These students of Class IV to XII at Modern School, Vasant Vihar, warned of pollution as a major reason for growing health problems. They displayed placards with messages like "Turn off your engine dear, kids breathe this air" and "Make no air pollution, your New Year resolution".

"The march is an attempt to wake up the authorities. People should realise the seriousness of this issue and make an individual effort," said Ridhi Goswami, a Class IV student.

She said two of her family members are victims of severe air pollution. "My cousin remains quiet because during winter, when pollution levels peak, her breathing problems aggravate," she said.

Adya Narain said her grandmother remains confined to her room. "She has asthma. Due to pollution, her clinical condition has worsened and she is not able to talk." According to Meenakshi Sahni, the school's principal, the crisis has prompted them to increase the staff at their inhouse health clinic. "A few years ago, we had only one doctor and a nurse. The strength has been increased to five. Children suffer from problems like aggravated asthma, wheezing, eye irritation, cough and respiratory distress," she said. Environmentalist Sunita Narain said the government has failed to realise and act on the emergency situation caused due to pollution. "Like these children, all sections of society should come out and demand for action," she said.

Former foreign minister, Salman Khurshid, who was also present at the march, stressed on efforts like car-pooling and using public transport.