An Analysis of C.V. Raman’s Essay Water- The Elixir of Life PDF

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This essay draws our attention to the supreme importance of a very basic and fundamental natural resource, namely, water, and the importance of protecting it. Several of the benefits that human civilization has received from water bodies have been highlighted by C.V. Raman, and there are numerous ot...

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An Analysis of C.V. Raman’s Essay Water- The Elixir of Life INTRODUCTION This essay draws our attention to the supreme importance of a very basic and fundamental natural resource, namely, water, and the importance of protecting it. Several of the benefits that human civilization has received from water bodies have been highlighted by C.V. Raman, and there are numerous other benefits to be found. He has also forewarned us about the dangers we will face if they are depleted of their resources. His thoughtful essay ponders the means by which we can protect our rivers in order to save our civilisation from extinction. Throughout, it explains how the river flows from its primary source and how, along the way, its silt and sand combine to form a vast bed of fertile ground suitable for farming and even industrial use. He cites the Nile River as the origin of Egyptian (Mesopotamian) civilization and goes on to demonstrate how every small source of water is a treasured and cherished piece of blissful blue gold that should be preserved at all costs, regardless of the cost to the environment. ABOUT THE AUTHOR, C.V. RAMAN C.V. Raman (1888-1970) is renowned for his groundbreaking scientific research in the field of physics, which made him a household name. He was in fact awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930, as most of us are aware of the fact. He received his education in Madras and went on to become a Professor at Calcutta University. The 'Raman effect,' which he discovered as a result of molecular scattering of light, has since gained widespread recognition. It is his goal to raise awareness of our immediate neutral environment, as well as its importance in maintaining it, through a series of talks broadcast on 'All India Radio,' which he has done on the station. A civil service competitive examination resulted in his appointment as Deputy Accountant General of Calcutta, which he held until 1907. Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, the Secretary of the Indian Science Association, introduced him to each other in 1915. Raman became a member of this organisation and immediately began his research work there. In 1917, he resigned from his position and accepted a position as Professor of Physics at Calcutta University in India. The brilliant blue colour of the Mediterranean Sea, and later the blue colour of glaciers, were observed by him while on a sea voyage to Europe in 1921, and he was filled with wonder. After returning to India, he conducted experiments on the diffusion of sunlight as it passed through various materials such as water, transparent blocks of ice, and other transparent materials. He then went on to explain why the ocean is such a brilliant blue colour. In 1928, he discovered the 'Raman Effect' as a result of his research into light scattering and reflection. The 'Rama Effect' is a term used to describe the change in frequency of light passing through transparent media. His method of investigating the nature of diffused

radiations emanating from the material under investigation included the use of monochromatic light from a mercury arc and a spectroscope. In 1930, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this discovery. The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, was founded by him in 1933 and he became its director in 1934. He was in this position for a total of ten years. In 1934, he contributed to the establishment of the Indian Academy of Sciences, of which he later served as President. He was the driving force behind the establishment of the Raman Research Institute in 1943. The rest of his life was spent conducting research, which he enjoyed immensely. On the 21st of November, 1970, he passed away in Bangalore. THE TEXT, WATER- THE ELIXIR OF LIFE Man has searched for an illusory elixir of life, the divine Amrita, for millennia in vain. It was thought that a sip of this would grant immortality. However, the true elixir of life is within reach. Because plain water is the most common of all liquids! I recall standing on the line that separates the Libyan Desert from Egypt's Nile Valley one day. On one side, there was a sea of billowing sand with not a speck of green or a single living thing to be seen anywhere on the earth, while on the other, there was a plethora of life and vegetation. What was it that made such a huge difference? It's the Nile River's water, which flows down to the Mediterranean from its sources thousands of miles away. According to geologists, the entire soil of the Nile valley was created by the river itself, brought in as the finest silt in its flood waters from Abyssinia's highlands and far-flung Central Africa, and laid down over time in the trough through which the Nile flows into the sea. In fact, Egypt was formed by its river. The life-giving waters that come down year after year with unfailing regularity created and sustain its ancient civilization. I use this example, among many others, to demonstrate that this common substance, which we take for granted in our daily lives, is the most powerful and wonderful thing on the face of our planet. It has played a pivotal role in shaping the course of Earth's history, and it continues to do so in the drama of life on our planet's surface. Water, whether it's a small stream trickling over the rocks or a small pond by the roadside where the cattle quench their thirst in the evening, adds so much to the beauty of the countryside. When the rainfed tanks that are so common in South India are full, they are a welcome sight. Unfortunately, they are often neglected in their maintenance. They are, of course, shallow, but this is less obvious because the water is silty and reflects light, so the bottom isn't visible. In South Indian agriculture, these tanks are extremely important. Much of the rice grown in Mysore, for example, is grown under them. Some of these tanks are surprisingly large, and seeing the sun rise or set over one of them is a breathtaking sight. Water in a large landscape can be compared to a person's eyes. When the sun shines, it is bright and gay, but when the sky is overcast, it is dark and gloomy. One of the most remarkable properties of water is its ability to suspend silt or finely divided soil. This is where the water in rain-fed tanks gets its distinctive colour. This colour changes

depending on the nature of the earth in the catchment area, and it is most vibrant right after a fresh inflow after rain. Large and heavy particles are carried by swiftly flowing water. The finer particles, on the other hand, despite their higher density, remain floating in the liquid and are carried long distances. Of course, such particles are extremely small, but their number is enormous, and enormous amounts of solid matter can be transported in this manner. When silt-laden water comes into contact with seawater, the suspended matter precipitates quickly. When travelling by steamer down a large river to the deep sea, this is readily apparent. The colour of the water gradually changes from muddy red or brown silt to various shades of yellow and green before reaching the deep sea. An examination of the soil in alluvial areas reveals that large tracts of land have been formed by silt thus deposited. Because it is made up of finely divided matter, such land is usually very fertile. The flow of water has undoubtedly played a significant and beneficial role in the geological processes that have resulted in the formation of soil on the earth's surface from the rocks of its crust. However, under the right circumstances, the same agency can also be destructive, washing away the soil that is the foundation of all agriculture, and if left unchecked, can have disastrous consequences for the country's life. Soil erosion is a serious issue in a number of countries, particularly in India. The circumstances in which it occurs, as well as the measures that can be taken to prevent it, are worthy of further investigation. Soil erosion takes place in stages, the first of which can easily go unnoticed. The cutting up and washing away of earth in the later stages results in the formation of deep gullies and ravines, rendering all agriculture impossible. Soil erosion is primarily caused by sudden bursts of excessively heavy rain that result in a large run-off surplus water. The slope of the land, the removal of the natural protective coat of vegetation, the presence of ruts along which the water can flow, rapidly gathering momentum, and the lack of any checks to such flow are all contributing factors. If such conditions exist, enormous amounts of valuable soil can be washed away, as is unfortunately all too often the case. In many parts of India, the threat of soil erosion to the continuation of successful agriculture is alarming, requiring immediate attention and preventive action. Terracing the land, building bunds to control water flow, practising contour cultivation, and plating appropriate types of vegetation are just a few of the measures that have been suggested. It is self-evident that the goal should be to stop the flow of water as soon as possible, before it has gained any significant momentum and thus destructive power. All life is based on water. Every animal and plant has a significant amount of free or combined water in its body, and no physiological activity is possible without the fluid. Water is obviously required for animal life, but moisture in the soil is also required for the life and growth of plants and trees, though the amount required varies greatly depending on the species. Water conservation and utilisation are thus critical for human well-being. Apart from artesian water, rain or snowfall is the ultimate source in all cases. Because so

much of Indian agriculture is reliant on seasonal rainfall, it is extremely vulnerable to any failure or irregularity. The problems of soil erosion and insufficient or irregular rainfall are inextricably linked. It is obvious that adopting techniques to prevent soil erosion would also help to conserve and keep water where it is wanted, namely on and in the soil, and that such techniques would thus serve a dual purpose, which would be lost to the country. The harnessing of our rivers, whose waters are now mostly wasted, is a major national issue that must be considered and addressed on a national level. By taking bold and well-planned action, vast areas of land that are currently merely scrub jungle could be transformed into fertile and prosperous countries. The issue of afforestation is closely linked to the conservation of water supplies. One of India's most pressing needs is the systematic planting of suitable trees in all possible and even impossible locations, as well as the development of what can be called civilised forests, as opposed to wild and untamed jungle. Such a plantation would provide the country with untold wealth both directly and indirectly. They would prevent soil erosion and waste of the country's rainfall, as well as provide the necessary supplies of cheap fuel, obviating the need for the wasteful conversion of farmyard manure into a form of fuel. The measures required to control the flow of water and conserve its supplies can also serve secondary purposes that are beneficial to rural life. Boats and barges travelling through canals and rivers are by far the most cost-effective mode of internal transportation in a country. We hear a lot about rail and road projects in India, but not nearly enough about the development of India's internal waterways. Then, again, the development of hydro-electric power is usually made possible by the harnessing of water supplies. Electric power would make a huge difference in rural life, allowing underground water to be tapped to a greater extent than it is now, and thus assisting in the resolution of problems caused by the irregularity or inadequacy of other sources of supply. Water is, in some ways, the most common of liquids. In another sense, it is the most unusual of liquids, possessing amazing properties that account for its singular ability to sustain animal and plant life. As a result, research into the nature and properties of water is of the utmost scientific importance and is far from being exhausted....