Meet the warrior moms who are on a mission for clean air

Chennai: Just months into the lockdown, people across the country saw bluer skies, and fresher air. But a few moms decided that they would join hands to keep it that way. They became the Warrior Moms, a group of environmentally conscious mothers, banding together in a crusade against air pollution. The pan-India movement was launched on September 7, the very first International Day of Clean Air.

"We noticed that the air pollution levels had come down considerably in Indian cities, especially in the north. A few of us friends got talking and felt that while air pollution is reversible, the impact on our lungs is not and that it is high time we do something about it," says Nina Subramani, who lives in Kottivakkam in Chennai.

As the word spread, and other mothers joined, the pan-India movement to fight against rising air pollution, which has severe health implications on children, was launched.

They also began their first initiative, #DhoomDhamakaWithoutPatakha, using social media to spread awareness. Two months before Diwali, Nina reached out to other families, resident welfare associations (RWAs), and put out messages on social media requesting people not to burst crackers

"I developed asthma as an adult and my father’s breathing difficulties has worsened due to air pollution, so I feel strongly about it," says Nina, adding that they have teamed up with other organisations. "Dr Arvind Kumar of Lung Care Foundation pointed out studies that showed how inhaling smoke from fire crackers has permanent impact on lungs." There are also studies showing a correlation between Covid-19 related mortalities and air pollution.

Pradhan Archaka of Tirupati, who also joined hands in the campaign, put out videos requesting people not to burst crackers. Delhi-based Bhavreen Kandhari, who has been campaigning for clean air for the past several years, says Warrior Moms is just another step forward for mothers are protective about their children’s health.

"In 2016, when the Delhi government shut down schools due to high levels of air pollution, many parents protested at Jantar Mantar and later there was a ‘Right To Breathe’ movement, which I was a part of," says Bhavreen, a mother of 16-year-old twin girls.

Mother of two, Anuja Bali Karthikeyan, says her son began wheezing when he was seven-months-old. "He was born when we were in Gurgaon. When we moved a few years later to Chennai, his wheezing stopped but I remember the trauma he went through," says Anuja, who now lives in Pune. "I have always been vocal about the causes I support on Twitter. Warrior Moms resonated with me," she says, adding that only after she joined the group did she understand just how much air pollution can harm a baby or family.

As part of the campaign, Anuja has been interacting with RWAs and other NGOs in Pune. "We have also reached out to people in slums, domestic help etc to create more awareness," she says.

While Warrior Moms will continue their campaign against firecrackers, they also intend to address other factors causing pollution. "Vehicular pollution, construction activities, thermal power plants, we will be addressing all these and hope to work with the government to find solutions," says Nina.