‘Warrior Moms’ join hands to fight pollution, say clean air basic right

Gurgaon: On International Day for Clean Air for blue skies, a group of environmentally conscious mothers from across the country launched a campaign against air pollution. The group called ‘Warrior Moms’ has started a fight for the right to breathe. The group launched their campaign on Monday with a video talking about the basic right to breathe clean air.
The initiative is being driven by 100s of women from different parts of the country who will reach out to other women, over the next one year, and educate them on the impacts of air pollution on their and their children’s health.
“It is ironic how the lockdown induced by Covid-19 brought down air pollution levels and gave all of us the opportunity to pause and appreciate the blue skies and clean air. This is a chance for us to reflect upon the lifestyle choices we make and question government decisions that had made the air unbreathable prior to the lockdown,” said Bhavreen Malhotra, one of the members of the group from Delhi.
While the initiative had been steered by a group of 35 women, around thousand women are at present attached to the cause. The group has also highlighted the government’s apathy towards the rising pollution levels in cities. They alleged that at a time when Global Alliance on Health and Pollution said that India leads the world in pollution related deaths, environment minister Prakash Javadekar has been living in denial.
“Our children need to breathe clean air — it is their right and as mothers we will ensure that they get what they are entitled to. Nature has shown us that if we try to change our lifestyle and behaviour, we can survive in a cleaner, greener environment. The destination to clean air for all requires us and the government to work together. Things can be done differently, and sustainably. In a green and clean world, the crisis of Covid-19 and air pollution can be dealt with in a better way. And mothers — the strongest pillars of the society can bring about the change,” said Sherry Frosh from Gurgaon.
Bhavreen Kandhari, another member of the group, said, “My daughters have to compromise on their sports in these toxic levels of air. It is a national health emergency and has to be tackled promptly.”
Cities have seen protests by civil society against the rising pollution. Talking about the initiative, Dr Arvind Kumar, a surgeon at Sir Gangaram Hospital in New Delhi, said, “The launch of Warrior Mom will fill a much-needed vacuum in our efforts to secure clean air for our children. The simple act of breathing alone in most cities is like going to war with your mental and physical health. I hope this movement, led by mothers, spreads across the country and brings every stakeholder together to ensure clean air for all.”