Sound of water is sound of music

Mary Parmar

Water shortage and water rationing is not new to the people of Shimla. While out for my morning walk, I hear the sound of empty buckets and people making a beeline for natural sources, where also the water is just a trickle and drying up fast. The other day, an eagerly-awaited wrestling match was taking place in Boileauganj, but people were wrestling it out to get a bucket or two of water from a tank. All sorts of vessels and containers were being used by people of all ages. Nothing seemed more important than a bucket of water. Some polite ladies and gentlemen had lost their politeness, too. Shopkeepers, too, had hurriedly pulled down the shutters of their shops and ran off with any sort of container to get water from the tanker. The long line of people had collected to welcome a VIP: the ‘Tanker’. The scene was the same throughout the city. 

People are making optimal use of their vehicles to fetch water from depleting natural sources, from the outskirts of the city. Petrol is available, but not water. Hassled tourists, especially the small-budget ones, are finding it hard to get food as dhabas have shut down. A friend is making use of paper plates to minimise the use of water in the kitchen. The sound of water in taps and water tanks is a sound of music. Hearing this sound, one leaves all jobs aside and rushes to taps.

I met an acquaintance recently, looking tense. I asked if there was any problem. He replied wearily, “I have a ‘guest attack’.” His relatives had landed at his place to escape the scorching heat of the plains. “Poor souls, I cannot even provide them water to wash and bathe,” he lamented. 

But Bacchus lovers are having a field day, as they have hit beer bottles. Their excuse: they are saving on precious water in the house.

With the rising temperature in the city, tempers too are running high. It confirms the belief that the Third World War would surely be over water, looking at the mini civil wars going on here. The higher-ups have been amply provided with water while the common ones have been left high and dry. This, in a state where the Sutlej, Ravi, Beas, Chenab rivers flow. The state Capital thirsts, with not a drop to drink. The situation in rural areas is no better, with water sources drying up. The alarm bell has sounded.  Take care and nurture the environment, get the green cover on the dry earth fast.

My neighbour raised his eyes when he saw me watering the plants. I had to justify that I was using kitchen wastewater to quench the thirty plants. As for me, I have mastered the use of water: use, reuse, cycle and recycle.