Former Xiaomi India head Manu Kumar Jain, now the India CEO of Abu Dhabi–based tech group G42, described a disturbing experience with Delhi’s toxic air during a short business trip this week. Jain said worsening pollution levels affected him within hours, prompting him to take an early flight out of the capital.
In a post on X, he shared a photo of himself on board a flight wearing a mask and wrote that he felt unprepared for the pollution after being away for months. Jain said his eyes began watering and his throat felt inflamed within a few hours. He also reported coughing and a mild headache during the brief visit. He noted that forgetting his N95 mask increased the impact.
Jain, who grew up in Meerut and studied at IIT Delhi, said the experience felt personal because of his attachment to the city. He mentioned that he loves Delhi’s people and energy, but the pollution left him unable to stay longer.
The executive said he moved his travel schedule forward and left earlier than planned. Without blaming any authority, he called for collective responsibility, saying the issue affects future generations and requires long-term solutions.
Air Quality Remains Alarming
The post coincided with another day of thick smog in the National Capital Region. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Friday showed Delhi’s overall air quality index in the ‘very poor’ category at 373. Out of 39 monitoring stations, 13 reported ‘severe’ levels. Wazirpur recorded a hazardous AQI reading of 442.
Delhi’s air quality tends to worsen in late autumn due to crop residue burning, weather conditions, industrial emissions, and vehicular pollution. Authorities periodically impose restrictions on construction and vehicle movement, but conditions remain critical across several neighbourhoods.
