Picnickers at India Gate mask pollution sorrow

NEW DELHI: It seemed like a regular Sunday picnic at India Gate with children drawing and sketching, men and women sharing jokes and having animated discussions, but a closer look showed that all of them were wearing masks. With pollution levels remaining at a dangerous level, these people had come to spread awareness with the event ‘Picnic in Mask’.
“I don’t want to live in a city where I will always have to wear a mask due to the degrading air quality,” said Iris Strill, a French designer who had come for the picnic.
Started as a Facebook page — Smug in Smog — lawyer Pooja Dodd was shocked at people’s response when it was first posted. “While mostly expats replied to it, Delhiites chose not to comment,” said Dodd. Born and brought up in Delhi, she went abroad for three years only to return and find that the air quality has drastically worsened. She is now thinking of leaving the country she loves so much.
To avoid pollution, Dodd has bought a mask worth Rs 2,000 and an air purifier for Rs 26,000. “I cannot buy a mask every 40 days. Even the air purifier was a huge investment and I had to think twice before buying it,” she said, adding that she has started getting problems — from teary eyes to pimples — as a result of pollution.
“I don’t want a tea bag but fresh air for my eyes,” said Saskia Chitrak, another expat. “The government is responsible for implementing the law, but if people are not serious nothing can be done,” she added.
Charudutt Chitrak, a photographer, believes that vehicles with odd-even numberplates plying on road would benefit people with two cars. “The rich will start buying more cars to deal with the situation,” he said. Saskia added that while the experiment is good, it may not be successful due to lack of safety and security of women and a good public transport system.
The expats also suggested carpooling, but even that is a prerogative that can only be taken up by Delhiites. No rule from the government can help, Saskia opined.