Back in action

Am finally back in action after like about three months, maybe more. All this while I was on a glorious vacation in India. Well, most of the while anyways. Been back about two and a half weeks now. But I had a wonderful time at home; in spite of the fact that it was summer in India. I realised what the term "Indian Summer" means. It means unrelenting, brain frying heat. It was HOT HOT HOT! But I realised one thing. India with all its heat and dust is still more colourful and vibrant than any place I have ever seen in all my life. I was so glad to be back that I even embraced the horrible summer eagerly.

When I say that in spite of the heat, India ia still colourful and vibrant, I mean how alive it is. Imagine this, The heat lies like a heavy pall over the earth. The earth herself is parched, thirsty and dry; waiting for the first rain. Not the slightest breeze offers respite from the suns rays. The bushes are dry, and the trees, dusty. There is not a sound to heard anywhere, not even a birdsong to break the opressive silence. When suddenly you hear the softly tinkling bell that cattle wear around their necks. And see them, followed by a girl holding a stick to hurry them along. Suddenly, the whole place seems to come alive as the cattle make their way home kicking up dust in their wake. Just as the dust is settling, you see a flash of lightning and hear the distant rumble of thunder. You cast your gaze upwards, and in the horizon, you see rain clouds. And just like that the whole scene in front of you comes alive. Birds start chirping, there is a breeze with a hint of moisture that promises respite from the unrelenting heat. The plants and trees seem to stand at attention for the rain. The first few drops don't even reach the parched ground. They evaporate before that. And then comes the deluge, warm, life giving rain. The plants and trees seem to flutter and dance in the wind and the rain. That is when you realise, summer is over. The rains have come.

There is nothing like the first rain to make one aware of the power of nature over man. The monsoons in India are like nothing else on earth. The warm rain, the cold winds, the smell of rain drenched earth and the sight of growing greenery....makes me feel happy to be alive!