Publication: Facebook.com
Date: March 16, 2016
URL:   https://www.facebook.com/shefv/posts/10154698782432796

Dear Diya Mirza,

Congratulations on deciding not to ‘play’ Holi. By deciding not to play Holi, you would have saved about 350 litres of water! I am sure the farmers of India are deeply grateful to you for this. What would they do without people like you?

I think your concern for the drought affected farmers is truly commendable and I am sure you will do a few more things that I recommend here to save water.

Firs thing, STOP flushing the toilet! It is said that an average person uses the toilet flush about 5-6 times a day, and each time you push that button, that is 7 gallons down the drain, literally! In a year, you will be able to save a whopping 12,775 gallons of water if you stop using the flush and use a lota instead.

Also, cut down on those long, luxurious beauty showers. Each time you use a shower, you end up wasting anywhere between 10-45 liters of water per minute. So a ten minute shower a day with a water saving nozzle wastes about 3000 litres per month. Please use an ordinary plastic bucket and a mug, like most Indians do. That way, you can finish your bath in 30 litres of water.

As the mercury rises, I am sure you love to cool off with a swim at your private swimming pool or at your swanky club. Swimming pools require water. LOTS of it, and as this water is heavily treated with chemicals, it cannot be used for farming or gardening.

A modest pool that is 25 metres long, 10 metres wide and with a depth of 1 to 2 metres requires almost 375 000 litres of water! So please, for the sake of the farmers of India, STOP using the pool! Or if you must swim, try to fill your pool with the recycled water from your toilet!

Please also get rid of your Evian and Himalaya water bottles. Remember, every litre of water bottled thus is taking it away from those drought affected farmers. Instead, no matter where you are, drink tap water from steel glasses like the rest of us mortals do in this country.

Another thing, do remember to actually PAY your water bills in time to the relevant civic authorities. You see, getting the water from the source, purifying it and getting it to your nice little house costs money.

In 2013, The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) has slapped a 'Red Notice’ on you, with a warning that your property could be attached for your failure to pay dues worth Rs 2.26 lakh since 2008!

I am sure an eco-sensitive, socially conscious person like you will follow all these guidelines.

Thanks,
Shefali Vaidya