Amid soaring summer temperatures I was glad to see a dear old friend who reminded me that, in such heat, Rosé is his “rehydration” wine.
Of course, altogether better would be a glass of cold water.
Better still one at room temperature.
Best of all? A cup of tea.
As a boy, Ratan Mondal, the founder of Tea2you, remembers his mother, Amiya Bala, gifting him this wisdom.
The science is simple. A warm drink raises your body temperature. So you perspire - as
only horses sweat while ladies do no more than glow - and evaporation of this cools you down.
Mrs Mondal will have been more poetic.
She passed, aged 85. Not educated but wise, her son suggests.
A way with words, he might add.
As a boy, Ratan would be forever leaving lights on.
So she would advise him: যে জন দিবসে মনের হরষে জ্বালায় মোমের বাতি,আশু গৃহে তার দেখিবে না আর নিশীথে প্রদীপ ভাতি
As in “the person who, with a joyful heart, lights a candle during the day, will soon no longer see a lamp shining in their house at night.”
The words - “Je jon diboshe moner horoshe jwaly momer bati, Ashu grihe tar dekhibe na ar nishithe prodip bhati” - are from the 19th century Bengali writer, Krishna Chandra Majumdar.
I think we Glaswegain Scottish Presbyterians opt for the more prosaic “waste not, want not”. With pecuniary thoughts to the fore.
Krishna Chandra Majumdar’s more profound metaphor would be the night representing harder times, perhaps old age. So a warning against profligacy when the sun shines on you and your good fortune, in a more broader sense than merely money.
While Ratan and I (humble writer in residence) discuss this at the Tea2you headquarters in Borough Market, a young man approaches. He extends a hand and explains that he first paid a visit, maybe 15 years ago, when, to my eye, he must have been no more than a teenager. He nods to the lady accompanying him. My mother brought me, he confides.
They really do know best.
A personal recommendation for the summer; the Tea2You “Malt” brew. After all, whisky from Scotland is the “water of life”. Assam so infused is as a result perennially sustaining.
Note to self: as writer in residence you’ll be needing some shorts.
Also wise (and highly educated) is Debapriya Mondal. So says Rusha Mondal.
— Colin Cameron
Writer in Residence