Impact of Digital Technologies on the Creative Industries

Impact of Digital Technologies on the Creative Industries Anna Bonello Discuss the impact of digital technologies on the creative industries, with special focus on one sector. Give at least two example The worldwide blast of digital technologies has had an impact on creativity, innovation and business models found in the creative industries. On the contrary of the 20th century which was known for mass-consumption, the 21st century is highly likely to represent mass-innovation through the introduction of digital tools. In figure 1 below, we can see a representation portraying the effect that digital technologies left on the creative industries. Furthermore we can also analyse the evolving relationship that exists between the producers/ designers and consumers/ user. In this representation we can also see a list of sectors which form part of the creative industries. From this list I am going to focus on filmography and analyse how Digital Technology had an impact upon the Filmmaking Process. (Pinder, 2015) Digital Technology with regards to filmography did not evolve the production process as a whole but rather it evolved in different segments.Therefore in this essay the production process will be refer to as the pre-production, production, post-production, distribution and exhibition of film. Although some might argue that some sectors of the movie industry are dying one should keep in mind that the industry is shifting and moving towards two pillars: higher-quality visual and sensorial experiences in the theatre. (Lhooq, 2012) Pre-Production Before a film is even made, in the pre-production phase, software and packages that help in writing the script of the production, like Final Draft and Movie Magic, prove that digital is also being exploited at such an early stage. Such software are software used to write and format a production so as to be able to reach the level set by the film industry. Such packages has been on the market long before the notion of digital filmmaking came about. Production Digitalcamerasare much like Polaroid cameras in the sense theygive thefacilityto capture images and see themstraightaway. Furthermore, digital technology is also helpful toother departments in filmography such asmake-up and wardrobe. These departments have the ability to capture hundreds of images for later review without the need to rely on expensive and unpredictable Polaroid still. Digital cameras bring about a lot of economic and environmental advantages this is because throughout the whole production of a film the reduction of unused photos is significant. In addition there are other advantages that arise from digital technology over tradition film such as video playback. It is for a fact that digital technology gives filmmakers more flexibility and control over their work.Robert Rodriguez in the article by Corliss states that writers and directors, shoots and cuts their production while managing special effects from their own home. He also admits that he shot his Sin City actors in front a green screen, then, he edited the backgrounds using digital technology. (Corliss, 2006, 38) It is not only the large production houses who are taking advantage of digitaltechnologybut ‘guerrilla filmmakers’ are also making huge advancements in the production of their films. These filmmakers are using to the utmost digital technology so as to produce production similar to the ones of the huge production houses. An example of a guerrilla filmmaker is Perry Ogden, who is the director ‘PaveeLackeen: The Traveller Girl’ (2005). The camera he used was a Sony PD150 camera and made use of digital technology in many ways including the following: Most of his shots were improvised upon 130 hours of MiniDV. He shot his film in continuous long takes. This technique would not have been possible with traditional magazines of film. The film was shot over a period of nine monthsdiscontinuously. Production houses would want to hire crew for a fixed period of time and thus the film would have to be shot continuously over a small period of time. Ogden claims that it was not accidental the image lacked resolution but that he was inspired by AnthonyDodMantle’s work.(Fair, 2006) Another novelty that is emerging is the documentary genre. Many documentaries are taking greater advantage of DV than drama. The box office successes such as ‘Iraq In Fragments’ illustrate the true ability of shooting quickly in difficult locations. Another major advancement in filmography thanks to digital technologies was made when there was the birth of drones. These flying robot cameras represent a huge saving for productions that are seeking images from high in the sky, with a cost as low as one third of the cost of traditional transport like helicopters. (Fair, 2006) Post- Production In the post-production section of filmography digital non-linear editing gave a new aspect to video editing, in much the same way you can edit a word document. This is why post-production was one of the main areas which embraced digital technology. Surely it has impacted the creative control in such a way that a scene can be cut and re-cut continuously without making any damage to the film stock and also without major expenses. Non-linear editing is not the only part that was established but one of the greatest improvements is Computer Generated Image (CGI) effects and animation. In the article by Corliss, Stephan Spielberg is quoted stating that one of the advantages of CGI is that now directors have the ability to follow their imagination. It is because of speed and the economic impact that digital cameras are preferred over traditional cameras. DigitalDistribution New technologies are effecting the distribution of films in a way that nowadays people can view films on portable devices anywhere in the world. Films can be uploaded and watched at the user’s discretion. The user can pay for films and download them off the internet although this advance is also giving the ability for users to download films illegally, free of cost. But although all these improvements in how one can see a film are taking place, the most popular way to view a new film is still the cinema. This might be because of the new equipment that cinemas are investing in so as to give the viewer a true experience.(Anthony, 2012). DigitalProjection As oppose to celluloid prints which are damaged every time they are used for projection and are often ruined after a couple of uses, digital film is transported to the cinema on a hard drivewhich is then uploaded onto the digital projector an could stay there for several weeks. Digital prints have made it possible that new films can be projected at the cinemas around the world mostly at same time because digital prints are cheaper to duplicate than celluloid prints. Another advantage of digital projection is that it can be used for more than one form of entertainment, that is, it can also be used to display sporting events, opera, musical shows and much more. Such showings change the whole meaning of cinema because it could bring different costumers to the cinema.Around 60% of all cinema screens worldwide in 2012 were converted to digital projection from the tradition film. More than half of these cinemas offer 3D projections and by the end of 2015 almost every cinema screen will be digital. Regarding 3D projections there are multiple instances where this sector is still evolving thanks to innovation. An example is the abolishment of the 3D chunky glasses. Thanks toâ€Å"lenticular lens technology†that is, bumpy screens that redirect light to each eye, allows us to process two different images at the same time (the way we do in real life), which gives the perception of depth. A second solution is theâ€Å"parallax barrier†.This technique uses a device which is set right in front aliquid crystal display, to allow it to show astereoscopic imagewithout the need for the viewer to wear3D glasses. Two main companies, Toshiba and Sony has already started working on these 2 technologies and in 2009, Fujifilm released theFujifilm FinePix Real 3D W1digital camera, which features a built-in auto stereoscopic LCD display measuring 2.8 diagonal.(Anon, 2015) Although 4D-cinema is already something in the years it is expected to continue developing. Seats in 4D venues may move during the screening according to the scene being shown. Physical effects such as rain, water, wind and even smell might be simulated in 4D and this is even backed with a special sound system allowing the audience to reach maximum immersion in what is happening on the screen. Whilst in our rapidly changing world we have doubts about what is here to stay, it would be reasonable to say that digital technology is the present and is likely to be present as well in the future. We cannot say how it will evolve, but evolving technologies will without any hesitation continue to make an effect upon the creative industries especially on filmography. References Pinder, M., 2010. How will developments within digital technologies affect the Creative Industries?. [Online] Available at: http://www.mikepinder.co.uk/research/phd-research/195-how-will-developments-within-digital-technologies-affect-the-creative-industries.html [Accessed 28 April 2015]. Lhooq, M., 2012. 9 Mind-Blowing Technologies Changing The Film Industrys Future. [Online] Available at: http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/en_au/blog/9-mind-blowing-technologies-changing-the-film-industry’s-future2 [Accessed 28 April 2015]. Corliss, R., 2006. Can This Man Save The Movies? (Again?). [Online] Available at: http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1172229,00.html [Accessed 28 April 2015]. Fair, J., 2006. The Impact of Digital Technology upon the Filmmaking Production Process. [Online] Available at: https://the72project.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/thesis.pdf?session-id=6b8246ad01cd6bba198fa4b51f508a5f [Accessed 28 April 2015]. Anthony, S., 2012. How digital technology is reinventing cinema. [Online] Available at: http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/128963-how-digital-technology-is-reinventing-cinema [Accessed 28 April 2015]. Anon, 2011. Digital Cinema, Distribution and Exhibition. [Online] Available at: http://www.mediastudentsbook.com/content/digital-cinema-distribution-and-exhibition [Accessed 4 April 2015].

The Changing Function of Victorian Public Parks, 1840-1860 :: European Europe History

The Changing Function of Victorian Public Parks, 1840-1860 Tastefully laid out in grass intersected by broad gravel walks, and planted with a great variety of trees, shrubs and flowers, botanically arranged. The Arboretum, as these gardens are designated, is much frequented, and has already produced a perceptible effect in improving the appearance and demeanour of the working class. J.M. Milton, in reference to The Derby Arboretum, State of Large Towns, 1871 (l)    This mid to late-19th century account of an early Victorian (English) public park illustrates the change of function and transformation of the Victorian public park from its original role as an upper-middle class observatory of Nature to its redefinition as this class' s social observatory of the lower classes. Between the years of 1840 and 1860, the public park's role in the eyes of England' s upper crust changed drastically due to the economic and political structure of Victorian England during this time and J.M. Milton's quote reflects this reality. In the mid-19th century, public parks in England began to emerge in response to a rise in pollution and lack of open space within newly industrialized urban centers in places such as London, Derby, Birmingham, and Manchester.(2) The first public parks were funded by private benefactors who were often times the owners of the factories that created these tainted environments. Influencing this environment-friendly attitude was the increased Victorian interest in the sciences (especially botany) due to nineteenth century contributions of both biologists and writers including the empirical work of Darwin's Origin of Species (1858) and Tennyson's literary work, InMemoriam (1867).(3) Many of these benefactors put money into the development of public walks and parks to give birth to not only a healthier urban setting, though, but also to create a faà §ade that made them appear as altruistic philanthropists who were genuinely concerned with the social welfare of the urban-based factory worke rs who had little or no open space of their own.(4) However, while these upper-middle Victorian philanthropists appeared to provide the working class with the social and health ideals of the upper crust, the public environments that they created did not reflect this universal ideal of integrating the disparate classes together, but rather they were attempts to maintain the isolation and segregation the Victorian upper class desired. The English public park from 1840-1860 provides a physical reflection of this Victorian frame of mind in that it exemplifies one of the grave contradictions that defines the upper-middle class Victorian society which boasts for universality of its ideals for all yet is exclusionary toward the proletariats.

Availability of Drinking Water

INTRODUCTION Drinking water or potable water is water of sufficiently high quality that it can be consumed or used without risk of immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually consumed or used in food preparation. Clean drinking water has yet to be completely recognized as a basic human right. While water plays a vital role in every aspect of life, some do not realize the gravity of the shrinking clean water sources. When unclean water is consumed, it can cause serious illnesses, sometimes leading to death. According to statistics provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1. 1 billion of the world's 6 billion people do not have access to clean drinking water sources. Drinking Water is essential to the survival of all organisms,water has always been an important and life-sustaining drink to humans. Excluding fat, water composes approximately 70% of the human body by mass. It is a crucial component of metabolic processes and serves as a solvent for many bodily solutes. Health authorities have historically suggested at least eight glasses, eight fluid ounces each (168 ml), of water per day (64 fluid ounces, or 1. 89 litres),and the British Dietetic Association recommends 1. 8 litres. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the average adult actually ingests 2. 0 litres per day. 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by water. Water is available almost everywhere if proper methods are used to get it. Sources where water may be obtained include: ground sources such as groundwater, hyporheic zones and aquifers. precipitation which includes rain, hail, snow, fog, etc. urface water such as rivers, streams, glaciers biological sources such as plants. the sea through desalination Access to safe water can be measured by the number of people who have a reasonable means of getting sufficient water that is safe for drinking. Availability of safe drinking water is an indicator of the health of a country. A developed country will be more efficient in collecting, cleaning and distributing water to consumers. It is a sad fact but is true that ninety percent of urban sewage in the developing world is discharged into rivers and other water bodies. In the developing world, millions of residents lack a source of safe drinking water near their homes. People get safe drinking water from various sources such as household connection, borehole, protected dug well, public standpipe etc. But the Question that arises is : † Does everyone has safe drinking water available? † Availability of drinking water scenario in India is very Bad as compared to other countries like USA, England, China etc. as can be observed from the underlying table: Countries Amount Finland:100% Australia:100% Netherlands:100% Norway:100% Sweden:100% Switzerland:100% United Kingdom:100% United States:100% Russia:99% Bangladesh:97% Albania:97% Egypt:97% Pakistan:90% Nepal:88% Brazil:87% South Africa:86% India:84% A detailed analysis can be seen in the graph shown : Paste this map over here.. http://www. mapsofworld. com/thematic-maps/safe-drinking-water. htm The availability of Drinking Water is hampered and altered depending upon various factors such as, Drinking Water pollution, Wastage, Demand supply ratios, Treatment methods etc. INDIAN STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR DRINKING WATER Indian Standards has set various limits over different chemical and physical properties of Water, in order to label it as Safe and Drinking Water, a sample of water, lying in the permissible range set as per IS, is safe for drinking. Following are the IS Specifications for Drinking Water : S. NO. Parameter Requirement desirable Limit Remarks 1. Color 5 May be extended up to 50 if toxic substances are suspected 2. Turbidity 10 May be relaxed up to 25 in the absence of alternate 3. pH 6. 5 to 8. 5 May be relaxed up to 9. 2 in the absence of alternate 4. Total hardness 300 May be extended up to 600 5. Calcium as Ca 75 May be extended up to 200 . Magnesium as Mg 30 May be extended up to 100 7. Copper as Cu 0. 05 May be relaxed up to 1. 5 8. Iron 0. 3 May be extended up to1 9. Manganese 0. 1 May be extended up to0. 5 10. Chlorides 250 May be extended up to1000 11. Sulphates 150 May be extended up to 400 12. Nitrates 45 No relaxation 13. Fluoride 0. 6 to 1. 2 If the limit is below 0. 6, wa ter should Be rejected, Max. Limit is extended to 1. 5 14. Phenols 0. 001 May be relaxed up to 0. 002 15. Mercury 0. 001 No relaxation 16. Cadmium 0. 01 No relaxation 17. Selenium 0. 01 No relaxation 18. Arsenic 0. 05 No relaxation 19. Cyanide 0. 05 No relaxation 20. Lead 0. 1 No relaxation 21. Zinc 5. 0 May be relaxed up to 10. 0 22. Anionic detergents (MBAS) 0. 2 May be relaxed up to 1 23. Chromium 0. 05 No relaxation 24. Poly nuclear aromatic Hydrocarbons — — 25. Mineral oil 0. 01 May be relaxed up to 0. 03 26. Residual free chlorine 0. 2 Applicable only when water is chlorinated 27. Pesticides Absent — 28. Radioactive — — REQUIREMENT V/s. AVAILABILITY Water. If you've got it, you probably take it for granted. But a quick scan of the globe — and a chat with the tiny group of researchers who are obsessed by fresh water — both indicate that water shortages are looming. And they aren't necessarily in the future, either. You don't miss your water, an old blues sage wisely said, 'til your well runs dry. Down here on planet Earth, the well is starting to run dry. We've seen projections that three billion people — half of today's population — will be short of water in 2025. The Earth has a finite supply of fresh water, stored in aquifers, surface waters and the atmosphere. Sometimes oceans are mistaken for available water, but the amount of energy needed to convert saline water to potable water is prohibitive today, explaining why only a very small fraction of the world's water supply derives from desalination. The Millennium Development Goal of halving the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water between 1990 and 2015 is a target we are aiming for. Although some countries still face enormous challenges. Rural communities are the furthest from meeting the 2015 MDGs drinking water target. Globally only 27% of the rural population has water piped directly to their home and 24% rely on unimproved sources. Of the 884 million people without access to an improved water source, 746 million people (84%) live in rural areas. Sub-Saharan Africa has made the least progress in improved water sources since 1990, improving only 9% to 2006. In contrast, the Eastern Asian region saw a dramatic drop from 45% to 9% reliance on unimproved water in the same time period. The shortage of water in our country is slowly affecting the lives of people as well as the environment around them. Some of the major issues that need urgent attention are: †¢ As a result of excessive extraction of ground water to meet agriculture, industrial and domestic demands, drinking water is not available during the ritical summer months in many parts of the country. †¢ About 10 per cent of the rural and urban population does not have access to regular safe drinking water and many more are threatened. Most of them depend on unsafe water sources to meet their daily needs. Moreover, water shortages in cities and villages have led to large volumes of water being collected and transported over great distances by tankers and pipelines. †¢ Chemical contaminants namely fluoride, arsenic and selenium pose a very serious health hazard in the country. It is estimated that about 70 million people in 20 states are at risk due to excess fluoride and around 10 million people are at risk due to excess arsenic in ground water. Apart from this, increase in the concentration of chloride, TDS, nitrate, iron in ground water is of great concern for a sustainable drinking water programme. All these need to be tackled holistically. With over extraction of groundwater the concentration of chemicals is increasing regularly. †¢ Ingress of seawater into coastal aquifers as a result of over-extraction of ground water has made water supplies more saline, unsuitable for drinking and irrigation. Pollution of ground and surface waters from agrochemicals (fertilizers and pesticides) and from industry poses a major environmental health hazard, with potentially significant costs to the country. The World Bank has estimated that the total cost of environmental, damage in India amounts to US$9. 7 billion annually, or 4. 5 per cent of the gross domestic product. Of this, 59 per cent results from the health impacts of water pollution (World Bank 1995). DRINKING WATER POLLUTION Availability of drinking water is largely affected by its pollution, which has been leading and will lead to a decrease in its availability in the coming future. Drinking water pollution is a bigger problem than most people realize. While drinking water filters and bottled water has become a staple in our society, most consumers still use unfiltered drinking water for cooking, filling pet water bowls and bottles, and for mixing powdered drink mixes. Drinking water pollution is a big enough problem within our country to warrant the same vigilance as we give other health hazards. There are numerous sources that pile up into serious contamination potential for all drinking water. Whether your water is coming from a well on your property or if you are using â€Å"filtered† city water sources, the chances that you have a problem with drinking water pollution is quite high. Groundwater testing has shown that in any given area throughout the country as many as 200 variable contaminants have been detected. Long term exposure can create numerous health problems, including lead poisoning. While not every single contaminant is destined to cause a serious health problem or even any health problem at all, you can not count on your local contaminants to be harmless. Agriculture practices are one of the largest sources of groundwater contaminants. The chemical used in controlling bugs and other chemically based treatments run directly into the groundwater supply. Pesticides and poisonous agricultural raw waste can contaminate more than 40% of the surrounding groundwater. Ingress of seawater into coastal aquifers as a result of over-extraction of ground water has made water supplies more saline, unsuitable for drinking and irrigation. Pollution of ground and surface waters from agrochemicals (fertilizers and pesticides) and from industry poses a major environmental health hazard, with potentially significant costs to the country. Another major contributor to drinking water pollution is urban run off. Another human based contribution that needs to be controlled at the source in order to save our drinking water supply. When rain washes urban trash, chemicals, and pollutants from the structures and roadways of populated areas, there is no way for the water to filter itself on its way to the groundwater. Everything from basic trash, cigarette butts, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, pesticides, and other daily use products are all contributing factors in groundwater contamination caused by urban run off. Practicing safer disposal practices of automobile chemicals, putting together trash clean up projects, and using environmentally safe household products can help cut down on urban run off pollutants. Lead is one of the most concerning urban run off pollutants, as lead poisoning can cause learning problems, chronic emotional and health issues, and is non-reversible. Drinking lead contaminated water is a serious health problem. Water Treatment Water treatment is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, materials, and biological contaminants from raw water. The goal is to produce water fit for a specific purpose. Most water is purified for human consumption (drinking water) but water purification may also be designed for a variety of other purposes, including meeting the requirements of medical, pharmacology, chemical and industrial applications. It is important to take measures to make available water of desirable quality at the consumer end. That leads to protection of the treated water during conveyance and distribution after treatment. It is common practice to have residual disinfectants in the treated water in order to kill any bacteriological contamination after water treatment. Processes for treatment of drinking water: The combination of following processes is used for municipal drinking water treatment worldwide: Pre-treatment: It consists or removal of large debris such as sticks, leaves, trash and other large particles which may interfere with subsequent purification steps. It also includes treatment of water with soda-ash to remove hardness or chlorine to minimize the growth of fouling organisms on the pipe-work and tanks. pH adjustment: Distilled water has a pH of 7. If the water is acidic, lime, soda ash, or sodium hydroxide is added to raise the pH. Acid (HCl or H2SO4) may be added to basic waters in some circumstances to lower the pH. Making the water slightly basic ensures that coagulation and flocculation processes work effectively and also helps to minimize the risk of lead being dissolved from lead pipes and lead solder in pipe fittings. Flocculation: It is a process which removes any turbidity or color so that the water is clear and colorless and is done by causing a precipitate to form in the water which can be removed using simple physical methods. Coagulants / flocculating agents that may be used include: Iron (III) hydroxide Aluminium hydroxide PolyDADMAC Sedimentation: Water exiting the flocculation basin may enter the sedimentation basin, also called a settling basin. The dimensions of the tank are chosen such that it can lead to maximum particles settling down. As particles settle to the bottom of the basin, a layer of sludge is formed on the floor of the tank. This layer of sludge must be removed and treated accordingly. Filtration: After separating most floc, the water is filtered as the final step to remove remaining suspended particles and unsettled floc. Different types of filters are: Rapid sand filters Slow sand filters Lava filters Disinfection: It is accomplished both by filtering out harmful microbes and also by adding disinfectant chemicals in the last step in purifying drinking water. Different types of disinfections are: Chlorine disinfection Chlorine Dioxide Disinfection Ozone disinfection Ultraviolet disinfection Hydrogen peroxide disinfection Various portable methods of disinfection Solar water disinfection Biological processes are also employed in the treatment of wastewater and these processes may include, for example, aerated lagoons, activated sludge etc. There is no unique solution (selection of processes) for any type of water. Also, it is difficult to standardize the solution in the form of processes for water from different sources. Selection of any of the following methods depends on the scale of the plant and quality of the water. Wastage/Conservation of Water Water is needed for our survival. It is the most important resource for us. So its high time for us to realize this and start conserving water. So we need awareness among people so that each individual puts effort at their level and contribute to the larger cause on the whole. Saving the earth from such a crisis would not be possible without the efforts of each individual. People can start at home by not letting their taps open and by not spilling the drinking water. People should not let their taps run when its not needed. It is important for them to realize that millions of people don't even get access to drinking water. Government needs to implement stricter laws to avoid wastage of water during distribution. Higher fines can be imposed on people who waste water and higher incentives can be given to those conserving water. Recycled water can be used for gardening, washing etc. Due to the current water crisis. Only during times of shortage, do we take emergency measures; saving water should be followed even when there is surplus. If not for the current water shortage, not many would have taken notice of such occasions. During the time when we used to get good rainfall, we never conserved water. A large city needs billions of litres of drinking water every day to service the needs. We will have to make alternate water sources like rainwater harvesting, dig wells and bore wells for our use. The civic corporation should take the initiative to check the broken water pipelines. Such networks rupture occasionally which result in wastage of water every day and should repair it. There should be a specific limit for using water, every society should strictly abide by it should be enforced by society’s office bearers. Due to leakage to existing drinking water pipelines, every day millions of litres of drinking water is going waste. If wastage is stopped the drinking water supply will improve to some extent. The supply of drinking water is not increasing according to demand. As a result, drinking water scarcity is arising. Urban Water Supply Even though the rate of urbanisation in India is among the lowest in the world, the nation has more than 250 million city-dwellers. Experts predict that this number will rise even further, and by 2020, about 50 per cent of India's population will be living in cities. This is going to put further pressure on the already strained centralised water supply systems of urban areas. The urban water supply and sanitation sector in the country is suffering from inadequate levels of service, an increasing demand-supply gap, poor sanitary conditions and deteriorating financial and technical performance. According to Central Public Health Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO) estimates, as on 31 March 2000, 88 per cent of urban population has access to a potable water supply. But this supply is highly erratic and unreliable. Transmission and distribution networks are old and poorly maintained, and generally of a poor quality. Consequently physical losses are typically high, ranging from 25 to over 50 per cent. Low pressures and intermittent supplies allow back siphoning, which results in contamination of water in the distribution network. Water is typically available for only 2-8 hours a day in most Indian cities. The situation is even worse in summer when water is available only for a few minutes, sometimes not at all. A Stress Situation According to a World Bank study, of the 27 Asian cities with populations of over 1,000,000, Chennai and Delhi are ranked as the worst performing metropolitan cities in terms of hours of water availability per day, while Mumbai is ranked as second worst performer and Calcutta fourth worst (Source: Background Paper – International Conference on New Perspectives on Water for Urban & Rural India – 18-19 September, 2001, New Delhi. ) In most cities, centralised water supply systems depend on surface water sources like rivers and lakes. Chennai, for instance, has to bring in water from a distance of 200 km whereas Bangalore gets its water from the Cauvery river, which is 95 km away. Where surface water sources fail to meet the rising demand, groundwater reserves are being tapped, often to unsustainable levels. Delhi: The nation's capital is perpetually in the grip of a water crisis, more so during the dry season, when the situation gets particularly worse. As the demand-supply gap widens, more groundwater is being exploited. Of the water supplied by the municipality, approximately 11 per cent comes from groundwater reserves and remaining from the Yamuna river. It is, however, difficult to establish the total quantity of groundwater extracted because a large number of tubewells (owned by individuals, industries and bottled water companies) remain unregistered. In Delhi approximately 13 per cent (Source: Zerah. , M Helene, 2000, Water – Unreliable Supply in Delhi, French Research Institute of India) households do not receive water every day and in Rajkot, Gujarat, water availability in April 2000 was only for 30 minutes every alternate day. Rural Water Supply The rural population of India comprises more than 700 million people residing in about 1. 42 million habitations spread over 15 diverse ecological regions. It is true that providing drinking water to such a large population is an enormous challenge. Our country is also characterised by non-uniformity in level of awareness, socio-economic development, education, poverty, practices and rituals which add to the complexity of providing water. Dependence on the state has meant that with the cost of water supply being high and cost recovery being poor, the financial sustainability of water schemes has run aground, and repairs and maintenance is abysmal. With people having no interest in using water carefully, the sustainability of water has itself become questionable. There are serious problems with government drinking water supply schemes. Despite government efforts, the number of ‘problem villages' does not seem to go down, The government has indeed invested heavily on water resources development, which focussed on large-scale irrigation development for increasing green revolution-style agriculture production and drinking water supply programmes. Yet, a large part of the country remains drought-prone. This is because no specific effort has been made to drought-proof rainfed areas which suffer from high rainfall variability from year to year. Role of Government Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Environment and Forest and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare all have got a different roles to play to provide drinking water of adequate quantity and potable quality to meet the health needs of the community. All of them are involved and play their respective roles to provide quality water and its management. Roles of different agencies are listed below: †¢ Ministry of Water Resources: The Central Ground Water Board is monitoring both quantitative and qualitative data with regard to ground water. Apart from this CGWB has developed ground water maps concerning various qualitative issues. †¢ Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation: Working through various Urban Bodies, the Ministry is involved in monitoring drinking water quality in the urban agglomerations. There are quite a few Water Boards especially in Metro Cities who are equipped to take up the job, but not all urban bodies keep watch of the quality of water being provided on regular basis. †¢ Ministry of Rural Development: Department of Drinking Water in the Ministry is working through State public Health Engineering Departments or Water oards are monitoring the drinking water quality in the rural areas of the country. Almost all the districts do have WQ laboratory. Though WQ is generally tested during installation, follow up testing is not done on regular basis. The department in certain places is initiating community involvement for WQ testing including â€Å"Catchments Approach†. †¢ Ministry of Environment and Forests: Working through Central Pollution Control Board, the Ministry is involved in monitoring water quality of main rivers and big water bodies. Most of these water sources are being used for drinking water purposes. So CPCB itself or through State Pollution Control Boards is having a watch on raw water quality. †¢ Ministry of Health: So far the Ministry had been playing a limited role with regard to drinking water surveillance in some selected areas. But with the inclusion of drinking water under food category, MoH will be playing a significant role. Also Indian government enforced National water policy in 2002 and water pollution act( prevention and control) 1975 for maintaining water quantity and quality. CONCLUSIONS It takes the cooperation and the education of everyone to help clean up our biggest drinking water threats. The more environmentally friendly everyone becomes, the closer we get to finding cleaner drinking water and protecting our natural environment. Industrial and personal responsibility for our environment is the first and most significant step toward clean drinking water in the country in every community. According to a 2007 World Health Organization report, 1. 1 billion people lack access to an improved drinking water supply, 88% of the 4 billion annual cases of diarrhea disease are attributed to unsafe water and inadequate sanitation and hygiene, and 1. million people die from diarrheal diseases each year. The WHO estimates that 94% of these diarrheal cases are preventable through modifications to the environment, including access to safe water. Simple techniques for treating water at home, such as chlorination, filters, and solar disinfection, and storing it in safe containers could save a huge number of lives each year. Reducing deaths from waterborne diseases is a major public hea lth goal in developing countries.

Acquainted With The Night By Robert Frost Essay - 1670 Words

Acquainted with Ambiguity: An Analysis of Robert’s Frost’s â€Å"Acquainted with the Night† Born at the end of the 19th century and writing into the 20th century, poet Robert Frost is famous for putting a 20th century spin on 19th century poetic conventions (Robert Frost). His 1928 poem â€Å"Acquainted with the Night† is one of the best examples of this spin, combining modern experimental techniques with a set structure and rhyme scheme. In the poem, the speaker recounts his/her ambiguous relationship with the night, as well as the events that have occurred during the night. Many critics have focused on uncovering the identity of the speaker, with some even arguing that the speaker represents Frost and his struggle with unconventional poetry. However, by focusing solely on the speaker’s identity, these critics tend to overlook how other aspects of the poem, including rhyme scheme, structure, and tone, can also contribute to the overall effect of the poem. Therefore, as a result of Frost’s manipulation of rhyme scheme and sentence length, his use of ambiguous language, and his inclusion of symbols, I argue that Frost uses the speaker as a vessel to force the audience to become acquainted with ambiguity and appreciate poetry for what it is, not as a checklist of literary elements. Frost’s manipulation of rhyme scheme prevents the poem from falling into the category of a terza rima sonnet. On the surface, â€Å"Acquainted with the Night† has a standard form and rhyme scheme:Show MoreRelatedAcquainted With The Night By Robert Frost1553 Words   |  7 PagesRobert Frost s â€Å"Acquainted with the Night† is about a man who frequently journeys out at night and roams about the city alone. He is familiar with the atmosphere around him and it’s apparent he has wandered far beyond the city. Throughout the poem the speaker does not communicate with anyone and a sense of silence and suspense pervade his walks. It is understood that the speaker is very lonely on his walks and often finds himself hoping some one would call out to him. As the speaker strolls throughRead MoreAcquainted with the Night by Robert Frost1065 Words   |  5 PagesAcquainted with the Night by Robert Frost is a poem about a person who is well acquainted with the night. In this poem, the author or the speaker explains why he/she is well acquainted with the night. It seems as the poem progresses that the speaker enjoys walks through the night of a city, and that he also enjoys walks in rainy nights. The speaker goes down a sad area of the city were he encounters a watchman were he/she ignores. When the speakers stop because he/she listens to a cry, whichRead MoreAcquainted With The Night By Robert Frost1436 Words   |  6 Pages â€Å"Acquainted with the Night† is a poem written by Robert Frost, and it was first published in 1928. The poem is about the narrator’s experience on one sad lonely night while having some depression in the rain. The poem only has fourteen lines and has a clea r structure; however, the meaning of the poem is deep. Since, the poem is short and clear, readers often are able to connect to the poem. The poem was about the narrator walking down the street of city at a rainy night. He was reflectingRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Acquainted With The Night By Robert Frost942 Words   |  4 PagesThe poem â€Å"Acquainted with the Night† by Robert Frost is not simply about a walk being taken on a rainy night, as one would assume on their first reading. Instead a closer reading of the poem will reveal to the reader a much darker journey. As the speaker describes his trudge through the city streets, the reader begins to see that this is far more than a walk through a gloomy night; it is a man’s journey through depression. While Frost’s dark poem is written much like a sonnet, having fourteen linesRead More Isolation in Acquainted with the Night, by Robert Frost Essay765 Words   |  4 PagesIsolation in â€Å"Acquainted with the Night†, by Robert Frost Robert Frost was indeed one of the most important and influential writers in the history of American Literature. His unique style and incredible use of imageries give his readers a deep understanding of his works. In his poem, â€Å"Acquainted with the Night†, by using a smooth and static rhythm, bleak and dreary imageries, unique diction, and well-thought syntax of sentences, Frost conveys a feeling of lonesome and isolation. The poem’sRead MoreRobert Frost Essay example646 Words   |  3 PagesRobert Frost Robert Frost was the most popular American poet of the twentieth century. Most Americans recognize his name, the titles of and lines from his best-known poems, and even his face. Given his immense popularity, it is a remarkable testimony to the extent of his achievement that he is also considered to be one of the greatest, if not the very greatest, of modern American poets. #8230;the life and work of Americas premier poet- the only truly national poet America has yet produced(Parini23)Read MoreBeing A Freshman At Lincoln University Has Been An Interesting1095 Words   |  5 PagesI would be comfortable with. Genuine happiness has never existed for me while attend Lincoln University. This moment in my life reminds me of the poem â€Å"Acquainted with the Night† by Robert Frost, which embodies all aspects of emptiness through poetic devices, language, and personal history. â€Å"Acquainted with the Night† is a poem by Robert Frost written in 1928. The poem is written in iambic pentameter as a sonnet consisting of four three line stanzas, also referred to as tercets followed by a rhymingRead MoreRobert Frost s Life Through Poetry1745 Words   |  7 PagesMarch 23, 2016 Robert Frost Reflects Life Through Poetry It is easy to express your emotions, and feelings through poetry. Which is exactly what Robert Frost has done through his entire career. Each poem Robert Frost has written, has meaning behind it all. He has gone through an extreme amount of events, and tragedies in his life. Frost has been through an unimaginable amount of losses, deaths, and loneliness throughout his years. Throughout his life his poetry has had a huge impact on him, the situationsRead MoreSocial Isolation In Robert Frosts Acquainted With The Night801 Words   |  4 Pagesso long and tackled by many writers, such as Robert Frost. The poem by Robert Frost, Acquainted with the Night, is about depression and how it makes individuals feel isolated, resulting in facing depression alone and coming to the conclusion that a feeling of loneliness is simply the human condition. Symbolism is used throughout the poem to describe experiences. For instance, the speaker’s walks are metaphors for depression, using rain and the late night to carry this theme. In the first stanza, itRead MoreAnalysis of Acquainted with the Night and Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening1471 Words   |  6 PagesResearch Paper first draft 16th Nov 2011 In a Dark Night, I Find My Answers. The two poems â€Å"Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening† and â€Å"Acquainted with the Night† written by Robert Frost are very similar to each other because of the simplistic form of language used and the uses of metaphors. When we first read the poem, it looks like an ordinary poem but once we go in depth and understand the meaning, it becomes so much more. Both of the poem has a very dark, gloomy and lonely setting with a really