Summer, as I remember it from childhood, was never something we feared—it was simply a way of life.
Growing up in Delhi in the 1950 and 60s, we studied in municipal schools that often operated under tents. Sitting on floor mats, writing on wooden slates, we attended afternoon classes even in peak heat. For nearly two years, our school shift was in the afternoon. I would walk about three kilometres from Kishanganj to Sabzi Mandi along with an office peon, without even carrying a water bottle. When thirsty, we drank water straight from a tap: often warm, yet strangely refreshing.
Life was simple. Expectations were minimal. And yet, we were rarely unwell.
The Grandmother’s Summer Protocol
Summers at my grandmother’s house followed a disciplined yet nurturing routine.
At 11 a.m., each child received two slices of muskmelon. After lunch at around 1 p.m., drinking salted buttermilk was mandatory. Asking for a sweet version would invite a stern look! Afternoon naps were encouraged, though we often escaped quietly to continue our play.
By 4 p.m., we were called back for a glass of lemonade or traditional sherbet. Carbonated drinks were not part of our lives. Occasionally, we were given rose-flavored soda mixed with milk—a treat we relished.
This was her version of a “summer management system”: simple, natural, and effective.
Grandfather’s Natural Remedies
When we didn’t visit our grandmother, our grandfather would come from Jaipur. He had deep knowledge of Unani medicine and herbs. At home, he prepared cooling drinks like rose and sandalwood sherbets, along with gulkand and amla murabba.
These weren’t just delicacies: they strengthened immunity. As a result, summer-related illnesses rarely affected us.
His guiding principle was profound:
Nature provides what the body needs, in the season it is needed.
In summer, vegetables like bottle gourd, ridge gourd, okra, and drumstick, along with salads like cucumber and kakdi, naturally support the body’s cooling needs.
Living Close to Nature
Back then, there were no refrigerators or air conditioners. Water was cooled in earthen pots. Homes had courtyards with neem trees providing shade and medicinal benefits.
Life was slower, but healthier.
What We Forgot
Today, we have replaced natural living with artificial comforts. In doing so, we have distanced ourselves from the very systems that kept us balanced.
The lesson is simple and timeless:
The closer we live to nature, and the better we understand its signals, the healthier we remain.
Final Thought
We often look for complex solutions to modern health problems. Yet, sometimes, the answers lie in the simplicity of our past: waiting to be rediscovered.
Inspire Positivity 