The Momma Clan

At present, the heat wave is at its peak in many places, ranging from 40 to 50 degrees which is beyond the limit. How long one can be under AC? The AC too gets ineffective with continuous use at times.

Imagine those who do not have an AC, how would they tolerate it? They may keep the doors closed and the windows covered with thick curtains or those who can afford a cooler, they may use that.

Imagine the poor people living in the Bastis, with radical power cuts, and without getting proper sleep, have to get out for work the next day morning in the heat. The labourers working in the
heat, the vegetable and fruit vendors roaming out on the streets to sell their things for a living. They cannot crib about the hot sun burning their skin and sit at home.

Our great grandparents, grandparents managed their houses without electricity, or gas cylinders and lived their lives. The heat near the mud choola must have been unbearable but the young women married at a young age, did manage well without complaining. To whom will they complain? That was the way they had to cook for a big family in most of the house.

To beat the heat, they woke up by  4 in the morning, had a bath, and completed all the work by 9 to 10. Many of the villagers, I have seen go to the nearby river to wash their clothes. They enjoy their chit-chat and gossiping and live as it is.

Slowly, over the periods when the gas cylinder came into use, many got a relief to do their cooking faster and take rest. They used to sit and grind rice and dal for idlis and dosas in the stone grinder and silvatta. A good exercise for them without going to any gym. They were healthy.

Now with the present easy gadgets, and comfort, people keep cribbing,” Oh! Who will cook in this heat, let us order from outside “

Many have an Induction at home, not generate heat like a school or a gas stove. They do not walk in the heat. Go to work and sit in an AC room. The tolerance level has come down 
with more availability of comfortable things.

When things are not available, one learns to adjust as there is no other option. But when one has the Mixer grinder handy at home, still they buy that idli batter saying,” Oh! Who has the time and energy to soak the  rice and dal and grind.” Waste of time. They prefer to spend time with their mobiles or sit in front of the TV, and add weight to their bodies. They love to spend money in gyms rather than doing household work or going for a walk.

Yes, things and preferences are changing. The doctors flourish in the meanwhile.

Wherever you travel, we can see high-raised apartments and behind that a huge basti comes up. The maids work in these building flats. When the current goes off, in these Bastis, they watch the lights in those flats and the AC is on and people are sleeping and enjoying.

How would those poor people feel watching this?  If the maid comes late the next day some ladies would shout at them, ” Oh! You have come so late, chalo complete the work fast, I am getting late for work “

” There was no electricity madam and so could not sleep well and so I was late today, ” the poor lady would murmur and do the work. How inhuman one can be. You are dependent on them, so why not show some compassion towards them?

The heat is the same, the sun is blasting heat for all in the same way some find some comfort but still, keep cribbing about it,” Oh! How hot it is? ” But some have to bear it in the open like the farmers, the daily wagers the cart- vendors and various people who have to work in the sun to earn their livelihood.

Thank the lord for all the Blessings He has showered upon us, rather than sit and keep cribbing.
Be compassionate towards the maids, Postman, and the Swatchata person who comes to collect the garbage daily. Offer them water.

No one knows what is in store for the future. Live wisely now.

-Poornima Sivaraman