Delhi's Toxic Air Forces Child Into Surgery: Mother Shares Devastating Impact of Pollution Crisis

A Delhi resident has shared her heart-wrenching experience through a video detailing how the city's severe air pollution caused her young son to suffer from respiratory problems for two years, ultimately requiring surgery on his nose and throat.

Sakshi Pahwa explained that her family relocated to Delhi two years ago, after which her son's health began deteriorating rapidly. What started as mild allergies soon escalated into persistent breathing difficulties. Medical professionals diagnosed his condition as "adenoids and tonsils to stage 4," with surgery being the only effective treatment option.

In her emotional testimony, Ms. Pahwa highlighted the dangerous health consequences of Delhi's hazardous air quality while criticizing government inaction regarding the pollution crisis. The video, showing her child in a hospital bed following surgery, has attracted significant attention online, with numerous users expressing both sympathy and concern.

"Delhi NCR pollution didn't just affect the air we breathe… it pushed my little one into surgery. Two years ago we shifted here, and from that day chronic cold–cough, nonstop allergies and breathing issues began. No medicine worked, only pollution kept getting worse. As parents, watching him cry in the hospital broke us in ways words can't explain. We pay taxes… and this is what our kids get in return. It's time to speak up," she wrote in the video caption.

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A post shared by Sakshi Pahwa (@baby.khrisha_jayrit)

The distressing video has triggered widespread outrage and compassion across social media platforms. Many users expressed sorrow over the child's situation, offering wishes for his quick recovery. Others advised the mother to consider relocating, citing the severe health hazards posed by the city's toxic atmosphere.

One user commented, "Plz change ur location. Instead of spend on medicine and watching ur child suffer. Every penny u will use to move out Delhi to anywhere in the world will be worth it."

Another user remarked, "May god bless him with good health. And for those who are saying its not because of pollution, please go and visit hospitals. mostly kids and old age people are getting more sick due to this toxic air."

A third person added, "Only a massive protest can save our country from pollution."

Actor and mother Richa Chadha also responded to the video, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms to address Delhi's air quality crisis.

Breaks my heart as a parent to see this.Yesterday someone said "pollution will affect you even if you don't have children". Duh, did that need to be spelt out?It's the adults who are destroying the lives of children. Children, elderly, animals … we've let them down. Like…

The video underscores growing concerns about air pollution's effects on children's health, with experts warning that pollutants can harm fetal development and lead to respiratory issues, developmental delays, and potentially lung cancer later in life.