A violent storm damaged power lines, causing a power outage that lasted over 20 hours. Fanning himself with a handkerchief, the author's son suggested buying a second inverter since the current one could not last beyond 12 hours during a prolonged cut. With the inverter completely exhausted, the family endured a sleepless night without even a ceiling fan, relying only on handkerchiefs for relief.
Childhood Memories of Power Cuts
The ordeal took the author back to childhood days when air conditioners and inverters were unknown. A hand fan, or pakhi, was the norm during electricity shutdowns—portable and cheap. Power cuts were common but did not bother them much, except when they missed favorite TV serials. On pleasant nights, they slept in the courtyard or verandah, enjoying extended family time, togetherness, security, and sound sleep without electronic devices.
Shift to Modern Comforts
They never felt the need for an inverter, generator, or air cooler until terrorism struck in the 1980s, making it unsafe to sleep outside. The whole family contributed to buying a desert cooler, and they treated the neighborhood to sweets when it arrived. Installed in a spot benefiting all 14 joint family members, they took turns cleaning and filling it with water daily. However, hand fans remained reliable when power failed.
Connections and Privilege
Having connections in the electricity board was as much a necessity and status symbol then as now. The author's family was among the privileged few because an acquaintance served in a high post. A quick call to uncle via landline would restore power within minutes. Those times, the author reflects, made them resilient and resourceful.
Generational Differences in Resilience
While the author can easily cope with a power cut even without an inverter, it is not so easy for his son. The author partly blames himself for this. But as his son says, “At least we’ve got stories now.” Resilience cannot be inherited or purchased like an inverter—it is learned, one sweaty night at a time. The author believes his son will learn it too.
