WATER: THE ELIXIR OF LIFE

-C.V.Raman
C.V. Raman was the Nobel Prize winner in 1930, in physics for his
work on ‘the scattering of light’ and for the discovery of the Raman
Effect. He was the first to investigate the harmonic nature of the
sound of the Indian drums such the tabla and mridingam. In 1934,
Raman becomes the director of the newly established Indian
institute of science in Bangalore. In 1947,he was appointed as the
first National professor by the new government of independent
India.
Humankind has always searched in vain for an
imaginary elixir of life, the divine amrita. A draught of this elixir was
thought to confer immortality. But Raman feels that the true elixir of
life is water. This single liquid can change the entire scene. He
remembers that he was standing on the line which separates the
Libyan Desert from the valley of the Nile in Egypt. On one side was
vast area covered with sand and without speck of green or a single
living thing. On the other side was one of the greatest, most fertile
and densely populated areas. It was teeming with life and
vegetation. The only thing which made the difference was water. It
was the water of river Nile. Geologist tells that the entire soil of
river, Nile is the creation of the river itself. It’sancient civilization
was created and sustained by the life giving water of the Nile.
We take granted this common substance in
everyday life. But we forget that water is the most potent and
wonderful thing on the earth. It has played a very important role
Inshaping the course of earth’s history. It continues to play the
leading role in drama of life on earth. Nothing can add so much to
the beauty of the countryside as water. In south India the rain fed
tanks are very common. They are shallowbut the bottom of tank is
not visible due to silt-laden water. These tanks play a vital role in
south India agriculture. Much of rice is grown under them.
One of the most remarkable facts about water is its
power to carry silt in suspension. This suspension is the reason for
the different colors of the water in a rain fed tanks. Swiftly flowing
water can carry fairly large and heavy particles. The finest particles
remain with the water and are carried to large distance.When silt-
laden water mixes with the salt water of the sea, there is a rapid
precipitation of the suspended matter. The colour of the water
changes successively from the muddy red or brown of silt through
varying shades of yellow and green finally to the blue of the deep
sea. A large land is formed by silt thus deposited. Such land is very
fertile. The flow of water plays a great part in this process;
sometimes it can be destructive also.
The problem of soil erosion of is of major significance. It occurs
in step by step. The cutting up and washing away of earth will make
agriculture impossible. Sudden burst of excessively heavy rain
resulting in a large run of surplus water are the principal factor in
causing soil erosion. Soil erosion is dangerous to agriculture. Some
measures can be taken to check soil erosion. They are terracing of
the land, construction of bunds to check the flow of water, the
practice of contour cultivation and the planting of appropriate
plants.
Water is a basis of the all life. Every animals and plants contain
water in this body. No activity is possible without water. Water is
necessary for animal life. The moist in the soil is necessary for the
growth of plants and trees. So, the conservation and utilization of
water is most important for human welfare.
Indian agriculture depends on rain fall. The problems of
soil erosion and irregular rainfall are closely connected with each
other. By preventing soil erosion we can conserve and keep the
water where it is wanted. So, the collection and utilization of rain
water is very important. Much of the water flows down the streams
and rivers and thus a large quantity of water is lost.

Vast area of land could be turned into fertile and prosperous

country by courageous and well planned action. The systematic
planting of suitable trees is the urgent need of India. Such
plantation would directly and indirectly prove a source of wealth to
the country. They would check soil erosion and conserve the
rainfall of the country. Water is the commonest of liquid, but it is
also the most uncommon of liquid with amazing properties. These
properties are responsible for its unique power of maintaining
animal and plant life. The investigation of the nature and properties
of water is therefore, of the highest scientific interest.
EXERCISE:
Que.1.Why do you think water is the true Elixir of life? How
has water been a powerful influence in the life of humankind
and in the rise of civilization?
Que.2. How does soil erosion occur and what are the chief
factors that cause it?
Que.3. write about the power and beauty of the element, water.
Que.1.Why do you think water is the true Elixir of life? How
has water been a powerful influence in the life of humankind
and in the rise of civilization?
Ans. Water is the true elixir of life. This is a common substance.
So, we take it granted in our everyday life. It is the most wonderful
thing on Earth. It continues to play leading role in the drama of life
on Earth.
Water is the basis of all life. Every animal and every plant
contains a large proportion of water in its body. The moisture of the
soil is equally important for plants and trees.
The conservation and utilization of water is fundamental for
human welfare. One of the most remarkable facts about water is its
power to carry siltsuspension. Our agriculture depends on seasonal
rainfall. So, collection and utilization of rain water is very important.
Water is the commonest of the liquids. These uncommon properties
are responsible for its unique power of maintaining animal and plant
life.
Que.2. write about the power and beauty of the element, water.
Ans. Water is the true elixir of life. It is the basis of life on Earth.
Every animal and plant contains water. It is necessary for their life.
Our agriculture is depended on water.
To explain the power of water C.V.Raman has given an
example. One day he was standing on the line which separates the
Libyan Desert from the valley of the Nile in Egypt. One side was
having a sea of sand without a speck of green or a single living
thing. On the other side was one of the greatest, most fertile and
densely populated areas on the Earth. It was full of life and
vegetation. Water has changed the scene.
One of the most remarkable facts about water is its power to
carry silt in suspension. The flow of water plays a great role in
geographical process. It can sometimes play destructive role and
wash away the soil. Great tracts of land have been formed by silt
deposited by water. The problem of soil erosion is caused by water.
Vast areas of land could be turned into fertile or infertile. This is the
power and beauty of water.
Que.3. How does soil erosion occur and what are the chief
factors that cause it?
Ans. The problem of soil erosion is very important, in many
countries and specially in many parts of India. Soil erosion occurs
in steps; the earliest may easily pass unnoticed.In the later stages
the cutting up and washing away of the soil resultsinto the
formation of deep gullies and narrow rallies. This makes agriculture
impossible.
The sudden burst of excessively heavy rain results into a
large run of surplus water which causes soil erosion. The slope of
land, removal of the natural protective coat of vegetation, ruts for
flow of water with speed and no check to such flow are also the
causes for soil erosion.
Que.4. What are the usual measures used to check soil
erosion?
Ans. The measures that can be used to check soil erosion are
terracing of the land, construction of bunds to check the flow of
water, the practice of contour (outline) cultivation and the planting
of proper plants. The prevention of soil erosion would help to save
water and keep the water where it is wanted.
Vast areas of land could be turned intofertile and prosperous
country by well-planned action. The systematic planting of suitable
trees in every possible place is most urgent in India. They would
check soil erosion and conserve the rainfall of the country.

Que.5. What is C.V. Raman’s suggestion regarding controlling

the movement of water in order to harness it for useful
purpose?
Ans. C.V. Raman gives the example of rain-fed tanks which play a
very vital role in south Indian agriculture. In Mysore much of the rice
is grown under them. The colour of the water in rain-fed tanks
changes according to the land from which the water comes. Swiftly
flowing water can carry large and heavy particles. The finest
particles remain floating in the water. Large areas of land can be
converted into fertile land due to silt laden water.
Collection and utilization of rain water is very important
because our Indian agriculture depends on rainfall. Much of the rain
water flows down into the river and the sea. So a large quantity of
water is lost. The proper use of this flowing water is a great national
problem. Planting of trees is urgent need of India. They would help
to save the rain water of the country from flowing away to waste.
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