Our Elders and Their Summers

Kashmir is currently under the grip of a scorching heat wave. The temperatures have soared up so considerably that daily life seems quite disrupted. Due to hot and humid weather, there is uproar from all sides with a lot of distress being seen among people in the region. Dry paddy fields, wilted crops, shortage of drinking water, hue and cry among masses are clear signs of summer’s sizzling story ubiquitously. What worries me is that this prolonged dry spell is potentially going to harm us—leading to significant harvest losses in the region that once flourished as a place of pleasant weather, coolness, comfort, greenery, recreation and picturesque panorama.

But when we go back to our yesterdays, it didn’t perturb people as much as it does now. For our elders, the summer season was time to slow down, sit, relax and rejuvenate. Although they had little schooling, yet, they were Nature lovers. They had learnt to live in close proximity with Nature that gave them a source of escape from the unpleasant heat. The eagerness with which they planted shady trees to often sit and relax under them during scorching summer heat was incredible.

All of us are witness to the fact, that summers were sweltering during our elders’ time too, yet, due to abundance of shady trees like chinar, willow, walnut, mulberry trees, etc. all over, they could easily go with the season, and never felt it perturbing them in any way. However, this year, it scorched us quite early.

The reason behind experiencing unprecedented heat, with broken previous records, is nothing but repercussions of our own deeds. We always reap what we sow. However, in our elders’ time who didn’t cut the same branch they perched on; summer season was filled with laughter, gossip, wisdom, shared experiences, values and life lessons. It was a blissful experience to often sit under shady trees—reflecting on life, recounting tales of history and legends. In those moments, time stood still, and the world seemed at peace. But, presently, if awareness is not raised, yearly, towards plantation, nobody will promote the sustainable use of trees in the region.

Literally, there were no fans, ACs, coolers, etc. in our elders’ time. Yet, they tackled the scorching heat by sitting beneath shady trees, on the banks of water bodies, etc. to be part of Nature’s handiwork. Without any Govt. intervention, they kept their water bodies clean, planted trees because they knew that during harsh times, their efforts are going to fetch them sweet fruits.

On peeping into our own selves, we find shady trees nowhere and once clean water bodies, turned into garbage dumping sites now. The height of the things is this, that we have become so brazen in our approach that we have shaven our forests completely and ruined the very beauty of our surroundings that once defined us (with exception apart). However, our elders lived differently. They took care of their environment and thought of coming generations without accumulating great riches. They lived peacefully, with great simplicity, maintained the spirit of open-mindedness and were farsighted. They had a habit of doing more than paid for, and restrained themselves to harm their environs. They were the masters of their fate, and the captains of their soul.

Experiences have proven that the best-educated people are often those who are ‘self-made’ and ‘self-educated’, and our elders were undoubtedly so. They had great vision, were mentally rich, courageous and knew that time will soon come when people will fail to protect their own land what had then made Nund Rishi (RA) say, “ An Poshi Teli, Yeli Wan Poshe” (food will thrive only as long as the woods survive).

There is an old saying that ‘as the twig is bent, so shall the tree grow’. Earlier, heat waves never uproared. Though, last year, it was hot too, yet, this time, temperature is remarkably high—a clear indication of climate change. Results are clearly visible to all of us now—no shady trees, polluted water bodies and dirty drains releasing foul smell, etc.

Not everyone affords to visit Mughal gardens to lay down under the cool shade of chinar trees that once flourished throughout. However, no sooner the extreme heat of summer months perturbed our elders in the past than they would stroll towards Dal Lake, the river Jhelum, other water bodies, shady trees, etc. to enjoy the cool breeze. That drifting off into sound sleep under chinar is now a rare scene—a testament to simplicity, resilience and wisdom of elders living in harmony with nature. But how sad! We have, so selfishly, disturbed everything around us in the name of prosperity.

No matter how modern we may become, we must remember that it is finally one’s surroundings where one seeks protection from. Nature takes revenge. The intense heat that the entire Valley is sizzling these days with, is mainly the result of our indifference. Weak efforts bring weak results, just as the mini-cooler gives a small amount of cooling.

To wrap up, as we navigate the increasingly hot summer in Kashmir, we need to learn valuable lessons from our elders who protected themselves from extreme heat by seeking shade, avoiding harming natural surroundings, and by staying traditionally hydrated with Matka water, Lassi, etc. By adapting to these timeless practices, we can safeguard our health and well-being. Come, let’s honor elders’ wisdom during intense temperatures and strive to create a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations as well.

The writer is regular contributor to

GK’s Senior Citizens’ Lounge