First and immediate suggestion to both Tamil and Kannada citizens - Please understand that we are from a common origin and we possess very similar culture and ethos. Hence we should never abuse each other based on our resources strength or knowledge strength. All are equal citizens of this wonderful nation.
Practical and permanent solution to the Cauvery dispute - Both the States of TN and Karnataka have increased their cultivated land to lakhs of acres over the past years through several irrigation development schemes. Any further increase to this cultivated land must be stopped immediately as we have already achieved self-sufficiency in foodgrains production. For this purpose, the Central Govt should immediately appoint a new constitutional body called the Cauvery River Authority. This will totally manage the Cauvery river as a National Resource (like Indian Railways) which will belong to the country and not to any individual State. The respective 4 southern States will / should have no individual right or control over the waters and they cannot do any act arbitrarily.
This Cauvery River Authority will assess the water requirement of all the 4 States each month and each year and will provide water effectively to Karnataka farmers for its presently cultivated lands only. The balance of water will flow down to the lower riparian States of Tamilnadu and others. The Authority would also provide the water to these 3 States as per their minimum requirement and also based on the groundwater level in the delta region. The Authority will also take effective steps to introduce latest scientific techniques (like drip irrigation etc) to ensure that water is not wasted by any farmer in any of these States.
More importantly, each farmer or each State will pay a nominal cost for each TMC of water they receive from this Authority. (no precious resources should come free of cost !). This amount will go towards maintenance of dams, canals, anaicuts etc which have been built or to be built in future for proper maintenance of the River.
Look at the foreign countries as to how they cleanly maintain the rivers as their National heritage and look at how we Indians have cared for holy rivers like Ganga and Cauvery ? Can we take any pride in such shabby way of maintaining them ?
Cauvery is the lifeline and is also emotionally attached to both the States.........wonderful descriptions of the river are found in ancient Tamil epics (like Silappadhikaram) where Cauvery is depicted as one river which Never Fails even if the monsoon fails. ( Vaan Poippinum Than Poiyaa Cauvery).
Let the living Tamils, Kannadigas, Keralites and others understand that we only live for a few decades (of years) and we are going to pass away. But Cauvery lives eternally to be seen, enjoyed and utilised by our future generations. So let us put a full stop to this dispute/ debate and find a permanent and peaceful solution under the Cauvery River Authority of Central Govt which is to be formed as suggested by me.
Long live Mother Cauvery ! Long live the Pride of the Classical Language Tamil and Kannada. Long live the Nation-State mother India.
