Toxic Smog Chokes Delhi as Former Bureaucrat Highlights Stark Contrast with Pristine US Landscape

On November 3rd, 2025, Delhi's air quality crisis has reached a critical point, with the national capital recording an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 324 and several monitoring stations reporting "severe" air quality above 400. This deteriorating situation has prompted a former bureaucrat to post a side-by-side image, contrasting Delhi's smog-filled skyline with the pristine landscape of Mount Rainier National Park in the United States.

The ex-bureaucrat's remarks have sparked a strong reaction on social media, with many users expressing concern over the worsening air quality in the Indian capital. One user described the situation as a "shame of India and health emergency for Delhiites," while another commented that Delhi's environmental degradation is occurring even as other developmental parameters have remained stable or improved.

However, some users have accused the former bureaucrat of "abandoning" the system he was once part of, with one user questioning whether he had joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) to "protect and serve the country." Another user criticized the ex-bureaucrat for "trying to justify" his decision and "get a certificate from social media."

As the national capital remains enveloped in toxic smog, health experts have warned of rising respiratory illnesses and long-term damage. Doctors have also advised Delhiites to leave the city until pollution levels improve, highlighting the severity of the crisis.