and Bollywood stars.

Further fuelled by my success and passion, I continued to release more albums with leading record labels, which helped my music amass over 100 million views on YouTube, millions of followers across my social media pages, and millions of fans across the world that can be credited for my prominence in the industry.

The call to social good

Despite my success, I felt a strong desire to use my influence and reach to work with NGOs and international organisations addressing issues such as climate change, promoting educational and
cultural exchanges, and encouraging social awareness on a myriad of social issues. The COVID-19 pandemic further fueled this desire to help others, and I found inspiration in Muhammad Ali’s famous quote, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room on earth.”

Finding my purpose

My social and humanitarian efforts brought recognition and awards, but my true aim was to leave a positive impact on the world. This led me to join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and work alongside Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to bring his model of governance to Haryana.

My vision for Haryana

As an AAP member, I am dedicated to bringing world-class education, farming, health, and overall infrastructure to Haryana. I strongly believe that every child born in Haryana deserves access to a top-notch education, regardless of their financial or social background. The Aam Aadmi Party can play a significant role in fulfilling this vision seamlessly.

My heart is set on making Haryana a leader in education, agriculture, healthcare, and overall infrastructure. As a musician, I am proud to have represented Haryana on various platforms, and now, as a member of a political party, I aspire to continue serving my state and bringing honor to it through my humanitarian endeavors.

Written by Nyvaan Sharma, a renowned musician whose journey has led him into the world of politics.

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One of the biggest challenges for the opposition parties, particularly the Indian National Congress (INC) which has struggled to maintain relevance in recent years, is the BJP’s dominance in the media. The BJP has been successful in crafting a powerful narrative that resonates with many voters. The opposition, on the other hand, has struggled to get its message across to the masses. To overcome this challenge, the opposition needs to adopt a more coordinated approach to media and communication.

The opposition should focus on building a strong, united front ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This means setting aside ideological differences and coming together to present a credible alternative to the BJP. The opposition should also work to expand its support base beyond traditional strongholds. This can be done by reaching out to young voters and the rural population, who have been largely ignored in the past.

Another challenge for the opposition, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, is the BJP’s strong grassroots organisation. The BJP has built a formidable network of party workers and volunteers who are mobilized during elections. The opposition, on the other hand, lacks a similar network. To overcome this challenge, the opposition needs to invest in building a strong organisational structure at the grassroots level. This means recruiting and training party workers and empowering them to mobilize voters during elections.

In view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the opposition should also focus on building a strong social media presence. Social media has emerged as a powerful tool in shaping public opinion. The BJP has been successful in using social media to create a positive image of itself. The opposition needs to do the same. This means investing in a dedicated social media team and crafting a narrative that resonates with young voters.

The opposition should also focus on presenting a clear and coherent policy agenda ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP has been successful in presenting itself as a party of development. The opposition needs to do the same. This means presenting a clear policy agenda that addresses the concerns of voters. The opposition should focus on issues such as job creation, healthcare, and education, which are of concern to a large section of the population.

In conclusion, the road ahead for the opposition in India ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024 is fraught with challenges. To overcome these challenges, it needs to adopt a more coordinated approach to media and communication, build a strong, united front, invest in building a strong organisational structure at the grassroots level, focus on building a strong social media presence, and present a clear and coherent policy agenda. If the opposition can do this, it has a chance of presenting a credible alternative to the BJP and winning the hearts and minds of voters in the upcoming elections.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024

The Lok Sabha elections in India are scheduled to take place in 2024, and preparations for the same are already underway. The Election Commission of India, the independent body responsible for conducting elections in the country, is already in the process of preparing for the massive exercise. This includes updating the electoral rolls, conducting voter education campaigns, and ensuring that all necessary infrastructure is in place.

In addition, political parties across the country have already begun preparing for the elections. The ruling BJP has already launched its “Mission 2024” campaign and is actively working to strengthen its support base across the country. The opposition parties, on the other hand, are working to present a united front and develop a coherent political agenda that can challenge the BJP. With the formation of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and other alliances, the opposition is expected to intensify its efforts to take on the BJP in the upcoming elections. Overall, the stage is set for a high-stakes electoral battle in 2024 that will have significant implications for the future of India’s political landscape.

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Early Life and Political Career

Rahul Gandhi was born on June 19, 1970, in New Delhi, India. He is the son of the late Rajiv Gandhi, a grandson of Indira Gandhi, and a great-grandson of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, all of whom served as prime ministers of India.

Rahul Gandhi’s political career began in 2004 when he contested and won the Lok Sabha elections from his father’s former constituency, Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. Since then, he has been re-elected to the same constituency three times. However, his political journey has been anything but smooth. Rahul Gandhi was appointed as the vice president of the Congress party in 2013. In the 2014 general elections, the Congress suffered its worst defeat in history, with the BJP winning a landslide victory. The Congress party managed to win only 44 seats out of 543 in the lower house of parliament, and Rahul Gandhi was widely blamed for the defeat.

Despite this setback, Rahul Gandhi became the Congress president in 2017. During this period, he tried to reinvigorate the party and make it more relevant to the younger generation of voters. He has also taken a more aggressive stance against the ruling BJP, launching scathing attacks on the government’s policies and alleged corruption.

Leadership Style and Political Acumen

Rahul Gandhi’s leadership style has often been criticised for being indecisive and lacking vision. He has been accused of being a reluctant leader who is not fully committed to the task of leading the opposition against the BJP. However, his supporters argue that he is a more collaborative leader who tries to listen to the views of the general population and seeks consensus.

Rahul Gandhi’s political acumen has also been questioned, with many saying that he lacks the experience and expertise required to lead a major political party. However, he has been active in Indian politics for over a decade now and has been involved in various parliamentary committees and delegations. He has also been part of several high-level discussions on issues such as foreign policy, defense, and economic reforms.

One of the major criticisms of Rahul Gandhi’s leadership has been his inability to connect with the masses. He has been accused of being out of touch with the ground reality and of being too elitist in his approach. However, he has been trying to address this criticism by taking up issues that are relevant to the common people, such as unemployment, farmers’ distress, and the rise in fuel prices. His most recent initiative was the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Bharat Jodo Yatra

Bharat Jodo Yatra was a political campaign led by Rahul Gandhi in 2022. The aim of the campaign was to unite people from different religions, castes, and regions across India and to promote social harmony.

The impact of the Bharat Jodo Yatra on Rahul Gandhi’s credentials is subjective and depends on one’s political views. Some people believe that the campaign helped Rahul Gandhi connect with people at the grassroots level and gain popularity. It also highlighted his commitment to promoting unity and social harmony, which could have helped improve his image as a leader.

On the other hand, some critics argue that the Yatra will not translate into electoral gains for the Congress party, and therefore, it may not have had a significant impact on Rahul Gandhi’s credentials as a leader. Additionally, some people may question the effectiveness of the campaign in achieving its stated objectives.

Challenges Ahead

Rahul Gandhi faces several challenges as he tries to lead the opposition against the BJP. The first challenge is to rebuild the Congress party’s support base, which has been eroded over the years. The party has suffered defeats in several state elections, and its organizational structure has been weakened.

The second challenge is to present a coherent and compelling alternative to the BJP’s policies. Rahul Gandhi has been critical of the government’s policies on issues such as demonetization, the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). However, he needs to come up with a clear and detailed plan of action to counter the ruling party.

The third, and most persistent challenge, to Rahul Gandhi in particular, and the Opposition in general is the media narrative. It has been seen in the past decade that media outlets have been losing their independence more and more. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi are portrayed as objects of ridicule by members of the ruling party, and this is immensely hyped up and publicised by the media. This has led to the general perception that there are no worthy leaders in the Opposition to replace Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and others.

In the end, I would say Rahul Gandhi’s credentials as the main opposition leader ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections is debatable and depends on various factors such as political affiliations, personal opinions, and electoral outcomes. However, considering the amount of effort and time that the party in power exerts to malign Rahul Gandhi and attack his reputation could be an indicator that he is, in fact, a serious threat to the ruling dispensation.

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Sisodia, a former journalist, was part of the Anna Hazare movement before entering into politics with the inception of AAP, headed by his friend-cum mentor Arvind Kejriwal. He is considered to be the man behind the transformation of government schools in the national capital and is often regarded as one of the most-efficient leaders in the country.

Apart from education, Manish Sisodia is helming 17 other portfolios in the Delhi Government. Not only is he key to the Delhi Government’s functioning but he is also the face of many reforms initiated by the Kejriwal government in Delhi. Before the liquor policy issue emerged, Sisodia has not really been embroiled in any controversies or scandals. In fact, he has always been hailed for bringing efficiency to government affairs. 

His arrest last night triggered country-wide protests by workers of the AAP. The party has alleged the ruling Narendra Modi government at the Centre is responsible for unleashing political vendetta against its leaders. 

‘Was pressured to quit AAP, offered Delhi CM’s post’: Manish Sisodia

Sisodia has been alleging for a long time that he was being pressured by the leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to break away from Kejriwal and form a new outfit to lead the government in the national capital in alliance with the saffron party. This model was seen recently in Maharashtra, where prominent leader Eknath Shinde rallied Shiv Sena rebels, overthrew the elected government, and formed a new government with the BJP. Later, they claimed the Shiv Sena party name and symbol which have now been granted to the rebel faction by the Election Commission of India.

“BJP says there is a Rs 10,000 crore excise scam. I found at the CBI office that there is no scam and the case is fake. The fake case against me is a conspiracy to make BJP’s ‘Operation Lotus’ a success in Delhi,” Manish Sisodia had earlier told the media after he was questioned by the CBI.

In the history of Indian politics, it’s not new that the party ruling at the Centre takes the aid of central agencies to unleash its agenda and threaten the opposition parties and their leaders. However, this model of power works to weaken the foundation of the country’s democracy rather than doing any good.

The alleged ‘Delhi Liquor Scam’

The probe in question relates to the now-withdrawn Delhi liquor sales policy introduced in 2021. Under the policy, in a departure from norms in most states, the government no longer had anything to do with selling liquor and allowed only private shops to do so. The central aim was to stop black marketing, increase revenue, and improve the customer experience.

It also allowed the home delivery of liquor and shops to stay open till 3 am. Licensees could also offer unlimited discounts. The government reported a substantial 27 per cent increase in income from the policy, generating around ₹8,900 crores.

However, the reforms soon ran into trouble with various authorities. First, the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi Police, which reports to the Central government. Then, Delhi’s new Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, also a representative of the Centre. Citing a report from a top Delhi bureaucrat which accused Manish Sisodia (the head of Delhi’s Excise Department) of bending rules and providing undue benefits to liquor vending licensees, Saxena asked for a CBI investigation.

Until his arrest, Sisodia had not been named in the chargesheet filed by the agency. But last year, the CBI raided 31 locations in relation to the case, including his home. The agency did not find anything incriminating, the minister said — a stand not challenged by the agency. Separately, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also launched an investigation into the Delhi liquor scam, alleging money laundering, and claimed a liquor lobby dubbed the “South Group” paid at least ₹100 crores in kickbacks to the Kejiwal-led AAP for its Goa election campaign via one of the arrested businessmen.

The ED widened the scope of the probe, going as far as to implicate K Kavitha, daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and a strident critic of the BJP, and arresting her former accountant. It claimed the policy caused a ₹2,800 crore loss to the government.

AAP dismisses all charges against Manish Sisodia

The AAP has dismissed all charges and said the investigation is the BJP’s attempt to settle political scores. However, it has maintained that it will cooperate with investigators. “There is no such thing as a liquor scam. We formulated the best and most transparent policy in the country,” AAP convenor Kejriwal said.

After Sisodia’s arrest on Monday, CM Kejriwal called the arrest “dirty politics” and warned that “people will respond”. “Manish is innocent. His arrest is dirty politics. There is a lot of anger among the people due to Sisodia’s arrest. Everyone is watching. People understand everything. People will respond to this. This will boost our spirit further. Our struggle will get stronger,” he tweeted.

While hailing Manish Sisodia for his work, CM Kejriwal said his deputy has worked very hard to ensure children from every poor home can go to school. “He is an honest, decent man. But they have arrested him today. They arrest good people and patriots, while their friends loot millions from banks,” he added.

Sisodia faces heat over Feedback Unit

Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is also facing heat over the Delhi Government’s Feedback Unit (FBU), which has allegedly been involved in political snooping. Last week, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) gave its sanction to prosecute Sisodia under the Prevention of Corruption Act in the FBU snooping case.

Sisodia heads the Delhi Government’s Vigilance Department under which the FBU was created.

Read more news from Delhi here.

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“Delhi’s pollution is not just a winter phenomenon, but a reality we have to face every day throughout the year. It is only that the effects of pollution are most visible in the winter months. I try to minimise outdoor activities and avoid highly polluted areas.”

—Kamna Singh, Student

“Looks like Delhi is fighting really hard to beat Instagram with its smog filter that has blanketed the city! The authorities need to create awareness among the people. Sometimes ignorance plays a big role in making things worse. Ideas like odd-even, banning firecrackers will work only when implemented properly.”

—Rimi Chakraborty, Journalist

“The authorities should come up with better-devised plans for infrastructure and transportation or at least start taking precautions a month prior to this weather.

—Apoorva Dua, Scriptwriter

“There are so many things that the concerned authorities can do. Bringing one-car policy, banning firecrackers, phasing out old vehicles, and having a strict ban on uncontrolled burning of garbage.”

—Kavish Kumar, Government Employee

“I think I’ve become accustomed to air pollution. But during winters, it really bothers me. I feel that crackers for one need to be permanently banned. And the farmers need to be provided with subsidized machines so that this crop burning menace can be curbed.”

—Tarishi Sharma, Student

“I think it is an environmental as well as a civic problem. The citizens contribute to the bad weather by flouting rules. The central and Delhi government need to stop fighting and take measures to reduce pollution. We may look for solutions from other countries that have curbed pollution, like China.”

—Rashmita Mishra, Publishing Professional

“My plants are my protection shield against the toxic air. I have planted many plants in my balcony and have placed some indoors too. Apart from what the authorities can do, we Delhiites also need to take responsibility for the situation.”

—Sangeeta Chawdhary

“The government should try to set up factories and industries at the peripheral areas. They should also develop public transport. Also, planting several saplings when cutting even a single tree would help in reducing pollution and increasing the oxygen content in the air. And crackers should be totally banned, no matter what the occasion is.”

—Aakash Kumar, Journalist

The post NCR: National choking reserves of India – Part 5 appeared first on Delhi Messenger.

It is not just Delhi which suffers from this problem. Metro cities across the world are reeling under the same. The difference lies only in the fact that most of these other countries have taken concrete steps to counter the problem. And they have borne fruit too. When our own policies have flopped, it is time to take some lessons from outside.

The Chinese exemplar

Let us begin with China, the nation which has been on the same level as India in terms of air pollution. Well, not anymore. After the 2013 ‘apocalypse’—when smog engulfed most of the parts of China for almost a month—the Chinese administration came into action. It formulated and diligently followed a ‘Clean Air Action Plan’. The plan included shutting down polluting factories, preventing consumption of coal, and banning high emission vehicles from plying. Along with these, an emergency monitoring and warning system were also put in place. This alerts the public (on their phones) about the air quality, with health advisories, on a daily basis. It also allows people to report an establishment if it is violating emission norms. The citizens are participants in the battle against air pollution.

The number of cars that can be sold in a year has also been fixed. A well-integrated public transport system provides people with a viable alternative. The Beijing government has also undertaken the responsibility to create green spaces. Recently, China constructed a 100-metre tall air purifier. And according to reports, the tower has brought a significant improvement in air quality across an area of 10 square kilometres.

Following the great smog of 2013, China’s air has improved considerably. The country is recording more ‘blue sky days’ with each passing year. Most important, the targets that are set to curb air pollution are being met on time without any delay. India too has many regulatory authorities in places like the NGT, the DPCC, and the CPCB. However, these only have the power to issue directives. The responsibility to implement them lies with the administration which seems to be struggling with the worsening situation. And members of the public do not the initiative either.

The European takeaway

Over in Europe, Paris observes one car-free Sunday every month between 11 am and 6 pm. People are constantly encouraged to cycles and public transport. They can also claim benefits while buying cycles and electric vehicles, or for joining a car sharing scheme.

In London, heavy fines are imposed for breaching emission limits. Along with a “toxic charge” of £10, the drivers have to pay a “congestion charge” of £11.50 daily to enter central London.

Amsterdam has made cycles the most popular and convenient transportation mode.

Norway enjoys ‘good’ and ‘moderate’ air quality round the year. The local municipalities are responsible for ensuring road maintenance, speed reductions, and restricting the use of studded tires.

Copenhagen now has more cycles than people. Large parts of the city have been closed to vehicles for decades. The electric vehicle users get free passes on toll roads and certain tax benefits.

In Germany, if you are a cycle user then you are entitled to get cheaper housing and public transport.

Delhi, take notes!

There are many rules and regulations that already exist and have the potential to bring down pollution levels. What is needed is a strict enforcement and hefty fines for violation. Like many other countries, a high sales tax on the purchase of a new car can be imposed, so that people are discouraged from using private vehicles. High parking rates can also be introduced. However, private vehicle usage cannot be curbed until we increase our fleet of buses and other modes of public transportation. Dedicated bicycle lanes and more cycle renting stations should be put in place.

More comprehensive targets need to be made and, more importantly, need to be met without delay. The action plans must involve all the stakeholders and there should be a vigorous public conversation around the issue. Uncontrolled burning of trash needs to be closely monitored and heavily fined. People need to be educated and made aware of not only the adverse effects of smog but also about ways in which they can work towards cleaner air. Social media can come in handy in meeting that objective.

Regional coordination among Delhi and its neighbouring states is very crucial in combating poor air quality. Blaming each other is not the solution. In fact, it obliterates the real matter.

The post NCR: National choking reserves of India – Part 4 appeared first on Delhi Messenger.

AAP: “The pollution was in control in Delhi throughout the year, but this time (winters) every year, Delhi has to face severe pollution due to the Centre, and BJP-led Haryana and Congress-led Punjab governments.”

Congress: “We have been witnessing how both parties (BJP and AAP) indulge in hollow rhetoric without action against air pollution.”

This is what the major political parties of the country have to say about air pollution in Delhi. It should be noted that none of these statements talk about taking any concrete steps to improve the situation. Both the central and state government have failed to deal with this crisis. Public health has taken a back seat and this is yet another opportunity to play the blame game. Policies, laws, rules, and regulations do exist. But how far have authorities been able to implement them? 

Ban on vehicles

Medium and heavy goods vehicles include trucks, tempos, and other commercial vehicles. The government banned the entry of such vehicles into Delhi for three days in November 2018. Only petroleum tankers and the vehicles carrying perishable goods were exempted. However, this led to long lines of trucks parked on the Noida-Greater Noida expressway. Environmentalists said that ideally the vehicles should have been stopped at the Noida border because Noida and Ghaziabad also face severe smog. That would have also saved the city from traffic pressure. 

Restricting construction

A ten-day ban between November 1–10 was imposed on construction activities. Lately, Delhi has been seeing a lot of redevelopment projects and metro rail expansion. Additionally, industries using coal as fuel were asked to halt their activities for this short period. The Badarpur Power Plant has been completely shut down. Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) also ordered brick kilns in NCR to close down.

Fines as deterrent

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee and EPCA have directed the traffic police to impose heavy fines on visibly polluting vehicles. Following this, over 10,000 polluting vehicles were fined in the month of October this year. In 2015, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed a ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years from plying on Delhi roads. However, this directive often goes unheeded. A blanket ban on the use of all non-CNG private vehicles is also being considered. But this has been called arbitrary by experts.

Raining down on smog

Artificial rain to reduce air pollution levels is also being considered for a long time. The Public Works Department had sprinkled water in certain areas to settle the dust. A whopping 75,000 litres of water was sprinkled in the ITO area on November 17, 2017. However, such practices have had little effect in reducing the pollution levels as per the Central Pollution Control Board.

Odd vs even

And how can we forget the odd-even scheme? This was implemented in Delhi, first in January and April of 2016 (for 15 days each), and then for five days in November 2017. Emergency vehicles such as ambulances, police cars, and those driven by women were exempted, along with two-wheelers. 2018 did not see any such car rationing drives. The government and the authorities are yet to chalk out a proper plan to have a successful implementation of the odd-even scheme.

Delhi’s pollution problem is here to stay

Many other such policies are floated. But they either never see the light of the day or fail because of lack of proper planning and implementation.

The problem of dust pollution was acknowledged by the Delhi government in 2015. There was the talk of having the roads vacuumed and of planting grass in vacant spaces. Nothing happened. Air purifiers were installed at a few traffic intersections. But it is too much to expect a few air purifiers to solve the problem of Delhi’s air. Wind purification units, mist fountains, and virtual chimneys have also been proposed.

The government’s annual budget was hailed as the country’s first “green budget” because it featured anti-pollution measures and proposals to combat pollution “scientifically”. However, it is still unclear how these goals will be met.

Why?

First and foremost, Delhi lacks planned infrastructure. It does not have enough public transport to serve as an alternative to private vehicles. Thus, a complete ban on non-CNG vehicles is unrealistic. Moreover, there are not enough CNG pumps to fulfil the requirement of lakhs of vehicles on a daily basis. Electric cars are still a distant dream.

What both the state and the central governments lack is the will to take responsibility and address this issue properly. With pollution levels increasing at an alarming rate, we cannot depend on winds and rains. Nearly 17,000 trees have been chopped in the last few years, with only a few being planted.

Stubble burning continues in the neighbouring states despite an NGT ban. Garbage is still being burnt on a daily basis. The SC order on burning crackers in a certain time window went unheeded. The idea of ‘green’ crackers was conceived too late and bore no fruit. The ambitious National Clean Air Programme is still in the draft stage.

What the concerned authorities need to understand is that a short, temporary ban on certain vehicles or construction activities is not a solution to a problem that the national capital faces throughout the year. Action has to be taken year-round. But it is only with the onset of winter when all the sudden, and often uninformed, actions are taken. By then, it is too late to take any viable actions.

What is needed is a comprehensive policy that is successfully executed. The public should be properly educated about the smog and its ill effects. And people, on their part, should not be apathetic towards the problem. We hope that we do not get to see another picture of a child burning crackers wearing an anti-pollution mask next year.

In Part 4, we will see what other countries have been doing to deal with a similar problem.

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