How to keep your cool this scorching summer

With summer kicking in, Madurai and the neighbouring districts of Dindigul, Theni, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar have been witnessing brisk sales of seasonal fruits, coconuts, sherbats, juices and ‘manpaanai’ or earthen pots for storing water.

With the temperature soaring, to beat the heat, people make a pitstop to down a glass of refreshing juice or sherbat or coconut water. They also carry ‘parcels’ home. When the scorching summer comes, ‘pandals’ (thatched sheds) also spring up everywhere, offering free buttermilk or water for people to quench their thirst.

K. Shankar of Tirupparankundram says that he prefers tender coconut over soft drink as it is healthier. As he works in the automobile sector, he needs to keep riding his two-wheeler all the time. Coconut water is the best way to beat the heat, he says.

Cool business

For some, summer is also a time to make some money through innovative business sense. K. Surjith and his friends have opened ‘Thennai,’ a shop selling tender coconuts and tender coconut-based sherbat, ‘payasam’ and jelly.

Surjith says he drew inspiration from a friend’s father, a tender coconut vendor. He had left his well-paying job to start this venture. People have taken a liking to these coconut-based products and he already has regular customers, Surjith says. He runs the shop in Simmakkal while one of his friends has opened one in Iyer Bungalow. The prices of tender coconut range from ₹50 to ₹80 while the sherbat is priced at ₹50.

Rajeswari has been selling watermelons on Kamarajar Salai for about 20 years now. She says that sales have only picked up now.

Red and tasty: A roadside watermelon shop near Teppakulam in Madurai. | Photo Credit: G. MOORTHY

She sells watermelons for ₹20 a kg. A melon weighs 3 to 7 kgs. One piece of watermelon is also sold for ₹20. Sales of ‘nungu’ (ice apple) is yet to pick up, say vendors. Five pieces of nungu is sold for ₹50.

Sherbat time

In Dindigul, people make a beeline in front of shops selling ‘nannari sherbat.’ Moideen, who runs a shop on the main road near Gandhi vegetable market, says that apart from the local people, workers at the market are his customers. So he sells it at an affordable ₹5 a glass. His family has been in this business for about 50 years now.

For a song: One can have a cool nannari sherbat for ₹5 a glass at this shop on Main Road near Gandhi vegetable market in Dindigul. | Photo Credit: G. KARTHIKEYAN

Sales of ‘manpaanai’ (earthen pot) is also on the rise in the recent years, thanks to an awareness among people about the health benefit of brinking water stored in an earthen pot.

Manamadurai pottery has earned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag and it has put the town in Sivaganga district on the global map. M. Ganesan, 70, of Manamadurai and his wife G. Krishnaveni, both potters, say that there has always been a demand for Manamadurai pots. People from far and near buy these pots which are used for cooking and storing water, a traditional practice, he says.

What the doc advised: Doctors recommend having water stored in earthen pots during summer. A potter at work in Manamadurai in Sivaganga district. | Photo Credit: L. BALACHANDAR

It keeps the water cool and even doctors recommend having water stored in earthen pots, says Ganesan who has been making pots since the age of 15. There is a high demand for pots during Pongall and temple festivals, he says.

Some juicy info

Staying hydrated in summer is very important, say doctors. Resident Medical Officer at Government Rajaji Hospital S. Saravanan says that people should wear cotton dress and use sunscreens and moisturisers. People should be careful with their food intake also and the focus should be on staying hydrated.

He advised people to drink water at regular intervals and take seasonal fruits, coconuts, cucumbers and buttermilk. Do not drink water straight from the fridge. Avoid going out in the sun particularly between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., he says and adds that fibre rich foods like fruits and vegetables for better digestion.

Retired Professor ofMadurai Medical College M. Sooriyakumar says that people need to take care from prickly heat, boils and fungal infection. Chances of developing kidney stones and urinary infection is high during summer. Avoid taking ice cold water as it could lead to throat infection, he says.

Food poisoning and water contamination are also high during summer. Better carry a bottle of water when you go out and keep always hydrated, Dr.Sooriyakumar says.