Debarghya “Deedy” Das, a venture capitalist of Indian origin, has sparked a big conversation about the dangerous air quality in India. He says it’s a serious health problem that many people seem to ignore. Currently living in San Francisco, Das took to social media to share his experiences, which resonated with many people but also got some criticism.
Feeling the Air Quality Crisis Firsthand
Das, who used to live in Kolkata and moved to the U.S. for college, talked about how he feels whenever he visits India. He said, “Every time I’m in India, my eyes water, I sneeze a lot, and I see many people coughing.” His parents think these symptoms are just allergies, but they go away when they visit him in the U.S.
During a recent wedding in Delhi, Das spoke with guests from the U.S. who were shocked by how bad the air quality was. At first, they were polite, but then they expressed their concern about the air being unsafe, even for simple things like exercising outdoors.
Air Quality Issues Go Beyond Delhi
Even though Delhi is famous for its pollution problems, Das pointed out that bad air quality is not just a problem there. He said, “The idea that only winter in Delhi is bad is silly. Even Bangalore, which is seen as cleaner, has people coughing and dealing with allergies. I lived there for a year and know it’s true.”
Das believes that it’s not a show of strength to tolerate bad air. He argued that “surviving tough environments is not something we should brag about. It’s a problem that needs our attention.”
Mixed Reactions Online
Many non-resident Indians (NRIs) and people from India agreed with Das’s points, seeing them as important. But some didn’t like what he said and felt he was exaggerating. Others thought he was just weak. Despite the mixed feedback, his original post gained over 1.9 million views, 28,000 likes, and more than 1,000 comments.
The discussion sparked by Das’s comments shines a light on an important issue that affects millions all over India. While some dismissed his worries, many viewed his remarks as a call to action on environmental problems that threaten public health.
Das reminds us that air quality isn’t just about how comfortable we are; it’s about keeping the health of everyone in the country safe. As he put it, “We live in denial of a serious health crisis.”
