We had to carry it from
Distances.
My Attya was fierce with
Her water fetching
Endeavours.
Two pots. One on head
And the other on the waist.
Distances as long as 2-3 km.
Multiple such trips daily.
She wouldn't let us waste
An extra mug.
Bathing daily was such an
Unheard fad back then.
The first time I could carry
A big pot on my shoulder.
It was a celebration.
Then I learnt handling
A bicycle.
Eight pots in a go was
A luxury. We even
Constructed our house by
Fetching water like that.
Then the government
Put up taps and
The motors came up.
Now there's abundant
Supply of water
Without much effort.
Though we overuse,
It feels weird to
Waste water even now.
Feels her voice from
The Kitchen calls out for
Wasting it.
Water scarcity is function
Of accessibility.
If everyone is made to
Walk a distance to fetch
Water..
First thing they'd give up
Would be bathing.
Then they'd resume
Defecation in the open.