Diwali season in India should be a time for joy and happiness.
Unfortunately, it is also "pollution season" due to a combination of unfavourable weather, stubble burning in some states, and bursting of firecrackers to celebrate Diwali - over and above the environmental consequences of rapid urbanisation in India.
The fight against air pollution is perennial but hardest at this time of the year, leading to novel attempts like smog towers and artificial rain.
While these or other technologies may appear to be backed by science, determining their effectiveness through trial and error can be an expensive yet fruitless endeavour.
Recent technological developments in the areas of air quality monitoring and modelling can be used to evaluate potential solutions and track their success after implementation, if used responsibly.
