Ring in rain

The failure of monsoon, people's inability to preserve water in ponds, lakes, wells and rivers has led to the chaos, described in your cover story "World of Cape Towns" (16-31 March, 2018). I was shocked to read that along with Cape Town and Beijing, Bengaluru will also face water crisis. India should sign an agreement with other countries for desalination. People should also recite T hi rug na na sam band ar (Tamil devotional poetry) that invoke rain. Some verses can be translated as follows: Verse: 1449 "Thirupathurai Lord is situated amongst fresh lush green climbers. He is the abode of knowledge. He has Ganga tied on to his head which is decorated with scented flowers." Verse: 1451 "He rose at Thirupathurai, liked milk and ghee. He wore the skin of the tiger and a rope on his chest which was glowing with Light." S NATARAJAN B A TAMIL NADU