Wishing Delhi a Bright, Cosy, Healthy and Pollution -free Winter

Winter is playing hide-n-seek with Delhi. 

In this peek-a boo game, the mornings have become pleasantly nippy with the air whipped with fresh dewy moistness, fighting to win from the smoggy foggy heaviness hanging a few feet above the head. Evenings are resplendent with the sharp, heady and intoxicating frangrance of “Lady of the Night” flowers, that wafts across the entire colony , spreading a natural air freshener throughout this time, before the onset of winter. The wispy evenings punctuate the warm  and sometimes stuffy late afternoon air redolent with the pollutants, and soothe the nerves with numerous night blooms, so naturally grown within the precincts of the colony paths.

The ardent gardening enthusiasts utilise this time to replenish their much- loved gardens with fresh manure, changing the soils, and planting winter blooming saplings that will blossom very soon with all the love and care! Fresh flowers, kitchen gardens and rich green “Garden Crotons” or “Pata Bahar” in Bangla dot the balcony and roof gardens across the colony!

The time of the year when handicrafts fairs, music festivals, school annual functions and college fests fill the calendars and fight to entice the culture- rich Delhi population to their attractions. Picnics, pot luck lunches, lazy and sunny brunches, and bright and twinkling roof top parties are eagerly looked forward to by the party animals in the Delhiite!

In all these festivities, however, the gloom descends, when the X and XII students have to earnestly prepare for the pre-board examinations in December and January and subsequently the Board exams in February. Parents sincerely stay up to support and comfort their children during these trying times. Children are pampered by good food, comfortable environment at home and some sparkles of entertainment by their thoughtful care-givers! Wishing all the students great success in their examinations!

It is hoped that Delhiites become more aware about the pollution that gets trapped in the winter air and take care of their vehicles, so that the we get cleaner, healthier and lighter air to breathe this winter! Lets take all the care to make our habitat more habitable!

Here’s wishing a bright, cosy, healthy and pollution -free winter to Delhi!

Best
Jaya Ray (Habitat.Times@gmail.com)