The flip side of load shedding
The unprecedented load-shedding has besides taking a toll on everyday life also in more than one way compounded the existing complexities that people are bound to grapple with. But as it the case with every adversity, there are positives to pick up and cherish for years to come.
A young parent sent a message to friends that the load shedding leaves him with more time for the kids and wife, in short more family time and less time spent with the computer. Only after the load shedding does he realize how much work load he takes back home. Like they say, necessity is the mother of invention. For this parent, more time with the kids and perhaps more time for reflection is the takeaway from these power cut episodes.
The power cuts have also taught Shillongites the value of time management. So what if the discipline has been acquired the hard way! From getting up on time in the morning to recharging one’s cell phones and laptops, all have but fallen into order owing to the newly imposed lighting restrictions.
Dinner too is now served ahead of time owing to the uncertainties of the days that we live in. In fact many families confess that they now sleep earlier than they used to. Never before has the daily routine of all and sundry been so streamlined as it is today. The new wish word in Shillong is, “Happy Load Shedding.”
In love with the idiot box
The idiot box (television) is a much sought after item because everyone wants to watch the wisecracks of politicians and to repeat those at private conversations. From 9 pm onwards every news channel has politicians screaming abuses at one another and the anchor trying to get the last word across because he has to win.
Only when interviewing the formidable Raj Thackeray do news anchors, including the cacophonous ones, suddenly change tack. They are suddenly smiling, polite and amiable Why so? Because Raj Thackeray is a bigger bully and he means business. Coming to our own state we do miss these television debates. This time none of the MP candidates agreed to come on a common platform to debate issues for the benefit of the public. Is this because there were really no issues to talk about or because the issues are too thorny such as the ban on coal mining etc., .
Electronic shop owners laughing all the way to the bank
Guess what is the hottest selling item today? According to an electronic shop owner, what sells like hot cakes is the inverter, second the emergency lamp and third the fan. Imagine Shillong and fans! The shop owner confessed that he sold 200 emergency lamps in 10 days.
There are in his shop, inverters to cater to all pockets, from the 160 watt single bulb and charger point only to the 720 watt and then the more powerful double battery ones. Customer is king here. He can choose what his pocket can afford. Some more days of load shedding and these electronic shops will have more footfalls than grocery shops! Maybe the MeECL could do better business manufacturing inverters than selling power.
