Impact of water …

Up to the year of 1980, of the last century, the issue of supply of potable water to commonality, was a major issue, to be dealt by government. Al though, in the urban areas, the network of water supply pipelines was, up to certain extent proper. But, in country side, situation was not so propitious. A good number of hinter lands, suffered from this problem gravely. In those rural areas, people had to be dependent on the natural water sources. These sources were in shape of brooks, bigger water falls, rivers, ponds or running canals. No doubt, situation during the British regime was horrible. After attaining the freedom, in the year of 1947, all the Provincial governments with their meager resources, tried hard to solve the issue. In a good number of villages, the work of laying of water pipelines were done on war footings.

                                   The concept of Panghat 

In every such village, at paltry one or two chosen places, there government built rotunda cemented water tanks. These tanks worked as the water reserve. From these tanks, water could be obtained through a tap, that, was to be equipped with stopcock. the main purpose of to mention all this is, such water source points, at that time worked as water bank. In vernacular, such points termed as “Panghat.” From these points at a fixed time, often in evening time; women of village in customary way, visited to fetch the water. The reason for this customary timing was, in day time, women too remained engaged in other house hold affairs.

At the evening time, when crowd of women used to gather at these “Panghat,” there was a cheerful bustle all around. Every one seemed chattering happily, giggling and kidding with one another. Never, they gave a thought that after their water container filled with water weight, they are supposed to yoke that, on the top of the head. Today, on analyzing the situation, it comes up conclusively, it was a positive, optimistic psychological impact of running water, on their mind.

                                     Attraction for water

This sort of impact, can be sighted by other paradigms. As on today, when people plan to enjoy some picnic, their preferred chosen destiny is some river bank, natural water fall or sea beach. Even, if they plan to have some sojourn as vacation trip at some distant place, the same phenomenon of, to be in vicinity of water is experienced. In that sojourn, they don’t miss to visit some nearby water points of that location.

Now look upon the same issue, from the historical angle. So many prominent forts of old time’s kings and emperors, we found erected on the river side. If found located at a vast land where no river existed, they chose the place, where water could easily be availed. It was done by digging ponds or wells. Although, it can be argued, water is an essential need of life as potable item, so, it made them to erect forts near at such places.  Besides, it also worked as a protection guard from enemy at one specific side, these argument has a cogency, no doubt.

                                  Curing through water

The selection of such places near water sources, is supported by the psychological experiences of human race, through its evolution of million years. Vestiges of that experiences, rooted deep down into the “subconscious” or “dormant mind” of the mankind. Our brain has a propensity for water. By the presence of water or even by the sound of running water, it feels relaxed. Modern therapeutics recognizes two factors significantly, in curing of “frustration and depression.” First, the early morning walk that helps reducing depression by 70 %.  Secondly, as much as possible, the time, passed leisurely near a natural streaming water helps profoundly to release stress.

 The sonorous, melodious, gurgling sound of running water, has been denominated as the “White noise,” in the medical therapy. “White noise” is a condition of sound, when all the frequencies come a unanimous shape. This helps  neurons stimulating the felicity, and man begins to concentrate with himself, by being with the affinity of nature.

Once again, back to the ‘point of forts’ erected on the river side. at that period of time, the vast territory was divided in to various states as independent countries. Such territories were supposed to be ruled over by kings. These kings, in major part of life were destined to be remain engaged in war with one another. These kings, on returning back in peace time, used to pass their quality time in these forts. The nearby streaming water helped them, to come out of the “traumatic effect” of the past war zone trouble time.  From the top of the fort, king could enjoy watching the streaming water. Besides, along with his queens he happened to visit the river side for water prank or boating.

Not only this, even his army personnel, too, had to be dependent on river water for the diurnal activities. Be it fetching of water, bathing, cleansing of clothes or watering of horses etc. This all made army people to pass their time in affinity with water. This in consequence, helped them feel refreshed and recharged psychologically. In our this worldly life, full of hectic schedule, scarcely people opt for fishing. In bygone era, fish angling in general was a favorite game. Externally, it sounded as a work out to arrange some food ingredients.  But in real sense, it was a favorite prank to enjoy the affinity of water. To old people, it was like an addiction. Since, ‘the buds of taste’ has always preponderance over other things, This made man, never to think, about the psychological effect of the game of angling, so what ever pushed him to come close to the water.

The purpose of the blog is to indicate the impact of flow of water. How it maneuvers our life in a streaming way. As a matter of fact, water is an essential part of our diet. But one reason it may be of having the impact, our body mass consisted of 70% of watery substance. This factor, probably induces us to remain in touch of water, and  makes us feel happy in affinity with water. Penned by — Vinay Pharasi …..