Pro Or Against Water

Mar 28, 2014 | Jal Rakshaks | 0 comments

Dear Jal Rakshaks 

In a recent Workshop, a comment by one of my friends in the developmental sector said something that got me thinking.  We were talking about a civil society advocacy group for Water. She asked me whether I wanted to be part of that group. I immediately said “Yes – any group that cares for Water is a group I’d like to be part of.” Then I asked her who the other members were. She reeled off some names. I was familiar with them and so, without thinking, I said, “ Oh- the Anti-Privatization group?’ She looked at me speculatively and replied, “ Yes…though we too are part of it.” Then more suspiciously, she asked ” Are you pro-privatization or Against?”

I was stumped for a moment and then said the only thing that came to my mind  “ I am pro – Water for All”

I remembered another time, another place when a government official had made a similar statement – equally suspiciously – “ Outsourcing is not the same as privatization –I hope you can appreciate the difference?”

As I sat back today and thought about these questions and my answer, I wrote this blog randomly – just penned down my thoughts as they came….

My relationship with Water

I am neither an activist, nor an expert on Water, I am a student – a ‘shishyaa’ – of Water. As I go through the rituals of the work that I do for Water issues, one part of me watches and analyses Water in the different situations It finds itself in. Each time I marvel at the amazing resilience of Water… the calm grace with which it allows adverse situations to play themselves out.  One of the things that I have learnt from It is to assimilate every thought that comes my way. Water treats nothing as good or bad. It is as receptive to poison as it is to nectar. It labels neither. It leaves the labeling to the user. For example, a colony of bacteria in a sewage filled pond probably labels the Water as ‘Excellent –A + category Health drink” while we will label it ‘Highly polluted – E category – unfit for use”

And that brings me back to my friend’s question and my answer. I think, the answer to whether private involvement in Water is good or bad will vary, depending on who is answering it.  And also will be determined by the circumstances in which private involvement is brought in.

Where the government system works efficiently, with decision making based on rational parameters, compliance is ensured and where sustainability of the water system is planned for, there, perhaps, private support is not needed. In such a place, the internal dynamism of the government supplier will ensure that Water for All becomes a reality.

But what of where the government’s water decision making gets influenced by irrational pressures? Or when it is not able to invest in infrastructural improvements needed to make the system work as required.  When the price paid for its inefficiency, is unsustainable pressure on the source and non availability of water for people?  Perhaps this is where the choices open up and so, the debate starts.

If you ask those who are deprived of Water, they say that the first and most important need is to make water available for all. The choice of mode of delivery and its management system must be decided based on what serves this need best.  In many villages, NGOs supply safe drinking water to people. The polluted village lake has been given as their source of raw water, they have been given some financial support for the capital investment. The operational costs of the system are recovered through a price they charge for the treated water. The pricing is very reasonable, the water quality is good and a local person gets a livelihood running the system. But, in a way, this is a form of privatization – infact the worst kind where the source itself has been given away – so is this good or bad?  

Those who argue for private involvement in Water management come armed with a huge bunch of facts and figures to prove its impact on efficiency. Those who argue against it come equally armed with examples of failed experiments and figures to prove that we are playing into the hands of profit making entities. Each is passionate and absolute in his belief.

What irony …formless Water –  the universal solvent, reflecting all that is around it – …. Loved passionately by lovers –  rigid, exclusive and with doors firmly shut on each other.

The truth is, there are no sides – we are all on the side of Water. Water must be allowed to do what it is best at – slaking the thirst of any living being that needs it. It must not be held hostage by any entity or ideology. With open minds and pure intent we must together identify the method or combination of methods that ensures this.  

So, Jal Rakshaks, whatever be your belief on how best to care for Water, count me in as a fellow care-giver. In the world of Water, every belief has its space.

Water Poem for Children

Aug 29, 2013 | Jal Rakshaks | 0 comments

Satyamev Jayate & Water

Jul 23, 2012 | Jal Rakshaks | 1 comment

Did you watch Aamir Khan in ‘Satyamev Jayate, on water, yesterday? Going by the smses I got telling me to watch it, I think many of you did ! Did you like it ?

I did. Reminded me a bit of a Dire Straits track… Constant base guitar that gets deep into the heart, nimble lead that runs through every part of the brain and a voice that spells,’ I’m here – Why worry now’?

The program was complete – the right mix of head and heart. It had film clips and activists who focussed attention on what was wrong with the existing systems. There were harassed users – from posh colonies, slums and villages – showing that no one was spared the suffering. The violent conflicts caused by Water – never before have they been shown so openly, so starkly! It showed ordinary people as the real heroes and then made a hero(ine) out of a bureaucrat and politician who, with a single order, transformed sporadic individual effort into a societal march. Best of all, it had light banter and a constant connect with religion and traditional practices.

For me, there were 3 defining moments in the program. The first -in a clip, a woman from a village near a dam supplying water to Mumbai, said – “We gave our land, our homes for the dam , yet we walk 4 km for water everyday – does only Mumbai need water – don’t we need it too?. This statement sums up the rural-urban, micro-macro conflict in water.

The second – my favourite – was a young architecture student from Mumbai being asked by Aamir – “Where do we get water from?” Her prompt reply – “From a tap”. Three words that tell the entire story of our disconnect with water – the reason for this crisis.

The third was a statement by activist Anupam Mishra – “We need to re-learn to Respect water”

Watching the program was like a collage of snapshots from my journey at FORCE. Each picture, each expression, each message, found an echo in some moment at FORCE….and our core philosophy….

Its not about playing blame games nor resigning yourself to your ‘fate’. Its neither about living in the past nor rejecting it totally. Its not about one person doing it all, nor about leaving everything for the state to do.

It starts with faith – knowing that a plant lover in Delhi will feel the agony of a farmer who sees his crop die of thirst. Its about individual effort – doing whatever little we can- and playing our right role in collective effort – by government or others. Its about marrying traditional wisdom with modern reality. About ‘Vasudevaya Kutumbukum’ – we are all part of God’s family and so must take care of each other. Its about honouring citizens and leaders who give shape to hope. Most of all – it is about remembering to ‘Respect’ water.

FORCE follows a P-4 partnership model that brings together communities, experts, government and implementers for result oriented action at every level. Where we cannot act directly, we try and create an opportunty for others to do it. Traditional ceremonies, prayers and sharing Water’s wisdom, are built into even the brick and mortar work we do. Our heroes are our ‘Jal Rakshaks’ and we create platforms to publicly acknowledge their effort. Through our ‘Blue City’ program we work to make cities self sufficient in water, hoping that then perhaps, the village woman will be spared her daily trek for water. We do our bit and then share it with government, for scaling up or as an input for Water Policies.

A lot like what this Satyamev Jayate suggested…..

“Hey Aamir – hamaare thoughts kitne milte hain! Chalo mil kar sab ko paani paani kar dein (pun intended)!”

….Thank you Aamir Khan, for a great program…..