[Assam] Dry Spells in Assam-- Rain Water Harvesting

[Himendra Thakur]

Dear Barua,

 

When you made the query about "where we can get the records of weather in Assam for last 200 ywears" --- which will be since the year 1806 ---  when Assam was ruled by Purnananda  Buragohain, Chandrakanta Singha and Badan Barphukan ---  I thought you were referring to something in the history of Assam. 

 

In your today's letter, you are making a query as to "Is there anybody in Guwahati NOW who keeps records of Guwahati weather on a daily basis?" This is definitely something different from your earlier query about "where we can get the records of weather in Assam for last 200 ywears".

 

In the past, Assam solved a problem as it arose. If invaders attacked, we defended ourselves and fought back. IF there was a drought, we dug large tanks to preserve water for dry spells. We were practical people. That was my reference to history. 

 

Thanks for your assertion that "We are talking about what Assamese are doing now." 

I agree with your comment that "Simply hoping for things to happen out of the blue does not work" That's why I suggested about "Rainwater Harvesting System" in my letter and pointed out to a few practical problems in the design of such a system. I am surprised you missed this altogether.

 

I strongly believe that young engineers should come forward with their designs. Original thinking is a sign of free people. In my letter, I did not mention about a "Network of Micro-dam System" because I thought I should leave it to some young engineer to invent. To establish the foundation of encouragement in my advice "Young engineers of Assam today can invent .", I tried to cite examples of self-confidence from the history of Assam. I fail to understand where I missed "the perspective of the issue." However, I wrote the letter to you in an easy going way, which was not taken kindly. I'll be careful in the future.

 

You have raised a very valid question: "Are we concerned at all about our present condition including the weather?"

 

A list of the subjects discussed in the net will answer this question.

 

With the best wishes,

Himendra  Barthakur

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rajen & Ajanta Barua 
  To: Himendra Thakur 
  Cc: assam at assamnet.org 
  Sent: Sunday, August 20, 2006 6:55 PM
  Subject: Re: Dry Spells in Assam-- Rain Water Harvesting


  Himenda:
  I think you are missing the perspective of the issue.
  We are talking about what Assamese are doing now.
  Is there anybody in Guwahati NOW who keeps records of Guwahati weather on a daily basis?
  Are we concerned at all about our present condition including the weather?
  Simply hoping for things to happen out of the blue does not work and will not work even when one does not debunk history.
  Thanks
  Rajen

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Himendra Thakur 
    To: Rajen & Ajanta Barua 
    Cc: assam at assamnet.org 
    Sent: Sunday, August 20, 2006 9:14 AM
    Subject: Dry Spells in Assam-- Rain Water Harvesting 


    Dear Rajen and Ajanta,

    Dry spells in the weather of Assam were not uncommon historically. The situation was addressed by our Swargadeva Kings by excavating large tanks named as "sagar" (meaning a sea), like Jaysagar, Shivasagar, etc. These "sagar"s were revered, dedicated in the name of gods and respected dignitaries. Joysagar was named after Queen Mother Jaymati by her son Swargadev Rudrasingha. These artificial lakes were maintained with utmost care and respect.

    Considering that the water level of the artificial lake in Shivasagar is several feet above the water level of the surrounding paddy fields, it appears the tank is fed by some artesian well. In the historical records, there is reference to "naga" (meaning a serpent) at the centre bottom of the tank. The family of Rasendra Barua was  expert in installing the "naga" --- which could have been some kind of an inverted filter that also served as a valve to control the upward flow of water from the artesian well --- where they probably used mercury to hold down the filter sand. Mercury was a mysterious liquid in those days, called "rasa"  --- generating the name "Rasendra Barua". The technique was so strictly guarded as a "family secret" by the family of Rasendra Barua that now nobody knows about it ! I have several cousins in the dynasty of Rasendra Barua and they know nothing about the technique !! But, we still have crystal clear water in Joysagar, Sivasagar --- thanks to our bygone Swargadevs and Rasendra Barua dynasty. 

    We must not give up hope. Young engineers of Assam today can invent & devise a "Rainwater Harvesting System" and save the excess water of the rainy days for the dry spells. They must be carefull not to store water in overhead tanks exposed to sunlight which will cause growth of algaes and ruin the system, like what happened in Hawaii islands at one time. Overhead storage has the great advantage of distribution without pumping. However, location of overhead water thanks on flat-roof of buildings today will be a terrible earthquake hazard because these buildings were not designed for that kind of oscillating top-load. All these points must be considered while designing a "Rainwater Harvesting System".

    Dry spells of Assam were so common that history ran into mythology. One instance is the symbolical story of Kamala Kunwari where the princess (kunwari) sacrificed her life to please the Jalkunwari (water goddess) so that the "sagar" (tank) would be filled up with water. Seven decades ago, my father, the late Kumudeswar Barthakur of Shivasagar Vishnu Doul (temple), made a Senola Gramphone record to tell the story of Kamala Kunwari where my older sisters, Saujanyamayi & Hiranyamayi, sang the songs. This gramphone record was very popular in Assam in the late 30s & early 40s in the last century. 

    Your querry about the "records of weather in Assam for last 200 ywears" may not be available, but we do have the records of intelligent leadership of Swargadevs, technique of Rashendra Barua family --- we must never say "history is bunk" ---  we must go ahead to the future with hope, glory, self-confidence, inventions, intelligent planning, self-sacrifice and a strong determination.

    With love to everybody,
    Himendra



    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: "Rajen & Ajanta Barua" <barua25 at hotmail.com>
    To: <assamonline at yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Sunday, August 20, 2006 12:10 AM
    Subject: Re: [asom] Assam witnesses hottest summer in 132 years


    > I wonder where we can get the records of weather in Assam for last 200 ywears?
    > 
    > Rajen Barua
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