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Journalism of Courage
A viral video comparing the stark difference in air quality between Vienna, Austria, and Delhi, India, has left the internet stunned. The clip, recorded by Instagram user Lakshay Arora during his flight from Vienna to Delhi, shows two drastically different worlds within the same journey — one bathed in clear blue skies, the other shrouded in heavy smog.
The video begins with a panoramic view of Vienna’s pristine skyline — crisp blue skies, winding rivers, and snow-tipped mountains in the distance. Moments later, the screen fades to grey as the flight enters Delhi’s airspace, where thick smog drastically reduces visibility, leaving only a faint outline of the ground below.
The video quickly went viral, sparking widespread concern and frustration over Delhi’s deteriorating air quality. One user commented, “People defending bad air quality has to be a new low. I don’t want to leave India, but seeing things get out of hand makes me wish I could.”
Another added, “Why are people triggered by facts? Delhi is literally the most polluted city in the world right now. Shouldn’t we be glad it’s being highlighted so that some change can happen?”
A third person wrote, “I’m trapped in my home with the air purifier next to me,” while another quipped, “This is how Hollywood shows Bangladesh — and now it’s India’s reality.”
As the national capital continues to choke under a thick blanket of toxic air, doctors and health experts are warning of a worsening public health crisis. Hospitals have reported a spike in respiratory illnesses, prompting several experts to advise residents — especially children and the elderly — to temporarily leave Delhi until air quality improves.
