Jae Deal

Just to add some deeper context to the previous answer - I wrote my thesis on Indian labor literature, and Mukesh's story is really significant.

Mukesh represents the conflict between tradition and modernity in developing India. Here's what his ambition really meant:

Symbolically, his dream to be a motor mechanic represented: - Social mobility - moving from unorganized to organized sector - Geographical freedom - escaping the confined spaces of bangle factories - Economic empowerment - potentially earning a stable wage - Personal agency - making his own choices rather than following family tradition

The heartbreaking reality the story explores is whether Mukesh could actually achieve his ambition. The systemic barriers were enormous: - Lack of education and resources - Family obligations and expectations - Social structures that maintained the status quo - Economic pressures of immediate survival vs long-term dreams

What many readers miss: The story isn't just about Mukesh's individual ambition - it's about whether entire communities can break free from cycles of poverty. The author leaves it somewhat open-ended whether Mukesh would actually achieve his dream, making it a powerful commentary on social change in India.

The full story explores these themes beautifully if you can find the complete text.

That's a really complex and often politically charged question! The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) is responsible for managing the water resources from the Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams (among other works) on the Satluj and Beas rivers, primarily supplying water to the partner states: Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, plus the water needs of Delhi and Himachal Pradesh.

Here’s the rundown on how they manage the yearly water sharing:

### 1. The Basis of Allocation

The yearly share isn't decided on a whim but is based on inter-state agreements that have been in place for decades.

• Sutlej Water: The distribution of the Satluj river water (from the Bhakra-Nangal system) is governed by the Bhakra-Nangal Agreement (1959). This is generally fixed and based on factors like the command area, water allowance, and capacity factors for the partner states.
• Ravi-Beas Surplus Water: The surplus water of the Ravi and Beas rivers is distributed based on the Punjab Re-organization Act, 1966, and subsequent notifications/agreements. The shares are also largely fixed, subject to the total annual flow. For instance, the total distributable flow has a set allocation, and if the total supply varies, the shares are changed pro-rata on that allocation.

### 2. The Yearly Planning Cycle

The water year runs from May 21st to May 20th of the subsequent year. This is divided into two phases:

• Filling Period (May 21st to September 20th): During the monsoon season, the dams' reservoirs are filled. Deliveries to the states are given as per the requirements projected and decided in the monthly Technical Committee Meetings (TCM). The TCM is critical, as it takes into account the current water levels, the expected inflows (monsoon forecast), and the states' indents.
• Depletion Period (September 21st to May 20th): Water is released from the reserves to meet irrigation and power needs. Releases are made strictly as per the requirements projected by the states and the decisions taken at the monthly TCMs.

Essentially, the overall share is fixed by historical agreements, but the day-to-day and month-to-month release is a dynamic decision made in the TCMs based on hydrology, reservoir levels, and the immediate needs of the partner states. It's a constant balancing act!