Last month, while driving through England, Scotland and Ireland, we stayed at nearly eight different places, some of them economical hotels and others Airbnb’s which were homes given on rent for the period of stay.

Some of these hotels and homes were tiny, others spacious, some had fancy sitting rooms and kitchens, others, bathrooms so tiny that one could have a bath, only if you didn’t move or turn around, and god forbid, if your soap fell down.

Some of the homes we stayed at had fridges stocked with eats, and many had excellent TVs in their sitting rooms in which you could relax and watch a show. One show we loved watching in Glasgow, Scotland was Citizen Khan, and since the Olympics was going on, we enjoyed seeing some thrilling moments, and even shared in the disappointment of Vinesh Phogat.

But what we looked forward to the most after a day’s drive was a hot water bath.

In Scotland, in the fancy bathroom, the hot water became icy cold at the drop of a hat. As our tired bodies became even more tired with the unexpected icy cold water, all the entertainment that the TV with the hilarious antics of Citizen Khan was giving in the living room was forgotten.

In Ireland, at one of the most picturesque countryside locations, where the hills and dales, made us walk for miles enjoying beautiful sunrises and glorious sunsets, what we looked forward to was the return to the quaint cottage we had booked, with cows looking at us with faint smiles as we rushed to have a shower to relax our tired legs.

And we were met by a trickle of water.

And then in Hounslow, London, we stayed in one of the tiniest rooms that I’d seen, and a bathroom even tinier, but the water that came out of the no nonsense shower was strong, hot and invigorating.

For tired travellers, it was not Citizen Khan or fancy sitting rooms that mattered, but a hot shower.

Today in our country, in many places the hot shower is missing. Instead of looking after the basics, like good policing, safety for women, road safety, clean air, and a good water supply, the government is putting on TV shows, and telling us- ‘look at Citizen Khan’, or ‘stretch out on the couch’, ‘look at the cows we are protecting, temples we are building, and bashing we are giving to other communities.’

How is it, we do not miss the hot water?

Is it because we don’t know that we are entitled to good policing, safety for women, road safety, clean air, good water supply, employment, a robust economy and excellent infrastructure?

Please do see that cows are protected and places of worship built, but the government’s job is first to see that you and I have ‘hot water,’ continually, constantly, consistently..!

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