The Quest for Water: A Basic Human Right

A Human needs a few basic things to survive in the world, like food to eat, clothes to wear, water to drink, and a house to live in. If we don't have these things, life becomes very difficult. And if we look around, a large part of the world's population spends their lives trying to acquire these basic necessities. Some people are even deprived of one or more of these basic needs and strive to achieve them.

Those who have these basic necessities keep upgrading their lifestyle, which we call 'modern life' or 'upper-level living'. If I consider myself to be at a lower level of life, it wouldn't be wrong. Because since I gained consciousness, my mind has been thinking every day about how to achieve these basic needs, and my time is spent struggling to acquire them. It doesn't mean that I am very poor. My aim is to highlight the importance of these basic things that are gradually slipping away from our reach as time passes.

Especially due to the rapidly increasing inflation, it's becoming extremely difficult to acquire these basic necessities day by day. And it seems like life is becoming increasingly difficult and suffocating. Maybe the limitation of my thought circle is the reason I'm not free from the tension of these things, and therefore, I cannot move forward towards improvement.

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While all the other basic necessities are important, water's importance is even more significant. And today, I want to talk about this very thing, sharing some of my life experiences, the challenges I've faced, and the struggles I'm currently going through.

Thirty years ago, our family settled in a place in Karachi, Pakistan, where there were mountains and only a few houses arround. And for miles, there was nothing else. We didn't have city-like facilities. At that time, we faced a lot of difficulties in getting water , electricity and other basic necessities. Because we were far from central city and water supply and other facilities were not available . So, we used to buy water from a local water supplier. At that time, a 1000-gallon water tanker would cost only 300 Pakistani rupees, which would last our family for a month with great difficulty.

Thirty years have passed, and the settlement has grown so much that there are no more mountains (because houses have been built on them and people have settled). There are houses everywhere. But the facilities are still far from us. And in the struggle to meet our basic needs, my father passed away six years ago, leaving behind the hope of a better life.

A few days ago, a news report on a TV channel said, "The government has decided to take legal action against local water suppliers." This news brought difficulties for people like us. A water crisis has erupted everywhere. I've been searching for water for four days, but I can't find any. I'm not alone; the entire people of the town is facing this problem. I am not against the government announcment but i wish the government had announced before taking action, that "We will provide water facilities to all areas where water is not available." That would have been great.

Some time ago, the Waterboard installed a one & only water hydrant in our town to supply water to the people. I went there too, but found it dry and closed, meaning it was not functioning. And when it does open, people flock to get a tanker of water (which costs 3000 Pakistani rupees) from that hydrant. There's no space to even stand, so it's almost impossible to get a turn.

Then I went to a local water supplier in my area, who initially refused to give me water. After a lot of persuasion and convincing, he finally agreed to provide me with a 1000-gallon water tanker, but only if I paid him 5000 Pakistani rupees. I had no choice but to agree, as I desperately needed water and couldn't survive without it. I requested him to send the water tanker as soon as possible. Now I'm waiting anxiously for the moment when the supplier will get the water and send it to me.

And i am thinking that Who is at fault here? The organizations responsible for providing water facilities? Or those who illegally supply water? Or us, who are willing to pay their demanded price to get water? Or the fact that we live in an area with such issues?

I wonder, how long will this cycle continue? Will I ever be able to move towards a better life, beyond these basic struggles? Or will I, like my father, take my dreams of a better life to my grave? And will this cycle continue generation after generation?

_{Thank you for taking a moment to read my story. I was hesitant to share it, but I felt compelled to speak out. Your time is valuable, and I appreciate your attention. I hope my words resonate with you and inspire answers to my questions. For now, Goodbye! May tomorrow bring joy and positivity to our lives!}

Stay safe, Happy, and Blessed!

With Love 💕

@rashid001