Pipasa | India Water Crisis Documentary | Movie Review
Pipasa | India Water Crisis Documentary | Movie Review
🎬 Today at M. R. R. Monapara Arts College, we had the privilege of screening the eye-opening documentary 'Pipasa: India Water Crisis Documentary' shedding light on the water crisis gripping the Barmer region in the heart of the Thar Desert, with reference to our syllabus unit, 'Environment:- Water: The Elixir of Life.' Prof. Vipul Dabhi Sir presented this compelling film that eloquently captures the challenges faced by millions in coping with severe water scarcity in the desert landscape.
The documentary provides a profound glimpse into the lives of those enduring the relentless impact of water scarcity in the Thar Desert. Directed by Rajat Sain and Roohani, 'Pipasa' delivers a poignant narrative, exposing the harsh realities faced by communities struggling to access this basic necessity for survival.
In the context of the documentary, "पिपासा" or "Pipasa" holds a profound significance, encapsulating the essence of the water crisis depicted in the film. Beyond its literal translation as "Thirst" in English, "पिपासा" symbolizes more than just a physical need for water.
The term resonates with the intense yearning, desire, and unmet longing for a fundamental resource - water. It embodies the struggle, anguish, and relentless pursuit faced by the inhabitants of Barmer in the Thar Desert. It encompasses not only the physiological need for hydration but also the emotional and societal impact arising from the scarcity of this life-sustaining element.
"14,000 kilometres, the distance a rural woman walks every year just to fetch water, equivalent to the distance between India and America."
"Meanwhile, just 850 kilometres from Barmer, the national capital Delhi hits the worst floods in 45 years."
These are some major points and issues highlighted in the 'Pipasa: India Water Crisis Documentary.'
Scarcity of Water
The documentary vividly portrays the dire scarcity of water in the Barmer district of Rajasthan, illustrating the profound impact on daily life. Through poignant narratives of women and children making multiple trips to distant wells, such as the quote, "I go twice a day to fetch water and fill 2-4 pots," it highlights the persistent struggle for this fundamental resource. The scarcity disrupts not only household chores but also educational pursuits, as seen in the statement, "I had to leave the school because of that."
Dependence on Traditional Water Sources
The documentary highlighted the profound reliance on traditional water sources like 'Beris' (percolation wells) in Barmer, Rajasthan. These wells, a legacy of the ancestors, once crucial for water collection, are now facing depletion due to pollution and lack of maintenance. One villager mentioned, "These 'Beris' were our lifeline, but now they are useless," reflecting the fading significance of these traditional water sources due to neglect and contamination.
Impact of Industrialization
The film highlights how chemical and textile industries discharge their waste into water bodies like the Luni river, severely contaminating the water sources. This pollution not only renders the water unfit for consumption but also leads to health issues among the locals, such as yellowish-brown teeth and bone ailments due to high fluoride content. As mentioned in the documentary, the detrimental effects of industrial waste on water quality have worsened the scarcity, creating a dire situation for the residents reliant on these water sources.
Struggles of Women and Children
In the documentary, the struggles faced by women and children due to the water crisis are poignantly depicted. Women, spanning from young girls to elderly individuals, bear the arduous responsibility of fetching water multiple times a day. They endure physical pain, health issues, and the sacrifice of educational opportunities to ensure their families have access to this essential resource. As one elderly woman expressed, "I have been filling water for 50-60 years... I carry the pots on my head... Carrying so much weight has an effect on their bodies." Young girls, like Pooja, are urged to prioritize learning how to fetch water over education, showcasing the persistent cycle where girls are deprived of educational opportunities due to the overwhelming burden of water-fetching duties. This perpetual struggle impacts their overall health, education, and future prospects.
Health Consequences
The health consequences stemming from the water crisis in Barmer are dire, particularly for women who endure physical strains like body pain, knee issues, and backaches from carrying heavy water pots. Additionally, repeated exposure to polluted and saline water leads to ailments such as yellowish-brown teeth, bone problems due to fluoride content, and even reproductive health issues like uterine prolapse, as highlighted in the documentary. One woman mentioned, "The midwife informed us that because of repeatedly fetching water, daughter in law’s uterus came out." These health challenges persist, impacting the overall well-being of the community.
Educational Challenges
Educational challenges in the Barmer district stem from the lack of nearby schools and the necessity for children, especially girls, to assist in fetching water instead of attending classes. This situation forces them to abandon their education, as highlighted in the documentary when a young girl expresses, "I had to leave the school because of that. I used to go to school at 7 o'clock in the morning. And at the same time, I had to go to fetch water. How can I do both at the same time?" This conflict between fetching water and pursuing education perpetuates a cycle of limited learning opportunities, especially for girls, impacting their future prospects.
Economic Impact
The economic impact of the water crisis in Barmer is starkly evident as villagers spend significant amounts, up to thousands of rupees, purchasing water from private tankers due to the inadequate government supply. One villager mentioned, "About 10-12 thousand per month goes in buying water," showcasing the financial strain caused by the lack of accessible and affordable water sources.
Cultural and Social Implications
The documentary portrays the deeply ingrained societal expectations where women and young girls are compelled, regardless of their aspirations or educational endeavors, to prioritize fetching water over personal growth. One woman lamented, "Education is not important, learning how to fetch water is." This perpetuates a cycle of dependency on water-fetching tasks, shaping the cultural norms and societal roles for generations.
Generational Continuity
Across generations, the burden of fetching water persists, impacting education and personal development. The film illustrates the passing down of this responsibility, as one woman shared, "My mother lived like this. I also struggled for water. Now my daughter will also live the same life." This continuity perpetuates a cycle of struggle, limiting opportunities and perpetuating societal expectations irrespective of personal aspirations.
Struggles during Pregnancy and Post-Delivery
In the documentary, women's struggles during pregnancy and post-delivery were poignant. Despite facing physical discomfort and health risks, they continued to bear the burden of water-fetching, enduring the pain and exhaustion. One woman, seven months pregnant, expressed her commitment to fetching water until her eighth month and planned to resume merely a month after delivery, highlighting the immense challenges they face even during critical phases of their lives. Another woman recounted her postpartum experience, mentioning how four days after giving birth, she resumed the task of fetching water despite excruciating pain and post-operative conditions. These narratives underscored the relentless hardships pregnant and postpartum women endure due to water scarcity, emphasizing the pressing need for alleviating this burden on vulnerable populations.
Inadequate Government Measures and Political Promises vs. Reality
The documentary starkly exposes the discord between Political Promises vs. Reality and the resultant Inadequate Government Measures. Despite assurances, as seen in the words of locals like, "PM Modi had also promised that every household will have water connections," the situation remains dire in Barmer, Rajasthan. With insufficient implementation of water supply initiatives and unfulfilled political pledges, such as the unconstructed water pipelines and unaddressed scarcity, the gap between assurances and actual actions remains prevalent. One villager expressed their disillusionment, stating, "We cast our votes with the hope that the politicians will fulfill their election promises. But they turn their back once the elections are over." This disconnect between promised interventions and the tangible provision of water solutions underscores the urgent need for effective government action to alleviate the ongoing water crisis in the region.
Cultural Shift and Generational Impact
The documentary underscores a poignant cultural shift in the value system, as highlighted by the comparison drawn between water and traditional dairy products like milk or butter. The elderly express that in the past, milk or butter were more accessible than water, emphasizing the drastic change in the perceived value of essential resources. This shift denotes a profound alteration in the societal norms and illustrates the generational impact of water scarcity on traditional beliefs, as narrated by the locals in the documentary.
Disparity in Government Priorities: Floods vs. Water Scarcity
In the documentary, it was highlighted that Eastern India, with the Brahmaputra River, witnesses an annual toll of 3-4 thousand lives due to extreme floods. Conversely, Rajasthan experiences 20-25 deaths yearly due to water scarcity. This stark contrast led to a sentiment that politicians in Delhi might not prioritize river diversions and interlinking initiatives seriously, which directly impacts regions like Barmer. The disparity in attention towards flood management versus water scarcity remains a concern for the people affected by the water crisis.
Hopes for Change
The documentary vividly portrays a lingering hope for transformative change despite decades of neglect. Expressions like "I have already spent good 25 years of my life but nothing has been done in my village" and "We are celebrating 75 years of Independence, living in 21st Century, We have reached to the moon and mars... We have made a mark. But still people of our area are not getting water to drink" underscore the disappointment with the lack of progress. This indicates a collective call for urgent and sincere attention to address the persisting water crisis in Barmer, suggesting a need for serious consideration and action towards providing sustainable solutions.
