As per the latest Global Burden of Disease Study, each year, more than 1.2 million people in India die only because of air pollution. These are only conservative estimates.  

Incidentally, most of us would regard this menace, a slow poison, as something that will pass through. Yes, it will pass through, but it will damage many young lungs, shoot incidences of asthma, aggravate cataract and cervical cancer, and many more.

We cannot ignore this any further.

People from this vulnerable group live, sleep, eat, cook, play and work on the pavement next to the road. Those who are engaged as street vendors, and not into begging, chose to purchase a basic surgical mask during the recent episode of peak poor air quality in New Delhi. A basic surgical mask provides zero protection under bad air quality situation.

Is bad air quality the new norm in Indian cities and towns? And should we do nothing?

We are a group of dynamic individuals from different walks of life. This idea was the brainchild of Martand, a development practitioner who works in the area of energy access and indoor air pollution. He is also one of the co-authors of the WHO India report (https://www.who.int/airpollution/publications/en/)

A message sent in a WhatsApp group, a prompt reply by Adhira,  led her techie husband Utsav to be involved to develop a website maskfund.org (yet to go Live). We are here to partner with you on this mission of #SocialGood. 

Please help us in facilitating a good quality mask to the most vulnerable. We start our campaign with homeless people in and around Lodhi Road in New Delhi, India.