Air pollution has often been in the news especially since the last few years. Evidences of the harmful effects of air pollution on public health are accumulating. And each time the Air Quality Index AQI crosses the red zone indicating very poor or severe air quality much is written about or talked about to ascribe blame for this rise in pollution to hazardous levels. The pollution levels increased to severe levels this year too in the National Capital Region NCR post Diwali. This was despite the ban on the sale of firecrackers in NCR by the Supreme Court of India. Such high levels of pollution are not only harmful to people with existing disease but also for healthy individuals. This situation should give us all pause to think. It is easy and very convenient to be on the sidelines and fault find the government for its apathy or lack of stringent measures to bring down the pollution levels. And it s not just air pollution noise pollution and water pollution are also a serious cause for concern. Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country . These historic words from President John F Kennedy though addressed to the citizens of the United States also challenge us to act for the betterment of the society we live in. Instead of always pointing an accusatory finger at the government we should introspect and ask ourselves Am I really a responsible citizen Preventing and controlling pollution is not the sole responsibility of the government. Most of existing pollution levels are man made so we also must contribute in the efforts to control pollution. It is the moral duty of each one of us as active members of the society to adopt measures to help control pollution. As responsible citizens we must respect laws of the state in place and abide by them. We must make individual efforts to control pollution. Here are some simple steps that each one of us can take to help reduce pollution. More can be added to this list. I will not burn agarbatti incense sticks and dhoop batti at my home or workplace till pollution levels drop. I will not burn flame producing candles. I will not use kerosene oil for any purpose. I will avoid using polythene bags or plastic. I will use products which can be recycled as much as possible. I will not use wood and coal for any purpose be it cooking or heating. If any unfortunate death occurs in my family I will bravely opt for electric cremation. I will not smoke cigarettes beedis nor allow anyone else too. I will resort to wet mopping the floors in my house and workplace. Wherever possible I will practice carpooling. I will opt for public transportation as much as possible. I will regularly get my vehicle s checked for pollution standards and serviced so that it is in good condition. I will walk or cycle for short distance commutes. I will make sure that the ACs at my home vehicle workplace do not have a choked filter. If yes I will regularly get the AC checked and serviced as scheduled. I will check air purifiers at my home and workplace for choked filters and replace them if necessary. I will not burn leaves garbage paper waste. I will raise my voice against air pollution. If at a petrol pump I see no mechanism for absorbing toxic vapors I will speak up. I will not allow construction material to linger on roads after the work is finished. I will insist that the roads in my vicinity are cleaned only mechanically between 12 pm to 5 am. I will talk to my RWA to plant more trees. I will sell my diesel car and buy a CNG one. I will avidly vote for heavy taxes on crackers and tobacco. I will educate people every day to avoid contributing to air pollution and how to avoid pollutant exposure. Answer yes to most of the above if not all to do your bit and make your significant contribution. You will find that 90 of these are a matter of personal choice. Only about 10 factors are beyond one s control. Not just the government each one of us has a civic responsibility and the contribution from each of us no matter however small has an impact. Every little step taken at the individual level will only work towards the goodwill of the society as a whole. Disclaimer The views expressed in this write up are entirely my own