“I Just Want To Breathe”: Dutch Man In Pune Calls Air Pollution A Health Nightmare
“I Just Want To Breathe”: Dutch Man In Pune Calls Air Pollution A Health Nightmare
In India for his wedding, Netherlands resident says prolonged exposure left him sick, alarmed for children and daily life
A Netherlands-based man who travelled to Pune for his wedding has described India’s worsening air pollution as a “health nightmare,” saying the condition has left him sick for weeks and deeply concerned about the long-term impact on residents, especially children.
Sacha Arbonel, who has been living in India for the past two months, shared his experience on social media, expressing frustration over constant breathing difficulties and health issues since his arrival. His comments come amid deteriorating air quality across several Indian cities during the winter season, when pollution levels typically spike.
“I love Indian food and the culture, but I just want to be able to breathe and not have my throat burn,” Arbonel wrote. “Been in India for the last two months for my Indian wedding, and I don’t remember the last time I was so sick for such a long time. I’m tired of wearing a mask.”
According to Arbonel, the problem goes beyond personal discomfort. He said what troubles him most is the impact of pollution on locals who have no choice but to live and grow up in such conditions. “I see small kids walking on roads with their parents with pollution around them and cannot stop thinking how bad it must be for their young lungs. The kids of this country deserve better,” he added.
Pune, like several urban centres in India, has witnessed fluctuating but often poor air quality levels in recent months, driven by vehicular emissions, construction dust, and seasonal factors. Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to polluted air can aggravate respiratory illnesses, trigger allergies, and reduce overall lung capacity, particularly in children and the elderly.
In a candid assessment, Arbonel also spoke about the contrast between India’s economic growth and its environmental challenges. He noted that the country’s expanding technology sector and rising salaries now rival those in parts of Europe. However, he said the pollution crisis severely undermines quality of life.
“It all feels worthless with the amount of pollution the cities have,” he wrote. “Feels like everyone living here is paying a hefty pollution tax.”
Calling the situation “critical,” Arbonel urged Indian authorities to take urgent and effective measures to tackle air pollution. “The condition is critically bad and I really hope the Indian government realises this soon,” he said, stressing that the issue affects people across states and cities, not just visitors.
His remarks have sparked discussion online, with many users agreeing that air pollution has become one of India’s most pressing public health challenges. Others pointed out that while the problem is widely acknowledged, consistent and large-scale action remains slow.
As winter pollution continues to affect daily life in Pune and other cities, Arbonel’s experience has once again brought attention to the human cost of poor air quality a concern increasingly voiced not just by residents, but also by visitors experiencing it firsthand.
