Introduction:

As a non-native of Delhi, it gave me the experience of living in Nainital during the winter, and it is now presenting me with the experience of a free visit to Rajasthan. It was cold waves then, and heat waves now! Though winter was kind enough to allow us to hang out, summer is making sure that it stays nothing but cruel. What a contrast! Let me take you all on the arduous yet adventurous journey of living in Delhi during the summer!

The art of going out:

“Delhi metros are the best places to visit during the summer,” reads a reel. A funny fact, actually! As a busy state with rushing roads, it’s quite easy for the heat waves to make people their prey. A careless person, unaware of the severity of the sun, can pass out in minutes. So do people in Delhi hibernate during the summers? You mean, “Solar Bears?!” Not really. Hibernation in a busy state could lead to big miscarriages in the country! I might sound exaggerating, but that’s not really the case. Looking at people flooding in sweat for their families in the hot sun breaks my heart. While some people have the privilege of traveling by car, metro, or bus, some don’t, and that is the worst one can encounter.

Pathetic and painful:

I was happy the ice cream vendor came back in front of our college after the winter. It’s been a long time. Though I was overjoyed at how he would earn more, I was deeply saddened by how painful it’s going to be standing in the sun throughout the day. It made me think about a different aspect of life: how a person’s life depends on climate! Of course! The unbearable heat cannot suppress the unbearable pain held by every person. Not only humans but also stray animals become prey to the fury waves. Water scarcity and power cuts are the biggest nightmares of the day, making people wonder where the less used energy of the winter went! “You must be used to it,” I said to the Delhi natives. “Nah, this time the heat is cruelly burning.” One of the scariest statements I heard in recent times. Summers target easily vulnerable people. Heat waves don’t stay cruel to everyone —a statement that is unfiltered and raw. Some enjoy ice cream, while others enjoy selling it.

Temperature to half-century:

“How ya doing?” A friend’s message reached my phone, followed by a post reading, “Delhi reaches 50 degrees Celsius and experiences terrible heat waves.” That’s half a century! I would’ve been happy if that was the score of my favorite cricket player, and definitely not the temperature. Temperatures inclining towards the century are nothing but a red sign, stopping people in Delhi from visiting the Red Fort. Feeling the heat over my head is the only song I could keep singing all the way on the way to my PG! Pollution, together with heatwaves, is the new enemy to people and their day-to-day lives. Escaping from headaches and heavy fevers is a survival skill that needs to be instilled within us to prevent the sun from overtaking us.

Air conditioners and global warming:

From blaming air conditioners for global warming to blaming places without air conditioners, we’ve come a long way. Accurately, excessive usage of air-conditioners needs to be prevented! But because of our negotiations, the need has become a must. What if the people of yesterday used the ACs only when required and prevented Global warming so that the people of today don’t have to suffer? Thinking about the future is the only way to save energy resources and preserve nature’s gift! The obsession of people over the arrival of ACs has led to the suppression of heat over the living creatures. “Too much of anything is good for nothing” seems to be the only proverb people don’t listen to! It's high time we realized its importance and started acting accordingly.

Hands together for the better:

Regretting the death news of people due to heat strokes and high fever wouldn’t lessen the effects of heat. Instead, we need to think about what could be done. Pondering the measures to save our fellow people is mandatory! “Little things impact more.” Asking the delivery person if he needs some water and filling his water bottle would not only fill his thirst but also make his delivery journey less difficult. Keeping a bowl of water for the stray animals is how we show our humanity. Living a life of love, especially during the climate crisis, makes everything beautiful around us. Let’s keep showing the sun that the warmth and love we share with our fellow humans can easily pass it's rage.

Lastly:

Be it winter or summer, cold waves or heat waves, it depends on how we overcome them. Adaptation and survival measures need to be handy, and during the crisis, we shouldn’t let our selfishness overcome our humanity. What I meant by dear Delhi is the dear people who can handle the horrible heatwaves smartly and help one another. Let’s not forget to armor ourselves with light clothes and a light heart. Let wearing a cap and holding an umbrella be our signature moves for standing against the cruel summer. Let’s not forget to care for ourselves and for others. Beating the summer shouldn’t be a big task. Let’s do it!

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