'Skip ACs, carry onion': Jyotiraditya Scindia offers unusual advice to beat summer heat. Watch

As large parts of India brace for scorching temperatures, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia offered an unusual piece of advice, skip air conditioning and carry an onion to beat the heat. Speaking at a public event in Shivpuri on Sunday, Scindia said he relies on what he called “Chambal skin” to cope with extreme summer conditions, even when temperatures cross 50 degrees Celsius. His remarks come on a day when the India Meteorological Department issued fresh warnings of heatwave conditions across several states.

‘This is Chambal skin’: Scindia’s take on heat

Explaining his personal routine, Scindia told the gathering, "I don't use air conditioning in my car, nor do I sit in an air-conditioned environment. And when people ask me, even in the 51-degree heat of May and June, I say, 'This is Chambal skin.' And let me tell you something else: I look a little young, but my soul is very old. Keep an onion in your pocket."

He went on to add, "Nothing will happen to you. And in today's times, everyone is carrying boxes. The communication minister is carrying onions. These are old things. And as Ayurveda progresses, we shouldn't forget these things."


The comments, blending personal habit with traditional belief, quickly drew attention as temperatures continue to climb across the country.

Heatwave tightens grip across India

According to the India Meteorological Department, maximum temperatures in most regions are currently ranging between 40 and 46 degrees Celsius. Some areas are already touching extreme levels, with Akola recording a high of 46.9 degrees Celsius.

The weather office has warned of heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh, along with heatwave conditions likely in Jammu and Kashmir over the weekend.

States including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat are also expected to face similar conditions, while parts of Chhattisgarh may continue to experience heatwave conditions till April 28.

Humidity adds to discomfort in coastal belts

Apart from dry heat, the weather agency has also flagged hot and humid conditions in coastal regions. Areas such as Tripura, coastal Maharashtra and coastal Gujarat may see uncomfortable weather, while southern states including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Kerala are also expected to experience similar conditions in the coming days.

Tradition meets extreme weather reality

Scindia’s advice taps into traditional practices often passed down through generations, but it comes at a time when India is witnessing increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves. With temperatures already hovering at dangerous levels in several regions, authorities continue to urge caution, hydration and limited exposure to the sun, even as some still look to age-old remedies for relief.