Well the rains are here:

Its surprising how year after year, the rains manage to come down at the same time. And it’s even more surprising how year after year we always manage to fool ourselves how ready we are for the rains. The Rain Gods must be waiting their share of fun all year long. The rains are finally here, same time, same place and same mess.

When the heat, the sweat and the dust seem impossible, it’s time to pray to the Rain Gods. Innumerable worships and ablutions follow and finally, the Rain Gods seem merciful. What we do not realize however is that it’s not us who are so desperate for the Rains, it’s the Gods who are more desperate. After a year of waiting and moving around the world, it’s finally the turn of their favourite place, Mumbai. And supporting the Gods in their fun is the administration of Mumbai, the BMC also known as the Municipal Corporation.

Each year, before the rains start, the Corporation engineers come up with fantastic plans to fight the rains. Innumerable bags of cement and unimaginable tons of concrete follow but just in time for the rains to wash it all away. The engineers then think of clearing the drains and the whole cycle just repeats again and again and again. And we the common men and of course the ladies keep paying taxes again and again and again.

What is intriguing however is how desperately the people of this city await the rains. In the months from June to September we are explicitly vocal about how we are cutting down the trees and destroying the environment. But during the other nine months we are equally vocal about development and infrastructure. But then that’s the fun of the rainy season. The most unwelcome season is also the most eagerly awaited.

And so with the dirt and the muck and the logged water, the rains are here. Finally with the late trains and the disappearing public transport, the rains are here. With the cool breeze and the dull lazy weather, the rains are here. I only hope they stay throughout the season.