A letter to the Leader of Opposition

Hi Mr. Gandhi,

This is an email for call to action. And an email with a lot of heart and pain and deep concern.

I am Kriti, from Lucknow. I moved to Delhi a couple of months back to finally experience a city I always wanted to live in. The culture, political history, bureaucracy, and ofcourse the magnificent trees. Well, at least that's what I imagined. I have been in and out of Delhi since childhood but this was my first move as an independent woman. I have lived and worked in 6 cities other than Delhi. All of them have their issues. Delhi, however, is at the brink of explosion. A friend once said, who was born and brought up in South Delhi and is now a prominent lawyer, "they should rename Delhi to Debris." Funny. Tragic. That's what I found Delhi to be. Tragic. Smokey. Dusty. Deprived. Desperate. Hot. I really wanted it to be something else. But this is largely what it was. I couldn't see beyond the smoke. My cough didn't let me.

IMD issued a warning today regarding heatwaves and temperatures 6 degrees above normal. 6 degrees. Do we understand what it means? Do we understand what we're going through? And, what are we going to do?

I get vivid dreams these days--a burning tree, a burning human, everything burns in my dreams. No heartbreaks, no surrealism, everything burns in my dreams. I am scared for my family, for my friends, for each and every person working in the heat--and for myself.

I work with an organisation based out of London and with all right intentions at heart, they are far from South Asia's reality. Upon explaining the gravitas of the misery we are all a part of in India, their eyes widened. Faces drooping in horror. My co-worker, from a fellow third world country asked me--"what are you and I going to do?" My question to you, again, Mr. Gandhi is--what are we going to do?

I have decided to move back to Goa. A place I worked in for 2.5 years and found the closest to feeling like home. But yesterday, I felt like I'm simply running away. No place is safe. What am I even trying to do? Running from one shelter to another? And what does that even do? I will be arrested in the fire sooner or later. So, do I stand in the middle of this war and fight it headfirst? I do have grit. What I don't have is energy. Being a woman in this world is arduous enough. Addendum, I can only do that if I'm alive. That's what it has come down to. I don't think I'm going to make it alive. Those are the emotions largely. Fearful, angry, deprived, desperate.

I spiralled the other night. You would know what that means. I was anxious, had a panic attack, because I felt I'm going to die and the fragility of each moment was eerily palpable and visceral. Naturally, I called a friend and texted my therapist. My therapist asked me to "try and derail". Sure. I know she agrees with me. She didn't have much to say. While I tried to do some breathing exercises, the aqi was 187. So I switched on my air purifier. "How freaking absurd." I murmured. Indeed? How freaking absurd? Someone should put this in a scene. I should, as I am a filmmaker. I have also made a political game. Just plugging it in for your information. Again, if any of us make it out alive.

This doesn't mean I am hopeless. I do feel helpless, though. I tried with the straws, plastics, garbage bin separation, not using google chrome, reducing my Carbon Footprint, conserving water, not throwing trash on the road. I am trying to be a good citizen. But what will a few good citizens do when the government doesn't think any of this is urgent. Urgent being an understatement. We pay hefty taxes, we work and work and work and in return get 6 degrees higher than normal temperatures. You're setting a horrible example of quid pro quo. Is this what we deserve? Tell me. I need to know. I need a response from you.

This is an email from a very concerned, very angry, very desperate, and inordinately exhausted working, tax-paying citizen of the country you pledged towards serving and safeguarding.

I need answers. Also, I would not deny an offer to be a part of such initiatives. In case that's something of interest to you.

Looking forward to your response. Hope we make it out alive and take urgent, extremely urgent actions because if not now, we might not have a tomorrow, Mr. Gandhi.

Hydrate well. Thank you for your time.

Best,

K