Tropical soul, winter heart. Ruchira craves the crisp, “no-sweat” air, festive feasts, and winter’s vibrant fashion, exclusively for Different Truths.

People think I am crazy when they hear me say that I love winter. I can’t blame them since all of us happen to inhabit a country that is largely tropical hot and humid; where winter is indeed short-lived, except for a few high-altitude (read hilly) pockets. 

Perhaps the most distinctive advantage of the winter season is the total absence of, yes, you’ve heard it right—sweat! Indeed, life becomes unbearable when you have rivulets of perspiration running all over your face and body. Twenty-four hours a day. Things may turn more disgusting if, by chance, it dribbles onto your books, papers, or even a plateful of edibles. Equally odious is the stench that sweat brings in its tow. Add to the swarming of flies all day long. Air conditioners or room coolers provide relief. The moment you step outside, the sweltering heat engulfs you. The nights are a tad better only if you have a steady breeze blowing.

I lovingly call winter the “no sweat” season. As a result, you cease to feel tired and worn out at the end of each day. The nip in the air and the slight chill on your toes and skin are invigorating. It’s fun to reach out for moisturizers, Vaseline and creams to save your skin from drying and prevent chapped lips and cracked heels. The absence of sweat and stink eliminates the need for mandatory daily baths. That’s a blessing in a way. One may feel clean and as fresh as Daisy if he or she changes clothes regularly. I confess that I bathe on alternate days. However, some lazy cousins of mine do the same every week. I shudder to imagine what their frequency would be, were they to live in colder climatic zones.

Winter proves a boon for the human body and its systems. The absence of oppressive heat improves metabolism and digestion. It enhances appetite and lessens instances of stomach malfunctioning and related ailments. Therefore, dear foodies, this is the perfect time to tuck to your heart’s content. Albeit there are chances of weight gain, adequate exercise and physical activities will surely take care of it.  

So be it, Diwali (which officially heralds the onset of winter in India) or Christmas, followed by ethnic harvest festivals, e.g., Lohri or Sankranti, each festival arrives with a humongous package of gooey goodies. Pick and choose from the regular mithai, Xmas plum cake and pudding, the ubiquitous peanuts, rewri, gajak, perennial favourites like Gajar ka halwa, sarson da saag- makke di roti besides an assortment of pithas (pancakes) and there will never be a dull moment.

Winter is the ideal time for outdoor activities and entertainment. Indian winter enjoys the privilege of abundant sunshine on most of its days. Picnics, visits to zoos, museums, exhibitions, flower shows, vintage car rallies nature and historic walks … the choice is yours. I am sure even the hard-core couch potatoes can be persuaded to shake off their sloth and enjoy the weather. 

The elders (read senior citizens) enjoy winter in their style: basking in the sun, reading, snoozing, or chatting with friends.

I simply love the brilliant canvas created every winter when woollens and other warm clothing make their appearance. Caps of all shapes, sizes, and hues, mufflers, scarves, stoles, socks, and long and short coats add a dash of colour all around you. 

For me, it is a little disheartening to realize that however much I enjoy winter, I never had the opportunity to witness fresh snow falling. I have toured most of India’s hill stations – some of them in deep winter – yet snowfall has always eluded me!   

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Ruchira Adhikari Ghosh

Ruchira Adhikari Ghosh brings a liberal, wide-ranging outlook shaped by extensive travel across India and abroad. Educated at Holy Child School, New Delhi, Sacred Heart Convent, Ludhiana, and Panjab University, Chandigarh, she holds a Master’s in English Literature and a postgraduate diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication. With three decades in media, she writes on travel, books, music, performing arts, women’s issues, and especially food, drawing inspiration from rich life experiences. She is our Features Editor.