US-based tech entrepreneur on India's pollution crisis: 'Deenial of massive health crisis,' downplaying it is 'ridiculous'

This October, India has been struggling with dangerously high air pollution levels, with the air quality index (AQI) consistently ranging from severe to severe plus. Even the "best" air quality this month still falls under the 'very poor' category. Despite this recurring issue, authorities seem to be stuck in a cycle, with little change or progress made each year, and it's likely that the same story will unfold next October. Now, an Indian-origin venture capitalist based in San Francisco has weighed in on the situation, criticising how this has been normalised in the country, warning that "we live in denial of a massive health crisis."

Debarghya Das recently shared his thoughts on the troubling state of air quality in India.

Taking to X, he remarked, "Every time I'm in India, I notice my eyes water more, I blow my nose more, and people generally cough more."

Every time I'm in India, I notice my eyes water more, I blow my nose more and people in general cough more.

My parents always said these were "allergies" but whenever they come to visit me in the US, they miraculously disappear.

We live in denial of a massive health crisis.

¡ª Deedy (@deedydas) November 30, 2024

He pointed out that these symptoms seem to vanish once he returns to the U.S., suggesting that his parents' explanation of them being ¡°allergies¡± doesn't quite hold up. "My parents always said these were 'allergies' but whenever they come to visit me in the US, they miraculously disappear."

In fact, he believes the true cause is India's persistent air pollution, warning, "We live in denial of a massive health crisis."

He criticised the narrative that people simply "survive" poor air quality as a symbol of strength, stating that human bodies were not meant to endure such conditions.

There's also this annoying rhetoric of "oh has America made you weak" and "remember you grew up like this". I don't think human bodies were meant to live like this. Why is surviving this framed as a symbol of strength and pride?

It should be concern and alarm.

¡ª Deedy (@deedydas) November 30, 2024

In a series of posts, Das pointed out that even though many in India dismiss the severity of the air pollution, it is a major health concern.

He recalled a conversation with American guests at a wedding in Delhi, where they expressed concern about the air quality and its impact on their health, questioning whether it was safe to even exercise.

Das also debunked the myth that only Delhi's winters are problematic for air quality, emphasising that even in "clean" cities like Bangalore, residents suffer from persistent symptoms like coughing, clogged noses, and allergies.

And this is not an AQI subtweet. The narrative that ¡°only Delhi winters are bad¡± is ridiculous.

People in the ¡°clean¡± city of Bangalore also cough all the time, have clogged noses and a long list of ¡°allergies¡±. I lived there for a year and can attest to that.

¡ª Deedy (@deedydas) November 30, 2024

This observation follows a similar critique from US-based tech millionaire Bryan Johnson, who is currently visiting India.

Johnson expressed shock at how the widespread pollution is largely accepted as normal, noting, "Breathing the air is like smoking multiple cigarettes a day. Yet no one wears a mask or has air filters in their indoor environments."

He also highlighted the potential for India to not only improve public health but also boost its economic growth by addressing this critical issue.

Both comments highlight a growing concern over India's air quality crisis, which continues to be dangerously overlooked.

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