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The mad torrents of the Luit,Where are you rushing toWith a thunderous roarIn a deathly garb repeatedlyWho are you chasing…”Penned by the ‘Bard of the Brahmaputra’ Bhupen Hazarika in 1968, these haunting lines remain as relevant today as they were more than five decades ago. Hazarika’s ode to the mighty Brahmaputra or the Luit, as it is affectionately called in Assam, captures not just the river’s grandeur but also its terrifying power.Every year, as the southwest monsoon gathers strength, the river swells, changes course and reminds millions living along its banks that nature can be both life-giving and unforgiving.For Assam, floods are not merely a seasonal event. They are an annual reality that uproots families, washes away livelihoods and forces people to rebuild their lives over and over again.For many of us, the arrival of the monsoon is wrapped in nostalgia. It brings memories of paper boats sailing through puddles, steaming cups of tea, hot pakoras and the hope of a surprise school holiday. But those memories belong only to one side of the season.For a farmer, the rains determine whether months of hard work will yield a harvest or end in ruin. For a street vendor, relentless downpours can wipe out an entire day’s earnings.For families living along the banks of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries, every spell of heavy rain comes with a haunting question: Will our home still be standing tomorrow?That question has once again become a reality across the North-east. The latest flood bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) paints a grim picture. Nearly 48,500 people have been affected across Biswanath, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh and Nalbari districts as rising waters continue to inundate villages.Dhemaji remains the worst-hit district, accounting for more than 44,000 affected residents, while Dibrugarh and Biswanath have also reported extensive damage.According to ASDMA, floodwaters have submerged 179 villages and damaged more than 2,117 hectares of agricultural land, dealing a severe blow to farming communities already dependent on the monsoon for their livelihoods.Roads, bridges, embankments and other public infrastructure have also suffered extensive damage, disrupting connectivity across several districts.The Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger mark at Neamatighat, while floodwaters have affected more than 82,000 domestic animals and poultry, adding another layer of distress for rural households that depend on livestock as a crucial source of income.The human cost extends far beyond official numbers. Across the floodplains, families have watched water creep into their courtyards before entering their homes.Belongings have been hurriedly shifted to higher shelves, children carried to safer ground, and cattle untied in the hope they might survive. In many villages, people now spend their days waiting for relief boats while keeping a constant watch on the rising river.One resident, Mina, described the devastation in simple yet heartbreaking words. “The situation is grim. My cattle are all scattered in so much flood. My house is by the banks. The erosion has reduced the land. Houses, roads, crops, everything is destroyed.”Her words echo the experience of thousands of families across the state, where the river not only floods villages but also eats away farmland through relentless erosion, shrinking the very land people depend on for survival. The experience is similar for countless people across several states in the North-east. Every morning begins with uncertainty. Drinking water has to be fetched from wherever it is available, and every household item is moved higher as the water level rises. Nights are the hardest, with little sleep as families keep listening to the sound of the river, wondering if the embankment will hold till dawn.Devika Devika said, “every morning begins with uncertainty. Drinking water has to be fetched from wherever it is available, and every household item is moved higher as the water level rises. Nights are the hardest, with little sleep as families keep listening to the sound of the river, wondering if the embankment will hold till dawn.”Recognising the scale of the crisis, the Assam government has intensified relief operations. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state was mobilising all available resources to support affected families, particularly in Dhemaji district.”Since the flood situation has unfolded in Dhemaji, I’ve been closely monitoring the situation. We are deeply saddened by the impact it has had on the lives of our people and in this difficult time, we firmly stand with them,” Sarma said in a post on X.He added that the government is “mobilising all its resources to prioritise the immediate safety and long-term rehabilitation of all families affected.”The floods have also severely disrupted transportation. Train services between Archipathar and Simen Chapari stations remain suspended after massive riverbank erosion destabilised one of the piers of a railway bridge.According to the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), the bridge, originally built in 1965 and later converted to broad gauge, remained structurally sound until heavy rains washed away a large section of the riverbank supporting one of its piers.As a precaution, train services between Murkongselek and Silapathar have been suspended until further notice. Authorities have arranged bus services for stranded passengers while help desks have been opened at Dhemaji, Silapathar and Murkongselek stations.For many residents, however, the greatest concern isn’t delayed journeys, it’s whether they will have a home to return to once the waters finally recede.Flood crisis deepens beyond AssamThe crisis is not confined to Assam alone. Across the Northeast, relentless monsoon rains have unleashed floods, landslides and flash floods, disrupting normal life and exposing the region’s fragile geography.In Arunachal Pradesh, fresh floods and landslides have damaged homes, roads and agricultural land across West Kameng, Upper Subansiri and Tirap districts.According to the state disaster management authorities, more than 94,000 people across 333 villages in 26 districts have been affected in the current spell of rain-triggered disasters.The death toll in the latest wave of floods and landslides has risen to seven after the body of a missing woman was recovered in Papum Pare district. Villages across Upper Subansiri and West Kameng continue to battle damaged roads, disrupted communication and extensive losses to crops and public infrastructure.Neighbouring Mizoram has also been grappling with the impact of incessant rainfall. In Lunglei district, bordering Bangladesh, more than 80 families were evacuated after the Khawthlangtuipui river overflowed. Landslides and rockfalls have been reported from at least 29 locations, cutting off key road links.A massive landslide near Bualte village has blocked National Highway-54, leaving tourists stranded for days, while the road connecting Lawngtlai and Siaha districts remains inaccessible. The Aizawl-Thenzawl-Lunglei highway has also been disrupted following fresh landslides and rockfalls.In Tripura, heavy rainfall has damaged more than 4,000 houses, forcing nearly 11,000 people into relief camps. Waterlogging has paralysed low-lying areas, traffic has been disrupted across several towns, and authorities continue to monitor rivers as rainfall persists.Even Meghalaya, often celebrated as the “Abode of Clouds”, has been placed on high alert following continuous rainfall. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has directed all district administrations to remain on alert and prioritise restoration of damaged roads and relief distribution.”I have directed the administration to remain on high alert as rain is forecast to continue, to work in close coordination with the block-level response teams and the line departments, to restore affected road connectivity on priority, and to ensure relief reaches every affected family without delay,” Sangma said after reviewing the situation with deputy commissioners.Landslides and flash floods have affected at least 32 villages, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert, warning of continued heavy rainfall over the coming days.More rain on the wayThe IMD has warned that widespread rainfall is likely to continue across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura through the coming days.The weather office has cautioned that persistent rainfall could trigger fresh flash floods, waterlogging, slow vehicular movement and landslides, particularly in vulnerable hilly regions.Heavy rainfall has also been forecast over parts of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir, while thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are expected across several central and southern states. For residents living along riverbanks, every weather bulletin now carries consequences that extend far beyond inconvenience.Assam’s relationship with floods is as old as the Brahmaputra itself. But official figures show the scale of the tragedy has remained staggering over the years.According to data tabled in the Assam Legislative Assembly, 1,476 people lost their lives due to floods, landslides, storms and lightning in the state between 2016 and 2025.Replying to a query by Congress MLA Rekibuddin Ahmed, Assam Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta said that 836 people died in floods, while 372 lost their lives due to lightning during the 10-year period.The minister added that 93 people died in landslides and 175 were killed in storms, highlighting the heavy toll natural disasters have taken on the state over the past decade.Districts such as Morigaon, Cachar, Nagaon, Barpeta, Dibrugarh, Sonitpur, Golaghat and Darrang have repeatedly featured among the worst affected. The numbers tell one story.The people living along the Brahmaputra tell another.Each year they repair damaged homes, reclaim eroded farmland, rebuild embankments and begin again, knowing another flood season is never too far away.India’s flood early warning system has become increasingly sophisticated over the years. Satellite imagery, Doppler weather radar, automatic weather stations and rainfall data are first analysed by meteorologists to assess whether heavy rainfall is likely.That information is then passed to hydrology experts, who estimate how rivers are likely to respond. The data is combined with inputs from the Central Water Commission and processed through hydrological models before warning levels are issued to state authorities.These alerts have significantly improved preparedness and evacuation planning. But forecasting a flood is very different from preventing one.As changing rainfall patterns become more intense and rivers carry larger volumes of water over shorter periods, disaster management alone cannot eliminate the risks faced by vulnerable communities.When the river rises againDuring rescue operations near Simen, one local resident searching alongside NDRF personnel summed up the anxiety many families continue to live with.”We accompanied the NDRF team to Anand Nagar Ghat to look for a missing person, but despite our efforts, we couldn’t find him,” a local from Simen told TOI.For many families, floods are not measured only by water levels or official bulletins. They are measured in missing relatives. In washed-away homes.In cattle that never return and in fields that disappear into the river overnight.On July 11, an eight-year-old boy, Kamil Hossain Majumdar, drowned after falling into a rainwater-filled excavation pit along an under-construction national highway in Cachar district, once again highlighting how secondary hazards during the monsoon can prove just as deadly.Bhupen Hazarika asked the Brahmaputra decades ago: “Where are you rushing to?” The question still echoes every monsoon. For millions across Assam, the river remains both provider and destroyer, feeding fertile fields one season and swallowing entire villages the next.As rescue boats continue to ferry families to safety, relief camps fill up and weather forecasts warn of more rain, one thing has become painfully clear.The monsoon is not just a season in the North-east. It is a yearly test of resilience. For those living far from the floodplains, the rains may still mean hot tea, paper boats and memories of childhood.But along the banks of the Brahmaputra, they mean sleepless nights, uncertain mornings and the hope that, this year at least, the river will spare what little remains.And until long-term solutions strengthen embankments, improve river management and build greater climate resilience, the story of floods will continue to be written, one monsoon at a time.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The CityBig Setback To Mamata Banerjee As Loyalist Anubrata Mandal Joins Ritabrata-Led Rebel CampOperation Lotus In Kashmir? 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Now he wants a private helipad and fly in to avoid rush-hour traffic Sunil Ambekar (File photo) NEW DELHI: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday expressed “grief” over the alleged irregularities in the counting of donations at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, while voicing confidence that the ongoing SIT investigation and police action would soon reach a “decisive turn”.The issue was discussed on the concluding day of the RSS’ three-day Akhil Bharatiya Prant Pracharak Baithak in Belagavi, where the organisation also reviewed its training programmes, centenary year initiatives and deliberated on issues including population imbalance, the upcoming census and drug abuse. Watch BJP, RSS Launch Damage Control Drive? As Ram Mandir Donation Row Escalates Ahead Of UP Polls”In the meeting, everyone expressed grief over the incident of irregularities in the counting of the donation box offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, and expressed confidence that the ongoing SIT and police action, initiated at the request of the Teerth Kshetra Nyas, will reach a decisive turn. It was expected of the Teerth Kshetra Nyas to ensure that no such incident occurs in the future which could hurt the reverence and deep faith of all Ram Bhakts toward the Ram Mandir,” the press release shared by RSS prachar pramukh Sunil Ambekar said.The Sangh further said it expected the Teerth Kshetra Nyas “to ensure that no such incident occurs in the future which could hurt the reverence and deep faith of all Ram Bhakts toward the Ram Mandir.”The alleged embezzlement of Ram Mandir donations surfaced on June 7. Based on a preliminary SIT report, an FIR was registered on June 25. So far, eight people associated with the temple’s donation collection and counting process have been arrested, while the investigation remains under way.The annual meeting, held from July 10 to 12, concluded in the presence of RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale and 226 karyakartas.According to the RSS, the meeting also reviewed organisational training conducted after March 2026. It said 83 Sangh Shiksha Vargs and 12 Karyakarta Vikas Vargs were organised across the country, training a total of 18,842 swayamsevaks.The training programmes focused on daily shakhas, Sangh karyapaddhati, Gram Vikas, Kutumba Prabodhan, disaster management and environmental awareness.Leaders also discussed plans to strengthen shakhas through the Shakha Vistar Yojana in September, reviewed activities conducted during the Sangh’s centenary year and charted out the remaining programmes.The meeting further discussed engaging people who participated in various centenary year events in social work and the Panch Parivartan initiative.The proposed travel schedule of Mohan Bhagwat for 2026-27 also came up for review.In addition, the RSS deliberated on issues related to the ongoing census, challenges arising from population imbalance, the growing menace of drug abuse and the need to prioritise de-addiction efforts.The meeting also discussed programmes to mark the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Shiromani Ravidas Maharaj, the release added.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The CityBig Setback To Mamata Banerjee As Loyalist Anubrata Mandal Joins Ritabrata-Led Rebel CampOperation Lotus In Kashmir? 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This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians9 traditional steamed breakfast dishes of India and their caloriesWhy India is facing a diabetes explosion: Stanford’s top 2% scientist reveals the hidden reasons Indians develop it younger than the rest of the world123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeSwiggy Instamart noticesKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war Maharashtra CET begins registration for agriculture, biotechnology admissions 2026; apply by July 25 Samantha Ruth Prabhu: ‘We did 100 crores’: Expectant Samantha Ruth Prabhu breaks down in tears over Raj Nidimoru’s sweet surprise on ‘Maa Inti Bangaram’s global haul | Telugu Movie News Speeding Ferrari worth Rs 3.5 crore crashes into apartment gate in Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills 24-year-old woman killed, man injured in West London stabbing; Suspect, 44, arrested on suspicion of murder | World News India has condemned the attack on a commercial vessel off Oman, with 10 Indian crew members rescued and one still missing, underscoring growing security risks in the Middle East.Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health has deteriorated as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 15th day, drawing renewed attention to the ongoing protest.Fighting between the United States and Iran has intensified again, raising concerns over regional stability, global energy supplies and maritime security.Mumbai Police launched a search operation after the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel received a bomb threat, though no suspicious object was found.The Uttarakhand government has ordered action against officials named in an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities linked to the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee.Here are the top stories of the dayIndia condemns Oman vessel attack as one crew member remains missingIndia has condemned the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the Oman coast after 10 of the 11 Indian crew members were rescued while one remains missing. The Ministry of External Affairs said it is working with Omani authorities on the search operation and reiterated its call for de-escalation and the protection of commercial shipping in the Middle East.Read full storySonam Wangchuk’s health declines as hunger strike enters 15th dayClimate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health has worsened as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 15th day, with doctors reporting further weight loss and a drop in blood pressure. The protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar continues over demands linked to alleged examination irregularities, with political leaders and public figures expected to join in solidarity. Read full storyUS-Iran fighting escalates, renewing fears over Gulf securityThe brief pause in hostilities between the United States and Iran has ended, with fresh military strikes, renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and missile exchanges across the Gulf. The latest escalation has heightened concerns over maritime trade, regional security and the prospects for diplomatic negotiations. Read full storyBomb threat triggers security search at Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace hotelA bomb threat targeting Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace Hotel prompted an extensive security search after police received a late-night call warning of an explosion. No suspicious object was found, and authorities have launched an investigation to identify the caller, a day after a similar hoax threat involving Delhi’s Red Fort. Read full storyUttarakhand orders action over Badrinath Temple financial irregularitiesThe Uttarakhand government has directed the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee to initiate action against officials named in an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities involving temple funds. The directive comes as investigators continue probing a separate case involving the alleged theft of donations, with CCTV footage, witness statements and financial records forming part of the investigation. Read full storyGet the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The CityBig Setback To Mamata Banerjee As Loyalist Anubrata Mandal Joins Ritabrata-Led Rebel CampOperation Lotus In Kashmir? 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This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians9 traditional steamed breakfast dishes of India and their caloriesWhy India is facing a diabetes explosion: Stanford’s top 2% scientist reveals the hidden reasons Indians develop it younger than the rest of the world123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeSwiggy Instamart noticesKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war 1 Lakh Monthly Income Debate: ‘₹1 lakh a month is the most dangerous salary’: Creator says it could become a growth trap in 2026 ‘She never accepted less than perfection’: Ilaiyaraaja shares moving tribute to S. Janaki, breaks down the magic behind their iconic musical combo Discover the Stinky Secrets Behind Your Favorite Perfumes: 4 Surprising Ingredients! | Russia hacked cameras near Nato bases to monitor Ukraine arms: Report I think it was a Friday. A nippy October evening in the early 90s. A time when people in different parts of our country were manufacturing horrendous events to be adapted by Bollywood 30 years later. Punjab, Kashmir, Bihar, Tamil Nadu etc – it was the Ranji trophy of tragedy. Times were not that great. And that day was another addition to the list. Aquib Javed, the Pakistani pacer, had just run through the Indian batting line-up. India were bundled out for 190, chasing 262 in the Wills Trophy Finals at Sharjah. Yes, It was a Friday. I distinctly remember walking back from Gupta ji’s house with my heart heavier than my school-bag. Gupta ji was the Area-rich-guy, a local maxima, who not just had a TV, but also an inverter-battery setup. Being rich in India was just about insulating yourself from the governmental apparatus. Govt Schools, Hospitals, Electricity etc. The first thing you did with money was to buy yourself immunity from the state. 30 years later it is still true. Gupta ji would switch on his Onida Color TV, hook it up to the battery, and open the doors of his house for all the colony kids & adults to watch Ramayan & India-Pak Cricket matches, uninterrupted. His heart was definitely larger than his living room. That’s what Rich people did in those days, they let you watch TV. And they basked in the glory of the turnout. That’s how they counted their wealth.“OUT” The room let out a collective sigh. Sachin had just got dismissed on a duck. LBW to Aaquib. After collecting his composure, Gupta ji looked at us & flashed a wry smile. The gold in his tooth gleamed. It was a signal for the crowd to dissipate. There was no use of lingering on, and sucking up precious battery life. The ETA of grid electricity was still 2-3 business days.And we all walked back to our respective un-batteried homes, heartbroken. And then something strange would happen. Life outside refused to cooperate with my grief. The paani puri wala continued serving customers as if nothing had happened. A little girl happily argued for one extra sukha puri. An uncle negotiated over the price of potatoes as though the 3 farm laws had been passed. Auto-walas happily refused customers. Nobody looked devastated. Nobody appeared emotionally destroyed by India’s middle order.I would look at all of them and wonder whether they had discovered the secret to a happier existence. Maybe they simply didn’t follow cricket. Maybe they had wisely decided that voluntarily attaching their emotions to the performance of eleven strangers was not a sensible life choice. After all, what exactly had I lost?No money. No job. No relationship.Nothing that would matter on Monday morning. The players didn’t know I existed. The sponsors certainly didn’t. I was just a cohort they wanted to trick into buying more cola or shampoo. Nobody cared for a mare data-point like me.Why, then, was I behaving as though a personal tragedy had struck my family? It seemed irrational.And then, a few years later. Sachin would hit a six over the head of Michael Kasprowicz at the same ground in Sharjah. All philosophical inquiry would immediately cease. The pom-poms would come out.This emotional roller-coaster slows as we age though.Because As we grow old, we guard our emotions in a Fixed deposit rather than recklessly investing it around. We can’t afford a mental downtime with all the commitments & responsibilities. Staying up late on a Sunday night to watch a league match, which goes to a super over? Maybe yes. But if your team loses, that baggage makes work suffer the next day. We get more ROI driven. You begin to realise the peculiar contract cricket signs with its followers. It asks for disproportionate emotional investment in return for absolutely no material benefit. There is no dividend. No certificate of participation. No loyalty points for surviving the 90s. Just memories. A Sharjah heartbreak. A Desert Storm. Kolkata 2001. Johannesburg 2006. Wankhede 2011. Gabba. MCG. You swear you have had it enough. After every crushing defeat, we make the same declaration. Enough. I can’t do this anymore.And then one fine evening, You see Kohli facing the 5th ball of the Haris Rauf over at MCG, and everything resets. A caucasian commentator says “It’s the shot of an emperor” And we return with goosebumps.Each generation inherits a different highlight reel, a different batting prodigy, and the addiction continues. Perhaps that’s why cricket survives every prediction of its decline. It isn’t just a sport we watch. It’s a timeline against which we measure our own lives. Cricket matches you saw with your father, with your college friends, with your colleagues, with your spouse, with your own kids, and your grandkids. The scorecards become bookmarks in our own biography. Remember where were you when Dhoni hit the winning six in 2011? I do.We return, not because we expect cricket to make our lives better. But because, somehow, it reminds us of every version of ourselves that has ever loved it. From crouching in Gupta ji’s living room, to becoming a Gupta ji yourself.Abhishek Asthana is a tech & media entrepreneur. He runs a creative agency called GingerMonkey & is also the Co-founder of Knot Dating, a VC funded matrimony startup. Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorAbhishek AsthanaAbhishek Asthana is a tech & media entrepreneur. He runs a creative agency called GingerMonkey & is also the Co-founder of Knot Dating, a VC funded matrimony startup. Rest of the time he tweets from the handle @Gabbbarsingh & pretends to take interest in everything underRead MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The CityBig Setback To Mamata Banerjee As Loyalist Anubrata Mandal Joins Ritabrata-Led Rebel CampOperation Lotus In Kashmir? 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This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians9 traditional steamed breakfast dishes of India and their caloriesWhy India is facing a diabetes explosion: Stanford’s top 2% scientist reveals the hidden reasons Indians develop it younger than the rest of the world123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeSwiggy Instamart noticesKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war ‘Dhamaal 4’ actor Arshad Warsi sells Lokhandwala shop for Rs. 6.25 crore, netting 3 times the profit on his 2012 real estate purchase – Report Trying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference This routine US Navy training mission near California turned into one of the most discussed UFO cases in recent history New York Mayor Zohran Mayor brings back ‘Click-To-Cancel’ rule that Comcast, Disney, Warner Bros and many other companies sued FTC over months ago Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal (PTI photo) NEW DELHI: Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday escalated the Aam Aadmi Party’s political attack on the BJP, claiming that those opposing the recitation of the ‘Sundarkand’ have “demonic tendencies”.”Lord Rama had said – ‘In Kaliyuga, people with demonic tendencies will oppose the recitation of the Sundarakanda’,” Kejriwal wrote in a post, hitting back at the Delhi BJP’s criticism of the event.He also said in a post on X: “Today, we performed the recitation of the Sunderkand with the resolve that for those people who have looted our revered Lord Ram’s home, we will not rest in peace until we ensure they receive the punishment of hanging.”The exchange comes amid a political slugfest over the AAP supremo’s religious outreach, with the BJP accusing him of using faith for electoral gains.Earlier in the day, Kejriwal, along with his wife Sunita Kejriwal and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, attended a Sundarkand Path at Japanese Park in Rohini. The event is part of the party’s campaign over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.Addressing a press conference, Former Delhi CM Kejriwal accused the BJP of exploiting “Raam Naam” for votes and alleged that the ruling party had “betrayed Lord Ram”. He also demanded strict punishment for those allegedly involved in the Ram Mandir donation theft, saying the “thieves” and “decoits” behind the controversy should be punished and hanged.The BJP, however, dismissed the event as political posturing. Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra described Kejriwal as a “political Hindu” and termed the Sundarkand Path a “political gimmick”, “theatrics” and a “charade”.Speaking to news agency ANI, Malhotra alleged that the AAP chief invokes religion only when elections approach.”Today, Mr Kejriwal is once again reminded of Lord Ram. He is a ‘political Hindu.’ His theatrics have begun anew. Back in January 2024, he had organised Sundarkand recitations, held once a month on Tuesdays, because the 2024 elections were approaching. Now, he has once again resorted to this Sundarkand charade,” Malhotra told ANI.He further claimed that the public was no longer convinced by such gestures.”Lord Ram stands for truth. The people of Delhi and the country have fully understood this Sundarkand drama of yours,” he said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The CityBig Setback To Mamata Banerjee As Loyalist Anubrata Mandal Joins Ritabrata-Led Rebel CampOperation Lotus In Kashmir? 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This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians9 traditional steamed breakfast dishes of India and their caloriesWhy India is facing a diabetes explosion: Stanford’s top 2% scientist reveals the hidden reasons Indians develop it younger than the rest of the world123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeSwiggy Instamart noticesKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war EPFO launches one-time Amnesty Scheme for exempted PF trusts after portal revamp: What it means ‘Banning films serves no purpose’: Shashi Ranjan hails Diljit Dosanjh starrer ‘Satluj’ as ‘one of the finest films I’ve ever seen,’ amid global takedown from OTT Weekly Career Horoscope, July 12 to July 18, 2026: Success, challenges, and breakthroughs; Know about your Career Apurva Shrivastava: MIT engineer turns missed calls into a billion-dollar AI company | Qatar declares 4 days of mourning, suspends public sector work over death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad | World News Palash Sen’s basement studio at Greater Kailash II is an eclectic place. Deep Purple and Tagore are framed on the wall. Eric Clapton, Jane Austen and Wisden jostle in a small bookshelf while a synthesiser masquerades as a piano nearby. In these creative surroundings, the gym equipment looks sheepishly out of tune.The studio is called The Clinic, more a memory than an evidence that Sen, the 60-year-old frontman of rock band Euphoria, was once a practising doctor. There was a time when he treated patients at the clinic originally set up by his father near Shiela cinema in Paharganj. He stopped in 2000, after the music video of ‘Maaeri’ came out. “There would be a crowd outside. It became difficult,” says Sen.Indi-pop was the hot new sound in town then. By the mid-90s, satellite channels such as MTV, Channel V, Music Asia and others had discovered the inadequate reach of western pop. The young and the restless wanted something groovier than the regular film music they were being force-fed. Indi-pop emerged as a hip alternative. Daler Mehndi, Alisha Chinoy, Lucky Ali, Colonial Cousins, Sunita Rao, Shweta Shetty and Baba Sehgal colonised airtime and mindspace. “With Daler, the genre’s popularity went through the roof. He gave all of us hope that we, too, could do it,” recalls the singer-composer.Euphoria rode the wave. Originally devoted to rock and heavy metal covers, their debut album, ‘Dhoom’, pursued a new Indie identity. “We didn’t want to sing someone else’s songs all our lives,” says the self-taught musician. The title track, ‘Dhoom pichak dhoom’, with Shubha Mudgal’s tidal wave take-off, had a strong homespun feel. Ad film director Pradeep Sarkar’s music video, smartly shot in Benaras, created a cool physical aesthetic of the ancient city while retaining its familiar persona of a soul kitchen. “We wanted to do something different,” says Sen, dressed in a black ‘AC/DC Highway to Hell’ T-shirt and knee-length denims.Then ‘Maaeri’, co-written with Jaideep Sahni (‘Chak de! India’), happened. For Euphoria, the chartbuster was a great leap forward. Sen’s high scale rendition of the pining Punjabi folk-flavoured number became theband’s calling card. Many 40-plus Indians would still recall the music video: the girl with toothpaste on her nose and the boy with a coin crushed by a train, a totem of lost love. S en was born in Lucknow to doctor parents: a Bengali cardiologist father and a Dogra gynaecologist mother. Early years were mostly spent with family elders in Jammu and Benaras before his parents moved to Delhi. “I retain a longing for these towns,” he says.In Delhi, his mother worked at the railway hospital. Fellow doctors at the railway colony would drop by for evening tea, often unannounced. Sen vividly and fondly remembers walking to his school, St Columba’s, just 2km from home. “It was a clean and safer city then,” the singer remembers.Euphoria was founded, by his own admission, primarily to impress college girls at Delhi’s University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) in 1988. “I quickly also realised that the girls were impressed when I was on stage, but no longer when I was off it,” he laughs. At UCMS, he wrote and composed his first number, ‘Heaven on the seventh floor,’ a tribute to his hostel room. The band was euphoric when paid a grand Rs 25,000 for a gig at BITS Pilani in 1995. This was also the same time when Sen and company had to make the tough choice of being a serious band or a parttime one. The decision took time. But packed concerts and hit music videos — remember Vidya Balan in ‘Kabhi aana tu meri gali’? — provided the answer.“College students were our main backers. We were the first artists they would ask for. Most people still struggle with English. We sang in Hindi, Punjabi, and a smattering of other languages,” Sen explains their success. A t their peak, Euphoria performed 100 concerts a year. “Even now, we do about 50,” says Sen. Their 3,000 concerts were belted out over every state except Jammu and Kashmir, and in zencountries as wide-ranging as Turkey, Russia and Japan. “We also performed with Pakistani rock band, Junoon, at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2001. It was a sort of peace concert, organised by Shashi Tharoor,” Sen remembers.Concerts back home are more localised nowadays. “Twenty years ago, they would ask for rock covers. Now we get requests for songs in Kannada, Telugu, Punjabi, Bangla.” ‘Dhoomsday’, Euphoria’s forthcoming work, collaborates with artists from different languages. The audience has changed in other ways too. “In the past, they would listen to our songs. Now everyone is busy shooting them on mobile,” he says.Euphoria will turn 40 in a couple of years. The band has been a caravan where many have come and left to start new ventures. Apart from Sen, bassist DJ Bhaduri is the only other remaining member from the ‘Dhoom’ days.Sen has simply rolled with the changes. He has done films (Meghna Gulzar’s ‘Filhal’, among others), been a judge on TV shows and directed shorts. “I have done films and shows in Mumbai, but Delhi is my home, a city that makes me happy,” he says. He has one unfulfilled dream: making a feature film.Sometimes, Sen still gets to play doctor. In Kolkata, he once administered CPR to a fan during a concert. On another occasion, he gave a backstage injection to fellow band member Gaurav Mishra, who had an asthma attack. And his specialty in orthopaedics came in handy when a girl slipped and broke her arm at a Goa concert. “I gave her a splint,” he says.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorAvijit GhoshAvijit Ghosh is an associate editor with The Times of India. He is addicted to films, music, cricket and football—and not necessarily in that order. He is the author of Bandicoots in the Moonlight, Cinema Bhojpuri, 40 Retakes, and now, Up Campus, Down Campus, a novel set in 1980s JNU. He tweets from the handle @cinemawaleghoshRead MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The CityBig Setback To Mamata Banerjee As Loyalist Anubrata Mandal Joins Ritabrata-Led Rebel CampOperation Lotus In Kashmir? CM Omar Abdullah Claims BJP Offered NC MLAs Rs 20-30 Crore In JammuSIA Kashmir Secures Interpol Red Corner Notice Against Hizbul Terrorist KandooWhat India Gained From PM Modi’s New Zealand Visit: Defence, Trade, Indo-Pacific & More123Photostories”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians9 traditional steamed breakfast dishes of India and their caloriesWhy India is facing a diabetes explosion: Stanford’s top 2% scientist reveals the hidden reasons Indians develop it younger than the rest of the worldHow hand-painted Kalamkari is created: The story behind India’s legendary textile art123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeSwiggy Instamart noticesKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war Gold, silver rate outlook: Middle East conflict, inflation data to drive prices this week ‘Om’ final shoot: Dhanush, Mammootty and Naseeruddin Shah join schedule in Malaysia – Report Phu Quoc Boat Accident: “The boat had hardly left the island, we were all screaming for help…”: How a dream holiday near Vietnam’s Phu Quoc ended in tragedy Did you know July is named after Julius Caesar? Roman leader was more than just ‘Veni, Vidi, Vici’ British hiking couple found alive in ravine with 40% burns during deadly Spain wildfires CJP uses Taylor Swift’s song ‘Anti Hero’ to mock Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janata Party has turned to Taylor Swift’s hit song ‘Anti-Hero’ to criticise Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, using a video montage that syncs clips of the minister with the opening lyric: “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.”The video, shared by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, featured a montage of Pradhan portraying him as the face of repeated failures in India’s education system. As the song moves to the line “At tea time,” the clip shifts to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a reference to his tea-seller past and his ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ outreach programmes. The lyric “everybody agrees” accompanies visuals of the ongoing CJP protests at Jantar Mantar.The CJP has been staging protests at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding Pradhan’s resignation over a series of alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak, irregularities in the CBSE’s OMS system and the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test paper leak. Activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike at the site since June 28.’B-team of terrorists’ remark draws backlashThe video comes days after Pradhan described sections of protesting youth and the CJP as the “B-team of terrorists,” a remark that drew sharp criticism from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who demanded the minister apologise and resign.”Dharmendra Pradhan, immediately apologise to the millions of youth in this country and resign for your failures,” Gandhi said, accusing the government of turning the education system into an “extortion racket.”Dipke hit back, alleging Pradhan had “the blood of more than 17 students on his hands” and shared a video of the father of an 18-year-old NEET aspirant who allegedly died by suicide, questioning how his son could be labelled a “terrorist.”Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The CityBig Setback To Mamata Banerjee As Loyalist Anubrata Mandal Joins Ritabrata-Led Rebel CampOperation Lotus In Kashmir? 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