I have similar memories of power cuts in Lagos/Nigeria. These were part and parcel of my childhood and were a regular occurrence. When the lights went out (usually while watching TV), the whole family would groan,”NEPA has taken the light again!” and rush to get the white candles.

NEPA stood for the National Electric Power Authority but was more popularly dubbed “Never Expect Power Always.” :So true, so true.

Thank you, Somsubhra Banerjee, for bringing back these memories. Yes, the eeriness, the closeness… and the mosquitoes.