In the heart of India’s financial capital, Mumbai, corporate titans predict market trends and orchestrate billion-rupee mergers, yet they, too, must gaze skyward and ask, “Will it rain?” This paradox underscores the city’s peculiar reliance on the monsoon, an annual arrangement where the clouds benevolently remember Mumbai’s address. Meanwhile, the Arabian Sea lies beside them, a vast expanse of water that remains untapped, while residents peer into empty buckets.
Mumbai’s Manori desalination project aims to change this. Proposing an initial daily capacity of 200 million litres, it seeks to turn seawater into drinking water. However, the project faces protests from fishermen who fear damage to their livelihoods and the marine environment. Their concerns deserve careful consideration, safeguards, and proper protection. A fisherman cannot feed his family on mere assurances.
But once these concerns are addressed, should every solution remain anchored offshore? A story from Goa’s Blaise Costabir about Inacio, who lost his village to the Salaulim Dam, offers perspective. Inacio saw beyond his submerged village, understanding that his loss helped others live. This generosity, beyond protest slogans, is what’s needed.
We’ve become adept at supporting progress elsewhere, wanting taps that flow and roads that move, provided every inconvenience lands at someone else’s doorstep. Yet, trees matter, fishing communities matter, and millions needing dependable water matter too. The challenge lies in balancing these needs using sound science, fair compensation, and promises that endure.
Governing and citizenship both demand sacrifice. Inacio’s story reminds us that our interests cannot always occupy the entire dining table. Let’s protect affected families and support necessary projects that serve everyone. After all, the greater common good demands something from all of us – honesty from governments, perspective from citizens, and an occasional willingness to help from those who demand water every morning.
Otherwise, we might as well appoint the monsoon as our municipal commissioner, complaining about its performance for half the year.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/for-the-greater-common-good
Category: India , Bob’s Banter
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Publish Date: 2026-10-16 19:36:00
