Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Yesterday was quite a day. From the early hours of the day through to late evening, two news items dominated all discussions - the US election results and the demonetization of high denomination currency notes in India. There's been a lot of speculation around what's been happening and a host of public and private debates analyzing the reasons and seeking to determine the impact.

While I personally do not have strong political leanings, I guess we just need to take things as they come and move on to the new day. And it is possibly no coincidence that a song first recorded on the 9th of November 1969 has the theme of tiding of difficult times. The song Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel.

The song becoming the signature tune of Simon & Garfunkel swept the Grammys in 1971 with four awards including the Song of the Year. For a song of this caliber that touches the soul deep within, there are a lot of versions including performances by Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. Sharing with you a couple of other versions on the song that I've come across over time. A gospel-soul version with Josh Groban and Brian McKnight.   

Forty-seven years later this song is still doing wonders. Came across this interesting version by Kevin Spacey with Beverly Knight - with some impromptu lyrics and fillers.

I guess we'll just wait and see what the next few days have in store for us. So with hope in our hearts we trust there's a Bridge Over Troubled Waters close by.

 

World Water Day

Its World Water Day today

Water is a precious commodity that many take for granted. This year’s theme focuses on the vital role water plays in creating and supporting good quality jobs.

Though around 71% of the earth's surface is covered with water, 1 in 10 people lack access to safe water while 1 in 3 people lack access to a toilet. These numbers published by water.org highlight how troubled the waters are, therefore requiring us to be the bridge. 

 

More stats indicate that women and children, especially in Africa and Asia walk an average of 3.7 miles per day to collect water spending upto 6 hours a day collecting water. The estimated time spent each day collecting water is 125 million hours. Are they chasing Waterfalls?

And that's not all. Every 90 seconds a child dies from a water-borne disease. Maybe we need to give it a thought, like the exiles on the Rivers of Babylon.

Why is the so much trouble with the water? Are we responsible for the Smoke on the Water?

We can set things right as well - by investing efforts and resources in saving water and utilizing it more economically. A responsible outlook on our parts could make the Gods happy and have a 'happy' Saawan rain down on us.