A day without electricity It was a sudden realisation that the electricity would be off for the annual maintenance, for the whole period from 9.am.to 5p.m .Having got used to this necessity called luxury, one finds himself in deep trouble. The fridge and its contents are out of bound. In the sweltering summer heat, cold water, ice cream, cold beer is a much desirable missing want. The entertainment through T. V. or the music has to be abstained, not as a sacrifice, but something as inevitable. The wrinkled clothes cannot be ironed, since old coal irons have long been discarded and sold as scrap. The sleeping fans and immobile air conditioners are dormant like sleeping dogs. The favourite pastime of keeping in touch with friends and others is also put on hold as public telephones are shut too It is unfortunate that the sudden discharge of mobile was not anticipated. When the whole Taluka is without energy, one has travel for miles together to get much needed Xerox copies for the admission in Q to colleges, early next day. The refrigerated medicines and other food products suffer damage. The excess food cannot be preserved, but must be consumed reluctantly. No repairs of any kinds and the whole world around you comes to a grinding halt . Some public functions loose the charm due to absence of amplified music, soothing environment and cool refreshments.
For a moment one experiences a desert like hellish atmosphere with temperatures soaring to 38 degrees centigrade plus .One is forced to take some clothes off to minimize the discomfort. Standing and sitting under the trees is no solution, however temporary. It looks as if one is running out of options. Gulping down litters of water with salt tablets at best can cool for a brief moment For the rich and powerful the alternate arrangement of fuel generators and inverters keep them smiling comfortably, in spite of the power cut. The idea of using air-condition of the car does not sound ludicrous. A visiting M.P at his relative’s residence can have the pleasure of industrial generator to keep his style intact for a day. Not everyone can afford to hire such a contrivance. Hand held fans can ease the discomfort for a little while. Some wise guy set out for a visit to the sea shore with his family, for a day out, or have a dip in some a swimming pool in a star hotel .How else can one meet the summer exigency in a planned manner .The comforts are almost taken for granted as absolute necessity such that even day without electric energy seems longer. An apt joke of course but it drives the message convincingly. The husband wanted the wife to open tins for food in the absence of electric energy but could not do so because the openers worked on electricity. Waiting in hope for the energy to be switched on at the appointed hour is the saving grace. When it finally arrives after an hours delay, everyone heaves a sigh of relief and the activities are back to normal. Only in the absence of the facility, which we often take for granted, its worth can be appreciated and recognised. I am wondering how normal mortals can cope and adjust to such unplanned discomfort even for some hours .Hope its serves as a reminder not to waste, precious energy indiscriminately but to save this precious source and use it it judiciously Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
