COLD FEET

It came too soon like a voodoo curse. Full time and part time revellers were doing their thing on 31st December night creating commotion for indoor patrons. Loud speakers were noisy late night as we slowly crept into the New Year. Till such time I was teasing the weather by putting on a light sweater and no overhead gear, rambling around the town in gay abandon. If December had sunshine all day, then its dear cousin January was bound to be warmer. Being a newcomer to the city I ignored what permanent settlers had to say about the changes in weather. I was still missing Christmas time I spent at home far away.

And then came disaster. It was like the clouds from heaven had descended to make everyone miserable. It was cold to say the least and visibility about nothing. I thought that I rather stay indoors than face the winter until late in the afternoon. Later that day I gathered the courage in full gear with venerated awe to walk by for a cup of hot tea. The streets looked deserted with some fast cars addressing the roadways. It has been like a sudden onslaught over the last few days like someone is daring us for battle. For most of us winter is a pleasurable season; a time to try some of long forgotten savoury soups or endless cups of warm tea huddled around an electric heater. Yet there are people just like us who can ill afford warm clothing for winter or far worse are forced to camp outdoors. Prices of all essential commodities have gone up and warm clothing is no exception. Such people take one hard look at themselves and their ambience and save it for their last dance. Their feet turn cold and blue stopping blood circulation to vital parts until it’s all over. Consider the fact – countries in the West like the US have winters as severe as no one can imagine compared to what we have over here, yet there are fewer deaths over there, if any, than our very own country. Flight delays are acceptable for us low-tech Indians though we have fully mocked a western lifestyle in all respects. Does Delhi IGI airport have the latest equipment allowing planes to take off and land in foggy cold conditions? Why not, we have one of the best equipped airports in the world. But when it comes to crunch times, there is always an excuse. Why not emulate the dedication and perseverance of those people we love so much than nitpicking their anomalies.
The fault is not in the weather but us. Let’s address such issues than chalking out the itineraries of the rich and famous. It’s time to move on.
The winter has just begun.