Sonia Gandhi shifts residence from 10 Janpath amidst worsening Delhi air quality

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has temporarily moved to Jaipur due to the spike in air pollution in Delhi after Diwali. This decision comes two months after her discharge from a hospital. Sonia Gandhi, who suffers from respiratory problems, received advice from doctors to stay in an area with better air quality. Accompanied by her son Rahul Gandhi, she arrived in Jaipur on Tuesday evening and is expected to stay for four to five days.

Sonia Gandhi’s health concerns are significant, prompting her to take precautionary measures. She had been admitted to Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in September due to fever symptoms but was discharged the following day. In January, she had also been hospitalized for respiratory issues. This move to Jaipur is not unprecedented; in 2020, on her doctor’s advice, she had temporarily relocated to Goa to escape Delhi’s pollution.

The severity of Delhi’s air quality is evident as the Air Quality Index (AQI) on Tuesday reached 375, categorizing it as ‘severe.’ In contrast, Jaipur’s AQI was 72, falling into the ‘moderate’ category. This stark contrast underscores the necessity for Sonia Gandhi to prioritize her health and well-being in an environment with better air quality.

On a more symbolic note, Sonia Gandhi, along with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, visited the Shanti Van memorial earlier on Tuesday to pay tribute to India’s first Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, on his birth anniversary. This gesture highlights the political and historical significance attached to such commemorations, even in the midst of personal health considerations.

Rahul Gandhi, accompanying his mother to Jaipur, will be returning to Delhi on Wednesday morning before heading to poll-bound Chhattisgarh. His schedule includes election rallies in Rajasthan on November 16. This political engagement demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the Congress party to its electoral responsibilities, despite the temporary relocation of its former president.

The issue of air pollution in Delhi, especially after Diwali, is a recurring challenge that affects the health and well-being of its residents. The decision of Sonia Gandhi to move temporarily to Jaipur serves as a poignant reminder of the urgency to address and find long-term solutions to the air quality crisis in the national capital.

In the larger context of public health, the air quality monitoring website aqi.in provides a quantitative perspective, with Delhi’s AQI at 375 (severe) compared to Jaipur’s 72 (moderate). This data reinforces the gravity of the situation and emphasizes the need for collective efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution on the population.

The proactive approach taken by Sonia Gandhi aligns with the broader discourse on environmental health and the impact of pollution on vulnerable individuals, particularly those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. The significance of this move extends beyond personal health concerns to advocate for a broader awareness of the public health implications of environmental pollution.

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