Water Conservation and the Role of Senior Citizens

Water Conservation and the Role of Senior Citizens

(Contributed by Sri MN Gupta)

 

We all know that the quantum of sweet water is depleting all over the world. Global warming, climatic changes resulting in diminishing rains coupled with wastage are contributing to it. On the other hand as, year after year, population is increasing; the share of available water per person is automatically decreasing.  Water required to produce some common produce is given in the table below:

 

Product	Quantity	Water Required (Liters) for various activities connected to this
Milk	1 Liter	1000 Cattle maintenance, milk collection & processing
Coffee Powder	1 Spoon	140   Coffee plantation collection processing
Wheat	1 Kg	1100 Agriculture
Rice	1 Kg	3000 Agriculture
Sugar	1 Kg	3200 Agriculture

 

The above statistics are just to depict how precious water is for our daily lives and importance of water conservation for our survival. It is essential to adopt rain water harvesting in a big way not only by digging water harvesting pits but also by reviving abandoned wells, ponds, lakes etc to store water

.

We senior citizens can play a very useful role in spreading awareness of water conservation by starting from our family and then persuading our neighbors friends and society. We can give small talks in nearby schools for children.  We can help neighbours design rain water harvesting by providing know-how and do-how from suitable sources. We may donate money for prizes for college students for debates / programs on water conservation. While we visit public toilets / hotels etc close taps if they are leaking or complain about them. Here are a few tips on how to save water in our residence:

 

1.      Do not keep the tap open throughout while brushing and shaving. Better keep water in a mug

2.      Do not let the shower run throughout while bathing; Better use a bucket instead of shower.

3.      Immediately repair or replace a leaking tap.

4.      Use washing machine or dish washer on full load.

5.      Do not throw away water stored the previous day. Use it for washing clothes and utensils, bathing, cooking, watering plants, mopping etc

6.      Use water kept in a bucket or tub for washing vegetables, rice, pulses etc instead of washing in running water. Water left over after washing can be used for watering plants

7.      Replace Old type of flush tanks with slim line flush which hold lesser water.

 

These are only few tips of saving water. If we observe critically, we will be able to detect many more ways how domestic water gets wasted and how it can be conserved. Today it might appear an exaggeration but in future there may be wars to get control on water resources instead of oil, in case we do not stop wasting water all over the world.

=============

Dr P Vyasamoorthy
30 Gruhalakshmi Colony, Secunderabad 500015 Telangana
LL 040-27846631 / Mobile: 9490804278

To send LARGE files to your friend use sendfiles2.me 

Note on IDOP function organized by HelpAge AP on 1st October 2014 in Hyderabad

Note on IDOP function organized by HelpAge AP on 1^st October 2014 in Hyderabad

 

HelpAge (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) organized a grand function celebrating International Day of the Older Persons. In the morning there was a successful Walkathon flagged off by Sri Anurag Sharma Director General of Police. In the afternoon there was a huge gathering of senior citizens, both elite and poor. The latter came from Patancheru, Chot  Uppal, Medak, Yadagirigutta, Ramagiri etc.  The PS Telugu University Auditorium was packed with people sitting everywhere – even on floor with dozens standing near the doors. HelpAge managed to muster support from some twenty four organizations – NGOs, Govt Departments, Municipalities, Lions Clubs, Public / Private sector Units etc. Complete list is amazing to read and applaud.

 

Before the meeting part could begin we were entertained for nearly an hour by Ramakrishna Rao and his group. I could see many people asking for their contact details – proof that their performance was laudatory. Sri Rajalingam gave mimicry items; Sri GV Raju sang Laddu Laddu song, this time accompanied by instruments to support. (see audio clip here: http://goo.gl/JHp712 )

 

 

Dr N K Raju of BDL and Dr AN Gupta of Premier Explosives were Guests of Honour. Sri T Rajaiah, Deputy CM could not participate as he was busy with – who else? – CM – KCR garu. Other people on the dias included: Sri Dass, Sri Uppula Gopala Rao Dr Rao Chelikani, Dr Nageswara Rao, Sri Linga Reddy, Sri Mohan Reddy etc After formal prayers and Jyothi lighting speakers were called in.

 

Sri Dass spoke in Telugu for the first time and he did very well being a first timer. He welcomed all, thanked everyone for co-operation. Told us how BDL and Premier Explosives were highly supportive in their mobile medical van projects. Sri Gopala Rao  appreciated HelpAge for serving the poor. He said he was   consulted in preparing HelpAge India's Vision 2020 document. Dr Rao Chelikani traced the development / history behind IDOP. He also briefed on the theme of 2014 IDOP viz: A society for all ages – Leaving no one behind". He also emphasized the need for senior citizens helping senior citizens. Sri Nageswar Rao noticed the presence of a large number of rural poor senior citizens among the audience.  He mentioned about advantages of generic medicines and said more such jeevanadhara shops must come up in rural areas.

 

Sri Raju of BDL said they selected HelpAge for extending their support as that would ensure proper utilization of funds without mis-appropriation. He declared that another medical mobile unit will be funded (Rs 65 lakhs) soon to be placed in Ibrahimpatnam in RR District. We should teach our children to respect elders – this must be a movement of sorts he emphasized. Sri Dass commented that as a part of their SAVE (students Action Value Education) program nearly 7000 schools have been engaged in sensitizing school children.

 

Dr Gupta of Premier Explosives also assured that one more mobile medical unit (Rs 65 Lakhs) will be funded soon.  His company is helping the poor in Yadagrigutta with free medicines and medicare. He was of the opinion that  the CSR contribution must be raised from present 2% to 20%. For middle class elders a number of DCCs must come up of payment basis, he suggested.

 

The meeting was followed by Awards Ceremony. HelpAge had conducted several sports activities where MMUs are located and among rural SHGs formed by them. Several scores of participants winning in these events were given prizes. Then several senior citizens were honored with  

"Social Responsibility Awards" – with nicely framed certificates, Shawl etc.  Some Awardees I can remember the names are: Sri IVLN Chary, Dr P Vyasamoorthy, Sri Lohitaksha Menon, Sri Seetharamaswamy). The function was a great success impacting on all concerned – NGOs, SHGs, SCAs etc

 

 

 

 

Dr P Vyasamoorthy
30 Gruhalakshmi Colony, Secunderabad 500015 Telangana
LL 040-27846631 / Mobile: 9490804278

To send LARGE files to your friend use sendfiles2.me