Water
Though it's true, that this planet's called Earth.
This should actually be cause for much mirth.
I am sure that your Astronomy teacher
Said that water's its distinguishing feature.
And indeed by all rights we all ought to
Call this planet not Earth but Water.
As three fourths of its surface is sea
So no shortage is apparent to me.
But indeed there are people who say,
That the wars that may now come our way
Will be fought over water not land.
But that's something I can't understand.
Now some folks might well think I'm at fault,
For forgetting the oceans have salt.
But I feel, if we ponder on this,
Some sea water could be used as it is
For both cleaning as well as cultivation
And much more with some desalination.
It's quite true that this process isn't cheap
But we don't need to make this big leap
If there isn't demand at that price.
All the same you'll agree it's quite nice
For it shows that much water is there
If we're willing to pay a price that's fair.
Now all water that's free may be short
At right prices much more can be bought.
And of course if we cleverly apply
Good solutions we could always supply
A good deal of the water we need
As well as for much of our greed.
Transportation of water costs a lot.
Though through harvesting much can be got.
Because water's so tricky to fetch
It makes sense to find ways to make it stretch.
It could surely be used more than twice
And then cleaned for a reasonable price.
But in time the cost of cleaning will fall,
While proceeding to cleverly install
New techniques that permit us to clean
Each and every impurity foreseen.
If we now take a look at demand
Very quickly we'd all understand
That the share of agriculture is huge.
All the same the adroit subterfuge
Of ensuring there is a right price,
Will give us the solution in a trice.
Drip irrigation first comes to our mind
And those using it invariably find
Yield improves and yet water is spared.
Then the acreage could surely be pared
Of those crops that are guzzling too much.
Sugarcane could be seen as one such.
Hydroponics could of course be applied.
Bioreactors could also be tried.
These techniques could ensure that we lose
Much less water, reducing its use.
If there's a price we're required to pay
We will certainly find a good way.
Some might wonder why we'd want to charge
The impoverished people at large?
Some small quota that's free would be fine
But for more, they should pay, I opine.
All the same if our water’s still free.
Some solutions we surely can see.
…2
Godrej Efforts
Now the cost of our water isn’t high
But undoubtedly we would still try
For a reduction in our water consumption
But indeed it's the safest assumption
That our requirement of water won't disappear
But for eventual neutrality, I fear,
There’s no option but then to mitigate.
Though fortunately, I can still state
That developing a good watershed
Is quite economical and instead
Our agribusinesses can benefit.
The government will surely do its bit
But where it fails we can fill the breach
And hopefully then we will reach
Lots of farmers really on the cheap
But the benefits that we would then reap
Will compensate for all that cost
And once again nothing's lost.
It must be clearly understood
The social impacts are very good.
Once you understand the nitty-gritty
Of the Village Watershed Committee,
You see it helps to promote unity
In all sections of the community
And thanks to the 30% participation goal,
It’s women that play a significant role.
New businesses are a worthy goal.
Self help groups, can now play a role.
As you add poultry and dairy
Agriculture becomes less scary.
The income becomes more steady.
For any eventuality, you’re ready.
As the women begin to earn
Their earlier destiny they can spurn.
The spin-off benefits are great.
They can change their children’s fate
By improving health, housing and education,
A huge benefit for the nation.
Our partner is our true trump card
It is none other than NABARD.
We’ve covered 100 million square metres
And saved 32 million Kilolitres.
Watershed schemes don’t cost much
And the social benefits are such,
That it’s a solution we can all apply
To ensure a water supply,
For business and society at large
At a very affordable charge!
