What is Rain Water Harvesting…?

23/12/2011 was the day I gave my EVS paper. Maybe 50 years down the line when my grand-child would ask” what were the subjects in engineering?” sans hesitation my answer would be “E.V.S”. Not because this is the easiest subject I would get in engineering syllabus but because this was probably the ninth time I gave a test on this subject. The similarity between all the nine papers I gave is not only the name of the subject, but all the nine papers had the same syllabus.

Mumbai University, has for some reason (unknown to most of the professors) has included Environmental studies in its curriculum. The only advantage that I see of having this subject in engineering syllabus is M.U wants to give its students some breathing space while writing at least one paper.

Tech-max the leading text-book publisher (‘strictly not to be referred’-professors) publishes a text book even for Environmental studies. The most notable feature of this book (baring its size) is that, as you flip the third page, u will notice a name “J.S.katre”.

Those who are not doing engineering related to electronics would ignore it, but for us (including super-intelligent biomedical students) would surely get a kick. “Ye kya EVS bhi likhta hai”.

I didn’t read any further from Tech-Max version of EVS. Studying from Easy solutions seemed a better option.

Umang (computer branch) had this idea of planning night out to study EVS. But as usual his idea flopped. Kshitij(mechanical branch) then suggested that we study in a group. So Umang and I assembled at Umang’ place to study EVS.

Easy solutions are quite helpful coz they give the solutions of papers of last 4 years. But the source from where they provide the solution is unknown. Whether they copy A answer directly from one book or the same answer from 2 books is also unknown.

The 1st question I read ,

” the next world war would be on water, explain giving facts”

 As I tried to think about some facts, Umang was at it, “how could people fight on water”?

For those who don’t know Umang, u can assume for now an Indian version of Sheldon.

Kshitij then tried to concentrate by read loudly, “foods are very dangerous; they cause destruction of agricultural fields and property”

After LOL-ing for 2 minutes we understood that there was a misprint and that it actually meant flood.

Studying evs taught us that there were 15 fundamental principles of environment, what 3-R actually meant, for no other reason but atleast for our own benefits we must protect species.

It also taught us that once a species is lost, it is lost forever. We have power to destroy but have no capacity to recreate the lost species.

The biggest thing we learnt is that noise pollution is caused due to loud noise.

As we studied kshitij said, “There is a question ‘what is rain water harvesting and what are its advantages?’ however only two advantages are given in this book”

“Hmmmm”, Umang said “kuch bhi likh de, 2 kya 20 advantages likh sakta hai, like- water can be stored and can be used through-out the year, there won’t be shortage of water, water would be available during summer and even during dry periods……………”

“yaaaa” I said, “ water can be used in irrigation, it can be used to generate hydro-electricity without the fear that water would get depleted.”

“For laboratory work you can use the harvested water. This water can be used to dilute some chemicals. it can also be used for flushing toilets. And if any country is facing water crisis, the water saved by harvesting can also be exported. This will surely increase the revenue of that country …………….”

This could have gone forever but at the right moment, Kshitij’ dad came into our room and told us to study.

Environmental studies paper on 23rd December was quite good, and a big thanks to easy solutions as all the questions were from that book.

P.S- I did not buy the tech-max of E.V.S.