SUN-SATIONAL DELHI SUMMER

My consumption of soft drinks increased to a great extent as soon as the temperatures crossed 40 degree mark in the capital. I know, for all those who know even a little about me would ask what’s so new about me consuming soft drinks? In that case I have news (read update) to share. There are two unattended bottles of Thumbs Up in my refrigerator since long and I haven’t paid heed to them. Oh yes, my sister often takes a sip or two from them and the way she is going, I am sure I would take her a decade to finish both of them. I have switched on to a new drink-Rooh Afza! Forget the taste, the name of the drink itself gives so much of relaxation to the mind. Just close your eyes for a second and whisper, “R-o-o-H A-f-z-a-H” I am not too sure but it might have given you momentary relief.

And in spite of knowing that they are toilet cleaners (though I have never wasted the drink for such purposes), I am sure all of you have increased your consumption of your favourite drinks (decide your own). Such is the effect of Delhi Summer.

We recently did a story where the dogs in Bhopal have been biting the passers-by as a result of the soaring temperature. Poor beings I reckon. They can’t carry water bottles in their bags, nor can they wear fancy shades making life miserable for them.

But I wonder if biting is a solution? But wait a second…why not? What do we do when we are helpless and absolutely frustrated just because of the heat? Close our fists? Take deep breaths? Grind our teeth? We do everything possible except biting the passers-by (just imagine yourself doing that in a busy market). Be rest assured to be shooed with bullets and not stones if you do that!

The temperature crossed the 41 degree mark on the last day of April. I was having lunch with some of my friends in a canteen. The fans (read blowers) were just too much to bear and even the food we were having was no different. No one complained of less salt in the food as I am sure everybody sweating litres would have compensated for the deficit. Nobody uttered a word and just somehow gulped the food. That’s what happens during Delhi Summer.

May 04, 2011. As usual I was on my way to office travelling in the DTC bus, that low floor green bus. I was all wet because of the heat and so were others. Finding a seat in a bus was like asking for too much. Using my long hands, I reached the conductor and asked for a ticket. This is a strange feeling when you want (read curse) the conductor to hand over the ticket ASAP. But he would take his own sweet time, tear limited tickets unlimited number of times before handing it over to you. Even before I could receive my ticket, there were people from all corners of the bus forwarding their ‘chillars’ with a ten-rupee-note pleading for tickets.

It’s a very hilarious observing people in a jam-packed DTC bus in a Delhi Summer. Conflicts are bound to occur every now and then. The temperature both inside and outside is unbearable. While the conductor is the one who faces the brunt of the heat most of the times, it is quite frequent that the passengers quarrel and abuse each other. And just to remind you, these are situations which are tolerable under normal circumstances but the Delhi summer brings the devil out of you. I am sure if human beings are legalized for biting each other, most of the cases would be witnessed in the capital as a result of the Delhi summer.

I am sure like me when all of you are out in the heat you wonder if it’s the hottest day in the capital. The rain Gods haven’t shown any mercy to the Delhiites who have been pleading for rain. And mind you, June hasn’t started yet. So keeping sipping your favourite drinks and avoid biting people…kyunki picture abhi baaki hai merey dost!