Drop by Drop and Step by Step - Lessons from Cyclone Montha

 

Continuous drizzle soaked our neighbourhood today due to Cyclonic Storm Montha, which was 500 km off the coast of Chennai. The name “Montha” was contributed by Thailand and, in Thai, means a “fragrant flower” or “beautiful flower”. As I walked to college this morning, I thought about the impact these little drops of water have on Earth. The steady drizzle has left the land wet and slushy. Remember, it is not torrential rain but a sustained, light shower. I was able to relate this to the steady, slow steps we can take in our lives to reach our goals.

 

I have come across many books that expound this philosophy of slow victory. ‘Bird by Bird’ by Anne Lamott is a good example. The author quotes her father’s advice to her brother when her brother was tense over the enormity of an academic task. “Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird,” were the inspiring words. Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Cunff is another example. The quote “It’s about striving for sustainable excellence rather than fleeting perfection” resonates with the idea of how tiny drops can lead to a deluge. Recently, I watched the movie Holdover, in which the character played by Paul Giamatti, Paul Hunham, talks about his dream of writing a monograph about Carthage. At the end of the movie, he is gifted a book by Mary Lamb (played by Da'Vine Joy Randolph) to complete the project and add these words - “For your monograph. … That’s your problem, man. Just write one word after the other. How hard can that be?”

 

What can we learn from this drop-by-drop phenomenon of the rains induced by Montha? 

Consistent action leads to sustainability – It is essential to practice your skills or develop a daily routine with habits to solidify your learning and goal-setting. Consistent actions will always yield results. Leo Tolstoy, in his War and Peace, wrote, “A man on a thousand-mile walk has to forget his goal and say to himself every morning, 'Today I'm going to cover twenty-five miles and then rest up and sleep.” The quote highlights the importance of focusing on each day individually to manage a long journey or task, rather than fixating on the distant goal. 'Rome was not built in a day' is a proverb that is relevant here. The one lesson I try to impart to my students is that good things take time. Instant gratification is a myth fuelled by social media interactions. I also tell them that a strong foundation is necessary for things to stand. Patience is a virtue, especially in relationships and success.

 

Cyclone Montha will make landfall near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, tomorrow. The cyclone's activity, which inspired me to write this blog, will be remembered even after its gradual demise somewhere over land in the coming days.

The Beauty and the Beast

(Image Courtesy - The Hindu)

(Image Courtesy - The Hindu)

October is the month of festivals, and the most prominent one is Deepavali or Diwali. The festival of lights is also a celebration of sweets and crackers. As a child, I eagerly awaited the Diwali sweets, sold in a cardboard box adorned with festive designs. Inside, there were sweets of various colours, Mysore Pak, and, besides the usual yellow ones, differently coloured laddus. In those days, Deepavali celebrations were more focused on lights rather than crackers. Light-based festivities were always peaceful and visually appealing. Over the years, the manner of celebration changed. Crackers became an essential part of the festivities. Living in an Indian state that is a major producer of firecrackers, a Deepavali without them seems unthinkable. Sivakasi district in Tamil Nadu produces nearly 90% of the firecrackers sold nationwide.

Additionally, there are illegal cracker-making units in the state, often called country-made firework units, which flout safety measures and sometimes employ minors. The public, unaware of the health risks, buys these crackers. One such incident occurred in Avadi on October 20, 2025, where four people died in an explosion at a house storing country-made firecrackers. Handling explosives is inherently risky. Firecracker factories should possess valid licenses and follow safety procedures, such as having fire extinguishers and trained staff.

Like any festival, Deepavali should be celebrated with respect for its core philosophy—the triumph of light over darkness and the victory of good over evil. The festival is also linked to the well-being of the universe. Light symbolises knowledge and wisdom. Doing good to others and the world around us is at the heart of the festival. As inhabitants of this planet, we share a responsibility to keep it unspoiled for future generations. Efforts to reduce pollution through eco-friendly green crackers have not been widespread, partly due to a lack of awareness among sellers and residents. It is challenging to verify green crackers, as they often lack official logos and QR codes for authenticity. Developed by CSIR-NEERI in 2018, these crackers aim to cut air and noise pollution, contain no harmful chemicals, and produce less particulate matter. However, shopkeepers are often reluctant to promote them. Experts argue that bursting green crackers does not truly benefit the environment, as they also emit ultra-fine particles that can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream.

On October 20th at 8 pm, we were travelling from Chennai Central to our home in Avadi. The streets were filled with Chennaites celebrating Diwali. Some of them were bursting crackers right in the middle of the road. The cab driver had to manoeuvre the vehicle through this crowd and keep a close eye on the smog-filled roads. It was sad to see people riding motorbikes through these streets without masks or facial protection. Some of them had infants and young children with them. These sights are fine examples of how the festival frenzy blinded public wisdom. More than 100 people were hospitalised in Bhopal due to injuries after using calcium carbide guns during Deepavali. The so-called "carbide gun" or "desi firecracker gun" has become a nightmare for parents and doctors. In just three days, more than 122 children across Madhya Pradesh have been admitted to hospitals with severe eye injuries, while 14 have lost their eyesight. 

Delhi ranks among the world's most polluted cities. Data analysts and pollution monitors focus closely on air quality and noise levels during Deepavali night and the following day. Creating policies to control pollution is one task, but their implementation is another. A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has highlighted several issues, including missing data. Monitoring sensors are often placed under tree cover, behind walls or other obstructions, or in less-polluted areas. In worst cases, the equipment was turned off overnight. Officially, authorities deny significant pollution, yet Delhi residents with asthma report serious health problems. The city faces multiple climate-related issues, including stubble burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial pollution, compounded by vehicle restrictions. Regarding noise pollution monitoring, technology has become a spectacle. Real-time data from sensors must be taken seriously and not lost within bureaucratic and political complexities.

Happy Birthday Guillermo del Toro

 

Remembering Prem Chand

 

Remembering Poe