AN OPEN LETTER TO MUMBAIKAARS - ITS OKAY TO USE AN UMBRELLA IN THE SUN!

Unlike most other places that has four distinct seasons, Bombay or Mumbai has at the most two. Monsoon from mid June to end of Sept and the rest is all summer, although, it gets little cooler in the nights esp during Dec-Feb. But essentially, its warm throughout the year baring monsoon. Its blazing hot during March-mid June with temperatures tipping around April and May to almost 40+. So, needless to say, Sun makes its presence felt more than half the year on mumbaikaars very prominently. And its not just a simple sun, but a blazing hot sun with its harmful UVs. But inspite of it Mumbaikaars never use an umbrella in the sun, never! Never in their lives. Not a single one of them. Why? Its so purplexing.

I've lived in the city since 1993, so, thats a long long time. But in all these years, I've not seen a single person use umbrella in the sun. No matter how hot or scorching the sun is. Not a single person - not even women! Women generally are more skin concious, but even they don't use an umbrella. I've seen some use the hijab-type scarf around their face, but, never an umbrella. And, that makes me the only odd-one-out! Yes, I'm the only one seen walking around Bombay with an umbrella in my hand during the day to protect myself from the sun. To make matters worse - I'm stared at by all as if I'm crazy to carry an umbrella. Can you imagine that? People just can't wrap their head around to the fact that I'm using an umbrella in the sun. Its unthinkable for them; even the females. They'd rather stare at me surprised from behind that thick scarf they've wrapped around their face, than use an umbrella themselves. To 'fit in' with them, I had discarded the umbrella and used the hijab-style scarf myself for couple of days - it was hell. I can't imagine how they use that thick cotton or synthetic cloth wrapped so tight around their face. No air passes and it gets so hot and sweaty. Plus, the sun falls directly on the body and its so uncomfortably hot. Many women don't use the scarf too. They just walk in the sun. Even if they use sunscreen - I can't imagine how uncomfortable that'd get. I tried using the sunscreen method too. All the sunscreen got wiped off by the sweat and by end of the day I resembled a 'charcoal'. So, I just cannot imagine and help wonder - why people in Bombay don't use the umbrella in the sun? Why?

Oh yes, they use the umbrella alright. But, only in monsoons. Its as if they learnt in kindergarten itself that umbrellas are only used when its raining. So, they abide by that all their lives. But, hello.... umbrellas is for protection from rain as well as the sun, dear Mumbaikaars. When will you get that? When I carry my umbrella around - some look strangely and even comment - 'baarish kaha ho rahi hai?' Yes, its happened many times. Just for carrying an umbrella in the sun I get commented on, as if its some crime, duh! Fed up, I snap back - 'dhoop toh hai'! But that goes a tangent on them. For them its okay to walk in that 'dhoop' or 'sun'. They'll judge or ridicule me for using an umbrella with more comments like - 'kya chatri leke ghum rahi hai' or 'dekh dekh chatri wali aa gayi' while frying themselves under the sun. Thanks, but no thanks - I won't burn myself like that. I'll always use my umbrella even if I'm the only one using it. Its so much easy - cool air on the face while getting protection from the sun. Its such a satisfaction. I almost feel sorry for these Bombay people for not realizing that. Its maybe a hassle to carry it around. But its a hassle I prefer rather than getting fried!


no, this is not saudi or taliban - its bombay with our hindu hijabi sisters who prefer to wrap their face with thick fabric instead of using an umbrella in the sun! Can you imagine that? Like, seriously! And they look at me as if I'm a lunatic for carrying an umbrella!



( Images - Google )