‘Skip ACs, carry onion’: Jyotiraditya Scindia offers unusual advice to beat summer heat. Watch
‘This is Chambal skin’: Scindia warms up
Explaining his personal routine, Scindia told the gathering: “I don’t use air conditioning in my car and I don’t sit in an air-conditioned environment. Even in the 51-degree heat of May and June, when people ask me, I say, ‘This is Chambal skin’. Let me tell you one more thing: I look a little young, but my soul is very old. Keep an onion in your pocket.”
He continued: “Nothing will happen to you. Everyone carries boxes these days. The minister of communications carries onions. These are old things. As Ayurveda advances, we should not forget these.”
Comments that blended personal habits with traditional belief quickly gained attention as temperatures continued to rise across the country.
Heatwave tightens control in India
Maximum temperatures in most regions currently range between 40 and 46 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department. Some areas are already reaching extreme levels, with Akola recording a high temperature of 46.9 degrees Celsius.
The weather office has warned of heatwave conditions likely in Jammu and Kashmir over the weekend, as well as heatwave and severe heatwave conditions in isolated parts of Himachal Pradesh.
While states including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat are expected to face similar conditions, parts of Chhattisgarh may continue to experience heatwave conditions until April 28.
Humidity increases disturbance in coastal zones
The meteorological agency reported that in addition to dry temperatures, there were also hot and humid conditions in coastal areas. While regions like Tripura, coastal Maharashtra and coastal Gujarat may experience unpleasant weather conditions, southern states like Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Kerala are also expected to experience similar conditions in the coming days.
Tradition meets reality of extreme weather conditions
Scindia’s advice is often based on traditional practices passed down through generations, but it comes at a time when India is witnessing increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves. With temperatures already at dangerous levels in many regions, authorities continue to urge caution, drinking plenty of water and limited exposure to the sun, although some are still looking to age-old remedies for relief.
