Its raining cats and dogs
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Clearly one doesn't understand the real meaning of the word 'Monsoon' until he or she experiences it first hand. Nothing in this world can ever give you the true meaning of the word like experiencing it by being in the midst of it; not even books, tales, experiences shared by someone who's seen it or videos.
As someone said, if the world has to look for a long term progress in any part of the world, it has to be the Indian subcontinent. For no other nation or group of nations experience a steady dependable period of downpour from the heavens like the subcontinent does. In fact this act of nature, also known as rain, is probably one of the most important needs of humans. They need it in order to meet their daily needs, to progress and to sustain the civilization. I cannot think of any other part of the world where a monsoon, or its equivalent, works like a clockwork every year.
1st of June is known to be the day when Monsoon hits the southern part of the country in the state called Kerala. Apparently, June 1st marks the first day schools reopen after the long summer break. Keralites have known for years that these two coincide almost every year. No matter what happens, it rains on the 1st of June. Some kids are probably annoyed that their school season starts with a schoolbag and an umbrella (or a rain jacket) in hand whilst some are happy that the monsoon is finally here - they can enjoy it out in the open: playing in the rain is like a dream come true for any kid in this part of the world.
In a matter of weeks the Monsoon gradually travels north-west and hits the western part of the country before arriving in Mumbai in the 2nd half of July and then the northern parts of the country in August/September. June through October are the months when the country meets most of its supply of the yearly water consumption filling in lakes (both natural and man made) and dams. It comes with another benefit - a relief from the scorching summer heat. With temperature rising every year, the importance of monsoon rains would only increase in the future. Of course, needless to say that its a boon to industries and the agriculture industry. Nothing better than a natural source of water.
It also brings a level of discomfort with it. The intensity of rains on certain days almost disrupts the routine people are used to. Travel, communication, electricity and anything you name it is affected. As the intensity increases, folks get over the initial jitters and life during monsoon falls back to normal. It can bring a whole city to halt (like what happened in Mumbai a few years back) and bouncing back becomes difficult. The uncertainty adds to the displeasure of residents; if it starts to rain - one can never predict when it would stop. Sometimes it just rains for a week. Light rain at times but still it keeps pouring days and days. There are quite a few industries that survive as a result of Monsoon. They're active during these 4-5 months and make full use of the rains.
People have started to wonder if the Monsoon is of that help. All it causes is a discomfort, they say. To them I only have this to say - One year without a Monsoon and it would be difficult for half of the country to survive. The amazing thing to note is its dependability. Nature is reminding us time and again of the way it works and for as long as people in the subcontinent can remember - they have seen it function like a clockwork.
It is fun to look out of the window and enjoy the thunder, the lightening, heavy droplets of rain, small droplets but nothing like having a hot cup of tea and pakoda! Off I go to have my tea and pakoda, of course!
As someone said, if the world has to look for a long term progress in any part of the world, it has to be the Indian subcontinent. For no other nation or group of nations experience a steady dependable period of downpour from the heavens like the subcontinent does. In fact this act of nature, also known as rain, is probably one of the most important needs of humans. They need it in order to meet their daily needs, to progress and to sustain the civilization. I cannot think of any other part of the world where a monsoon, or its equivalent, works like a clockwork every year.
1st of June is known to be the day when Monsoon hits the southern part of the country in the state called Kerala. Apparently, June 1st marks the first day schools reopen after the long summer break. Keralites have known for years that these two coincide almost every year. No matter what happens, it rains on the 1st of June. Some kids are probably annoyed that their school season starts with a schoolbag and an umbrella (or a rain jacket) in hand whilst some are happy that the monsoon is finally here - they can enjoy it out in the open: playing in the rain is like a dream come true for any kid in this part of the world.
In a matter of weeks the Monsoon gradually travels north-west and hits the western part of the country before arriving in Mumbai in the 2nd half of July and then the northern parts of the country in August/September. June through October are the months when the country meets most of its supply of the yearly water consumption filling in lakes (both natural and man made) and dams. It comes with another benefit - a relief from the scorching summer heat. With temperature rising every year, the importance of monsoon rains would only increase in the future. Of course, needless to say that its a boon to industries and the agriculture industry. Nothing better than a natural source of water.
It also brings a level of discomfort with it. The intensity of rains on certain days almost disrupts the routine people are used to. Travel, communication, electricity and anything you name it is affected. As the intensity increases, folks get over the initial jitters and life during monsoon falls back to normal. It can bring a whole city to halt (like what happened in Mumbai a few years back) and bouncing back becomes difficult. The uncertainty adds to the displeasure of residents; if it starts to rain - one can never predict when it would stop. Sometimes it just rains for a week. Light rain at times but still it keeps pouring days and days. There are quite a few industries that survive as a result of Monsoon. They're active during these 4-5 months and make full use of the rains.
People have started to wonder if the Monsoon is of that help. All it causes is a discomfort, they say. To them I only have this to say - One year without a Monsoon and it would be difficult for half of the country to survive. The amazing thing to note is its dependability. Nature is reminding us time and again of the way it works and for as long as people in the subcontinent can remember - they have seen it function like a clockwork.
It is fun to look out of the window and enjoy the thunder, the lightening, heavy droplets of rain, small droplets but nothing like having a hot cup of tea and pakoda! Off I go to have my tea and pakoda, of course!
Labels: Kerala, Monsoon, Mumbai, Rain
Posted by Rajesh @ 10:26 AM; PERMALINK,
