20th January: Water, water, everywhere...

20 January 2004

One of the many
posters on display

It's hard to know how to deal with my feelings - anger, sorrow, shame and guilt - about the hundreds of people I see sleeping on the pavement in Mumbai.

Some live out in the open, others rig up makeshift tents with black plastic. Many families live like this. The pavements are their home and backyard. Keeping healthy without running water or sanitary toilets must be a real challenge.

Water world

Our toilets may be basic - but these ladies keep them clean

Water use has been a key theme of the WSF. Last week the People's World Water Forum was at Delhi . And the water debate has run on in Mumbai. It's been an inspiring part of the WSF seeing NGO workers, water workers and communities to debate ways to use water fairly.

Trickle down

India is currently going through massive privatisation of many of its services. Is it the only country in the world to have a whole government department devoted to privatising?

There is widespread opposition to privatising water though. Delegates talk about their fears that privatising makes water an even pricier resource and how it is likely to lower water-quality standards.

Not an end

The seminars may be coming to a close today. And I'm exhausted, but I'm still looking forward to tomorrow's march through Mumbai for another world.

Digesting everything I've learned will take me a long time. I'm humbled by others' struggles, inspired by people's dogged persistence, moved by their bravery, and alternatively excited about and terrified of the future.

The WSF has shown me that another world is out there - a sustainable, environmentally just world - and it's up to us all to go out and get it.

Love,

Hannah

Hannah Griffiths, our Corporates Campaigner is sending daily updates direct from the WSF in India.