A former IAS officer, who has since relocated abroad, has ignited an online discussion by harshly criticizing Delhi’s worsening air quality and drawing comparisons to his current life overseas. LV Nilesh, also the founder of the tech platform CloudGenius.app, expressed on the social media platform X that had he not departed India, he would have been compelled to “live and breathe in this mess otherwise known as the North Block Secretariat.”
The former bureaucrat shared a striking side-by-side comparison: one image depicted Delhi’s smog-laden skyline, while the other showed him standing before the breathtaking, clear landscape of Mount Rainier National Park in the United States. He captioned this, “Note the stark contrast,” emphasizing the vast difference between the hazardous air quality in India’s capital and the unpolluted environment abroad.
These remarks come at a time when Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) has significantly deteriorated. On Monday morning, the national capital recorded an overall AQI of 324. The previous day, Sunday, the AQI remained in the ‘very poor’ category at 366, with three monitoring stations reporting ‘severe’ air quality exceeding 400, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Social Media Reacts to the Criticism
The former officer’s post quickly garnered a multitude of reactions on social media. Many users echoed his concerns about Delhi’s air quality, with one commenter stating, “This is becoming the shame of India and a health emergency for Delhites.” Another user lamented, “Probably only country in the world where cities have degraded massively even though other developmental parameters have remained stable or gotten better.”
However, some social media users accused the former bureaucrat of abandoning the system he was once a part of. One user pointed out, “You were supposed to be part of the solution.” Another commented, “Sir. Thought u did ias to protect and serve country.” A different user questioned his motives, stating, “Kya faida, showing the same country in a bad light which made you capable and gave you responsibility to serve the country. Still trying to justify your decision and get certificate from social media about what a remarkable decision you made.”
In the meantime, as Delhi continues to be shrouded in toxic smog, health experts are issuing warnings about the increasing prevalence of respiratory illnesses and the potential for long-term health damage. Medical professionals are also advising residents to consider leaving the city until the pollution levels subside.