The Water Mafia

 

`Water water every where not a drop to drink.....`, so goes an old poem I learned when I was a kid, I learned many things after that and hope to continue learning in days to come, as life I guess is forever a learning process. What surprises me though is the fact that for so many decades now, we have had this `water crisis, we continue to have it, and we will have it in the future too. May be in this ever changing world, the CPI(M) government in state, GNLF in DGHC, GNLF again in the municipality and water crisis in Darjeeling is a constant complimentary process. At times I am surprised by the fact that in this ever evolving world, our problems are the same as they had been 20 years ago, and to add salt to the wound they are getting worse by the day.

So many times we have heared from both the ruling party and the opposition that Darjeeling reels under water crisis, but what we don`t hear is what they plan to do about it??? Come elections all the political parties start talking about Balasan water project, and how its gonna bring abundant water and thus smiles back to every towndwellers face. Like every myth, we the general public cannot dismiss it as being untrue, neither the powers that be have done anything to prove its truthfulness. Balasan project is a distant dream, so I concentrate more on why and how we the people of Darjeeling are being duped into thinking that water crisis is for real.

Law of supply says that when `the supply of a certain necessary good goes...down its price rises`, more necessary a good is more will be the price rise.... We are well aware that water is the second most important need for any species after air, hence its easy to demand a price if somehow water flow and its distribution can be controlled..... Welcome to the world of `water mafia`, ladies and gentlemen, cause thats what they do (control distribution of water) and have been doing for past so many years, and without our noticing it they have arrived with a bang in Darjeeling. The water mafia is not an individual, rather its an entity, an informal organisation but a very strong one at that, the nexus has as its members water suppliers, politicians, and administrators. Its hard to believe that such a thing as `water mafia`, exists in Darjeeling, but unfortunately it does and its for real and it`s earning millions of rupees every year by creating `water crisis`. I know it seems so confusing, but it is indeed very simple, the `water mafia`, controls the distribution of water in collaboration and help from politicians and administrators in such a way that every year there is crisis, and (please think for yourself) during that period of crisis who comes to our rescue??? Yes!! you are absolutely right, the water suppliers, with their hands folded in respect and a smile on their face. We feel indebted to them for their heroic act in coming to our rescue and happily pay Rs. 600/- per tank of water, without even realising that we have been robbed in the daylight.

I don`t know how many of you have felt the way I feel, but have you ever wondered how and from where do these water suppliers bring water even in times of absolute drought??? How municipality is unable to supply any water till the private suppliers have earned enough for the season and how municipality starts to supply after it gets some `water supply fund` from the state government??? If its possible to supply water (by both the municipality and the private suppliers even during the period of absolute crisis from places near town, do we really need a Balason water project to end our woes??? The water crisis can be solved, within a matter of months, all we need is strong political will, united people and a strong determination to refuse taking crap from people higher up.

For better or for worse we have witnessed and accepted so many changes, still we are doubtful to change ourselves, we are doubtful to change our representatives, and we are doubtful to change the way we are governed and worst of all we are doubtful to demand our rights from the same people whom we elected. With our will we can stop this `pseudo water crisis`, we can stop looking like a fool and we can stop being directed and played upon... The way to do it.... `be informed`, rest will follow.

Finally I leave you with this immortal lines from Bob Marley`s song....`...emancipate yourself from mental slavery.... none but ourselves can free our minds....have no fear from atomic energy (in our case politicians and their cronies)... coz none of them can stop the time....`...