WATER: THE ELIXIR OF LIFE

Note on the Author:

Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, (7 November 1888 21 November 1970)
was an Indian physicist and Nobel laureate in physics recognized for his work on the
molecular scattering of light and for the discovery of the Raman effect, which is named
after him. On February 28, 1928, through his experiments on the scattering of light, he
discovered the Raman Effect. It was instantly clear that this discovery was an important
one. It gave further proof of the quantum nature of light. Raman spectroscopy came to be
based on this phenomenon. He was the first Asian and first non-White to get any Nobel
Prize in Science.
In 1922, Indian physicist Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman published his work on
the "Molecular Diffraction of Light," the first of a series of investigations with his
collaborators which ultimately led to his discovery (on 28 February 1928) of the radiation
effect which bears his name. The Raman Effect was first reported by C. V. Raman and K.
S. Krishnan, and independently by Grigory Landsberg and Leonid Mandelstam, in 1928.
The Raman Effect was designated as an ACS National Historical Chemical Landmark in
recognition of its significance as a tool for analyzing the composition of liquids, gases,
and solids.
Raman also worked on the acoustics of musical instruments. He worked out the
theory of transverse vibration of bowed strings on the basis of superposition velocities. In
1948, Raman through his study of the spectroscopic behavior of crystals, he approached
the fundamental problems of crystal dynamics in a new manner. He dealt with the
structure and properties of diamond, the structure and optical behavior of numerous
iridescent substances (labradorite, pearly felspar, agate, opal, and pearls). Among his
other interests were the optics of colloids, electrical and magnetic anisotropy, and the
physiology of human vision. He was also the first to investigate the harmonic nature of
the sound of the Indian drums such as the tabla and the mridangam.
In 1934 Raman became the director of the Indian Institute of Science in
Bangalore. Other investigations carried out by Raman were: his experimental and
theoretical studies on the diffraction of light by acoustic waves of ultrasonic and
hypersonic frequencies (published 1934-1942), and those on the effects produced by Xrays on infrared vibrations in crystals exposed to ordinary light. He also started a
company called Travancore Chemical and Manufacturing Co. Ltd. in 1943 along with Dr.
Krishnamurthy. The Company during its 60 year history established 4 factories in
Southern India.
In 1947, he was appointed as the first National Professor by the new government
of Independent India. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society early in his career
(1924) and knighted in 1929. In 1930 he won the Nobel Prize in Physics. In 1954 he was
awarded the Bharat Ratna. He was also awarded the Lenin Peace Prize in 1957.

India celebrates National Science Day on 28th February of every year to

commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect in 1928. Raman retired from the Indian
Institute of Science in 1948, and a year later he established the Raman Research Institute
in Bangalore, Karnataka. He served as its director until his death in 1970, at the age of
82.
Summary:
The essay Water: The Elixir of Life written by Sir C.V. Raman analyses and
discusses in a clear, concise, and scientific manner the nature and properties of water and
its significance in the life of human beings. Certain issues like soil erosion and the
preventive measures which have to be adopted in order to control it, the need for
afforestation, the promotion of internal waterways as a cheap and economical means of
transport and the production of hydroelectric power are some of the points which have
been highlighted and dealt with in this essay.
C.V. Raman begins the essay with his remark on how human beings have always
sought for an imaginary elixir of life while neglecting and taking for granted the real
elixir of life which is nothing but common water. To prove his argument he cites the
example of the Libyan Desert and the Valley of the Nile. Though both of them lie side by
side, the first is a dry and arid desert while the latter is one of the most fertile valleys on
this planet. The presence of the river Nile in the Valley of Nile is responsible for this huge
difference between the two places. He in fact remarks that the entire civilization of Egypt
was nurtured and sustained by the life-giving waters of the Nile.
Raman points out how the presence of water adds to the beauty of the
countryside. The rainfed tanks apart from quenching the thirst of human beings, animals,
and plants, add life, colour, and vigour to the landscape. They are a very common sight in
South India and play a very important role in nurturing the agricultural development of
the region. These water of these rainfed tanks is utilized for the cultivation of rice in
Mysore.
He compares water in the landscape with the human eyes because both water and
eyes reflect the mood of the hour, and are the most important constituents of the
landscape and human body, respectively. Just like the human eyes, water in the landscape
appears bright when the sun shines, and becomes dark and gloomy when the sky is
overcast.
One important property of water is its ability to carry finely divided soil in
suspension. These particles are carried over great distances and get deposited when the
salt water of the sea mixes with the fresh water of the river in the delta areas. Large tracts
of fertile alluvial land are formed in this manner. Thus water plays a pivotal role in
promoting agriculture, and making the entire region fertile and full of greenery.
But the very same agency can play a destructive role when it is present in excess.
Soil erosion is one such phenomenon. It is a major problem in countries like India. It
occurs when the top layer of the soil is washed away in successive steps by the action of
water. It is mainly caused by sudden bursts of heavy rainfall, the slope of the land,
removal of the natural protective coat of vegetation, the existence of ruts along which
water can flow rapidly, and the absence of any checks to prevent the flow of water. It can

be checked using various preventive measures like the terracing of land, the construction
of bunds to check the flow of water, the practice of contour cultivation, and the planting
of appropriate types of vegetation.
Water is the basis for all forms of life. All creatures require water for their
physiological activity. Hence the need of the hour is to conserve and properly harness all
available water resources. In countries like India where agricultural production is mainly
dependent on seasonal rainfall, this becomes a burning issue. C.V. Raman suggests the
adoption of techniques which help in preventing and controlling soil erosion in order to
conserve and harness water for useful purposes. This would prevent the water from the
seasonal rainfall from running off the ground. He suggests the practice of afforestation
and the planting of civilized forests to check soil erosion, conserve rain water, and
provide cheap supplies of fuel.
He also mentions the idea of promoting internal waterways as a cheap and
economical means of transport because a country like India has a large number of water
bodies which can be used for navigation. He also supports the idea of using water
resources to produce hydroelectric power. This would improve the rural economy, and
help in tapping the ground water resources to a greater extent.
Hence he concludes by saying that though water is the commonest of liquids
because of its easy availability, it is the most uncommon of liquids because it has the
unique power of maintaining animal and plant life. Thus the study of its nature and
properties is of highest scientific interest.
Short Questions:
1. Why is water considered the true elixir of life?
Water can be considered as the true elixir of life because of its ability to
nurture and sustain all forms of life. It plays a vital role in promoting agriculture,
making the soil of the region fertile, providing cheap and economical means of
transport, and in the production of hydroelectric power.
2. C.V. Raman says that water in a landscape may be compared to the eyes in a
human face. Why?
C.V. Raman compares water in the landscape with the human eyes because
both water and eyes reflect the mood of the hour, and are the most important
constituents of the landscape and human body, respectively. Just like the human
eyes, water in the landscape appears bright when the sun shines, and becomes
dark and gloomy when the sky is overcast.
3. How does soil erosion occur and what are the chief factors that cause it?
Soil erosion occurs when the top layer of the soil is washed away in
successive steps by the action of water. It is mainly caused by sudden bursts of
heavy rainfall, the slope of the land, removal of the natural protective coat of
vegetation, the existence of ruts along which water can flow rapidly and the
absence of any checks to prevent the flow of water.
4. What are the usual measures used to check soil erosion?

Soil erosion can be checked using various preventive measures like the
terracing of land, the construction of bunds to check the flow of water, the
practice of contour cultivation, and the planting of appropriate types of
vegetation.
5. What is the measure suggested by C.V. Raman to control the movement of water
in order to harness it for useful purposes?
C.V. Raman suggests the practice of afforestation and the planting of
civilized forests to check soil erosion, to conserve rain water and to provide cheap
supplies of fuel. This would prevent the rain water from running off the ground
during the seasonal rainfall.
6. Why is the study of the nature and the properties of water of highest scientific
interest?
Water, though the commonest of liquids because of its easy availability, is
the most uncommon of liquids because it has the unique power of maintaining
animal and plant life. Hence the study of its nature and properties is of highest
scientific interest.
7. What is the role played water in shaping the course of mankinds history?
It is evident from history that all the ancient civilizations were found near
the water bodies. Water has the immense power to change the barren lands into
fertile and vice versa. The best example is the Nile valley in Egypt. Water has a
significant role in shaping the course of the earths history and continues to play
the leading role in the drama of life on the surface of our planet.
Annotations:
1. Man has through the ages sought in vain for an imaginary elixir of life, the divine
amrita, a draught of which was thought to confer immortality. But the true elixir
of life lies near our hands. For it is the commonest of all liquids, plain water!
2. This common substance which we take for granted in our everyday life is the
most potent and the most wonderful thing on the face of our earth.
3. Water in a landscape may be compared to the eyes in a human face.
4. One of the most remarkable facts about water is its power to carry silt or finely
divided soil in suspension.
5. When silt-laden water mixes with the salt water of the sea, there is rapid
precipitation of the suspended matter.
6. Water is the basis of all life.
7. In one sense, water is the commonest of liquids. In another sense, it is the most
uncommon of liquids with amazing properties which are responsible for its
unique power of maintaining animal and plant life.