Nor any drop to drink.

When I read the poem “Rime of an ancient mariner” in school, I thought of it as an extreme case of exaggeration. Later, I felt it a bit much to consider some experts warning that the third World War would be fought over water.

How could it? There always seemed ample water around. And so I dismissed the thought as silly and pushed it to the back of my head. Until recently, when I saw images of the 50-wagon Jaldoot Express pulling into Latur Railway station. It carried not just 25 lakh litres of drinking water but also a semblance of normalcy to the 4.5 lakh of population of the hometown in Marthwada district, Maharashtra. Was the water war already taking seed slowly?

First the municipal water supply came once in 15 days, then once in a month and before they realized, the people of Latur were staring at the “worst ever” water crisis in decades.

The plight of Latur should be like a lesson of sorts, a wakeup call for every city and town of India. For we might celebrate Earth Day and Environment day with enthusiasm, but the fact is that we all forget to understand the true essence of why these days are observed.

The irony is that Mother Earth is giving us enough signals. Chennai last winter saw floods like it never had, Bangalore this year touched a never-before high of 40 degrees and the hills are witnessing innumerable forest fires.

The answer then lies with the young men and women of this country who have the capability to think out of the box.

One young man who did think different way back is today a wise man who we are honoured to have on our Cover. For Rana Kapoor has shown what it takes to say ‘Yes’ to many a young entrepreneur’s dreams.

Also in this issue is an exclusive interview with a favourite author across generations, Ruskin Bond. Bond often finds his inspiration in Mother Nature.

So go on, read and think!