How Delhi’s picnic-time November turned into its dystopian dread

There was a time when Novembers in Delhi meant bright sunny days and a month when families eagerly waited to spread their picnic blankets at India Gate or Lodhi Gardens, stroll leisurely in the city’s parks or gaze at the majestic monuments. The sky used to be clear blue and the nip in the air was perfect for people to pull out the woollens from their cupboards and bask in the shining sun. But, those days now seem like a distant memory, with a thick veil of smog covering the entire month, and making people gasp for air.

People spend their leisure time at a park in Delhi in November before the pollution era. (Photo: Getty Images)

Delhi’s Novembers, once synonymous with picnics and sightseeing, are now shrouded in a choking haze for the last 10 years. Smog has replaced the sunshine and the picnic spots are nearly deserted as people are scared of stepping out into the toxic air.
The sounds of the laughter of families have been replaced by coughing, watery eyes, sore throats and the hum of air purifiers at homes.
“Delhi used to be so beautiful in November,” recalls 66-year-old Pallavi Awasthi, a retired schoolteacher who has spent decades in the national capital, which now consistently ranks as one of the most polluted cities in the world.
While bad air is a year-round constant, the weather pattern and stubble burning in nearby states make Delhi a gas chamber in November. The smog turns the national capital into an image from a post-apocalypse movie.

Two people play badminton at the Lodhi Gardens in Delhi on a smoggy November 15 morning. (Photo: Reuters)

“We would pack food and head to India Gate every weekend. The weather was perfect, and the air was so fresh that you could almost taste it. But now, stepping outside feels like stepping into a gas chamber. I don’t even leave home without a mask any more,” says Awasthi.
Her husband, Praveen Awasthi, 70, nods in agreement.
“We never thought about air purifiers back then. Why would we? The air was fresh. But in 2015, we had to buy one for the house as pollution levels soared. These days, outings in November are a thing of the past,” he says.
For Anwar Ali, a 50-year-old photographer who grew up in Delhi, the spike in pollution levels since the past decade has left him stunned.
“I have asthma, but it wasn’t a problem back then. November meant school picnics, lazy mornings and sunny afternoons. Now, I can’t breathe in this toxic air and I go out wearing a mask. You can smell smoke in the air and the sky looks grey. It is very depressing.”

A view of the Kartavya Path shrouded in a thick layer of smog in Delhi on November 6. (Photo: Reuters)

He recalls that his grandfather would be stretched out on a ‘chatai’ (mat) in a sunny spot on his home terrace, relishing gajak, revri and groundnuts along with a piping cup of ‘adrak chai’ (ginger tea) by his side while reading the newspaper. Gajak and revri are winter treats made from peanuts, jaggery and sesame.
“Now, things have become so bad that we no longer go to the terrace to enjoy the sun. Where is the sun, anyway? We close our windows and doors and remain indoors and try not to go out on highly polluted days,” he says.
Arunima Jha, a 19-year-old BBA-LLB student, remembers hearing stories from her parents about how Novembers used to be. “November used to be a refreshing break from the sweltering heat and we used to hang out often with my friends. My mother talks about walking in the parks or just sitting outside with friends and family under the sun. It’s hard to imagine that now. The air quality has deteriorated so much,” she says.

A group of elderly people chat on a pleasant, smog-free winter morning at the Lodhi Gardens. (Photo: India Today)

She believes that the pollution situation was getting out of hand with no checks on the huge number of vehicles on roads.
“This smog should be controlled. More trees should be planted, instead of chopping them down. Cleaner fuels should be used and old vehicles should be off the roads. If these measures are done, then possibly, we can get a chance to enjoy those moments again,” she adds.
The toxic air is so harmful that even the healthiest people are not immune to its effects. The absence of clear blue skies and the heavy smog cover has left several people yearning for fresh air.

A family enjoys a day out near a tomb at the Lodhi Gardens. (Photo: Getty Images)

Anirudh Sharma, a 28-year-old lawyer, says, “November was the best month for family outings. Now, you can’t even stand outside for a few minutes. Your eyes start burning and get watery. It feels like the city has aged too quickly, and so have we,” he says.
The longing for the November of yesteryear is not just sentimental. It’s a call to action. Residents like Arunima and Anirudh believe there’s still some hope.
Beijing managed to reduce its pollution levels. But, why can’t we? We need stricter laws, more electric vehicles and a focus on sustainable living.

Tourists at the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in Delhi on a clear day. (Photo: BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Delhi website)

As Delhi’s air quality worsens, the younger generations have heard stories from their elders about sunny Novembers and days filled with warmth and laughter. The constant health risks, the isolation and the endless monotony of smoggy days are disheartening.
November in Delhi wasn’t just a month, it was a feeling, a tradition, and a promise of carefree and sunnier days. The salubrious weather of the national capital has turned into a scene from a dystopian novel, which is sadly the bitter reality right now.