WINTER HAS COME!

Long heavy coats and gumboots are out of the closet as it has become a fad for young people and party goers. Piles of dry logs are back on streets and bonfires are already lit to beat the cold. It’s winter time and people seem to be enjoying the weather. For those who cannot afford to stay indoors, the intense cold has added to their woes and for them shawls, mufflers and money caps are their battle gear.

For daily wage earners — rickshaw pullers, vegetable sellers, manual workers — there is no rest despite the bone-chilling cold and a free-for-all roadside bonfire lit during the early day is a blessing in disguise. The intense cold has surely helped hosiery traders, as the sale of warm clothing has increased. Special weekly bazaars are being set up alongside roads to sell winter clothes.

Faith beats cold

The cold wave has failed to beat the faith of believers, as is evident from devotees taking a dip in cold water at Darbar Sahib early morning every day even though the mercury is dipping with each passing day. The hazy look caused by fog not only impacts visibility but also adds a layer of mysticism, especially if you are at a spiritual place.

Chal Dhanno

This horse cart owner is out on the road early in the morning with a warm scarf wrapped around his face to keep the cold at bay.

Adding warmth

A bonfire surely offers more comfort than room heaters. In the old city areas, bonfires in localities are a common site.

Sunbathing a luxury

Sitting or lying in the sun is a luxury not many can afford in this fast-paced life. On a sunny day, parks and grounds at religious places are replete with such scenes where people are lazily basking in the winter warmth.

Agriculture cannot wait

While the temperature is too low to even venture out, farmers cannot ignore irrigating their crops. Interestingly, irrigation helps saplings in fighting the ill-effects of frost.