Wellwishers invited for water supply projects

Newspapers are the eyes and ears of the public. Man could not live without news and information. Newspapers effectively fulfil the wishes of the people who want to read news stories. By reading newspapers, people can know what is going on at home and abroad.

Newspapers also carry news photos. Newspaper readers can know true voices of the public. These days, newspapers are featuring the public opinion voiced at mass rallies to protect and safeguard the nation through the strength of the people from the dangers posed by internal and external destructive elements.

It can be said that newspapers could intellectually nourish the people. People naturally want to read a newspaper as soon as it is delivered at the door. Newspapers cover news stories of various aspects including economic and social sections such as marriages and obituaries.

Carrying articles of various fields, a newspaper can expand the horrizon of knowledge of the people.

For me, newspapers also carry news stories of meritorious deeds, for which I say “Sadhu!” (Well done!).

As water is the lifeblood of man, the learned left a saying “Man can survive seven days without food, but only one morning without water”. Today, people come to realize the value and benefits of water more than in the past. Man can suffer diseases if he drinks unclean water, and clean water is essential for health.

Villages in the arid zones do not have an easy access to water. However, thanks to the leadership of the government, today there have emerged many wellwishers who contribute cash to the sinking of tube-wells, and local people can enjoy sufficient clean water. I am glad to read the news stories of the opening of new tube-wells in rural areas.

After reading the list of the donations for rural water supply project in the article “Regular maintenance services to rural tube-wells for their durability” by Maung Ba Pe (Oktha) in Myanma Alin on 4th August 2005, I praised the generosity of the wellwishers.

It was the 10th ceremony to present cash donations for sinking tube-wells in rural areas. A total of 180 wellwishers donated over K 120.8 million and 4,000 US dollars. The donations 1,515 wellwishers made from the first time to the tenth time amounted to K 117.39229 million, 74,252 US dollars, 770 Euros and 10,012 FECs. How generous they are!

I wonder how encouraging it would be if water supply project covered not just rural villages but townships with the assistance of cash donations. Salingyi in Monywa District, Sagaing Division, is a region where water is scarce with a little rainfall. In 1972-73, wells were dug on self-reliant basis in Kywekyaung, not far from the town to supply water for local people. The work was handed over to the Township Development Affairs Committee on 1 April 1979. Three or four years later, the wells were completely dry due to severe drought. The entire town was in difficulty owing to scarcity of water.

So, I sought ways to solve the problem. Then, I got in touch with Phukan Company in Yangon. A tube-well was sunk near Ywathitgon Village, four miles and five furlongs southwest of Salingyi, in 1998. The tube-well produced clean water, but the project for water supply was not completed due to various reasons. Phukan Company conducted a feasibility study for the completion of the water supply project in the region.

With 56,246 US dollars donated by Japanese people, a 20,000-gallon tank was built at Taungkonlay village, 5,080 feet far from the tube-well. Water was pumped from the tube-well to the tank. Then the water was piped to the 60,000-gallon tank in Salingyi, four miles from the first tank. The donations of the Japanese wellwishers covered the construction of a waterwork, main water tank, a power cable, and water pipelines. On 1 December 2000, a ceremony was held to hand over the facilities to the Township Development Affairs Committee.

Now in Salingyi, the water pipelines laid over 30 years ago to supply water for the town are no longer serviceable. Recently, I have heard a number of complaints about shortage of water due to the worn-out pipelines. If wellwishers know that, I think they will contribute cash donations to the repair or replacement of the damaged pipelines.

Therefore, some townships need to constantly maintain the water supply facilities for their durability. About K 3 million or 4 million will be enough to replace the old pipelines with new ones. Water shortage problems will be no more if the pipelines have been replaced. Wellwishers are urged to make cash donations individually or in groups to be able to complete the water supply project.

Author : Ashin Adiccavamsa (Salingyi)