Harithandhrapradesh

Right from the moment Congressmen in Andhra Pradesh vouched that they would turn the state green, the heavens seem to have pledged their loyalties to Andhra Pradesh Congress. They have sent the rain gods to fill all the reservoirs and dams upstream to allow the reservoirs in this state to achieve their maximum storage levels during every monsoon. The ground water tables that were alarmingly close to the "Desertification" status have been replenished, and they have been maintained at very healthy levels. The high gods have done their job and provided the congressmen ample opportunities to turn the state green. So far so good.

To gain maximum political mileage, which is what the congressmen are famous for, statements have been made by Mr. Samuel. Because the state is being 'ruled' by the "Messenger of God", Mr. Samuel claimed, the rain god has blessed the state with 'normal' rains. Excellent! But does Mr. Samuel realize that he should be 'Governing' the state - not 'rule' it. Democracy allows everybody to have an opinion of their own, but Mr. Samuel excels in forcing his ideas on the people. So, he continues to 'rule' with scant respect to any rules.

Sorry for the digression, I realize that I am here to discuss Greenery. So, Mr. Samuel begun a slew of irrigation projects. Little did he realize that diktats of the 'messenger of god' has enough clout to get rainfall that is entitled to the area he 'rules'. He neither commanded the earth to absorb all the water that it receives as rainfall nor did he have the strategy established for the rain gods to send water in proper installments. The rain listened to Mr. Samuel's diktats, he did better listen for Mr. Samuel is the 'messenger of god'. The coastal areas reeled in floods.

The "Go Green" concept percolated to the last man of the hierarchy in the ruling machinery. They harvested green currency good enough to be stashed in gunny bags. The press had displayed it on several occasions. The press is mindless, what reaction can they trigger when the gods have pledged their support to Mr. Samuel? Roads have been washed away, and grass started taking the place of tarmac. The state started announcing the the virtues of going green.

"We have given the progress that no government has ever dreamt of", argues the state Congress Committee president. Yes, the state is overwhelmed. He was so dismayed at the entry of the popular movie actor into politics, that he had to call for a press conference to tell the public, that the actor is wasting his time. "The state is happy, and green and he sees no political void that the actor can fill. Is the actor in his senses?" he growled, "the state is being ruled by Mr. Samuel - the very messenger of god. What else can a lowly human do?". Een when his opinion was not asked the great Mr. Samuel quoted- "The actor is a novice. How can a normal human being issue diktats to the high gods? What does he know about the state machinery?."

The problem with me is that I am not deeply involved with politics. However, I keep witnessing a strong testimonial every day on my way to office. The water sent by rain gods, washes the homes of the followers of the 'messenger of god' and drains on the IT Parks - Madhapur Police Station road ensure that the diktat of the ' messenger of god' is followed to the hilt.

This water has been overflowing ever since the monsoon began this year, and ensured that the RCC road laid by the previous 'evil' government is sanctified by painted it green with algae.



Poramboku kaburlu - Rendo edition

The Secret Lake

The armies are in a frenzy; for they have surrounded one of the famous forts on the Deccan Plateau. They knew that their 'cannons' would not cause as much as a scratch on these sturdy granite walls. The entrance to the fort was through a winding road with high rise solid granite walls. There is no way you can blast the entrances. Many an army had given up the idea of conquering it, and they were going to erase the history of the fort as being 'impregnable'.

Yet, they were on a high. This time, their plan is fool proof. The summer heat was scorching, and the fort was on a granite hillock. The defenders would at some point of time, be forced to come out for water. And when they come out, they would be sitting ducks for the attacking army. This time their war strategy had cannons deployed in an arrangement to pound anything that comes out of the strong walls.

They waited patiently. Weeks passed, and the happiness on their faces had vanished. The doors were not opening up. A month passed. The happiness started turning into pain. Three months passed and the army was growing agonizingly impatient. The water resources, they were banking on, were going dry. They were getting disorganized. The summer was breaking their discipline. The generals started showing worry on their brows. The defender did not seem worried. They were in no rush to open the doors to the fort, and come down in search of water. The attackers were worried. How did the defenders manage the elixir of life? Have they mastered the art of living without it?

Little did they know that the defenders had built an underground Aaqueduct to a lake that was surrounded by rocky hills. The defenders were silently pumping water for their needs using these aqueducts. Nobody would ever dream that there would be a lake in the midst of these rocks, and a big one at that. A lake that would not dry up even during the onslaught of the Indian Summers.

This is the story of the Majestic Golkonda Fort and the picturesque Durgam Cheruvu or the 'Secret Lake'. This wonderful historic lake, I am sure, has many more stories to tell. I have spent a considerable part of the summers of my childhood exploring the perimeter of this lake, spending many hours looking at the flying fish this lake had. I remember the times when we had camped here from dawn to dusk, to enjoy the view, and the cool breeze that would make you long to come back. I remember the days I spent cooking 'Maggie' using the dry wood I found around this lake. It was a Past Perfect picture.

The governments in the past wanted people to listen to the tales this lake had to tell. However, the present government and public machinery have grown greedy, and are slowly covering up this lake. The plan for covering up this lake is meticulous. I wish they were meticulous in performing good deeds. They first permitted colonies to come up. These colonies were allotted to the affluent sections of the society. The domestic effluents were slowly let into this lake. As these colonies grew, they covered the catchment area of this lake. As the inflow reduced, and as the lake started drying up, they started travelling inwards. Houses were built, gated communities were erected, and apartments sprang up, and the lake right now is only one fourth of what it was a decade back. The onslaught continues. Water Hyacinth is introduced by the 'plant conversationalists' to find extra place for their activities. Name it, and the type of onslaught is clearly visible.

What can I do? Protest. Well, the Gandhian practice, was severely crushed by the party that is carrying on his legacy. The side taken by the British was taken by the Police to rain Lathis on people who wanted to restore the sanctity of the boundaries of the lake.

Do I stop? Certainly not. I will continue my efforts to awaken the conscience of people, who in their greed are destroying the potential memories their kids had to experience. Blogging is one of the means I have chosen to spread the news of encroachment.

Conserve Lakes. Conserve Water. Conserve Life.

Poramboku Kaburlu - Modati Edition