Delhiites to hold Help Delhi Breathe event at JantarMantar

India Today , Saturday, January 16, 2016
Correspondent :
At least 500-1,000 Delhiites - including lawyers, doctors, worried parents and expatriates - are going to congregate for a first-of-its-kind event called 'Help Delhi Breathe' at JantarMantar on Sunday.

The city residents will share their stories on how the Capital's worsening air quality levels have affected them, and push the Delhi and central governments to act on it.

Scientific experts and activists on the subject like AnumitaRoychowdhury from Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Vikrant Tongad from SAFE, ParthaaBosu from Clean Air Asia, Sunil Dahiya (Greenpeace India) and Dr. Randeep Guleria (AIIMS) will address the gathering. Besides, artistes and troupes like Shilpa Rao, Delhi Drum Circle and Astitva will perform at the venue to help raise awareness.

The event is being publicised through a Facebook page and already has 1,700 'interested' and 722 'going'. Their 'charter of demands' include: Better public transportation system, smog alert systems and strictly enforced measures for those days, phasing out all diesel operated vehicles and machinery, continuation of the 'odd-even' car rationing system, etc.

ReechaUpadhyay, owner of a documentary film production company in HauzKhas Village, is spearheading the public campaign. She told MAIL TODAY, "Though the effects of the recently-concluded 'odd-even' scheme on pollution in Delhi are yet to be ascertained, it has definitely boosted the morale of the city. Delhiites feel part of a bigger change now. There is a growing consciousness that we need to hand over a cleaner planet to the next generation. Before the momentum fizzles out, we decided to cash in on the enthusiasm with this event," she said.

Various online groups and individuals have come together to make 'Help Delhi Breathe' a success. Most notable is the participation of Delhi's expatriate community. US national, Jeff Smith, who runs an FB page called 'Air Quality in Delhi', said, "I moved to India with my wife, Vismita, a United Nations worker, in 2007. In the winter of 2008, our daughter, Anushree, then only two-years-old, developed critical respiratory issues. I nearly lost her and that was the most terrifying experience of my life. Since then, I have been actively researching on air pollution in Delhi and helping expats in the city deal with associated problems."

Saskia Chitrak, originally from Cologne in Germany, is part of a group called 'Delhi - Smug in Smog'. It holds picnics in parks every Sunday, but with masks. She says, "I smelt something burning the moment I landed in Delhi a decade back. I have lived my childhood in the countryside of Germany. I know how pure air looks and feels like." We must sensitiseDelhiites too, she adds.

A group of concerned parents, operating a portal called careforair.org, visits schools and lectures teachers and students on Delhi's air pollution problem. The group - which includes the likes of SC advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan and SitaramBhartia Group leader, Abhishek Bhartia - will also participate in the event.

 
SOURCE : http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhiites-to-hold-help-delhi-breathe-event-at-jantar-mantar/1/571893.html
 


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