The monsoonal rain has been joyously lashing out on the windowpane in my room for the past month. This is the same window, which was one of the few solace to me this summer, when the novel coronavirus was wreaking havoc in the country. Specifically, this is the very same window overlooking a pair of fruit laden Mango trees, which kept me company with an earnest ear, whilst I was quarantined alone in my room awaiting recovery.
Summer at Bokaro Steel City, my hometown was always a grim affair with temperatures exceeding 40 degree Celsius on most days. It was a pleasant surprise that this time around, the early summer months were marked with occasional thunderstorms, or so we thought. Whilst the pre monsoon rain was indeed a sigh of relief, everything changed when the Delta variant of the Coronavirus hit the country. The streets became deserted, but for occasional sighting of cattle, the people limited themselves to their houses. We fought, we prayed and we held each other in our thoughts. Then there was a change in ‘wind’. From the high seas miles away, Monsoon came along to the subcontinent dancing like a carefree toddler on his first joyride.
Although, billions of people in the Indian subcontinent eagerly await the arrival of monsoon every year, this time around it was very special. The entire world acknowledges the indispensable role of monsoon in India’s agricultural industry and overall economy. However, the fact of the matter is that since ages, monsoon has not been just a respite to the hot and humid summer in India or boost to the economy, but has bred into the heart and soul of Indian culture and society. From the dedication of various classical ragas to the lively rains, to the monsoon favorite snack of Chai-Pakoda and Papadams to those football matches in the rain soaked fields, the monsoonal showers have rejuvenated the vigor and spirits of the people across the length and breadth of India.
And this year also, the monsoon simply gushed past the mountains and through the forests bringing a smile to our faces and bliss to our hearts. The number of Covid cases in the country continue to fall sharply, and the monsoonal showers and wind have only added to heal the mind and soul of people by bringing them more close to nature and thus, themselves. The monsoonal period or rainy season, as it is popularly called, normally lasts until October-November when the monsoon starts to retreat from the Indian subcontinent. This time around, this period is very important for India. Post the second wave of COVID, in April and May, this is a very good opportunity for most of the people to be vaccinated and to emerge stronger for the approaching winters by continuing to live in COVID appropriate behavior. While the monsoon can certainly cheer us up, we must use this period to equip ourselves in the face of the challenges presented. Just like the monsoon, which travels miles to bring relief and joy to us, we must strive our best to equip ourselves with available resources and mechanisms to be better and emerge stronger in the face of adversities that lie ahead.
The writer is Associate Corporate Counsel with the Legal and Compliance of Team of Wipro Limited.