Beauty in our backyards

Time of India

21-05-2025

Amit Kumar was trained as a Mechanical Engineer with specialization in thermal engineering from the University of Roorkee (now Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee) where he was awarded the University Gold Medal. Post his graduation, he decided to pursue a career in renewable energy, a novelty in the early eighties. He had retired from TERI in July 2021 whereas Senior Director, Social Transformation, was responsible for initiatives focusing on energy access, holistic rural development, and community engagement. There he had also led research activities in the fields of renewable energy and resource-efficient process technology applications. As Dean (Distance & Short-Term Education), TERI University between 2014 and 2016, he was responsible for the development and outreach of the University's online courses, management & faculty development programmes, and skill enhancement initiatives. LESS ... MORE
While scorching heatwaves are par the course during this time of the year, April to June is also a period when several places in India, including Delhi NCR, get awash with colours deep chrome yellow and scarlet. It is joy to watch ordinary streets transforming in to tunnels framed by golden chandeliers that the Amaltas flowers look like or by flaming flamboyance of Gulmohar. Almost as if by magic, the neibhourhoods turn fairytale like. Yet, we hardly take a pause to savour these things of beauty that come free of cost. Or perhaps that is why we do not attach much of a value to them.
While we cross seven seas and cover long distances to be able to witness cherry blossoms, our indifference to equally compelling, if not more, local spectacles around us remain a mystery. Maybe it's the difference between holidaying and passing by as a matter of routine that blunts our sense of appreciating local beauty. Or maybe it's a case of `ghar ki murgi daal barabar' (meaning we don't value what we have even if it is so valuable). But it is not a failure at an individual level alone. Cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Washington DC, Copenhagen, and Stockholm, etc. celebrate flowering of cherry blossoms with the cultural events, pageants, food and picnics. And that's how over time these have become `must visit' places for witnessing cherry blossoms. The closest we come to that are the cherry blossom festivals in our north-eastern states like Meghalaya and Sikkim. On the other side, in the northern plains we steadfast remain immune to the natural beauty being proffered to us to enjoy. The harsh weather around these months, at best, could be an excuse. But certainly, our cities must put in efforts to make things conducive for the citizens to be encouraged to absorb such colourful phenomenon. How about to start with roads that are pedestrian-friendly and footpaths that are walkable? Reminds me of now popular tulip season of our own in an around New Delhi and my dread to cross-over to those very beautifully decorated roundabouts among never-ending traffic of vehicles zipping around.
As an American musician, Queen Latifah said very aptly, `I don't have to take a trip around the world or be on a yacht in the Mediterranean to have happiness. I can find it in the little things, like looking out into my backyard and seeing deer in the fields.' What it takes is just a brief pause from the humdrum of life and instead colour it up with nature's wizardry.
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Views expressed above are the author's own.