“I’ll take debt, but want to move parents out of Delhi”: Bengaluru woman’s viral video highlights deepening AQI crisis

A Delhi-born woman now living in Bengaluru has triggered a broader discussion on air pollution, health, and privilege after sharing an emotional video expressing her urge to relocate her parents from the capital due to worsening air quality.

The video, filmed at a Delhi Metro station, features Simridhi Makhija recounting the physical distress she felt upon returning to Delhi after spending nearly two months in Bengaluru. Describing the immediate impact on her health, she says, “I am ready to go into debt and ruin my financial health, but I want to move my parents out of Delhi. I had been living in Bengaluru for the past 60 days and now I am visiting my parents in Delhi, this gas chamber called Delhi, and the moment I landed, I couldn’t stop coughing. The person with me was like, are you okay, do you need water.”

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A post shared by @simridhimakhija

The clip concludes on a deeply personal reflection about the connection between financial stability and survival in highly polluted cities. Emphasising the difficult choices families face, Makhija adds, “I am now willing to go into debt and move my parents out of this gas chamber. There is nothing more embarrassing than living in a city where you cough right after landing. I also realised how important it is to earn money, because unless you have that, you are really going to struggle even for your breath.”

Social media reactions
Her video struck a chord online, prompting widespread reactions from social media users who shared similar concerns. One commenter wrote, “I would have said move to Mumbai, but it’s a gas chamber here as well,” while another urged action, saying, “Do it. Money can be made. You won’t get your parents’ health back.”