Summer Peaks Out over Delhi

The summer heat generally peaks out around mid june in Delhi. But temps have already started touching 43, as we enter may. The typical cooling of rapidly rising mercury levels by thunder/ dust storms, a hallmark of the summer in Delhi is nowhere in sight. The almost "heat wave" conditions are making front page news items in HT and TOI, the two leading Delhi Dailies the most of past week.


As I resume writing in the evening, there were signs of a dust/ thunder storm ( mentioned above)building up late afternoon. But the fleeting hope of respite from the heat wave disappeared after a few drops of rain in parts of Delhi. The dreaded "loo"(strong hot and dry winds- Hindi ),is back since evening.The worst phase of the summer heat in north India is when the dreaded " Loo" does not subside even in the evenings and continues to blow through the nights. I think we are already in that phase.

The IPL has certainly taken a toll of Delhi life.There was hardly any traffic on the busy roads of 'Lutyens' Delhi, as we drove up and down for a social commitment this evening. 'Sit in' restaurant business, as also attendance in movie halls has taken a beating by about 20%. But 'carry away' and 'home delivery orders' have picked up. We seem going the "Uncle Sam" way, as the "Super Leagues" scenario is evolving around the passion game of millions in South Asia- Cricket. The "Super Bowl" final TV viewership, rated highest for an annual sports event in America, is sure to be overtaken by the IPL, I can see. Would that be a boost for Show Biz and Sports Events Biz. Not an altogether bad development for India. What say you?

A feature which never fails to fascinate me, as I drive around roads in different parts of India,in the south or north through towns, cities and villages is the amazing energy levels of road users. In the US ( where I have lived for a few years), the six or eight lane roads are mostly used by those commuting between home and work and by shoppers in their cars, in India the variety of road users is simply mind boggling! From hand and bullock driven carts to the latest models of European, Japanese, Korean and American autos , all are seen carrying goods and passengers of every description at neck break speeds, as per the capability of the modes, to reach their commercial, social, religious, or spiritual day to day destinations.The energy levels of the drivers is totally unaffected by the heat,the dust and the squalor visible all along the road sides- more in the north than the south.These fantastic energy levels, believe me, are only to be seen in Asia, possibly driven by sheer poplation numbers pressures.Do you agree?

I would like to make this an interactive and participative Blog. Any suggestions on how to do it?

There is less of gardening in this weekly blog of mine, than normal. Well the answer simply is that we are in the midst of the bleakest gardening seasom in Delhi. The "Desi Maalis" do not have much to look forward to in these days of water shotages and extreme heat, except to watch the summer flowering trees along the road sides and parks. The 'Gulmohar' blooms are losing their glory, the "Amaltash" or the "Cassia Fistula" ( a rather unpleasant botanical name), are yet to assume full potential of their blazing glory.The Lagestromia Thorelis large mauve blooms have started appering on the medium sized trees planted not that long ago ll over Lutyens Delhi. Can be seen in plenty in Nehru Park and Akbar Road round abouts.The white Champa flowers on trees with long slender leaves can also be seen in plenty.The Petuias in my home garden and other public parks are amazingly withstanding the sweltering heatand the scorching heat. Such are the marvels of nature if one has the eye and the time to admire them.

STEVIA is a plant to watch out for in future. It is a low growing shrub, less than the height of a tea bush which can grow well between 15 to 35 degrees temps range in sandy and loamy soils in several parts of India to produce a wholly plant derivative sweetener( the sugar is extracted from the leaves of the plant I am told), with 0 cholestrol, fat and calories content and ten times sweeter than beetroot or sugar cane sugar which is supposed to be fully safe for Diabetics. A Canada based scientist of Chinese origin did research to remove the slight bitter taste left by the STEVIA sweetener during the refining process moved back to Mainland China and has set up factories already in the production mode there.He is now being invited to set up a factory in India.Can you imagine the various sweets shops like Ghante Wala , Haldi Rams, Bengali and Agarwal Mithai shops all having separate stalls selling every description of Mithais with STEVIA. It does not as yet have certifications from the US Federal Agriculture Authority. All I can say is that the US must awake out of its slumber not to be overtaken by the giant shadow of the Dragon which has started moving.And the Tiger too is crawling!

This is all for this week folks from your ex- Cop and ex- Spook Desi Maali.
Have a great week ahead.