<i>Padma, past and present</i>
Once full of water, it is just like a barren desert now. People in those days shivered if they heard the name of Padma but now even the old walk upon the sandbars and go from one side to the other. The sandbars have been increasing in size in recent years. Padma doesn't exist any longer! In India, Padma is commonly known as the Ganges. This major hydrodynamic system is still the lifeline to trade and commerce. There are numerous mentions of the Ganges (Padma) in the Vedas, the Puranas, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. It has a deep connection with the Hindu mythology. They are described as Goddesses in the myths. The abundant water was a habitat for different fishes. Particularly the Hilsa found Padma as its ideal breeding ground. Gone are those day! We may question ourselves how can the Padma, creator of her own fate, has arrived at the end point. Human beings have played their part in polluting this river. Padma has now turned into arable land, with the amount of water decreasing tremendously day by day. Chars have emerged and farmers are using this land as a blessing. They have begun cultivation of rice, pulses and other things to meet the growing demand of the increasing population in Bangladesh. They are even using pumps to water the plants in these fertile sediment accumulated chars. Pollution is a major aspect which has now brought the almost lifeless Padma to us. Those who live beside the river wash themselves up, clean clothes, utensils and do so many other things in river water. They put the waste products into the clean river water, thus making it dirty and impure with germs. "The Farraka Barrage" is the major reason behind the river drying up. Our neighbouring country India has built this barrage which has done great damage to this river system. This barrage changes the direction of water flow, causing the water to carry sands and soil with it to Bangladesh which eventually deposit and lower the water level. Moreover, the industries which have been built near the Ganges discharge effluents into water. Educating the masses about the river system may still protect the Padma to some extent.
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