Will Delhi pollution force Barack Obama to wear mask?
New Delhi, Dec 1 (IBNS): The total security measures might not be sufficient for former US President Barack Obama in his 2017 India visit as the former White House resident will be exposed to the poor air quality at the national capital on Friday.
Obama, who will be hosting "Town Hall" in Delhi on Friday, might have to put on mask to prevent himself from pollution.
A former Minnesota and present Delhi resident, Amrit Sharma thinks the mask would be absolute necessity for Obama in the 2017 India visit.
Sharma took to Twitter to write an open letter to the former President and also suggested him to wear the mask which he thinks will have an impact on the people.
“Open Letter to President @BarackObama About ‘Hazardous’ Air Pollution in New Delhi” https://t.co/eQtRxzPH98 @ObamaFoundation #cleanair #airpollution ðŸ™ðŸ˜·ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡³ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¸
— Amrit Sharma @ 🇮🇳 (@amrit_sharma) November 26, 2017
Sharma, who returned from Minnesota to Delhi in 2014, said in the letter: "You are one the most photographed people of earth, but none of your photos yet could potentially save millions of lives in your lifetime."
"I believe that if you wear a face mask while you’re in Delhi and take a photo, that alone could have such an impact.," he added.
The Delhi resident even believes Obama wearing mask can certainly bring about a change in the country.
"This will not only raise air pollution awareness, but catalyze action at all levels — from governments investing in more open data sources of air quality to citizen groups taking it upon themselves to do more good old fashioned “community organizing” in their neighborhoods, not only in India but globally! With nearly 7 million premature deaths every year, it’s not far fetched that we can make a dent in that number."
Obama will be in New Delhi for "Town Hall", organised by Obama Foundation.
With a concern for the former President, Sharma said: "Mr. President, over the couple days that you’re here in New Delhi on this trip, your exposure to pollutants will likely be greater than that of the rest of your year combined."
"As I type these words, the air quality in Delhi and many other parts of India is hovering between “very unhealthy” and “hazardous.” The US EPA health advisory says “everyone should avoid all physical activity outdoors.”
The air pollution has been one of the biggest issues in New Delhi along with several other political news.
The poor air quality index even made the Supreme Court uphold a ban on the sale of crackers in the NCR before Diwali.
Sharma again took to Twitter to inform that he has been invited to attend the Delhi event.
Wow. It's happening. I've been invited to attend the @BarackObama Town Hall in Delhi. Thank YOU so much for sharing this Open Letter to him about #AirPollution here. #ObamaInDelhi #CleanAir ðŸ™ðŸ˜·ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡³ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¸ðŸ˜ƒ https://t.co/GywCJJDgNs
— Amrit Sharma @ 🇮🇳 (@amrit_sharma) November 29, 2017
Obama was present in the country in 2015 when he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The former President even won the hearts of several Indians by reciting lines of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's famous film dialogue.
Images: facebook.com/barackobama, facebook.com/narendramodi
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