ALSphere Foundation
When Aristotle declared, “Man is a social animal,” I couldn’t help but feel that the “social” bit didn’t quite apply to me. I’ve always aligned myself more with the “animal” side of things— specifically, the cold-blooded variety, also known as ectotherms or poikilotherms. While most mammals and birds generate enough heat to breeze through winter without much fuss, we cold-blooded types prefer to sit it out, hibernating like it’s an art form. After all, why face the discomfort of the cold when you can simply check out for the season?
The only things capable of luring me out of my winter torpor are either a rare appearance by the sun—ironically the very thing I flee from in the summer— or the irresistible lure of winter treats. Think freshly baked bread, the sizzle of mixed greens paranthas on the skillet, or a mug of hot cocoa with just the right touch of cinnamon. Then there’s the carrot cake, generously spiked with grated ginger, and curries simmering with coarsely ground spices. Not to mention the glowing log fires, perfect for grilling marshmallows. You know, the usual list of temptations no self-respecting hibernator can resist.
Feel free to toss in your own favourites to the winter delicacies list—after all, I know most Punjabis can’t stop gushing over Sarson ka Saag dripping with desi ghee or white butter, paired with Makki ki Roti. And don’t forget the Gajar ka Halwa, Til ke Ladoo, Besan ke Ladoo, and so on. Sure, I’ll indulge once in a while, but let’s just say drooling isn’t my thing. To each his own, right?
The other thing that can coax me out from under my cosy quilt is the bright sun. Whoever coined the phrase “make hay while the sun shines” must’ve had me in mind. My winter energy is 100% solar-powered. I rise with the sun and disappear with it as if I’ve got an in-built sundial controlling my every move. As if I were the heliocentric Earth that moves around in a fixed orbit with the sun as its focus.
Just when you think you’re all set to bask in the sun’s glory, nature decides to flex its icy claws and grab you by the scruff, letting the chill slice through every layer of your epidermis, dermis, hypodermis, muscles, and straight into your bones. It’s at this point that you really have to thank the Lord for those fluffy benefactors—sheep, llamas, alpacas, cashmere goats and silkworms— whose wool and hair give us that much-needed extra layer of warmth to save our skins because let’s be honest, it’s the skin we’re worried about, not our souls.
So when it’s time to flaunt, let’s pull those dainty embroidered cardigans out of hiding, along with cashmere wool and silk cravats, mufflers, lamb wool skull caps, and headscarves. Don’t forget the fleece and faux fur coats and, of course, the colourful stockings, gloves, and mittens that make us look like we raided a Christmas decoration box. With the festivals around the corner, men can cosy up in their Nehru jackets and Bandhgalas, while women get endless opportunities to showcase their Kanjeevarams, Tussars, Patolas, and Banarasis, all effortlessly paired with pashmina shawls or woollen stoles. Why settle for just warmth when you can radiate style while braving the chill?
Winter may be the season that brings the world to its knees, but it’s also the time when nature quietly asserts its authority. As the trees shed their leaves and the world slows down, nature slips into a serene, almost meditative state, forcing us all to pause, bundle up and give humanity a much-needed warm hug!
Dr. Sonika Sethi
