Park regulars in New Delhi's Lodhi Garden say toxic pollution levels won't force them out

NEW DELHI (AP) — For many in New Delhi, one of the world’s most polluted cities, Lodhi Garden is an escape in the heart of India’s capital. Park regulars say they won’t let rising pollution levels deter them — even if they have to tweak their routine because of the smog.

The park is one of hundreds dotting the city. Those who love it say what makes it special is a combination of nature and other visitors — you’re never lonely even when you're alone.

For others, it’s the nostalgia for bygone times. Generations of the same family have walked the trail circling the park — a habit passed down, a habit that becomes tradition.

On any given day, retired bureaucrats walk in groups, discussing politics. Yoga practitioners meet for their dose of wellness and an aspiring marathon runner whizzes by. Young couples look for privacy behind trees while those more senior openly hold hands. On weekends, the park’s lawns spill over with picnickers.

But as a toxic blanket of smog engulfed the city this month and New Delhi’s air quality officially fell into the “severe” category, some of the park regulars shared how this has impacted their daily routine.

For over 20 years, Rajiv Sikri, 76, and Subodh Jain, 72, have been meeting in Lodhi Garden for a morning walk that kicks off their day.

“The pollution is worrying but how do you insulate yourself at home?” Sikri said. “We like to walk. One round or a little more than a round.”

They “chat and solve the world’s problems,” he jokes.

“What is the option,” Jain asks. “You can’t just sit at home and do nothing.”

Rajiv Gupta, 54, and his wife, Manisha Gupta, 50, say they have considered moving out of New Delhi, home to more than 33 million people.

Regulars for 15 years, the couple says the park has lost some of its “magnetic power” because of the pollution — Rajiv says they've had scratchy throats and breathing problems.

“We come in the morning for fresh air and we are unable to get fresh air,” he said. "What’s the charm of coming to such a beautiful park then?”

For Manisha, “seeing people of all ages being so active ... encourages me to be like them.” But she worries about their children and doesn't know "how to keep them safe from the pollution.”

The park has been part of 60-year-old Bashir Ahmad Mir's daily two-hour run and exercise routine for the past 10 years. But the carpet seller who moved to New Delhi from Kashmir says the pollution is now affecting his eyes.

“I have to continuously clean my eyes," he said. "I know the pollution is bad for me but I have no choice. Where do I go?”

Vanita Pathak, 55, who has been coming for the past 20 years, says she is not giving up and hopes the trees can help “fight the pollution.”

“We keep hearing (the) advisory to stay indoors but I do not feel that coming here is harmful,” she said.

Anita Gahtori says her in-laws stopped coming to the park since the start of the month, just after Diwali, the Hindu holiday when people traditionally shoot off fireworks and the city’s pollution levels spike.

“I will stop bringing my children," she now says, her 12-year-old daughter Sakshi by her side. "I worry for their health.”

Yoga teacher Ajay Chowdhary, 51, has been coming to the park every morning for more than 30 years — he says it's great for both his physical and mental wellbeing.

But on the days when the pollution is high, he tweaks his workout.

“We change the style of exercise," he said. "We do light exercises which do not involve deep breathing.”

A white-haired man, walking his three dogs on a leash and wearing a facemask, said he's been a regular at Lodhi Garden for more than 50 years and that it's the "most wonderful place one can come to."

“The pollution is a bothersome thing,” said Ajay, giving only his first name without explaining his reasons. "But you see it’s a habit. So it grows on you.”

A boy at the park, Agastya Shankar Laul, said he didn't think his mother, Charu Shankar, was worried about the pollution.

“Mom has given up,” Charu quipped. “I used to worry about it seven years ago. And year after year it’s just been the same story.”

At home, her air purifiers run all the time and she makes her own remedies against the pollution. But what really upsets her are the people in power who have done so little.

“Of course I’m angry, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to be locked up,” she said.

Yoga teacher Ajay Chowdhary, 51, stands beside his students, surrounded by smog in Lodhi Garden in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Bashir Ahmad Mir performs morning exercises surrounded by smog in Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Rajiv Sikri, right, and Subodh Jain take a morning walk in the smog-clad Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Charu Shankar jogs with her son Agastya Shankar Laul in Lodhi Gardens on a smoggy morning in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A crow rests on a bench on a smoggy morning in Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A man performs stretch exercises on a smog-filled morning in Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A dog stretches on a slab of rock in Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Ajay, only one name given, walks his dogs in the smog-enveloped Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Charu Shankar stands with her son Agastya Shankar Laul in Lodhi Gardens on a smoggy morning in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Anita Gahtori plays badminton with her children Sakshi, right, and Devansh in the smog-enveloped Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Vanita Pathak wipes her tears as she gets emotional talking about her love for nature, in the smog-enveloped Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Bashir Ahmad Mir performs morning exercises surrounded by smog in Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Rajiv Gupta pets a dog with his wife Manisha Gupta seated beside him in the smog-enveloped Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Rajiv Sikri, left, and Subodh Jain take a morning walk in Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Makhi Hughes ran for 82 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 25 Tulane locked up its spot in the American Athletic Conference championship game by romping to a 35-0 victory over Navy on Saturday.

Darian Mensah threw for two TDs and ran for another as Tulane (9-2, 7-0, No. 25 CFP) guaranteed a championship meeting on Dec. 6 against No. 16 Army, which was idle Saturday. A victory there would bring a second league title in three years following a 23-year drought.

"It's unbelievable," first-year coach Jon Sumrall said. “It's such a testament to our administration, our fan base, our alumni. Everybody at Tulane has decided we want to be good at football. And we can be as good as we want to be. We can go as far as we want to go with this."

Sam Howard intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble for the Green Wave, who preserved their second shutout and held an opponent to single digits for the fourth time this season.

Tulane outgained Navy (7-3, 5-2) 358-113 on a gusty day and knocked starting Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath out of the game with a rib injury.

“With him, the package is just so expansive," Sumrall said of Horvath. “It's a lot of football to defend. When he goes out, I don't want to say it's simpler, but the other guy didn't quite do as much of the package.”

The Midshipmen were shut out for the first time since a 15-0 loss to Army in 2020.

“Not that we were killing it when Blake was out there, but it certainly hurt to lose him,” Navy coach Brian Newberry said. “He's a good player, but it's next-man-up mentality around here.”

Hughes averaged only 3.7 yards on 22 carries — well below his 5.7 average entering Saturday — but had several important physical runs.

His longest, a 14-yard TD on a third-and-11 draw play, stretched it to 14-0 with four minutes left in the first half.

Then he carried it eight times on a 13-play, 65-yard TD drive to open the second half, burning 8 minutes, 45 seconds to put the contest out of reach. The last of that march was a 1-yard plunge to make it 21-0, coming on a second effort after he was met behind the line of scrimmage.

“I just had to use my full strength to get in that end zone,” Hughes said.

Mensah completed 10 of 14 passes for 138 yards and ran for 57 more. Both touchdown throws came in the fourth quarter from short-yardage situations.

Tulane: This was a more impressive win than the offensive stats will indicate. After going three-and-out on their first two drives, the Green Wave scored on three of their next four possessions, each on drives of more than 60 yards.

Navy: The Midshipmen will wonder what might have been had Horvath not picked up an injury that began troubling him late in the first quarter and officially ruled him out in the third. He was his team's best rusher before his exit, gaining 25 yards on five carries.

A dominant road win against a good team with an unorthodox offense would appear likely to keep Tulane in the rankings for a second consecutive week.

Tulane: Hosts Memphis on Nov. 28.

Navy: Visits East Carolina on Nov. 29.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Tulane running back Makhi Hughes (21) runs the ball for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Navy, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)