Children's Day: Shocking! Delhi kids made to run marathon in toxic air even as schools remain shut

Notably, the Supreme Court-mandated anti-pollution authority Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, or EPCA, has ordered schools in Delhi-NCR to be closed for the next two days due to worsening air quality

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New Delhi,
Updated Nov 14, 2019 3:22 PM IST

Children's Day: Shocking! Delhi kids made to run marathon in toxic air even as schools remain shut

Children wait for the marathon to begin (Photo credit: ANI)

As Delhi remained covered in a thick blanket of toxic smog, schoolchildren were made to run a marathon to celebrate Children's Day. The event named 'Run for Children' was organised by a city-based NGO Prayas.

Notably, the Supreme Court-mandated anti-pollution authority Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, or EPCA, has ordered schools in Delhi-NCR to be closed for the next two days due to worsening air quality. The Central Pollution Control Board has advised people to avoid outdoor activities and work from home as pollution levels reached critical levels.

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Ignoring these precautions, schoolchildren were made to run a marathon in the highly toxic air. Pictures from ANI showed a deep cover of smog as the marathon began at Vikas Marg in Chanakyapuri on Thursday morning.

Delhi: A 'Run for Children' was flagged off in the national capital earlier this morning. pic.twitter.com/TzdGNt92HA
ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2019

Prayas, the organiser for the event, has been active for three decades and works for the development of children in several states. Former Delhi DCP Amodh K Kant is the General Secretary of the NGO. The run on Friday was flagged off by former Miss India winner and actress Simran Kaur Mundi. The banner of the event shows the logo of Life Insurance Corporation of India along with that of Prayas, indicating a possible partnership for the marathon.

Meanwhile, people criticised the marathon and its organisers for putting the health of participating children in jeopardy.

On one hand schools are closed due to pollution, on the other hand this. Who's the organiser?https://t.co/kEtLfuxxn4
Rohit Agarwal (@ragarwal) November 14, 2019

Not sure if it is such a good idea - with the current level of pollution in the city. Wouldn't be surprised if many of these kids come back with respiratory infections. #ChildrensDay #ChildrensDay2019
GhoseSpot (@SandipGhose) November 14, 2019

Children's Day celebrated by forcing children to run through a gas chamber. Whoever organized this needs to be sacked.
(@abhimanyuafc) November 14, 2019

The purpose of closing the school got dissolved with this stupidity. And that too without any masks
Pooja (@beyoond_starz) November 14, 2019

What the Hell?!!! They have closed schools for 2 days due to #DelhiAirPollution & these ppl are making kids participate in a "Run".

Who were the organisers?!!! Parents too need to be blamed.
Doctor Outsider (@Tiara_RayPD) November 14, 2019

Whoever has arranged this run, and whoever sponsored this must be booked for endangering lives of children
Sreenivas Bidari (@BidariSreenivas) November 14, 2019

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