Chennai water scene: Scarcity, Insensitivity and Protest

water chennai

The Reuters photo above by P Ravikumar with the following caption “Women fetch water from a dried-up lake in Chennai, India” (© Reuters / P. Ravikumar) was an issue of discussion among people concerned with plight of millions of residents due to recent water scarcity in the city of Chennai.

But the water-scarcity issue did not touch hearts of a few.

Indian director and super star Rajnikanth’s  daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth has apologized to angry fans after posting a picture of herself and her son in a swimming pool, posted below, while people in Chennai go without water.

In the now-deleted photo, Rajinikanth could be seen relaxing in a pool of cool, refreshing water with her son Ved.

However, commentators were not pleased with the swimming pool photo. Their voice was one of conscience. Their reaction was humane. It was a protest by people.

Later, Rajinikanth deleted the post on Sunday and apologized to her 2.8 million followers writing: “Considering the sensitivity around the current water scarcity we are facing.”

Soundarya’s father, actor and local politician  Rajinikanth, arrived in Chennai on Sunday to declare that any remaining water in lakes and ponds must be saved “on a water-footing mode” to alleviate the current crisis.

Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio was more fatalistic, writing on Instagram: “Only rain can save Chennai from this situation.” (Posted below)

Leonardo DiCaprio did not mention the root of the problem: Mismanagement.

Soundarya Rajinikanth has a habit of posting glamorous photos to social media at the most inappropriate times.

Earlier this year, Soundarya was criticized for posting shots of her honeymoon in Iceland, while the nation mourned the deaths of 49 soldiers in a terrorist attack in Kashmir.

https://twitter.com/Wartalabs/status/1145653102642524160

Tweet

Wartalabs @Wartalabs 17h17 hours ago

Soundarya Rajinikanth deletes swimming pool photo with son Ved after receiving backlash from fans Social media generall…

soundarya rajnikanthVerified account @soundaryaarajni

Removed the pictures shared in good spirit from my #TravelDiaries considering the sensitivity around the current #WaterScarcity we are facing . The throwback pics were to emphasise the importance for physical activities for children from a young age only

 

Instagram:

 leonardodicaprio

#Regram #RG @bbcnews:

“Only rain can save Chennai from this situation.” A well completely empty, and a city without water. The southern Indian city of Chennai is in crisis, after the four main water reservoirs ran completely dry. The acute water shortage has forced the city to scramble for urgent solutions and residents have to stand in line for hours to get water from government tanks. As the water levels depleted, hotels and restaurants started to shut down temporarily, and the air con was turned off in the city’s metro. Officials in the city continue to try and find alternative sources of water – but the community continue to pray for rain. Tap the link in our bio to read more about Chennai’s water crisis. (📸 Getty Images) #chennai #watercrisis #india #bbcnews

Fans expressed their opinion on Leonardo DiCaprio’s Instagram:

muntajul_92

The people who needs to care about are not so serious on the issue. Sir U r living legend who care for these. Fan of ur work.

meenakshi4547

The only solution world wide is to Plant more trees and save our generation and mother earth

poojazanwar_14

Thank you so much @leonardodicaprio for supporting👏 means so much..love from INDIA❤

bittusarkar799

Thank you so much sir for share this.. love you forever from

olivermczee_

Thank u thala leo for speaking for us, vellakaaranaey nambalukaga pesuraan aana indha yecha govt. Worst dra dei…

olivermczee_

#gobackmodi ivan india vitu oduna yella sanniyanum odi poirum thala idhuku yedhachu oru post podunga @leonardodicaprio

alexookan

Kerala offered water intially but the Govt. Of Tamil Nadu declined. Its all about politics

kristoffersen_andrea

wungtei

I am from India living in the U.K. Past 5 years I haven’t seen people here suffering from any of such crisis. There are exceedingly many reasons why the first world country has to thank God for the providence. Thank you LeoDcap for this concerns u share. East India is nothing less than this when it comes to water and electricity. But God provides what is least best needed. Thank God there is no famine or plague

elviloga

Terribile!! E pensare che spesso nn ricicliamo L acqua dei condizionatori La “” Buttiamo”” … Mi sento in colpa .. Ma cosa fare??

litvinssgiift93

вау

travellingindian1

For india it’s easy to find water on Moon rather than on Earth 😢

batesonlouise

How frightening for them it must be awful xxxxxxxxxx

jai_d_ravichandran

U r good human ❤

underoos_155

Not only rain can save Chennai. thanks for support Thalaiva

designtazo

I’m on Instagram as @designtazo. Install the app to follow my photos and videos. https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=1i3lnfkal6c1g&utm_content=5vat7ca

divyanshsaini

Help it out. Dude we know the situation. Come up with a solution as a participant of UN. SUGGEST THE MEASURES @leonardodicaprio @unitednations @unicefindia @unicefsouthasia @narendramodi @kuna_kamra @amitshahofficial @beingsalmankhan @katrinakaif

prageraudio

Now everyone do the rain dance meditation – reminds me of the story of Ruth. I believe the rain will come and fill the well !!!

maridonnajosesteinhaus

Is there any other way around? like water pump? Will do and will help a bit…

alexxdeshpande

@lieke_hemelaer what are you going to do?, how you going to help us?

alexxdeshpande

@ramisa1644 india

© 2019 Instagram

 

This incident raises many questions regarding the society and issues related to it.

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