The intercom rang, and the guard informed that the fruits, vegetables and medicines ordered on phone or online apps have arrived, and requested permission to send them. What made this communication important was the guards and the vendors were doing their duties in the scorching heat. It is unthinkable for us to leave the comfort of our AC rooms to go out in the blazing sun. But they were out in the field to make the summers comfortable for us.
The average temperature in the month of May for Delhi is around 42-43 degrees. On 29 May, IMD reported a maximum temperature of 52.9 degrees at Mangeshpur, but it was later withdrawn and rectified to 49.2 degrees which also was almost five degree more than the highest recorded temperature in past. On the same day, there were slight splashes of rains that made temperature bearable for few hours. There not much relief, and the city witnessed breaking almost 79 years of records, with only 2 days of rains in May.
The people involved in public services are the worst hit. Be it the traffic monitor at road crossings trying to ease traffic when everyone is rushing home and its tempting to break rules at the inconvenience of others, or the delivery boys who are bringing food, grocery, gifts, shopping items, etc. to our door step, or the rikshaw puller who is taking us to our destination, everyone is contributing to our comfort.
The management staffs of societies are also at receiving end. The guards are manning our society gates, ensuring no unauthorised person enters the society, so that our safety is not compromised. The ironing staff that not only work in extreme heat, but also work with burned coal which in itself is heat generating. The electricians and plumbers of society are also working overtime to work on frequent power outrage and intermittent water supply due to extreme weather conditions and limited government supply. The vegetable and fruit vendors at the corner of the street stand in such high temperature to provide us with affordable fresh produce.
While everyone is doing their jobs, the people who are working for making our lives comfortable must be acknowledged for their work, the least we can do is to treat them with respect and dignity.
As Vedas teach- सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः, सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः, सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु, मा कश्चिद् दुःख भाग्भवेत् (May everyone be happy, may everyone be free from diseases, may everyone see the auspicious / noble truth, may no one suffer from misery.)
