Amidst the pouring rains from early morning and the flooded streets
of the city, particularly so in the Chandigarh, (Army Wing), where I live, I have
managed to have survived an entire day. Watching the water grow
dangerously close to the insides of the Hotel, The Fern Residency. The road in
front submerged and not pliable, even with cars on stilts and massive
engines and the on and off again internet services. Some parts of the Industrial and Business Park area and the inner lanes still ankle deep in stagnant waters, and
as my driver drive past to get me to office, where the flooding was immense and
most threatening, the one factor that is noticeable is that all the
security guards that man all the gates of the Hotel have their
pants rolled up ! Sign of the times ! And yes the stray cats, I
actually said that, cat lovers, and the dogs are finding hiding elevated
covers to keep afloat ! Actually found a few perched on top of the
cars, on the window sils and on the steps !! Welcome cats. Keep dry. No
fights and screeches in the middle of the night. And thank you for
keeping the rats away !!
I think Chandigarh has reconciled itself to the fact that water logging is like the spelling of the name of the city! Well ..
And the traffic snarls get pronounced and people more irritable. But to give credit to the traffic police, they were all out there in the middle at every sensitive and vulnerable point in their newly acquired uniforms – white overalls to keep the rain away with hoods, and stylish black pedestrian crossing like stripes by the mid riff – pretty smart ! And journey I thought that would take hours, actually got me to my Office for interviews ahead of time !! So that kind of kept my punctuality quotient in tact !
The rains bring with them a sensuous feel to the entire day. The dark grey low rain bearing clouds form the early hours of the morning. So when you pull the curtains in the morning expecting the sun to hit your eyes, you realize that its actually time to put the lights on. And yes despite all the precautionary covers, rain does have a way of being noticed. It shall drip down at most unwanted areas and assert itself, no matter how hard one may try, embarrassing the company that is given charge of putting up the ‘taadpatri’. Shelves housing books and important paper work get shifted around. Plug points and electronics are given a constant look over so no short circuits take place and dehumidifiers find themselves doing good business during these three intense monsoon months ! Its an entire war room operation !
But you have to admit that the gentle and sometimes harsh lashes of rain on the roof and against the protective covers, does give a deep sense of romance, hot eatables, cozy sitting arrangements, a movie and perhaps if there is an adventurous mood, a drive out in the rain to search for that delicious ‘bhutta’ – corn on the cob !! ‘Bhutta’, that delicacy associated so much with the monsoons in Chandigarh. Those stalls by the pavements, burning them up fresh for your taste. The slice of lemon, a bit of butter and at times the red chilli powder … satisfaction !!
But by far the most enticing is the warm interiors of a bed and something to munch as you drown yourself into a sleep by the constant tone of the falling rain !
It is quiet just now. The rain is silent and so are the birds. The sky does not thunder anymore and neither do we witness those strong flashes of lighting that precede the bang. The tire sounds of the traffic on the wet roads remains, the odd droplet from some awning reminding you of the deluge in the morning and an ominous silence. Perhaps in preparation for the morning with greater rain !
There is something about it that is so romantic, so …. gosh I do not know the right word for it, but I am sure you understand ..
Hmmm i shall write more on this trip very soon.. for now that's it...
My love to you all.. and a gentle prayer for the most gentle and gracious Mrs Anjana Singh … and a happy birthday to Mastar Satvik Kamath from UK for his 14th Birthday .. God bless all...
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