Digging own well for water in Saurashtra

By Deepal Trevedie
Top 100 economists of different countries met in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, in 1985 and made a statement that made many laugh and ridicule them. They said the reason for the third world war could be water.

This columnist has lived in Saurashtra for a brief time and takes the water problem very seriously. Although the third world war on water seems to be a little exaggerated fact, I feel Saurashtra seems to be rehearsing it better than anyone else does. Like any true Saurashtrian or Kutchi, I am very touchy when it comes to water. I not only hate the idea of anyone wasting water, I hate the political hypocrisy on the water issue.

For example, last week, when minister of state for youth and cultural affairs Mahendra Trivedi enthusiastically boasted of how 100 Harvard scholars were visiting Bhavnagar in the magnificent Royal Orient train to celebrate the millennium eve, I asked him cynically (since he was sitting next to irrigation minister Nitin Patel), that instead of such stupid things, why don’t they, as politicians and people’s representatives, actually do something to solve the water issue.

The same day, three people died in police firing at Falla village in Jamnagar district. Of course we now have the standard magisterial inquiry into the matter. However, fact remains that war has begun over water. Water as an issue can have a solution only if we ensure that politicians stay away from it.

For these so-called honourable politicians are good at only levying allegations against each other and get political mileage and we remain without water.

There are few sincere souls working hard to solve the issue. Like Mansukh Suvagiya, who is doing good grassroots level work.

Ironically, he is a government employee (the general impression we have of these government servants is that they are not sincere enough). Mansukhbhai has initiated a campaign to build check dams using people’s money and muscle power (not in the bad sense). The "shram yagnas" organised by Mansukhbhai in Junagadh talukas have constructed 156 check dams. While the government takes a minimum of three months and a minimum of Rs 15 lakhs to build a check dam, simple but advanced style devised by Mansukhbhai ensures that a check dam is built within Rs one lakh.

As people participate in the project for own good, work is finished off in less than a week’s time. Another example of political willingness I got in this aspect was from chief minister Keshubhai Patel. Mansukhbhai has no political connections or influence. The other day, he just walked into the chief minister’s office and asked for an appointment. Not only did the chief minister give him a patient hearing but was so impressed that he himself asked Mansukhbhai to take him to one such site.

Keshubhai went to Jamka village and came back impressed. And in turn, for a change, he impressed me. At least this man has basic concern, forget about his ignorance about information technology and satellite application advancements.

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