This is such an interesting conversation from something so relevant. When we look back over the years, Indians have had a habit of glorifying poverty, and labour, which is very evident through the Bollywood films of 70-80s. This mindset inherently criminalises comfort, and rest. We can also think about this by connecting the conversation to India’s economic history through the years, during and post colonisation. I think our mindset of glorifying labour is one of the key factors why Indian corporate culture does not respect work-life balance and Western companies prefer Indian employees.
With air conditioners becoming commonplace, the rich have moved on to 'climate control' systems. Why settle for cooling the air when you can control the climate itself?
What was once considered essential only in data centers, warehouses, hospitals and museums, has now found its way into the cars and homes of the affluent.
Reminds me of that Anil Kapoor-Sridevi movie (Judaai?) where newly married Sridevi moves into Anil Kapoor's seemingly empty house and asks where's the AC, to which Anil Kapoor replies, "humare dil mein AC hai"
We're constantly fed this Angoor khatte hain narrative that we're happy wherever we are in our socio-economic status. We don't need ACs.
I think the point being missed is that he wasn't averse to air conditioning in principle. He was a rookie engineer whose salary simply couldn't accommodate both the purchase and the recurring electricity bills required to sustain it. It was less about AC and more about being content with whatever you have. If your pocket allows go for it but don't indulge in kickbacks, corruption etc to get luxuries of life.I'd also agree that Indian culture, being deeply rooted in philosophy, tends to glorify struggle and frown upon excess. Viewed through a Western lens, the behaviour will almost inevitably read as aversion rather than constraint.
I think we romanticize struggle, as part of our culture almost. Which is why any step towards luxury is often guilt-laden, more in case of our parent's generation. And about carbon footprint, the west treats air conditioning as a basic facility needed for survival. In fact the literature on climate adaptation heavily acknowledges increased AC usage as an expected and necessary means of adapting to climate change. I wish we realised it's a necessity as well. In fact, everyone deserves the right to working conditions conducive to staying productive. Lovely piece on the need to outgrow discomfort as a mark of true struggle.
That last line was beautiful and saddening. Thank you for this article!
Living in a city where we need the AC only for around 6-8 weeks in a year, we've chosen to avoid an AC - though we have a cooler.
But the choice is in itself a luxury - with the added luxury of a reasonably reliable power supply, so I can lie on the floor under the fan at noon. (Which is, of course, the ultimate luxury - being able to just choose to stay indoors/at home for the hottest part of the day!)
This piece also reminded me that my earliest memory of an AC-room is an odd one. My grandfather died at home and his funeral was the next day. So, for the night, the body was placed in a glass casket with flowers in a room with the AC turned on.
I can still close my eyes and feel the faintly rose-scented cold air that wafted over us as we went in and out of the room! It did two things: made me less uncomfortable around death, and also taught me that the AC is a luxury for the living AND the dead!
Me and my brother are regular listeners of your podcast. We always had fight over ac usage. He always used all the arguments you quoted in your podcast against ac usage. Maza agya is bar ke podcast me is baat par 🤣
this was such a compelling read, especially as an irish person—our climate is so cool that AC is straight up not a thing. so this was definitely a really interesting insight into the politics surrounding air conditioning in a different culture!
"In fact many people linger longer in malls because of AC. The Indian mall is basically heat refugee asylum disguised as consumerism". So true! In 2022, having moved to Mumbai to study from Bangalore, most days felt like being cocooned in a sauna, especially considering the fact the room I lived in didn't have an AC. PVR having the 1re 30min trailer show got me and my friend through some particularly boiling days.
i relate to this so much. my dad won't get an AC because he wants us (his children) to grow up knowing what "hardwork" looks like, because "luxury is bad for students, it makes them strive less for success". i have literally cried in my hot furnace-like room temperature in the middle of the night because i couldn't focus on studying. i hope this mentality goes away with newer generations
I remember my dads friend taking a job in the late 2000’s , as an atm security guard. He would bring his bedsheet and pillow and I remember being jealous of him , because he slept in the ac air. Now I have AC installed in 2 of my 3 bedrooms and I am seeing how AC has been a class divide from then till now.
Thank you for pointing it out and reminding me of my roots
ACs and fridges r necessary for us when we can afford them otherwise we can live without them too. Fridges are more affordable now and not electricity guzzling. But ACs require insulated homes and heavy power connection and have heavy recurrent power bills during the long summer months. Once used to them the heat and humidity feels more opperesive. Gradually we need them in all rooms of our house after having only in bedroom in the beginning. Their maintenance is also high. Need real innovation to reduce their cost and maintenance. Also need to change housing design to have better insulation for lower electricity bills.
This is such an interesting conversation from something so relevant. When we look back over the years, Indians have had a habit of glorifying poverty, and labour, which is very evident through the Bollywood films of 70-80s. This mindset inherently criminalises comfort, and rest. We can also think about this by connecting the conversation to India’s economic history through the years, during and post colonisation. I think our mindset of glorifying labour is one of the key factors why Indian corporate culture does not respect work-life balance and Western companies prefer Indian employees.
With air conditioners becoming commonplace, the rich have moved on to 'climate control' systems. Why settle for cooling the air when you can control the climate itself?
What was once considered essential only in data centers, warehouses, hospitals and museums, has now found its way into the cars and homes of the affluent.
Reminds me of that Anil Kapoor-Sridevi movie (Judaai?) where newly married Sridevi moves into Anil Kapoor's seemingly empty house and asks where's the AC, to which Anil Kapoor replies, "humare dil mein AC hai"
We're constantly fed this Angoor khatte hain narrative that we're happy wherever we are in our socio-economic status. We don't need ACs.
She even rents her husband to Urmila and shifts from monogamy to polygamy-just because she wanted AC in her home.
Renting your husband is peak subscription model. Entrepreneur mindset, no wonder she wanted AC.
I think the point being missed is that he wasn't averse to air conditioning in principle. He was a rookie engineer whose salary simply couldn't accommodate both the purchase and the recurring electricity bills required to sustain it. It was less about AC and more about being content with whatever you have. If your pocket allows go for it but don't indulge in kickbacks, corruption etc to get luxuries of life.I'd also agree that Indian culture, being deeply rooted in philosophy, tends to glorify struggle and frown upon excess. Viewed through a Western lens, the behaviour will almost inevitably read as aversion rather than constraint.
I never thought an AC could say so much about aspiration, class, validation, and social change until I read this. Beautifully observed and written.
I think we romanticize struggle, as part of our culture almost. Which is why any step towards luxury is often guilt-laden, more in case of our parent's generation. And about carbon footprint, the west treats air conditioning as a basic facility needed for survival. In fact the literature on climate adaptation heavily acknowledges increased AC usage as an expected and necessary means of adapting to climate change. I wish we realised it's a necessity as well. In fact, everyone deserves the right to working conditions conducive to staying productive. Lovely piece on the need to outgrow discomfort as a mark of true struggle.
If I may say a simple thing: What a cool piece! I smiled throughout.
That last line was beautiful and saddening. Thank you for this article!
Living in a city where we need the AC only for around 6-8 weeks in a year, we've chosen to avoid an AC - though we have a cooler.
But the choice is in itself a luxury - with the added luxury of a reasonably reliable power supply, so I can lie on the floor under the fan at noon. (Which is, of course, the ultimate luxury - being able to just choose to stay indoors/at home for the hottest part of the day!)
This piece also reminded me that my earliest memory of an AC-room is an odd one. My grandfather died at home and his funeral was the next day. So, for the night, the body was placed in a glass casket with flowers in a room with the AC turned on.
I can still close my eyes and feel the faintly rose-scented cold air that wafted over us as we went in and out of the room! It did two things: made me less uncomfortable around death, and also taught me that the AC is a luxury for the living AND the dead!
AC is given exactly the same respect in Pakistan too! Loved this piece
Me and my brother are regular listeners of your podcast. We always had fight over ac usage. He always used all the arguments you quoted in your podcast against ac usage. Maza agya is bar ke podcast me is baat par 🤣
this was such a compelling read, especially as an irish person—our climate is so cool that AC is straight up not a thing. so this was definitely a really interesting insight into the politics surrounding air conditioning in a different culture!
Thanks Hannah.
Very well written about something we all use and don't give much thought except when the heat is on., 👌
This was such an interesting read. You’re absolutely spot on about the whole absurdity. Loved it!
"In fact many people linger longer in malls because of AC. The Indian mall is basically heat refugee asylum disguised as consumerism". So true! In 2022, having moved to Mumbai to study from Bangalore, most days felt like being cocooned in a sauna, especially considering the fact the room I lived in didn't have an AC. PVR having the 1re 30min trailer show got me and my friend through some particularly boiling days.
i relate to this so much. my dad won't get an AC because he wants us (his children) to grow up knowing what "hardwork" looks like, because "luxury is bad for students, it makes them strive less for success". i have literally cried in my hot furnace-like room temperature in the middle of the night because i couldn't focus on studying. i hope this mentality goes away with newer generations
I remember my dads friend taking a job in the late 2000’s , as an atm security guard. He would bring his bedsheet and pillow and I remember being jealous of him , because he slept in the ac air. Now I have AC installed in 2 of my 3 bedrooms and I am seeing how AC has been a class divide from then till now.
Thank you for pointing it out and reminding me of my roots
I recall my sister returning from Muscat and leaving the bedroom door open with the AC on! Needless to say the impact on my husband was legendary!😂😂
This was such a fun read!
ACs and fridges r necessary for us when we can afford them otherwise we can live without them too. Fridges are more affordable now and not electricity guzzling. But ACs require insulated homes and heavy power connection and have heavy recurrent power bills during the long summer months. Once used to them the heat and humidity feels more opperesive. Gradually we need them in all rooms of our house after having only in bedroom in the beginning. Their maintenance is also high. Need real innovation to reduce their cost and maintenance. Also need to change housing design to have better insulation for lower electricity bills.