Speaking at a public gathering in Pichhore–Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia shared an age-old remedy to beat extreme heat: “Keep an onion in your pocket—nothing will happen even in 51-degree heat.”
Scindia’s advice comes at a time when northwest and central India are grappling with an intense heatwave. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued hot-weather warnings for several cities, with temperatures exceeding 40°C.
He further stated that he avoids the use of air conditioning, relying instead on traditional methods to cope with peak summer conditions. To emphasise his point, he even pulled an onion from his pocket during the address.
“I don’t use air conditioning in my car, nor do I sit in an air-conditioned environment. And when people ask me how I manage even in 51-degree heat, I say, ‘This is Chambal skin.’ I may look young, but my soul is very old. Keep an onion in your pocket, nothing will happen to you,” Scindia said.
Raw onion is traditionally regarded as a natural coolant in Ayurveda and is also widely used in regional practices, including Odia culture. It is believed to help maintain hydration and replenish fluids, offering some relief during extreme heat.
