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The Monsoons Are Back!!

Since the summer of 2015, each person has been desperately hoping for some good rains this year. There were farmers by the dozen, committing suicide due to a bad harvest. People have died of sun strokes when temperatures had shot up to as high as 48°C ! We well-to-do people do not realise the agony and pains of those who need to survive as street dwellers! The heat trapped by the thin asbestos sheets must be causing unimaginable discomfort to those who have made a home underneath it!
Poor vendors, security guards, construction workers, and not to mention homeless families and stray animals must be sweating it out and suffering the most!
It was a massive blow to all Indian citizens when the rainfall was much lesser than was expected during the "monsoon" of 2015. Dams dried up and the gushing water flowing from taps reduced to a narrow trickle in many regions. Very few areas had 24*7 running water during the 2016 summer!. Due to a bad rainy season, the temperatures continued to hover between 28°C - 35°C for the rest of the year too!!
The people of India had had enough till the seemingly long and humid 2016 summer came to an end. They were now in dire need of a good monsoon! They were frantically wishing for the meteorological department's predictions of a good rainfall to come true!
And lo and behold! It is 3rd of August today and most areas of the country have already received an extremely good rainfall!
It is said in Greek myths that the Greek Gods are VERY mischievous, and love seeing humans at their wits' ends. Perhaps they had had a good laugh and the good grace to take pity on us puny, mundane mortals. They are sending torrents of rain upon us! Zeus, is this your doing? Is Poseidon behind this trick which you apparently find amusing? (Zeus is   the Greek God of the Sky, while Poseidon, his elder brother is that of the seas and water)
As drops of rain bless our Earth, new life is sprouting and spreading. Lush green grass is bristling  and covering many patches of the soil. Small wild flowers are blooming, playing hide and seek amongst the tall grass. Lush green fields seem to be swaying and dancing to the rhythm of the wind! Farmers are looking on with wonder as parched land soaks all the water, undergoes metamorphosis and transforms into plots which promise a very good crop! Street children are jumping in puddles, having the time of their lives, absolutely oblivious to the mud that cakes their limbs! The aromatic blend of the water and the soil never fail to make my senses sing!
Sometimes, the raindrops gently patter off the ground. The thrumming of rain against rock and cement; and the clashing of water and metal provide me with great pleasure. It is one of Nature's own, beautiful melodies.
The sight of the once gloomy and foreboding, grey clouds now brings sighs and smiles of relief from the people! The dust and heat which summer brings has been washed away, only to be replaced with greenery and freshness!
States such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Assam have received very heavy rainfall during this monsoon. The rivers are in spate and many families have been displaced and have had to evacuate the region due to this.The city of Nashik has been submerged in water! Other areas such as Assam and Aurangabad have also been flooded.My sincere prayers to all those who have been affected by these floods in different parts of the country. Vidarbha in Maharashtra, which is known to suffer from shortage of water is receiving an excellent rainfall. It feels as though Nature is trying to make up for the lashing torrents of rain of which the last year was devoid!
So, sit by you windowsill with a steaming mug of tea or coffee, with a plate piled high with your favourite pakoras and a good book, and enjoy the simple and unforgettable pleasures of this wonderful season!
All of India and it's citizens have been blessed.

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