July is probably the worst month to be in Gurgaon. January with its finger numbing, spirit sinking, flight halting fog and cold or scorching searing scalding May do come close but July is a unique combination of heat and humidity. What makes it worse is the fact that many Gurgaonites have returned from cooler and aesthetically appealing locales across the world after the summer break. To be rudely jolted into the this environment after enjoying the beauty of Naukuchiataal / New York/Naples is cruel torture. Let us add to the mixture erratic power supply, water shortages, non working air conditioners and fridges, wilting plants and withering children and you have a concoction that spells misery.
However, it is in times of misery and gloom, that we need to see the brighter, or in this case the cooler side of things. The terrible weather brings with it several blessings in disguise, which are so well disguised that it may not be obvious at first.
Making new friends- There is no more powerful thing than enduring suffering and torture together to forge strong long lasting connections. Just ask any couple who have been married for more than ten years. This is the time when conversations with neighbors who have ignored each other over the years can be initiated, when new relationships blossom easily.
‘ It is so hot, isn’t it?” you say as you both wipe the sweat from your brow and step into the building looking like worn out warriors after a battle with the natural elements.
“Terrible. We were on vacation in Buenos Aires and it was so wonderfully cool there.’ neighbor replies
“I know. We were holidaying in Los Angeles and it was so gorgeous there. This is the worst summer ever. On top of it, my fridge is not working.”
“Two of my ACs have broken down and the service people haven’t come for three days. It is unbearable.”
You both sigh and nod in a show of empathy, compassion and understanding.
By this time a friendship has been formed which will last you through all the years in the neighborhood. The same conversation can be initiated at supermarkets, coffee shops, beauty salons and bus stops. By the end of summer, you have a new set of friends to whom you can complain about the monsoons, the winter and next summer.
Losing weight
For those who have been struggling through winter and spring and moaning about putting on weight after eating humungous quantities of parathas and gaajar halwa, this is detox time. The heat robs you of your appetite by making you consume copious quantities of water, nimbu paani or chaas. The sun kicks you out of the bed early in the morning and you are forced to get out for a walk or swim. What is more important than actually losing weight is the feeling that you are. You can work up a good sweat just by gently moving out from the bedroom to the kitchen, you can cut your hair short to keep cool.which will take 50 gms off the weighing scale, you can wear thin cottons and flip flops which makes you feel light and airy. By the end of the month, you would definitely feel thin, having lost at least 75 gms more than you did with that power yoga workout all through winter.
Boost to the local economy- Everyone has been painting a gloomy picture of the Indian economy with the depreciating rupee ,falling growth rates, rising inflation etc etc. However, the terrible weather conditions will actually provide a boost to the retail sector. Where would the average Gurgaonite head to if the inverter has run out of battery, the AC is not working and the great outdoors resemble a blast furnace? A nice air-conditioned place, like a mall, of course. And while one is at a mall, one cannot help contributing to the economy by spending a little at those shops which have attractive summer sales. For those virtuous souls who have been converting Euros or dollars into rupees and have abstained from shopping binges during the vacation, this is the time to spend the saved rupees and save the economy.
There, now it doesn’t seem so bad does it? So put on those flip flops and head to the nearest mall with your new friend and you can coolly survive the summer.
