River cauvery

Hi,

i have long association with cauvery. i was born on the banks of this river,grew up on the banks of the very same river though in a different place and went to college on the rivers bank in yet another city, all in Tamilnadu. the river was many different things in all these places. in the place where i grew there was a huge dam built across it. when we were children our lives were interwined with this river. when the monsoon came and fresh rain water swelled it it was red and flowed with great force and sound. we could hear the river in the night. When the dam filled up the surplus water is left out of sluice gates, the water would flow with great speed and every day my father would take us to see it. when you looked down it would seem that you are going at a great speed. then the month of adi the eighteenth is a festival. thanks giving for the bounteous river. we would make different kinds of rice preperations called chithrannam and sweets for a picnic lunch on the banks of the river. We never went alone. many friends would come with us. i still remember those carefree days. We never thought one day this river would the subject matter of dispute bet two states. I am reminded of a story. the king of a small state ordered not to give water to the neighbouring state. the wise minister knew that this is not done, he kept the watch four hours forward and it was time for the sun to appear and it was still dark, the king was alarmed and he asked his minister. he said because you dint give water to our padosi the caught the sun and dint let it to our state. the king realised his mistake and let the water. sadly the kings are not idiots and the neighbour is not always in the east to pull a fast one like this. shows even stories were simple in those days and we tought they were wonderful!

That river brings tears to my eyes whenever i think about it. i miss it as much as i miss my hpmetown, tiny though it is.