Desi Tips to Survive Summers

So here we are, smack in the middle of this elaborate festival of flip-flops and aam ras (mango juice) that we can fondly call ‘summer’ and so far, we have managed just fine. Sure, there is a copious amount of sweat threatening to turn us into human fountains and the afternoons that make us wish we could go into hibernation for a few weeks, or at least find a nudist colony to live in. And as much as we want to carry our air-conditioners with us, we can’t; and no, ‘Navratna Cool Talc’ is not a substitute for an AC (yes, Shah Rukh Khan lied to us). However, we are experts at adjusting, whether it is stuffing 6 people in a seat meant for 3, or coping with weather that is probably trying to melt us into submission. 

                               My sweat just soaked the paper I’m fanning myself with.

As it is with each season, there are always little things that make it truly desi, and don’t try to pretend otherwise. First and foremost, the relationship that Indians have with mangoes is nothing less than a love story deserving of its own Bollywood song. And if not that, at least one attractive leading lady treating the King of fruits with the PDA it is meant for (Katrina Kaif, we’re looking at you). And of course, the Watermelon comes as a close second when it comes to fruits we gorge on when the heat kills our appetite for actual meals.

                          Damn right. 

Also, a big shout out to ‘Rasna’ and ‘Tang’ and good old nimpupaani for keeping us hydrated through these trying times. You know it is summer when you don’t even offer guests chai or coffee but go straight to the thandai or shikanji. Not to forget the beloved aam ras as mentioned above. Seriously, we cannot get enough of mangoes, can we? 

                    What do you mean I can only have one glass?

Ah, but not for a moment should you think that we restrict ourselves to food and drink to keep us cool. When we say jugaad, we don’t play around. Remember when you couldn’t sleep all night because your bed was just so hot and you felt suffocated in your room? Nobody does, because we all slept on the terrace or the balcony. Most likely with a damp sheet to cover ourselves with, because who needs an AC when the breeze will do the work for free?

So maybe it is a little too hot to be comfortable at times, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have your desi SWAG to keep yourself cool. B)

8 Types of College Students in the Summer

We have traveled well into this tunnel of torture that we call summer, and it is just refusing to end. Fortunately, college students usually know what they want to do with this 2 month time period of basically no rules. Here are a few types of students you might be familiar with during the summer:

The Internshippers: These guys are the first ones to snag a nice internship to fatten up their résumé while the rest of us are just dreaming of the end of our finals. They are also the ones uploading pictures in formals and tagging their bosses.

The Try Guys: “This summer I’m gonna go bungee jumping and join a ballet dance class and learn how to bake a cake and learn a prodigy level hip-hop dance routine!” 

The Relaxers: For them, summer is all about catching up on the sleep they lost during the finals and taking a break. “It’s called summer vacation guys, I’ll be in my sweatpants watching YouTube videos if you need me.”

The F.R.I.E.N.D.S.: They are pretty much “hanging out with friends” all the time. And by hanging out, of course we mean checking Facebook in close proximity to each other. And having pizza.

The Travelers: Family vacation time! Prepare for check-ins and updates every 5 minutes as they make their way through religious places/Goa/their aunt in USA/places with scenic beauty.

The Partayy-ers: The party don’t start till summer walks in! Because who knows when you’re going to get to do that again? 

The Insomniacs: Summer? You mean owl mode right? Suddenly, you’re up all night and sleeping away the hot afternoons. And sometimes more than just the afternoons. 

The Workforce: And this category can be found hard at work on their laptops and phones, making sure that this year’s Kaleidoscope is the best you’ve ever seen. Subtle, right?