What’s in a tank? No this is not about what’s inside the tank but about the tank per se.
Punjab, the land of five rivers is now divided between India and Pakistan. The five rivers – Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej – all merge in to single entity the Indus. The land between these five rivers is blessed with richness of soil and is inhabited with hard working people. In the Indian portion it is the “doaba” region of Punjab – area between Beas & Sutlej – that is not only rich from farming activity but also due to remittances from its famous export “the punjabi NRI”!
While motoring through Punjab recently I observed something which also reflects another important facet of Punjabi ethos If you have it flaunt it!!” Punjabis are most image concious people and they will do anything and evrything to show off even if they do not have it. You do not believe me? See the Limousine below that is increasingly being used for ferrying “Barat” and “Doli”….I rest my case.
The latest being the humble plastic tank on the top of the roof. It is virtually evolving as if an ugly looking worm sprouts its wings and becomes a beautiful butterfly! Lowly water tank is an essential part of the house but hold it just there as an evolution is happening to the design of lowly water tank. Mind boggling shapes and sizes are appearing on the roof top of the prosperous NRI funded households. See the two images below and compare the difference yourself.
Thanks to my friend Sameer Suneja for pointing this out during our last outing so that I was prepared to shoot various shapes on roof tops this time.
PS: Sorry for the dates on the pictures, these were shot during early part of October 2007 but I am clumsy when it comes to finding how to set the date properly.
PS:PS: Interestningly a few months later after this post I saw a similar article published in the News Today daily published out of Delhi. Co-incidence?