As Delhi’s air quality slipped into the “very poor” category, veteran actor and Lok Sabha MP Shatrughan Sinha shared a stark warning on X, amplifying a video message by city cardiologist Dr Alok Chopra, who presented what he called an urgent “AQI survival guide” for residents struggling with hazardous pollution levels.
The 2.8-minute video was shared on December 18, the same day Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 373, underscoring what health experts have repeatedly warned is no longer a seasonal spike but a long-running public health crisis.
Opening the video on a deeply personal note, Dr. Chopra says that he has lived in Delhi for over 72 years and calls the city not only his birthplace but his home. “Today I am ashamed of what my city has become,” he says, adding that Delhiites are now breathing “the most poisonous air on the planet”.
The cardiologist emphasizes that the crisis did not arise overnight. Recalling the 2017 India Gate protests by doctors, Dr Chopra says doctors warned that worsening air pollution would fundamentally change the way people live, breathe and get sick. “The most disturbing thing about it,” he notes, “is how normal we’ve made it.”
In the video, Dr. Chopra notes how children continue to attend school on dangerous days and how mask use has decreased despite dangerous AQI readings. “Let me be clear – this is not normal and should never be treated this way,” he says.
AQI Survival Guide: What Dr. Chopra advises
Addressing residents directly, Dr Chopra outlines practical steps people should take immediately during severe pollution episodes:
- Use N95 masks outdoors, especially during peak pollution hours
- Monitor AQI daily and plan activities when pollution levels are relatively lower
- Use air purifiers at home and strategically ventilate rooms when the outdoor air improves
- Improve indoor air quality by placing plants such as snake plant, spider plant, money plant, aloe vera and rubber tree indoors
- Use humidifiers and oxygen support if medically necessary
It also emphasizes the role of an antioxidant-rich diet and recommends foods and supplements containing vitamins C and E, which research has linked to reduced oxidative stress caused by PM2.5 exposure.
Shatrughan Sinha tagged political leaders while sharing the clip.
As winter descends on northern India, doctors warn that Delhi’s air pollution is not just an environmental problem but a long-term cardiovascular and respiratory risk, so awareness and daily precautions are essential for survival.
