And When I Had Forgotten About Power-Cuts

Yesterday, we had two and half hours of power cut. The first time in the last one and half years I have been here. The entire city got phases of power cuts, and the reason was either maintenance or setting up of the light decor for Ramadan. Whatever the reason, it was quite a surprise when off when the power late afternoon, and I realised how ill-prepared I am, to actually face a power cut. I don't have anything but a couple of birthday candles, not even a torch, an emergency light is just too much to expect. How easy it is to get used to comforts. It has not even been two years since I left the land, where we were doomed to over six hours of daily power cuts and were forever prepared. Almost ever home had an inverter and there were powerful torches on the ready if we needed to step out post dark during the power cuts. And here, I have nothing, literally nothing to even combat the darkness if needed.

Also missed out on my post lunch quota of peaceful net surfing, and with no TV either, I realised how much I take these things for granted now. Spent the time lulling around. Tried to sleep for a bit, but the BB was in no mood for the same. Called up or messaged almost everyone I could, to tell them we were having a power cut. People expressed concern, and it felt strange, because I was just excited about having a power cut, where I have never faced any. Also reminded me of the times when we used to have power cuts, without inverters or emergency lamps, but just the candles, family and friends to pass the hours, till the power was restored. How have power cuts now become a norm instead of an exception in India now? Is that progressing or regressing?