To be called "regional" and "selfish" is not something anyone wants. Yet, every single time the issue of sharing the Kaveri's water is brought up, I have to explain my stand on the issue to those close to me, and not, (usually in the virtual world) and it inevitably begins with Karnataka being labeled a villain. The most common response the residents of Karnataka get is, "learn to share."
My dear compatriots, one can't learn something one already knows. Karnataka contributes 53% of water to the Kaveri river basin and gets 37% in return. Tamil Nadu contributes 32% and gets 37% in return. Kerala contributes 14% and gets 4% in return. I do not wish to bore you with numbers, however I felt these were necessary.
Moving on, I wish to state that I am not against the sharing of water. No sane person (heck even an insane nationalist ) will have issues with that. Water is a national resource and must be shared. Shared how? shared judiciously. I refuse to remain a mute spectator when a mute PM who sits in Delhi and knows not what the ground scenario is, orders around one state to release a fixed amount of water on a daily basis. To this, your comeback will be that the honourable Supreme Court's judgement spells out similar terms. True, but we do live in a democracy and people do protest against Supreme Court rulings here.
Don't get me wrong; I am not siding with any politician or any political party here. They're all doing this to gain some sort of political momentum and the game of votebank politics is a dirty one. I am writing this as a common man, who is angry with the representatives of his state in the Central government for valuing their own seats more than the plight of the people they represent. I am angry with the state government for not doing enough to ensure that such a judgement of this nature was never passed in the first place. I am angry with every little scumbag who is trying to gain political clout using a real cause. *Takes a deep breath*
I am angry with the neighboring state's CM who was born in Melukote, which is in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district in Karnataka and was brought up in my very own city, Bangalore. (To those who don't know, she was once a cottonian, yes.)
I know for a fact that she is feared and respected by many in Tamil Nadu, but I guess she still feels the need to convince them that she has no soft spot for the state she was born in. I am also angry with the citizens of Bangalore for not taking up this cause as their own, earlier. We have as much to lose as the farmers do, perhaps more. I had no idea I was this angry, I swear. *Sips water*
I have had the privilege of travelling to most of the places on the Kaveri basin. I say traveled, what I mean is that my father served in these places and I have actually interacted with the people there. A visit to Thalakaveri will convince you of the sacred status of mother Kaveri. Thousands of farmers from both TN and Karnataka flock there and pray to her. The Kaveri is such an important part of lives in both states.
It is unfair for us to say we will not share it with them, just as it is unfair of them to expect us to release a fixed amount irrespective of the situation here. Be it in the ancient scriptures or in Airplanes .... one has to use one's own oxygen mask to survive first and then, help those around them.
Let us not fight over this matter. Please do not judge us for wanting to have a fair deal. It hurts to be called regional, and it hurts to be asked to learn to share. We are not monsters who want to see our very own neighbors struggle (that, we turn into during the IPL alone).
To those who are protesting, let it be in a peaceful manner. Never advocate anything violent, and most importantly... This is not war. This is not a battle between Kannadigas and Tamilians. Most certainly not the Tamilians who live in our own city. They are as Bangalorean as you and I, and are an integral part of our city's culture. I only pray that the protests remain peaceful and that a consensus can be reached, soon.
Jai Karnataka ! Jai hind !
P.S : If I have not bored you to death already, I urge you to read this article and this blogpost as well.
My dear compatriots, one can't learn something one already knows. Karnataka contributes 53% of water to the Kaveri river basin and gets 37% in return. Tamil Nadu contributes 32% and gets 37% in return. Kerala contributes 14% and gets 4% in return. I do not wish to bore you with numbers, however I felt these were necessary.
Moving on, I wish to state that I am not against the sharing of water. No sane person (heck even an insane nationalist ) will have issues with that. Water is a national resource and must be shared. Shared how? shared judiciously. I refuse to remain a mute spectator when a mute PM who sits in Delhi and knows not what the ground scenario is, orders around one state to release a fixed amount of water on a daily basis. To this, your comeback will be that the honourable Supreme Court's judgement spells out similar terms. True, but we do live in a democracy and people do protest against Supreme Court rulings here.
Don't get me wrong; I am not siding with any politician or any political party here. They're all doing this to gain some sort of political momentum and the game of votebank politics is a dirty one. I am writing this as a common man, who is angry with the representatives of his state in the Central government for valuing their own seats more than the plight of the people they represent. I am angry with the state government for not doing enough to ensure that such a judgement of this nature was never passed in the first place. I am angry with every little scumbag who is trying to gain political clout using a real cause. *Takes a deep breath*
I am angry with the neighboring state's CM who was born in Melukote, which is in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district in Karnataka and was brought up in my very own city, Bangalore. (To those who don't know, she was once a cottonian, yes.)
I know for a fact that she is feared and respected by many in Tamil Nadu, but I guess she still feels the need to convince them that she has no soft spot for the state she was born in. I am also angry with the citizens of Bangalore for not taking up this cause as their own, earlier. We have as much to lose as the farmers do, perhaps more. I had no idea I was this angry, I swear. *Sips water*
I have had the privilege of travelling to most of the places on the Kaveri basin. I say traveled, what I mean is that my father served in these places and I have actually interacted with the people there. A visit to Thalakaveri will convince you of the sacred status of mother Kaveri. Thousands of farmers from both TN and Karnataka flock there and pray to her. The Kaveri is such an important part of lives in both states.
It is unfair for us to say we will not share it with them, just as it is unfair of them to expect us to release a fixed amount irrespective of the situation here. Be it in the ancient scriptures or in Airplanes .... one has to use one's own oxygen mask to survive first and then, help those around them.
Let us not fight over this matter. Please do not judge us for wanting to have a fair deal. It hurts to be called regional, and it hurts to be asked to learn to share. We are not monsters who want to see our very own neighbors struggle (that, we turn into during the IPL alone).
To those who are protesting, let it be in a peaceful manner. Never advocate anything violent, and most importantly... This is not war. This is not a battle between Kannadigas and Tamilians. Most certainly not the Tamilians who live in our own city. They are as Bangalorean as you and I, and are an integral part of our city's culture. I only pray that the protests remain peaceful and that a consensus can be reached, soon.
Jai Karnataka ! Jai hind !
P.S : If I have not bored you to death already, I urge you to read this article and this blogpost as well.
Wow! I feel you man. Very well written.
ReplyDeleteohai! Thanks. The issue will be brought up again now. :(
DeleteMay I ask which side of the dam you belong to?