The Felaj

Ancient engineering skills are something that surprises our minds since during that period heavy machinery and other forms of equipment we have today weren’t available. One of such systems that requires mention is the Felaj system of irrigation in Oman. The Felaj system is seen across Oman and some parts of Iran and Iraq and these systems have a history of more than 3000 years. The system known as Felaj (p. Aflaj) was built for extensive irrigation needs of this region since the region is a semi-arid terrain and rainfall is scarce. This system is an engineering marvel of ancient Arabia.

The system is actually a network of channels that pass through an entire village supplying water from a hidden source somewhere at the foot of the mountains.It acts as arteries of water that supplies the entire region. The system has a mother well from which water is channeled into the villages and water can be used from these small networks of the Felaj system. The Felaj are seen all over Oman and have different varieties. In Iran it is called Qanat and is of slightly a different form having a large mother well and a number of vertical shafts. The Omani Felaj system is of ancient origin dating back to as early as 2500 B.C.

This system can provide water across large areas and some of the Felaj extend upto 12 Kms or more. The water supply increases with rain and may be scarce during intense summer but it provides water almost all year round. These Aflaj are found in almost every part of Oman and there are about 3000 of such systems at present.The Aflaj system has been included in the world Heritage sites by UNESCO.

The photos show an old Felaj in the village of Imty which has gone dry. This system consists of a source well hidden from view at the foot of the mountains bordering the village. The water is carried from there through underground channel of the felaj and flows into the village. The felaj consists of small wells in to which the water is fed. These wells are about 10-12 metres in depth and the water flows through it and emerges out from another well from at the other side of the village about 100metres away. The system then runs across other fields and houses in the village. The water flows in the well (gharraq) and reaches another one and flows out through it (fallah). The entire artery is hidden from view and lies beneath the land.

Another interesting fact is the material used in the construction of this sophisticated network of water channels. The felaj is strengthened and cemented with a material known as Surookh, which could be called ancient cement. The material is made from the wood of a tree which is burnt to ashes and used for cementing the Felaj. The material is strong and still remains as it is without much damage.

The engineering and science used in these systems make us think about the expertise that the ancient generations had and this system is a remarkable asset to the Omani History.

 

sources: My travels to the A'Dakhiliyah region

Photos from the Wilayat of Izki

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1207

A city rain...

The monsoon has arrived and the sky is darker above with life sprouting underneath. The wind is heavy and cold but pleasant and it tickles the heart as it passes through you. The city beneath is waiting for a bath. Rain in cities is a mess. The cloudy skies make you happy expecting a downfall that would bring blessings, but the city never likes it. It is clogged, heavy and busy and the trickles and drizzles would bring rainfall that fills it. I can see the dark big clouds blanketing the jungle of cement and bricks. The blue and pink villas are now dark and waiting for the rainfall. The sky looks breath-taking with the blue clouds over the white ones and the string of orange sunshine struggling to pass through it.

 And it rains, it rains heavy. The water swells up on the ground and the narrow gulley is filled with mucky water. People run to the sides of tea stalls and small shops, standing under the sign boards wet but safe from drenching in the rainwater. When you look at the sky an overwhelming feel of happiness with awe strikes you. It is indeed a blessing. The dry atmosphere has been changed within seconds to pleasant one.

But cities get crowded with rainfall. The bustling markets get even thicker with traffic and the atmosphere is filled with loud sounds of autorickshaw horns and vrooming of those light weight motor bikes. It gets even dirtier with puddles of rainwater on the road mixed with the overflow of the drainage system. Whatever messiness it creates one cannot take away happiness from rain. It is happiness and it is pouring down on every particle of the brown soil. Sitting cross-legged on the terrace I sip a hot cup of tea watching the rain, watching blessing in water form….

FAITH II

The aspect of faith that reveals itself to human is that which brings a stronger affinity towards faith in something that you believe. This aspect is the unexpected events that occur in every human being’s life. We may call it ‘the miracle’. Sceptics may challenge this word as everything has a reason but within the boundaries of human thinking, some miracles haven’t got any reasons. This benefits the believers with the cementing of one’s faith.

Miracles are called so since men cannot comprehend cause of such an event. This exerts the view that Faith is real. While it is real it has many different dimensions as well as forms. These forms are according to the direction to which faith points. Reality is the One and when the path is towards it, faith exists in its realest form. Faith is believing in ‘al ghaib’ and believing in ‘al ghaib’ sweeps away the notion of reason. One wonders then why do we think, why is it a part of the human process and why is it encouraged in the holy book.

The answer lies in what faith is made of. To reach the epitome of faith one has to step on all the blocks of the staircase and reasoning helps in achieving one’s faith. In the case of the real faith which is the faith in the One, the Omnipotent, reason and intellect actually purports the very idea of learning his or her faith. Intellect supports his faith in the One. The Holy Quran encourages thinking and reasoning as it says

And it is He who spread the earth and placed therein firmly set mountains and rivers; and from all of the fruits He made therein two mates; He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought. (Al Quran 13:3)

These signs are a stimulator of thoughts that provide the impetus to think about god and get close to him and ultimately be a devout human being. It strengthens the faith. In this respect intellectual capability and logical reasoning channelled in the desired way will lead to faith in the one and only god. It begins or initiates the belief in god and is the step of the staircase. Miracles are also similar to these signs but they may have no reason that can be understood by men but it surely shoots in a thought of God and this starts the process towards the faith in him. In both ways, faith is instilled in one’s mind. They are a source to belief or faith.

Faith Involves reasoning and logic but depending on it entirely is detrimental for faith itself. Reasoning and logic are modes to reach a conclusion and in the case of faith in God too it is implemented, but man has a limitation; the limitation that was created by God and there are matters above the boundary of man’s thought which may baffle his mind but is an ultimate truth and believing in it confirms his faith. One can say reason and intellect will lead you to faith and the belief in the unseen confirms it.

FAITH I

Faith 

Faith is the contentment that one receives when submitted to a source of power. Faith is a strong bond, an internal one that connects you to someone else, and eternal faith is that which connects you to the supreme, the merciful, the compassionate and the planner.

During the childhood days we were innocent, we believed what people said. Our relatives, parents and siblings told us stories that made us excited and wondered at and we just believed it completely. We felt the stories, saw it and heard it as if It was real. This was because the mind and heart was clear. We had faith. We felt, whatever they said was true, was clear. The innocence brought us faith and it wasn’t the faith and trust towards the parent but when we dwell into the entire concept, we find that the ability to believe comes from a clean and pure heart, and that creates the trust. This is from a belief, a belief on someone who blew life into us, and that is faith.

The ultimate faith is towards god, the supreme power and faith means to submit in entirety. This we did when our minds were clear and innocent during the blissful days of childhood. But some may wonder, we didn’t have knowledge, we didn’t have the ability to understand the right from the wrong, and then how can one say that was faith. But that was indeed real faith, the faith that was already in us.

The faith in God and his powers was already ingrained into us from birth. It was just there. The things that happened next could be called the undoing of faith and the struggle of the soul against it. Quite philosophical but when thought in through this angle, it fits. The faith is to believe in something without any conditions. It is an unconditional love and belief for someone and it could be done and given to only a supreme power, or at least only to a single element and that one is God.

The love that comes after it is all part of the existence of God and the faith you have in him. The degree of faith is the crucial issue. People may believe in him or deny him. In the people who believe in him there are different degrees of belief and faith relies on these degrees. The Holy books tells us to reach the epitome of faith, to believe whatever he is and whatever comes from him unconditionally and when you can do it then you are the believer or as Quran terms him/her AlMu’min. The Quran explains it beautifully:

“Alif, Lam, Meem. This is the Book about which there is no doubt, guidance for those conscious of Allah. Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them”(AlQuran Ch2:V1,2,3) .

This explicitly states the belief in the unseen and that is an important part of the faith. Faith is strong when he can believe the unseen, the unfelt without a fragment of incredulity. He can believe whatever is given to him and he is known as the Muthaqi or one who is conscious of god. Faith is in believing something without any doubt, with absolute surety  and submitting to the belief completely.

                                            

A Nap...

After a small nap(quite small isn't it) , im back. It is again a series of thoughts that i will pen down and please do ponder over the content of the writings. It is something that goes in and out of our heads during the daily drudges of our lives. It also comes in with its fragrance when something happy happens to us. It is called faith, the entire concept gets discussed here

:)

CAMPUS POLITICS II

The Right Way

If we look at the campuses of today, most of them are politics free. i.e. no political influence is felt directly on the students and staff of the colleges . This has greatly influenced the reactive power as well as awareness among the youth of today. The campus should have politics or a democratic system that could firstly mold the minds of the students into a socially active one and secondly help in achieving the rights of the students as well as performing their duties. The self-managed colleges(not all) have taken out this system of politics from their campuses so that there can be a peaceful college life without any strikes, agitations and bloodshed. But this isn’t the real reason. The point behind it is that the  Colleges can run themselves without any hassles and could function without the questioning of the students if the students aren’t organized. This helps in bringing rules and regulations according to the whims of the college management without any resistance if needed. Hence the colleges may look like one with five star facilities with students achieving curricular gains but in reality the college gives nothing but money vending machines.

Social awareness and activism is born in the college days for most of the youth and this can be achieved by college politics which help in waking the active gene of the youth. The present educational scenario has created a myth that politics ruins student life and education as a whole but in reality good political life at college nurtures an all-round development that could help in serving the nation in the future. Here the conflict is between politics itself. It is between the bad politics played by people who don the face of not politicizing the campus but in reality play cruel politics behind the wall and people who genuinely and sincerely want to help the students and society. Politics doesn’t have pros and cons but it is the good politics which is the pro and bad politics is the con. The game of violent campus politics is a result of such subjugation and intolerance from the men who are against politicizing the campus.

Good politics would help in building the campus into a better one and could bring more activities and help in the wholesome development of students personality .student activities shouldn’t be controlled and it should be left to the students with the governance of the staff so that it could bring some color to the campus.

CAMPUS POLITICS

The present campus scene has witnessed changes that is slowly washing away the political presence in the campus. This has made me think, whether politics is necessary in college or is it of harm.

Politics is a part of every citizen in this nation. The world's largest democracy is maybe the only nation that is truly gripped by politics and political changes.The youth represents the spirit of democracy and colleges are the field where it can be practiced. 
Politics in campus has awakened the social senses of the students and taught them to struggle, resist and fight.It has taught the youth to be brave ,be socially right and fight against injustice. The youth has the power to do it and politics forms an umbrella for them. The colleges in Kerala is seeing a slow withdrawal of political influence from campus life. some say politics has made the campus filthy. Bloodshed and dirty strikes create a gruesome atmosphere but i feel it is better to have it than not because without politics or a socially active environment, the college dies. The campus is simply buried alive because there is no moral obligation for his/her study and politics tries to bring it. The chance for students to be socially aware is withdrawn and the campus creates guinea pigs with ID cards around their necks as it is being done in some campuses. The students learn to become mere audience and in the future it will create socially dumb citizens who gulp down whatever given to them.
Politics here does not mean you need to be a Party member but it means you need to be spirited,aware and a social.