Ixigo CEO Criticises Delhi People For Not Wearing Mask Amid Poor Air Quality – News18

Last Updated:November 14, 2024, 7:06 PM IST

CEO Aloke Bajpai expressed his concern on X over individuals disregarding the negative effects of the poor air quality in Delhi-NCR.

The worsening air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) has led to a rise in cases of serious respiratory conditions like asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Many people, concerned over rising air pollution in Delhi-NCR, have been raising their voice on social media to draw the attention of authorities.

A recent social media post by Aloke Bajpai, the CEO and co-founder of online travel agency Ixigo, over use of masks by the residents of Delhi has stirred a debate.

In a critical post, he emphasised the public’s ignorance of the health hazards caused by severe air pollution. The CEO cited the example of how he sent his kids to school wearing masks, only to have other parents wonder whether it was really necessary.

Bajpai questioned why there aren’t more public health efforts to educate people about the long-term health implications of exposure to unsafe air after seeing elderly people continuing to engage in outdoor activities amid the plummeting air quality.

“At 500+ AQI, my kids seemed like the only ones wearing masks to school, and a parent asked me – everything ok with your son? Well, everything is not ok with the air these kids are breathing. And then I notice 50+ elderly people in my society on their morning walk. Why is there no public health awareness campaign around this yet?” Bajpai wrote in a post on X.

“All you need to do is talk to some lung doctors to understand the looming health crisis. One middle-aged uncle shrugs it off saying “Ab to hamein immunity hai ji”, he further added.

Within a few hours of being shared, the post has garnered more than 70,000 views. While many users agreed with Bajpai, many people were also critical of the CEO, suggesting him relocate to a city with better air quality.

A user commented, “Masks might reduce disease spread but don’t fit tightly enough to significantly block polluted air. For those who have achieved financial independence, relocating to a place with cleaner air could be first priority to put family health above familiarity or convenience.”

Another commented, “N99 masks are just essential to step out nowadays. I find myself wearing them when cycling now. Too much dust and I can see a clear difference in how well I sleep.”

“Be the solution: Buy CNG or EV. This is how you get rid of pollution,” a user wrote.

“Same. Our seven-year-old boy has been one of the few ones masked up at our condo’s school bus stop since past few weeks. Sigh!” another user wrote.

Meanwhile, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 428 at 9 am on Thursday, with the air pollution remaining in the ‘severe’ category for the second day. The air quality plunged to the ‘severe’ category for the first time this season on Wednesday.