Insecurities of a culture and its rustic people

Struggle for the very basic needs is common for all of us—water engulfs all our energies. There are states in India without true rivers. The Himalayan Rivers can only provide for northern parts. Southern parts have little rain fed rivers whose drainage system has isolated some states depriving them of water. They are dependent on other states for water sources. They have a sense of insecurity for they fear if a demolition/reconstruction of a dam takes place. The other state may reduce water quantity given, and then they may be deprived of water. 

A hundred years ago, the rulers (British) had made bridges between culturally divided India, made dams to provide water for dry areas and to stop flooding of wet areas. This ushered in an era of new drainage system. It opened up an entire new way of life for farmers who were previously praying for rains. These farmers loved their livelihoods. Thousands of years ago, their saint had extolled the role of the farmer. Their saint had said that “the true life of a human is led by one who farms and all others worship and follow him (seeking his blessings)”.They revere their way of life, and love to till the soil and work from dawn to dusk. They cannot imagine life without their Mother Earth. The dam is located in another state. Although the dam is theirs, re-defining water rights might come about. Now after reconstruction of the old dam, water may be channelled for the benefit of the other state. Their fear of losing their sources of water is very real, for water wars can ensue. It is the anguish of these farmers that moves us greatly. They must be assured that reconstruction of a dam can result in greater security. Fear, anguish and insecurity must be overcome, so that farmers can work in peace. They know that without water, there will be no harvest, which means no livelihood; no food would lead to migration which means loss of being near dear ones; adjusting to alien cultures is not possible for them. No foreign place can be like their homes. It is not dams or water rights that these communities are in danger of losing;they may have to change their lifestyles and culture totally.  Future Shock is coming soon.There is bigger shock waiting for them. They are not aware that as soon as industrialisation of farming takes place, only few farmers will be working, and farming as they know it may end as a profession. Eulogy of ideal rustic way life should not be encouraged, and soon their culture may change entirely altogether. It’s going to be a shock from which they will have to recover from