A dangerous habit, man with oxygen tank and the story of India's toxic air

In this, the third part, we bring you the story of a nation's toxic air, a dangerous habit and a man being slowly claimed by a disease killing more Indians than ever before

Over 34 years, as India’s economy expanded and flourished, Raj Iyer was on the move, travelling at least 14 days a month as a consultant with nonprofit and government agencies.

His itinerant, fulfilling life changed 11 years ago when he repeatedly felt short of breath and was eventually diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which had debilitated his lungs and his ability to breathe.

Smoking 60 cigarettes a day for 40 years was probably the immediate cause, although worsening air pollution may have played a role. “I knew my symptoms were of a respiratory disease but I didn’t know it was