ORDER

Aravind Kumar J— “Water, Water Everywhere, but not a drop to drink” are the words of celebrated English Poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)

Preface

In these petitions, an important issue touching the lives of human beings has come up for consideration namely, water which is one of the basic necessities for human existence. Several debates, discussions, deliberations, seminars across the world is being held or conducted on this vital subject since it has effects on the very existence of the human race.

2. Water is considered a purifier in most religions. Major faiths that incorporate ritual washing (ablution) include Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Rastafari movement, Shinto, Taoism, and Wicca. Immersion (or aspersion or affusion) of a person in water is a central sacrament of Christianity (where it is called baptism); it is also a part of the practice of other religions, including Islam (Ghusl), Judaism (mikvah) and Sikhism (Amrit Sanskar).

3. Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. Water covers 70.9% of the Earth’s surface, and is vital for all known forms of life. On Earth, 96.3% of the planet’s water is found is oceans, 1.7% in groundwater