Water in the moon?

India likes to be counted as one of the Super powers in the world. This aspiration has made India to make progress in several fields like space technology. Indian scientists have claimed to have discovered water in the moon. However, the plight of Indians even in the cities is like deer chasing a mirage, exhausting itself and dies. While Indian scientists could discover water in distant moon, they cannot offer solutions for drinking water scarcity that kills people in their own backyard.

This is the summary of the news published recently with the following title - Water scarcity claims woman's life near Mumbai: In a shocking incident a woman collapsed due to exhaustion and died after standing in the scorching sun to collect water in a village near Mumbai. Vasai MLA and chief of Shramajivi Sanghatana, Vivek Pandit told PTI that the incident took place when Parvati Ramu Jadhav, a tribal woman from Dolara village of Mokhada taluka went to fill water from the tanker, which comes to the village only once in four days. She could not get water as the tanker went empty before her turn came. Then she turned towards the village well, which already witnessed a huge queue for fetching water. These villagers are required to trek several miles to fetch water which the victim had been doing since several days in scorching sun. Last week, when Parvati could not get water from the village well even after standing in the line for several hours, she decided to return home, he said. Reportedly, there was a stampede near the well. On her way back, she collapsed and died later, reports said.

Political leaders
The above report is painful to read as a tribal woman had to pay with her life to get drinking water. At the same time it shows how callous our leaders could be. The political representative of the people blames the administration for lack of water for the villagers. The political parties that promise many things like laptops, grinders, tvs, cycles, dhotis and sarees, temples etc., to people during election campaign have not thought it worthy cause to provide safe drinking water to all citizens. The political leader in the news item cited is not willing to take moral responsibility for the death of the hapless woman. As an elected representative of people he failed in his duty and responsibility to provide basic needs to the people in his constituency.

Value of human life
For political parties the value of human life is not as important as value of votes. They are more concerned about the votes and winning the next election. A dead person will not vote, and politicians would bother only with those who are alive and eligible to vote. That to with tricks that would misguide the hapless people to choose the wrong kind of leaders.

Administration
The Government administrative wing – the bureaucracy is most insensitive organization in the world. The officers who run the executive wing of the Government are more interested in their self-preservation and earning illegitimate money. Providing water once in four days is an achievement for these great Government servants. The clamour for Government job is that the people working with the Governent are not accountable to anyone, an assured sum every month and lifelong employment without any real contribution to the society or nation. The bureaucrats could easily prove that they have done their best under the constitution and law of the land. The Government machinery serves politicians and themselves and not the public.

Oppressive culture makes women as victims
Another question we have to ask is why the woman had to bear the brunt of bringing water home. What about men? There is an interesting story from one of the villages. Few men were sitting under a tree and playing cards. The women of the village were carrying water in pots over their heads and carrying them home. An outsider asked to the men who were lazy and playing cards: "Why don't you help those women by bring water on your bicycles?" The men replied, "If we bring water, the women will become lazy Otherwise, they would sit idle and play and dance." These men could be lazy (as it is their birthright) and not the women. To keep the women engaged or busy, the men let the women carry water from long distances. Certainly, they will not demand this service from the Government.

Why not an American woman or European women have to carry water like Indian women on their heads from faraway places? First, there is gender equality in the West. Women would demand men one of the two things: "Man, please come with me to carry the water. Or you go and sit outside the Government office until piper water is made available." Second, the gender roles in India are also oppressive. A woman has to bring water, from anywhere, any how and man would not lift his little finger to help. Third, man in Indian culture need not love his wife. If he loves his wife, then he will certainly work hard to alleviate the suffering of her. It is only the duty of the wife to be caring and loyal to her husband. A man need not reciprocate this gesture.

Illiterate and Ignorant
The worst sufferers are the illiterate, ignorant, poor and the marginalized. By keeping them illiterate of their rights, they could be continuously exploited. The Government manned and controlled by the elite of the society enjoys the advantage of the status quo and do not want to bring changes that makes the life of people easier and healthier. The common people do not have the political power or organizing power to protest or demand services from the ruling elite.

Rural-Urban divide
In many cities, there are water parks, theme parks and fountains that is for leisure and luxury of the city people. At the same time, the poor do not have access to the safe drinking water. While water is wasted in many hotels, the poor have to survive by the tickles that seep through pipes and water trucks. Many times the water that are supplied by vehicles are diverted to cater to the rich for their wedddings and other functions while poor do not have even their basic quota of water.

Human dignity
Providing safe drinking water is the responsibility of the Government. India wants to the in the select band of nations that are scientifically developed by aping them like sending rocket to moon and mars. The nations should also follow their example of providing human dignity by providing basic needs. If, violating the dignity of people especially the poor is the price or cost for getting the tag of 'Super Power' in the global stage is not worth it. People are more important than a global reputation of being Super Power.