Children’s Marathon Organized in Delhi Amid Severe Pollution to Celebrate Children’s Day

Netizens have condemned the children’s marathon event amid the severe pollution levels in the Indian capital, saying what the purpose of closing schools is if the marathon is happening.

India is celebrating the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Children’s day.

On the occasion of Children’s Day, a city-based, non-governmental organization ‘Prayas’, organized a marathon for kids called ‘Run for Children’. But it seems like the event has not gone well with the netizens who have condemned the act.

On one side, the schools have been shut down in the capital for 2 days due to the severe level of pollution and people have been asked to remain at their homes and avoid coming outside. While on the other side, a children’s marathon has been organized in such a bad air that too without providing masks to the kids who participated.

The Air Quality Index in Delhi has been recorded over 500.

As soon as the photos from the event were out, people started to criticize it. “The purpose of closing the school got dissolved with this stupidity. And that too without any masks,” said a user on Twitter.

“What the Hell?!!! They have closed schools for 2 days due to #DelhiAirPollution & these ppl are making kids participate in a “Run”. Who were the organizers?!!! Parents too need to be blamed,”

said another user.

Hundreds of children participated in the marathon organized by Prayas and were made to run on Vinay Marg in Chanakyapuri. Prayas is a 3 decades old NGO that is working for the development of juveniles in several states. Former Delhi DCP Amodh K Kant is the General Secretary of this organization. The run was flagged off by former Miss India and actor Simran Kaur Mundi. As per the pictures from the event, the banners were having the Life Insurance Corporation’s logo on them, pointing to a possible collaboration.

Looking at the air quality in the national capital the Supreme Court directed the schools to remain closed for 2 more days, i.e., till 15th November as the pollution level in the air is about to reach emergency levels.

Going through the AQI, the CM of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that if required, he will extend the odd-even scheme in the capital.

Every effort is being done by the Delhi Government to improve the air quality that has been affected since Diwali celebrations due to the burning of crops in Punjab and Haryana.