Depleting water resource

In addition to theft of water as highlighted in “Water scarcity made worse by theft” (October 30) wastage of water is another worrying factor in water management crisis of depleting water availability (from 50,000 cubic meters per capita annually in 1947 to 15,000 cu. m now). So there is an immediate need for more efficient use of water especially in agriculture — water intensity of major Indian crops is two to four times of global norms. Also, Application of Nature-Based Solutions (recommended in the UN Water Development Report of 2018), restoration of steadily depleting small water bodies (a major source of water availability) and recycling of used water in industrial processes should become priorities.

At the domestic level we can contribute our bit by reducing water wastage (like running the tap water unused) and avoiding leakages in water pipes and water tankers. If we do not realise the gravity of looming water crisis, we may land in a situation soon where (polluted) “Water, water (will be) everywhere, and not any drop to drink” a la Samuel Taylor Coleridge

With reference to ‘Half baked efforts at poverty reduction’ (October 30), it is a shame that a vast country like India with rich natural resources, has failed to eradicate poverty even after 71 years of independence. When other smaller countries are moving forward in terms of education and technology we are still stuck at fulfilling the basic needs of people. The lack of political will to provide good education and health facilities which would empower the poor is the main cause for this sorry state of affairs. If successive governments after independence have paid attention to these aspects there would be no need for a Food Security Bill or subsidies for the poor. Had the government and our leaders believed in empowering the people with good infrastructure, right investments in education and medical facilities , there would not be so many poor people in the country. The Modi government must empower the poor by creating employment opportunities for them.

Thane

The Supreme Court’s decision to adjourn the Ayodhya case showed the judiciary’s insulation from political currents. But it did not go down well with the Sangh Parivar for obvious reasons. The apex court’s ‘No’ to an urgent hearing in the Ayodhya title suit case provoked the ‘upset’ and ‘impatient’ right-wing outfits into calling on the Modi government to promulgate an Ordinance to facilitate the construction of Ram temple at the disputed site. But the issue is not amenable to be resolved by enacting law in favour of one religious community. The ‘numerical superiority’ cannot make a clinching argument. The government is unlikely to go in for the legislation route as it is unlikely to stand the judicial test. The Indian Constitution obliges the Indian state to adhere to secularismIt is unfortunate that the Hindu-Muslim unity is made conditional on the construction of Ram temple on the ruins of the 15thcentury Babri mosque.

Maruthancode (TN)

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