1400 students write to Modi, urge for a 'National Clean Air Day'

1,400 students on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to declare a 'National Clean Air Day'

Gurugram, Nov 10: In the wake of the severe air pollution witnessed across Delhi and NCR post Diwali, at least 1,400 students on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to declare a 'National Clean Air Day'.

In their letters, they have urged the Prime Minister to take concrete measures to curb air pollution in Delhi and Haryana. The students also suggested several ideas to reduce pollution in their post-cards.

They suggested measures like planting more trees, banning crackers on Diwali, curbing crop-residue burning, introducing 'Odd-Even' scheme in Gurugram and promoting the use of bicycles.

"I am baffled how the people of Delhi-NCR are being made to live in a gas chamber. Urgent measures need to be taken to reduce pollution levels or else the city will keep facing problems every year," said Pearl, a Class X student.

"I suffer from asthma and have breathing problems. We need to observe a national 'Clean Air Day' each year to create awareness," wrote Ashreya Singh.

"My parents do not allow me to play outside due to pollution. I wear a mask, which is very cumbersome and annoying," Ashreya said.

Principal DPS-Sushant Lok Sunita Nagpal said, "According to UNICEF 6,00,000 children under five years of age die across the world due to air pollution related diseases every year."

Last week schools were shut in Gurugram due to severe air pollution.

PTI