- 5 hours ago
This special report covers India's dual environmental crises, beginning with severe air pollution in Delhi, where the AQI has exceeded the 1000 mark. In response, the government has made GRAP 4 measures permanent, including the 'No PUC, No Fuel' policy and a ban on non-BS6 vehicles. The personal toll of the toxic air is highlighted by the resignation of finance head Rajkumar Bafna, who cited health issues caused by pollution. The focus then shifts to the Aravalli range, where the Supreme Court has stayed a controversial redefinition of the hills following widespread protests by Gen Z activists in Jaipur. These activists raised awareness about the critical link between potential mining activities, public health, and pollution. Reporters Shreya Chatterjee and Sushant Mehra provide on-the-ground updates on the enforcement of these new environmental regulations.
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00:00year is ending but apocalypse is not
00:12400 plus aqy is delhi welcomes 2026
00:30livelihoods choked by toxicity
00:39break our government acts after public
00:42outcry
00:47to grab for curbs now permanent
00:55will capital breathe free in 2026
00:59will the capital breathe free in 2026
01:06that's the big question when it's
01:08anybody's guess at the moment but did
01:10you try looking outside your window
01:12today try driving out on the road well
01:14you know what i'm saying aqy in the
01:17national capital region especially if
01:18you are annoyed or greater noida has
01:20gone up to 900 to a thousand over the
01:23past 24 hours this is the way we will
01:26be welcoming 2026 but at the moment
01:29there are certain curbs that have been
01:31put into place there is a certain
01:33impact also that we are happy to share
01:36that the solutions roundtable that we
01:37brought to you also ended up creating
01:40all that and much more coming up on the
01:42program including the supreme court
01:44verdict on arrival ease it's a huge win
01:47for gen z of india they finally managed
01:50to get together for a cause which was
01:53the right one really this time first
01:55pollution fog and the dipping
01:59temperature a deadly cocktail bringing
02:02daily life to a standstill across delhi
02:04ncr and major parts of north india today
02:07visibility plunged to a near zero in the
02:10national capital crippling essential
02:12services at least 128 flights were
02:15cancelled eight diverted airlines issued
02:19advisories as operations struggled through
02:21thick fog on the ground well rail services
02:25as well rail traffic went off it 11 in
02:29fact like about a hundred delhi bound
02:32trains are delayed road slowed to a crawl
02:34with highways and expressways choked as
02:36well an orange alert has been issued more
02:39cold days are expected ahead in fact in
02:43noida the impact was severe enough for
02:46authorities to declare a holiday for
02:48schools but beyond the fog and cold the
02:53real danger really remains to be that of
02:56pollution
02:56delhi's aqi breached 400 going up to
03:09thousand over the weekend in noida at
03:12least slipping into the severe category and
03:14for some the cost has become too personal a
03:18senior executive of a seven thousand crore
03:21pharma company has quit his job abruptly
03:25writing one line as the reason and that was
03:31delhi's pollution raj kumar bafna the finance
03:35head for raccoons drugs and pharmaceuticals
03:37resigned in a blunt mail to the management it said
03:42it as simply as that due to delhi air pollution i'm
03:47resigning please relieve me as soon as possible a stark
03:52reminder there that when air turns toxic even careers are forced to move and this
03:59is remember the finance head of a farmer company they know a little bit about health they know a
04:06little bit about what medicines can or cannot do they also understand the matter in detail
04:11meanwhile sustained public pressure has finally delivered action the delhi government has announced
04:19that two of the graph four measures will now be permanent remember one that kicks in and kicks out every time the aqi gets a little bit better or not well two of these which is no fuel for vehicles without a valid pollution certificate and no entry of non-bs6 vehicles into the capital from the borders
04:42both these rules that were applied under grab four will now stay permanent throughout the year
04:49So let's get a quick check on this and get an understanding from our reporters on how this is actually panning out on the ground joining me is Treyya Chatterjee and Sushant Mehra
05:00Ashant Mehra. Shia, let me come to you first. You know, this is a good relief, and when
05:07I say relief, I don't mean for the citizens or for the drivers in the national capital,
05:11but for those who've been demanding stricter action on pollution year round. So, what are
05:17you seeing as an impact on the ground when you're interacting with people? What about
05:22checks? What about public sentiment? Tell us both.
05:26Well, Sonal, strictness, yes, has been ordered by the Delhi Government when it comes to ensuring
05:34that these two protocols that are part of GRAP 4 essentially continues to stay even when
05:40GRAP 4 has been revoked in the national capital. There are measures that have been implemented
05:45at the borders, particularly to ensure that all the vehicles that do not comply the BS6
05:50systems. They will not be flying in the national capital. PUCC as well is a mandation right now.
05:57Should have been always the case that without pollution people can't get fuel, but clearly
06:02that alone isn't really solving the problem of the air pollution in the national capital.
06:07Yes, we can say that the Government at least now appears to be more serious in trying to
06:12bring in more curbs in place. But as we talk, Sonal, the fact is true that even today the air
06:17quality continued to hover between the very poor and the severe category. And that continues to be
06:23the story at least for days to come is what the weather reports are also suggesting so far as the
06:28conditions are to continue.
06:30All right. So this is a busy time, remember, for traffic police as well across borders. And we really
06:36hope that apart from just the regulars that we get of drunken driving or speed driving, etc. This is also
06:43getting followed at the border, especially for cars that are driving in because or driving out for
06:48that matter for the new year rush as well. Also with me is Sushant. Sushant joins us from one of those
06:55POC centers that we spoke about. Sushant, what are people saying? And importantly, are the POC centers,
07:01the ones that actually give out these certificates or put their stamp on it, are they really equipped
07:07at the moment to carry out a vigil like the one that has been called for by the Government?
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08:08जिनों जिस तरीके से हमने back to back ये पूरा campaign चलाया उस पर India Today आज तक की जो खबर थी उस पर सरकार ने संगयान लिया और उसमें तकरीबन 28 ऐसे PUC centers है जिनको suspend किया गया जो कि इस तरीके के नियम को follow नहीं कर रहे थे इसके अलावा चार PUC centers को पूरी तरीके से blacklist कर दिया गया
08:38का इसतर है वह काफी जादा है और severe category के अंदर बना हुआ है और 25 monitoring station सुबा morning के अंदर 40 में से severe category में थे तो ऐसे में जो पाबंदिया लगाई गई है हो सकता है कि उस पर फिर से विचार जो है वो करना पड़े और दिल्ली में एक बर फिर से जो है वो graph 4 जो है वो इंपोस्�
09:08this has to be a very peculiar thing because last we remember the Supreme Court had said that the minute it crosses and gets into the severe category there should be a graph 4 but this time around we are seeing a lot of vichar vim comenz on whether or not graph 3, graph 4 has to happen let me take that question to ShRIYA as well
09:26Shreya, on the ground, we've seen, I think fair to say that we've seen a sort of not a very active approach on Grab 3, Grab 4, almost like government understanding that it is an inconvenience, it causes loss of livelihood for a lot of people, it causes a lot of, you know, issues for people, you know, parents, schools are shut, others as well.
09:47And at the moment, when pollution levels, as we speak, are still above 500, if you're in Noida or Greater Noida, anywhere, it's above 600, 700, 800, you know, depending on where you stay, really.
09:59At the moment, what is the public response that you're gauging? Are they okay with this arrangement?
10:07Well, you know, the public somewhere down the line needs to be more proactive because probably that is also missing on the ground is why we see the government,
10:15when it comes to removing these protocols, they're immediately very quick, because if you see one good spell, immediately the next day, Grab 4 is removed.
10:27But when it comes to the immediacy that needs to be shown, as you were talking about the Supreme Court direction, that the moment the pollution level rises,
10:35you do not see that going back to Grab 4 again. So that is something that's been the case because we are resilient, probably.
10:42The public is not that proactive in raising their voices when it comes to pollution.
10:46We hope they understand the severity of the long-term effect that it actually causes to our health.
10:51It's a health emergency that needs to be addressed more proactively.
10:55But as Sushant, my colleague, was pointing it out, Grab 4 might again be brought in because the weather conditions do not seem to be improving in the national capital,
11:04despite the kind of restrictions that the government is trying to initiate.
11:08Grab 4 was quickly removed with one good spell, but it's not brought back, while we continue to see severe AQI situations in the national capital even now.
11:17That's a very good point, Shreya. The urgency with which Grab 4 or Grab 3 is removed, versus the urgency with which it is imposed, there is a massive difference, right?
11:29The way in which it is brought in, the time it is taken as well, that is a major difference. That's a good point there.
11:34Let me take another question from Sushant.
11:36Then, Sushant, according to you, as you have been in the petrol pump, you have checked the reality check right now.
11:44Do you think, as much of the petrol pump in Delhi NCR, you know how much of the petrol pump is in the greater Noida,
11:51how much of the petrol pump is in the corners of the corners of the country?
11:53Do you think, as much of the petrol pump, you have to be able to implement the petrol pump?
12:23Do you think, as much of the petrol pump, you have to be able to implement the petrol pump?
12:53They have no pollution in other states, neighboring states, they have to run into the petrol pump.
12:59So, without any sort of political pressure, this doesn't exist.
13:03This letter has been issued.
13:06But, in Delhi, in the letter of the fuel pump, you have to be able to implement the petrol pump.
13:11The government knows that it is not easy to import so quickly because the orders have been given in the written form.
13:24But the labouring state is working on what kind of labor is doing.
13:29And in addition to that, I have also seen that there were actions that were taken to the PUC certificates and there were enforcement teams that were in charge.
13:44Alright, Sushant and Shreya, we will leave it there for a moment. Thank you both for joining us with all those insights.
13:50Alright, and talking about pollution and those two permanent GRAP 4 measures, a bit of a good news that we can actually share with you.
13:59India today's relentless coverage, especially the SIT exposes that we, you know, brought out.
14:04We forced government to take action against these rogue PUC centers and polluting buses as well.
14:09And now a solution long discussed on this very program. In fact, it was discussed on Friday where we talked about the solution for pollution.
14:19A lot of think tanks, a lot of experts in the domain came together and we had a full one hour discussion on what should be done.
14:27Very happy to report to all of you today that one of those suggestions has actually been picked up by Delhi government and has been implemented.
14:34Several pollution control measures advocated here on the program also, which have been adopted.
14:40One key idea that we had spoken about, which in fact the experts brought to the fore, was that there should be year long enforcement of GRAP measures.
14:49It was strongly put together at that round table. Take a look at what the expert had to say.
14:56But Chandrapushan, you know, talk to me a little bit about the GRAP measures.
15:01GRAP measures came into being five years ago, if I'm not wrong, when the Supreme Court got into there.
15:07It's just been about five, six years that we've had GRAP enforced in India, in Delhi NCR actually.
15:14Mumbai this time around saw some bits of it. They thought they should replicate that model, but there was confusion.
15:19Do you think at the levels that we are at the moment, is GRAP still a solution, even if a short term solution?
15:28See, first of all, you need to understand that till level three of GRAP is something that we should be doing year round.
15:37I don't understand why we need to say that we need to stop burning waste only during pollution season.
15:45And that will happen in GRAP three or dust management. So till GRAP three, all the activities that are listed should be done year round.
15:56It is the responsibility of municipality. You know, one of the things we miss all the time is to hold municipal corporations accountable.
16:04What is NDMC doing or MCD doing? We go to state government and union government.
16:11But the fact is, till GRAP three, everything that needs to be done is to be done by local government.
16:17So I don't think GRAP till GRAP three is a year round activity. It should happen.
16:23GRAP four, I have never believed that is a right approach. It's a very draconian, you know, provision.
16:30Instead of ensuring compliance, which is a tough job because inspectors will have to be on the ground.
16:36They will have to inspect factories and buildings. They take an easy way out and say, I'm going to close everything.
16:42Hmm.
16:43So GRAP four, there is no evidence that GRAP four is leading to any reduction in pollution.
16:49Even the enhanced, you know, position of GRAP four, it changed this year.
16:54Yeah, absolutely.
16:55Ordin even was removed. A couple of measures which were in GRAP four, went to GRAP three.
17:00You're saying under the revised definitions, GRAP three should be enforced all year round.
17:05Yes, absolutely. I…
17:07Only in Delhi NCR.
17:08I need to say it is depending on state governments, wherever there is an air pollution crisis.
17:15First of all, you know, Sona, let me rephrase what I'm saying.
17:20Hmm.
17:21I don't think we need GRAP the way it is being done in Delhi NCR anywhere in India.
17:26Okay.
17:27The activities that are…
17:28Most of the activities that are there in GRAP should be done year round.
17:32Hmm.
17:33The draconian provisions of GRAP is not leading to any result.
17:37Last two days, air quality has improved not because there was GRAP four,
17:41because the wind speed was more than 10 kilometres per…
17:4410 metres per second.
17:46All right.
17:47So, Chandra Pushan, they are making that point on our solutions round table.
17:52And now the Delhi Government also going ahead with it, saying that at least two of those measures from GRAP will stay.
17:58Again, to remind you, no PUC, no fuel in the national capital, no matter where you come from.
18:03And second, off BS6, no entry to any cars which are below BS6 levels as well.
18:11Both of those have now been implemented year round by the Delhi Government.
18:15All right.
18:16With that, let's move on to the other top focus here on Five Live.
18:21The public pressure seems to have worked.
18:25The Gen Z outcry has finally led to some action.
18:30What began as online outrage has now reached the country's highest quotes.
18:35And today, the Supreme Court of India put the sort of controversial new definition of Aravali range on hold.
18:43This was the same definition that was relied on a 100 metre height rule to decide what qualifies as Aravali hills.
18:51And a rule environmentalist, remember, warned could strip legal protection for the vast stretches of one of India's oldest mountain systems.
18:59Now, what happened today?
19:01Let's give you an update there.
19:02During today's hearing, the court acknowledged that the 100 metre benchmark may not be the correct way to define a hill range like Aravali.
19:12And that parts of its earlier order were being interpreted in ways that raised serious environmental concerns.
19:19The bench also took note of fears that this definition could open ecologically sensitive areas to mining and also real estate activity.
19:28As a result, the Supreme Court has kept its earlier order in abeyance and announced that a fresh expert committee will be constituted to re-examine how the Aravali range should be scientifically and legally defined and what level of protection is must to be continued as well.
19:48But this intervention, remember, did not happen in isolation.
19:52One of the key factors behind today's moment was the Gen Z protest that unfolded in parts of India, especially in Jaipur.
20:01In Jaipur, a protest that spoke volumes without shouting too much.
20:062025, remember, in many ways has been a year of Gen Z uprisings.
20:11From Nepal to Bangladesh, young voices have challenged power, reshaped political conversations.
20:16And in India, Gen Z came together around a very different and perhaps a more lasting cause.
20:23It was not politics, it was not ideology, but it was our Mother Earth, the environment.
20:30And at the centre of it all was the Aravalis.
20:33In Jaipur, young protestors gathered to question a definition that could quietly erase protection of the hills that act as a natural shield for North India.
20:43No violence took place, no disruption, just placards and clear warning that redefining hills on paper can flatten ecosystems on the ground.
20:53The protest obviously spoke a thousand words and it was heard.
20:57Today the rule has been paused, the order is on hold and the debate on Aravalis is back where it belongs.
21:04Grounded in science, ecology and public interest.
21:09Take a look at what happened in Jaipur really and then we'll return to some of those voices to understand how did they make it happen.
21:18Save the Aravalis, save the Greens, save the nation.
21:30The anger on the streets was loud, the message unmistakable.
21:35Public outrage erupted after revised definition of the Aravali range left to vast stretches of these ancient hills sensitive to regulated mining.
21:49Leading the charge, Gen Z, young voices fight to protect one of the world's oldest natural shields.
21:56At this time, the pressure worked.
21:58The Supreme Court has put its own order on hold, staying the centre's definition of the Aravali hill range.
22:05The top court initiated Suomoto proceedings, admitting that critical clarifications are needed.
22:11A new expert committee will be formed to re-examine the definition, replacing the earlier panel, which the court itself noted was dominated by bureaucrats.
22:21And the top court's recent ruling has been met with a positive response.
22:26The Supreme Court has said that the Supreme Court has said that we will not change the language until now.
22:32There will be more legislation, plans and thoughts.
22:36The Supreme Court has said that this reform is a significant issue.
22:41a great political force.
22:53Definitely, I mean,
22:55judicial intervention
22:56at a very good time.
23:00Considering that
23:01the court was open
23:02and taken it in a place
23:04so it's obviously well-meaning
23:07and much needed.
23:10The relief comes after fierce criticism of the centre's 100-metre rule,
23:15a definition that would have opened the doors to legal mining in nearly 90% of the Aravlis.
23:21While the government announced a ban on new mining leases, concerns refused to die down.
23:27Now with the Supreme Court pressing pause, many see this as a victory for reason and resistance.
23:34But for how long the Aravlis remained protected?
23:37That question still hangs in the air.
23:41Bureau Report, India Today.
24:07Do you want to know yourself, apart from your Gen Z identity and tell me why was the issue of Aravlis so critical to you?
24:14Okay, my name is Kartike Bhardwaj and I am from Jaipur.
24:18I am a student of commerce.
24:20I am pursuing B.com from Commerce College in Jaipur itself.
24:24And this issue was very concerning for us all.
24:27Right now India is facing many issues like taxation and there is no equal job opportunities.
24:34opportunities and right now people are graduating but still not getting the job.
24:39There is very much unemployment.
24:41But this issue, it was more crucial than all the issues.
24:44Because all of these issues we can resolve them in near future.
24:48But once the mountains are cut, once the greenery is cut, it cannot be regenerated again.
24:54And we cannot bring back the mountains again.
24:58When we go to Delhi, we feel pain in our throat.
25:02We feel itchiness in our eyes.
25:03We can see the AQI.
25:05And we don't want such situations to arise in Rajasthan and Jaipur itself.
25:09So it was very important for us.
25:12Oh, how interesting.
25:13You were saying Gen Z actually understood the connection between environment and health.
25:19And they actually understood the connection between Aravallis and pollution?
25:24Yes.
25:25We do understand it.
25:26Because right now Aravallis act as a natural shield.
25:30It not only gives us oxygen, not only gives us the greenery, but also it saves us from the dust storms.
25:38It also regulates the rain.
25:41It also regulates the ground water.
25:42There are many natural calamities we will face if we lose these Aravallis.
25:49I'm filled with hope when I'm hearing people like you, Karthike.
25:52Because on this program, I constantly talk to politicians who don't seem to understand even half of what you guys are saying.
25:58So, like I'm saying, my year is ending on a good note.
26:01But that brings me to Darsheel.
26:03Darsheel Gen Z in India is generally seen as this disillusioned, Instagrammable, instant grammification sort of, you know, generation.
26:14Which doesn't seem to care about much.
26:16We've seen, like I said in the opening as well, 2025 has been a year of a lot of Gen Z uprising.
26:22Whether it was in Nepal, whether it was in Bangladesh.
26:27And the question constantly being asked was, where are the Gen Zs of India?
26:30Why do you think Gen Zs, sort of, and young people like you, not like, I'm not young, I'm just saying, young people like you guys, have chosen the issue of environment to really connect on?
26:45Not politics, but environment.
26:47Yeah, firstly, thank you so much for inviting your channel.
26:52And our conception has been made by the ideal people of India, that the Gen Zs only know how to comment on YouTube video, how to post on social media.
27:00But the reality is, that it's the time to raise our voice.
27:05When it was the time of corruption or anything else, we can see it.
27:10It's not necessary for us to raise the voice.
27:11But when it comes to our life, like Mr. Karthike said earlier, it's the matter of life.
27:18If the Aravali is being cut, it will definitely affect our lives.
27:23So it's a necessary step that should be taken.
27:28And the Aravali is a very, very important point in the country.
27:31It's a sensation.
27:32And Gen Zs has raised the voice in our street.
27:35And we came up out of our house to raise our voice against it.
27:38It's a very necessary step.
27:40So, Darshi Lee, who organized the protest?
27:42Tell me, do you know?
27:43Do you know the Gen Zs groups were different?
27:45How do you know about this?
27:47How many people came up on the streets?
27:50So, just as we were in Delhi, we started a comment in Delhi, a few weeks ago.
27:56So, the Aravali is being cut to the news.
27:58There were many DMs, many messages coming from the comments.
28:02So, Karthike Bhardo has decided that we launched a video on this.
28:05So, in Delhi, we launched a video in India gate.
28:07He will soon, doing a protest, this is his sambandh mein.
28:11So, many people have given support that he will definitely join you.
28:14We need a younger voice.
28:15Who is our voice?
28:17So, as a medium, as a leader, Mr. Karthike Bhardwaj introduced a protest, which was done on 24th December 2025.
28:25And nearly thousands of Gen Zs, not only from Jaipur, but all over the India, like from Delhi, from MP, joined us to save the Aravali.
28:34Okay. So, leader Karthike Bhardwaj ji, you know, how did you call so many people?
28:42And it's that time of the year, right? Everybody wants to take a chill pill, everybody wants to relax a little bit, you know, you know, and look forward to the new year, make party plans.
28:55But here you are getting, moving the party to the streets and saying that no party till Aravalis are really arrived at, right?
29:03Help me understand, how did you manage to get this message across?
29:07It was quite easy for me because all the youth is really educated.
29:19They do understand what is AQI, they do understand what is pollution, they know what are the hazardous problems we are going to face if the Aravalis are being cut.
29:30So, it was quite easy for me.
29:31I have a great connection with the youth of Rajasthan.
29:36So, I just made some videos and tried to aware all of them that it is not important to party in this new year because in upcoming years, you will not be able to celebrate your new year itself.
29:48Our new generation is going to come, we all have our mothers and fathers, we all have our small sisters, small brothers.
29:54If they are going to have problems like asthma, lung cancer, TB, and these things are going to be common in near future, how will we celebrate?
30:01So, to celebrate in future, we must protest today and if we are today able to protest against it, if today we are able to save our Aravalis, we can celebrate any time.
30:13We have so much time to celebrate our new year.
30:15We can celebrate next year, we can celebrate the year next year.
30:19Let me understand this, my understanding has been that some of the older generation, let's say boomers for example, millennials are a different lot, right?
30:29Say boomers and above, you think they don't understand or look at the issue of environment and health the way we do?
30:39You think there is a critical sort of gap between their understanding of what is good health, what is important for good health, both of, you know, yourself and that of the planet?
30:49You think older generation just don't get it?
30:52Actually, this statement is partially correct, I can say, because there is a big generational difference between us.
31:00They have never seen so much vehicular pollution, they don't know much about the AQI and it was not a common definition for them.
31:08Right now, we can see it all over the Delhi, even the older generations who are living in Delhi knows about the pollution.
31:13But in Rajasthan, it is not a very common thing.
31:16In Jaipur, the AQI has been 60 and 40, 50 like this all over the year.
31:24But right now, it is raising slowly.
31:26And now people are slowly getting aware about it.
31:29Like right now, I think AQI in Jaipur is around 250, which is very bad for our health.
31:35But there are not much safety concerns in mind of people right now.
31:41They are learning about it slowly.
31:43The Gen Zs are well aware.
31:44They are trying to make their parents well aware too.
31:47But it will take time, a little bit time.
31:50But this matter of Arawali, it took all the eyes from the normal work of household people also.
31:56Now they are also looking at it.
31:58And they are also trying to understand that this issue is really big.
32:01And we must save the Arawalis and we must protect the nature from all the other things too.
32:06Because we have witnessed some time before only, the Dolkabad jungle, which is also called as the lungs of Jaipur, has been cut by the government.
32:14And that time also, Gen Zs were protesting.
32:17We were doing peaceful protest.
32:18But the government was not hearing us.
32:21They just used to put us in jail.
32:23They used to do lathe charge.
32:25And after all of that, now the jungle has been cut.
32:28So now people are understanding that we must get into some aggressive mode and tell the government that we are not going to stay silent.
32:36Good for you guys.
32:36Good for you guys.
32:38And kudos to your generation for having done that.
32:41But Darshi, my last question is to you.
32:44Where is the Gen Z of Delhi?
32:45In Jaipur, people came to the people in Jaipur.
32:48In Delhi, there are thousands of people in Delhi.
32:51Are you guys in touch?
32:52Like, is this a regional thing?
32:54Or should I say just the Delhi people is very laid back any which way?
33:03Darshi, you want to answer that?
33:05Yeah, sure ma'am.
33:05It's not like that.
33:07The Gen Z's or the people of Delhi are not aware.
33:11They are aware enough.
33:12But they don't have a people who can raise their voice.
33:16Who can do protests on their behalf.
33:18So it's the right time for the elites to come out of their houses and raise voice against it.
33:23Right.
33:27All right, let's see.
33:29Yeah, Kartike, quickly.
33:30Actually, the youth is a little bit scared.
33:33And there is a message from my side also to the youth.
33:36That even if they put us in jail.
33:38Even if they do latri tars on us.
33:41Or even if they kill us.
33:42We don't care.
33:43Because in the upcoming future.
33:46Seeing these situations in Delhi.
33:47We are going to die itself.
33:49If we live there.
33:50We are in a gas chamber.
33:51We will die of some disease.
33:53So it is better to die on the streets fighting for our life.
33:57For the future generations.
33:59That is what I think.
34:01Well, we really hope.
34:02It doesn't come down to that.
34:03We really hope that our leaders are able to hear your voices.
34:07Because we know when the younger generation unites for a cause.
34:13You know, things happen.
34:15Parties and political powers get overturned.
34:18Systems change.
34:19Court hearings get overruled as well.
34:21So we are really banking on this generation.
34:24Who will actually be the one living the most outcome.
34:28Of these bad rules.
34:30To actually come out.
34:31And ensure that their voice is heard.
34:33For the moment.
34:34Kartike and Darsheel.
34:35Thank you so much for joining us.
34:37Good luck.
34:37For everything that you guys do next.
34:40As the world counts down to 2026.
34:41The weather story begins in India.
34:45Where sharp contrasts dominate with cooler than usual conditions.
34:50And also hazardous air quality in the north and east.
34:53While western cities stay near seasonal norms as well.
34:57And south remains warm, humorous and slightly unsettled.
34:59Now this divide mirrors a global pattern.
35:03With New York entering a harsh winter after early snow.
35:08The North Pole logged in severe arctic cold.
35:11And Europe experiencing rain heavy but mild conditions.
35:15Tokyo meanwhile stayed cool, dry.
35:18Sydney there was welcoming the new year in summer warmth.
35:22Highlighting all of this is our next report.
35:25Where we take you through what's happening with the weather patterns.
35:29This new year in India and beyond.
35:32My colleague Sriya is with us for the latest.
35:33Sriya.
35:35Yes, Sonal.
35:36We're just days away from entering into a new chapter 2026.
35:40But let's also take a look at what the weather looks like across the world.
35:45And of course we'll begin with our focus on India.
35:48What does it look like?
35:49Because yes, when we speak of weather conditions and climate change.
35:52It is a real crisis that the world is grappling with.
35:55Because weather patterns have been changing over the past few years.
35:59Which weather experts have also been flagging.
36:02From not just in India but also across the world.
36:04So I'll take you through certain places that we've mapped out.
36:07As to how it will be in the upcoming days.
36:11As we are entering into new year.
36:12We'll start with India first.
36:14Let me quickly take you through the cities.
36:17First up, we'll take you to Delhi NCR.
36:20So when we speak of Delhi NCR, of course it's no new news for anybody.
36:26That the smog that we've been grappling with in the national capital itself.
36:30It's been zero visibility conditions for the past few days.
36:33Now that we've been seeing with the weather patterns going somewhere between 9 to 22 degrees Celsius.
36:40That's where the temperature currently is averaging.
36:43Of course, it has been colder.
36:45The average already that's been recorded for the national capital right knee has been colder than the usual last few years.
36:51But right now, this is the picture.
36:53Every morning and late night if we are to speak of how Delhi NCR will look when we enter into the new year as well.
37:01Now, we'll move to another city.
37:03Let's quickly take a look at what the situation is in Jammu and Kashmir.
37:07Of course, Jammu and Kashmir, whenever we speak of, let's tell you, this time the snowfall has already begun compared to the last few years where the snowfall had set in a little later.
37:16Of course, there's sub-zero night temperatures.
37:19Average low around minus 2 degrees Celsius.
37:22Beautiful snow-covered regions already that we are getting to witness this winter.
37:26And New Year's also, that's the same situation.
37:28But if we speak of the AQI here, it's around 150.
37:32So, that's around a moderate.
37:33But yes, Delhi again, when we spoke about the smog situation, it has been nearing hazardous levels quite often at this given point as we enter into a new year.
37:44And that's something we are also looking at.
37:46Next up, we'll take you to another part of the country.
37:48That is the western part.
37:51This time, viewers, let us tell you, Mumbai has also been flagging AQI issues.
37:55So, I will begin with that because you can see the cloudy atmosphere that's been blanketing this very city.
38:02The AQI has been between 200 to 250.
38:05That's also quite concerning for this region.
38:07Temperature again is somewhere 19 to 29 degrees Celsius right now is what we are learning of.
38:13And that's what it will be for the next couple of days as well as we enter into the new year.
38:17Humidity levels recorded here is currently high.
38:20Another neighboring city, if I speak of in another state, in the western region itself,
38:24that would be Ahmedabad.
38:26Let's take you to Ahmedabad next in Gujarat.
38:29But before that, yes, from west to east, let me quickly take you to my hometown Kolkata at this given point because I'm coming back from there.
38:36And the city right now currently is recording quite hazardous air quality.
38:41Let us tell you, this is in fact the first winter one would say where we have seen the air quality in such poor condition.
38:48In fact, if I'm to speak of the air quality, 351 to 558 is the AQI range on multiple days.
38:56And that is why it's quite a cause of concern at this given point.
39:00Temperatures, yes, it has already begun being quite cold.
39:03So, it's somewhere between 16 to 27 degrees.
39:06That's the average we are sitting, looking at in this very city.
39:09But, yes, going back down south now to Chennai, this is again a particular city which records quite humid and high temperatures,
39:18summer-ish temperatures at this given point because, yes, winters here isn't really the winter we speak of.
39:24So, if we speak of Chennai, 27 to 30 degrees Celsius is somewhere around the average if we are to talk about the temperatures.
39:30So, near normal temperatures but, yes, unseasonal showers have been seen which is why we see the water logging that's been quite common.
39:38And that's something we see during winters in Chennai as well.
39:41Flooding has been an issue that this region has been grappling with over the years.
39:45Next up, we have Bengaluru for you here as well.
39:48Bengaluru as well, the temperatures if we are to look at.
39:51It's been smoggy but the winter temperatures have already set in.
39:54So, yes, mornings look quite like this if we are to speak of the kind of setting in winters.
40:01Yes, we already see a bit of that fog setting it but otherwise the temperatures do not dip too low in the city of Bengaluru.
40:08It's been a mild start to the winter but, yes, winter has set in to this very Silicon Valley as well as we speak.
40:17Now, we've covered most of the regions in India, Sonal at this point.
40:20So, let's quickly now take a bigger picture into focus now which is the world map at this point.
40:27Let me begin with New York in US.
40:30Now, New York, we've seen a harsh early start to the winter with a snowstorm in fact marring this region.
40:37These are the visuals where planes have also gotten stranded right now because of the kind of snowstorm we are seeing.
40:41In fact, in terms of temperature if I'm to speak of, it's around 4 degree Fahrenheit and it's below seasonal levels.
40:46So, it's a harsh rocky start to the winter.
40:48But, yes, people nonetheless were already warned of this snowstorm that was to hit this region.
40:54So, this is the kind of situation we see here at this point.
40:59Taking you to Santa's hometown now and near to the Arctic region that is our next focus being Alaska.
41:04Of course, we see how the snow layer, the snow covers most of the land there.
41:11Average temperature is at minus 13 degrees Celsius is what we know.
41:14It's an extremely cold December as we speak and it's heavy snow that we've already witnessed for 20 days now.
41:22Again, New Year prediction if I'm to tell you, there will be heavy snow in this very region.
41:26So, Santa's town will see heavy snow at this point.
41:29Also, just a quick update for New York.
41:31There might be some respite because moving into the New Year, we may see sunny conditions in New York as we speak.
41:37Now, next up, we will take you to Europe starting with London.
41:41So, what will the particular city have for you in London as we inch closer to the New Year?
41:48We are seeing heavy rainfall that has been in fact recorded in this very region for the last around 20 days if we are to speak of it.
41:56Rainfall has been averaging 72 millimeters and the New Year prediction however is on a happy note again for all those people out there.
42:05It might be sunny is what we are learning but yes, it's off to a quite a wet spell of a start in London if we speak of the Christmas to New Year week.
42:14Next up, Madrid is another particular place, Spain rather, is another particular place where we've been seeing flooding as well because rainfall has been so high.
42:22So, in fact, if we speak exactly of the temperature there, it's around 10 degrees Celsius but the rains have been consistent here for almost 14 days now and quite heavy rains.
42:33So, there's a partly cloudy prediction that is coming in for Spain at this point is what we are learning of.
42:39Again, relief measures are on.
42:41Europe, if we are to speak of this year, the weather conditions have been quite extreme and that's something that experts have warned of.
42:47The El Nino and the La Nina effect that experts have been speaking of time and again has been hitting Europe quite a bit.
42:54Next up, we'll quickly take a look to the city of love that is Paris in France.
42:59What exactly is the situation like there?
43:01Let me quickly take you across there now.
43:04So, in Paris, France, we will be seeing highs of 5 degrees Celsius and lows of 0 degrees Celsius with the rainfall averaging around 87 millimeters is what we are learning.
43:15December currently, from what it looks like, will be warmer than the historical average.
43:20However, persistent rain will also be seen in this very region if we are to speak of.
43:26New Year prediction, partly cloudy again is what we are learning at this given point but it may also be sunny.
43:33That is also coming up.
43:34Tokyo is one region, let me tell you.
43:36And this, we are next taking you to again Asia, back to Asia.
43:40That place, there is not much of a change we see compared to the past few years.
43:45It's again, if you are to speak of the temperatures there, minimal rainfall, cool and dry weather conditions.
43:53And New Year prediction would be clear skies.
43:55So, that's a rather happy note for all the people and those who have winter plans in Tokyo at this given point.
44:01Chilly nights, however, are expected here.
44:03Weather is in line with what the season's norms usually predict.
44:07Last but not the least, I'll take you down south to Australia and Sydney specifically if we are to speak of.
44:14Daytime highs above 25 degrees Celsius.
44:17Early summer conditions.
44:18We see a summer Christmas being celebrated in Australia and high humidity, scattered showers is what we are learning of.
44:25Highs would be between 24 to 26 degrees Celsius but then the warm contrast is to northern hemisphere.
44:31That's what we see usually in Australia.
44:34But again, it's a rather happy note for all those who have trips planned to Australia for these very few days.
44:40So, it's a warmer note that we are ending this very global weather snapshot on.
44:44So now, back to you.
44:46This is what the year end looks like, entering into 2026, speaking of the weather.
44:51All right.
44:52So, if we had to make a pick, then maybe Paris and Tokyo, that's your pick.
44:56But if your flight will take off, that is.
44:59Because the visibility here in the capital, at least at most of North India, is very, very low.
45:03Thanks so much, Shreya, for joining us with the very latest.
45:05But let's end on more holiday chatter.
45:08As we approach 2026, the prominent destination across India is seeing a huge influx of tourists.
45:13No surprises there.
45:14But this time, what's different is from Srinagar to Manali to Goa, people are running to these cities to celebrate New Year's.
45:20But a lot of these places have put measures in place.
45:23In fact, a lot of religious tourism also happens this time of the year.
45:27But this time around, all these places have said, please do not come.
45:31We cannot take the influx anymore.
45:33Take a look at this report.
45:34We'll see you tomorrow.
45:35Bye-bye.
45:35India is set to ring in 2026 with celebration and cheer.
45:56From the snow-clad peaks of the north to the sun-kissed coast and plateaus of the south,
46:06tourists are pouring into popular winter destinations in large numbers.
46:10In Gulmark, fresh snowfall has transformed the valley into a winter wonderland,
46:19drawing tourists who are eager to soak in the magic of snow and scenic beauty.
46:23The valley has not seen, it has not been a great 2025 for Kashmir tourism for obvious reasons,
46:39incidents that happened and shattered the tourism season.
46:42So the last hope of the tourism industry was snowfall.
46:46It has snowed considerably.
46:48As you can see, there's a wide blanket of snow everywhere, giving it an average.
46:53Absolutely mesmerizing look.
46:59Goa is buzzing with festive energy as thousands of tourists arrive to celebrate the new year.
47:12With packed beaches and vibrant nightlife, authorities are on high alert,
47:17urging visitors to party responsibly.
47:20In the east, the Darjeeling Hills are offering postcard perfect views.
47:44Mountain lovers and foreign tourists are enjoying the crisp weather
47:51and breathtaking glimpses of the majestic Kanchanjunga.
47:54In Rajasthan, Udaipur is witnessing a festive rush as visitors flock to the colourful Shilpgram festival in Hawala village.
48:13With nearly 99% of hotels, homestays and resorts already booked, the city is gearing up for a grand New Year's Eve.
48:30Tourist destinations are packed and celebrations are in full swing.
48:34The law enforcement agencies are on alert to ensure safe New Year's celebrations.
48:43We are a report, India Today.
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