India launches nation's first air quality index

In a concerted effort to tackle the menace of air pollution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday ‎launched India's first Air Quality Index. The index will be operational in ten Indian cities to start with.  ‎The air quality index will inform the public about the level of pollution in the air on a daily basis in real-‎time.  ‎

Taking an indirect dig at some developed countries, the Prime Minister said, "People who lecture us on ‎environment protection refuse to give us nuclear fuel for clean energy." "Environment protection and ‎development can go hand in hand," Prime Minister said while speaking on the launch event, in New ‎Delhi's Vigyan Bhavan. "If we bring change in lifestyle as minor as not using street lights on a full ‎moon night, it will save substantial amount of energy. Until we actually bring a change in our lifestyles, ‎all the other efforts will go in vain," the Prime Minister stressed. ‎ (Source: AsiaNews)