Diwali, Lights, Laddoos and Lungs on Fire 😷✨

Ah, Diwali — my favorite time of year. I love the lights, the decorations, the cleaning marathons that make me question if I should just move into a showroom. I love the sweets, the shopping, the little bursts of fireworks that feel magical… until my lungs stage a full-blown protest.

Yes, AQI 174 in Dwarka today. And suddenly, my “Happy Diwali!” mood is replaced by a chorus of coughs, vertigo, and sinus screams. Honestly, I didn’t sign up for this!

I’m not here to debate whether it’s crackers, stubble burning, or the universe trying to make me question all my life choices — all I know is: breathing feels optional, but unfortunately, mandatory.

And let’s talk about our kids for a second. How are they supposed to grow up in this smog? Playing outside feels like signing them up for a “lung endurance test.” Normal people step out for fresh air; we step out wondering if we just signed a lease with pollution.

Spraying water on streets? Cute. Like putting a band-aid on a broken leg. What we really need: solutions that actually work.

Some ideas:

🌿 Algae-based air purifiers — yes, algae. They survive in my forgotten kitchen sink, they can survive smog.

🌳 Urban micro forests — tiny green ninjas fighting pollution in your neighborhood.

🚗 Better EV policies & public transport — because we love clean air and not honking ourselves into an early grave.

🏭 Industrial emission checks — if factories can make money, they can follow rules.

🏠 Green buildings & indoor plants — yes, your ficus is basically a tiny superhero.

♻️ Year-round awareness & health programs — pollution isn’t a Diwali-exclusive problem, folks.

So yes, I love Diwali. I love the lights, the laddoos, the joy… but I also love breathing, not wheezing, and seeing my kids run outside without gas masks.

Let’s stop pretending this is normal and start demanding real, clean-air solutions. Because Diwali is about

lights, not lungs on fire. 💚