As I sat down to write this piece from my home nestled in the hills of the Western Ghats in Kerala, I had to try hard to summon a memory of the sharp sting of Delhi’s air on a bad air day.
Unlike the residents of Delhi, I do not have a daily lived experience of pollution, but I have visited the city often enough to witness its impact. Each time, stepping into Delhi feels like entering an entirely different world – one where the air itself seems heavy with history, movement and struggle, all burdened with an inescapable haze. For me, moving to the hills was both a privilege and a personal choice shaped by my career path. But for millions in Indian cities, leaving isn’t an option – it’s where their lives, livelihoods and families are rooted. This makes one thing clear: The real challenge for Indians isn’t escaping polluted cities, but ensuring they become liveable and healthy for its people.
