New Delhi, July 23 -- For centuries, the Indian monsoon has been more than just a weather cycle, it has been a cultural and civilisational anchor. In Meghaduta, Kalidasa immortalised the monsoon as a celestial messenger, painting landscapes with longing and renewal. In Tagore's New Rain (Nababarsha), it breathes life into parched lands, heralding transformation and hope. This seasonal rhythm once nourished our agriculture, inspired our poetry, and invigorated our landscapes.

This piece does not target any one government, corporation, or entity. It is an inquiry into a troubling question: why has modern India, with its access to advanced technology, greater budgets, and ambitious infrastructure policies, failed to build with the resilienc...