Monsoon Blues and Festive Hues

A cool breeze blows, a light drizzle begins, soon turning into a heavy shower! Welcome Monsoon. Four months of rain and rain transforming beautiful landscape. The green carpet is laid. Farmers rejoicing, dams filling and maintaining the cycle of seasons. The picture of India welcoming the Monsoon. 

But not this time.

The word monsoon is derived from the Arabic word 'Mausim' meaning season. It is the seasonal wind that brings rainfall to India. A complex phenomena involving several factors-moisture laden winds, droplet formation, orographic barriers, and even the El Nino effect. With around 60% of land area being agricultural land, India is heavily dependent on the monsoon. The farmers obviously planning their crop cycle accordingly. I'v been in Pune since birth. This city is blessed with a modest climate and sufficient rainfall. The Sahyadris revamp into exceptionally beautiful landscape after the rains. The water supply comes from the reservoirs on the city outskirts throughout the year. The scene this year is way different. 

It's mid September and the monsoon is set to withdraw from the country. The outlook seems grim. With several regions in state and country facing a severe rainfall shortage. Water cuts have begin. Even the Koyna dam (this region usually receives very heavy rainfall during monsoon), one of the largest in state is at critical water storage. While we continue frolicking for festivities, our fellow farmers harm themselves irreversibly. They are forced to move out from their villages to cities, which are already heavily populated facing employment crisis. 

I am no economist or a weather scientist, nor any technologist. 

I may not know the ways in which our State's or country's economy could be affected. Or in predicting the monsoon accurately. But I understand this is to change. It is already changing. The coming years will not be the same with monsoon beginning in June and ending in September. It may not be a normal or an average one either, filling the reservoirs comfortably. It may be delayed. It may be excess, erratic or sporadic. Are we prepared to tackle such erratic changes?

On the other hand, when you see around, the people seem ignorant and unaffected. We continue to waste water, harm the natural cycle 

(all the more during the festive time), we continue to spend lakhs on 'Dahi Handi' or 50 feet Ganesh statues. We continue to use plastic, thermocol for the 'decorations' to please the God. Our expenditures include a lot of festive fun and frolic for the ones that are already blessed with food (a lot of it) and shelter, in the name of 'Vargani'. I am not against the celebrations nor in hampering this festive spirit, flavour or colour. But, have we lost our sensitivity or is our emotional quotient subdued in realizing the desperate situation we are about to face? Can you be happy while several people fight for water (literally, people protect the water stored from water thieves encountered in drought hit regions), commit suicides, migrate to different regions and more. 

But if we could be a little more aware, giving and concerned, and channelize these bits, by one and all, in a place where required, won't the people's God be happier too? Even if you put 10% in the right place at the right time, things will change marginally. May not be drastically, but slowly and surely. It can be money, time or resources or even something as simple as spreading awareness. Let our choices be more green, clean and social. Let us try to redefine the way we celebrate festivals and come together for a cause rather than just for entertainment. 

Beyond statistical modeling and prayers, lies a much complex story of the monsoon, which turns blue every single year. Are we ready to face the change? I have done my part, and strive to improve each day. Do you?

Koynanagar during peak monsoon, August 2013.

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May the Lord bless you All! Happy festivities :)