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As parents, it is our responsibility to demand more from our elected leaders, not only for ourselves, but for the next generation. We cannot remain mute spectators as the health of our children and the future of our society are at risk. Here’s how we can get started:
1. Demand accountability in election manifestos: Before the elections, we should demand that every political party include detailed, actionable plans to tackle pollution. It’s not just about votes; This is about the future health of our children. We need actionable promises, not vague statements. Every party will have to present a clear blueprint to deal with this crisis.
2. Review School Holidays: We should talk to our schools about changing the academic calendar. If pollution is getting worse every winter, we need to rethink how we think about school holidays. By reducing summer holidays and extending winter holidays our children can be exposed to less during the peak pollution months.
3Demand Action: Never underestimate the power of consistent communication. Write to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Environment Ministry and our Chief Ministers. Pray to them for real solutions. They need to feel pressure from us – concerned citizens who demand action, not just empty promises.
4. Vote with accountability in mind: Politicians understand one language – votes. We must raise our voices not only at the ballot box, but also by holding them accountable for their inaction. Demand clear answers and measurable results. Pollution should be a priority and should be reflected in every election.
5. Stand up for health: Most of us will find ourselves in and out of doctors’ rooms, treating the long-term effects of pollution. But why should we accept it silently? As law-abiding, tax-paying citizens, we must be in the streets demanding accountability. Why is there no pressure on the government to take immediate action?
6. Demand for transparency and immediate action: Why is there not an emergency task force meeting daily under the leadership of the PMO with all concerned stakeholders to address pollution? Why is an action plan not being shared with citizens detailing how they plan to reduce pollution levels? It is time for the government to stop treating this as an afterthought and make citizens part of the solution.
If we don’t act now, we risk leaving future generations to live with poor health and a damaged environment. This silent crisis is slowly but surely silencing lives. It is up to us as parents and citizens to break the cycle of inaction and demand the change that our children so desperately need. The question is, will we wait for another crisis to force us to act, or will we finally rise up and take responsibility for the future our children deserve? They are simply asking for the right to breathe – an inalienable right which we must not fail to protect.
(Vedika Sood is the parent of a 9-year-old child and a former reporter for CNN International. Views are personal.)
