Odisha, Nov. 25 -- It has nearly been eight months now that we have been dealing with a deadly respiratory virus. While all efforts are being taken to combat SARS-CoV-2, with Diwali around the corner, India is preparing for a two-front war.

Because of the lockdown imposed in March, we saw a drastic reduction in quantities of PM 2.5 or Particulate Matter which has a diameter of smaller than 2.5 micro-meters. This pollutant is known to seriously harm the human respiratory and cardiovascular systems due to its small size.

But now, due to Unlock 5.0 and with festivities, cities are now clocking very high quantities of PM 2.5 and PM 10. According to WHO, air pollution kills nearly 7 million people annually around the globe. A report by Globa...