The Autobiography of a River
Irose from a glacier in the Himalayas hundreds of years ago and came cascading down the mountains in a torrent. I flowed over a rocky bed, forming tiny rivulets, springs, streams and mini waterfalls. My water was icy-cold, but absolutely clear and pure-. The gods drank it as nectar. I formed tributaries and swelled when the snows melted. I was proud, triumphant and majestic; people worshipped me for they were awed by my size, strength and power!
In the course of my long journey to the sea, I reached the plains and became a broad river with a slow but steady flow. My water was used to cultivate fields and lush, prosperous villages sprung up on my banks. I was channelized into irrigation canals. All my tributaries, rather, my brothers and sisters, passed through villages and towns. In these places, I was a source of life to the people and they had been taught to respect me.
It was only when I reached the big cities that my troubles began. Man in his greed had built factories in the name of progress. These factories gave out deadly wastes which were thrown into me. My waters were polluted beyond imagination. I cannot tell you the kind of atrocities that were committed on me. No longer was I clean and pure. People shuddered to drink my water. The life that I had harboured within me since I was born, perished. The fish which I had loved and nurtured like a mother slowly began to die. I was clogged with boats and ships until I thought I would choke.
However, everything comes to an end. My journey ended one day when I reached a huge sea-port and mingled with the vast ocean. AS I flowed into it, I hoped and prayed that the blue waters of the sea might once again cleanse and purify me.
