Life on Earth in 2124

It is the year 2124; Shivaram and Shakthi are thirty. Shivaram hails from Kerala, in the southern part of India, and Shakthi from Uttarakhand, in the northern part of India. They studied Artificial Intelligence in India. The course was four years long, two years in India and the other two years in the USA. They were together while studying in the USA. Kiran, twenty-eight years old, from Karnataka, did his UG in Computer Science.

Shivaram and Shakthi work from home, so going to the office is rare. They work for different organisations. They reside in a fifty-story building. They have AI-powered Robots for cooking, serving, and housekeeping. They order everything from home. They both maintain electric-powered cars. All cars are AI-driven and automatic.

The increase in world population was exponential from 2024 onwards, with all governments encouraging and providing incentives. Governments have offered child-care centres to look after and develop children in all aspects. Governments have encouraged couples interested in having children through fertility centres. With the increase in population, the infrastructural requirements increased, leading to various issues.

 The construction of urban high-rise buildings to accommodate population growth caused deforestation with little scope for tree plantation. Plantation accounted for 1% of the deforestation. Deforestation has a long-lasting effect on the environment. The oxygen supply from grown-up trees will be several times higher than that from fresh plants, reducing the oxygen in the air. The increased use of four-wheelers and vehicles and their carbon emissions increased the temperatures. Governments encouraged electric vehicles and banned diesel and petrol vehicles. The increase in population and the use of electric cars necessitated increased electricity use. With water depletion in rivers, producing hydropower was a problem, and people were to depend on solar or wind power.

Staying home all day and night with only two was challenging and testing. Hence, they made it a point to arrange or attend get-togethers with friends on weekends. They participated in parties with other relations.

Drinking Water Problem

The major problem for the people was the scarcity of drinking water. With urbanisation, people encroached on water tanks and reservoirs and constructed massive high-rise concrete structures. The deforestation and concretisation of towns and cities led to a rise in day temperatures up to 55 degrees centigrade, and the use of air conditioners during the day and night increased.

 Several people died of the heat wave when they came out. The death rate was more in the case of older persons.

With the rise in temperatures, the snow on the Himalayas melted away, and the rivers were dry. The government instituted a committee to find solutions for drinking water and the use of seawater in developing forests. People took baths once a week. The fresh potable water supplied in half-litre and one-litre bottles was strictly for drinking. In ceremonies and functions, they restricted the use of drinking water. Wasting water was a punishable offence under the law. Hence, everyone was using water carefully.

Environmental Changes

The stones and coarse aggregate required to construct urban structures and infrastructure like roads,  bridges, flyovers,  railway tracks, and airports were from cutting hillocks and mountains. The reduction in mountains and hillocks and the construction of high-rise buildings elsewhere caused an imbalance in the Earth's natural formation. The Earth's axis is tilted at 23.4 degrees and will likely change due to the imbalance. This change in rotation angle affects the Earth's seas and its magnetic gravitational power. Scientists were studying the long-term effects of these changes on the human body. 

Simultaneously, scientists explored other planets within the solar system for water, minerals, and human habitation. Several governments are exploring the planets and their moons in the solar family, starting with Jupiter, Mars, and Titan- Saturn's moon. Several spaceships with astronauts were exploring the above planets and their moons. People were pinching their hopes of getting water from Titan.  

Why Titan

There are hundreds of moons in our solar system. Titan is planet Saturn's largest moon. Scientists think Titan has an atmosphere similar to Earth, with clouds, rivers, lakes, and seas. Hence, they hope for life on Titan. Its atmosphere consists of nitrogen, methane, and ethane. The seas are similar to those on Earth.

All country heads collaborated to encourage their space scientists to explore Titan. This unified effort underscores humanity's shared interest and collective ambition in understanding and potentially inhabiting other planets.

Scientists have scant idea of life's existence on Titan. They based their imagination on earlier spaceships exploring other planets.

Three humans, Shivaram, Shakthi, and Kiran, were chosen to explore Titan.

All three took a three-year degree course on space travel and underwent additional training at the space station in the USA. The training was rigorous for one year. The astronauts were to investigate the possibility of life and rain from Titan to Earth.

All three entered the spaceship on the prescribed day. It took off according to schedule, and the ground control station was in constant touch with the astronauts.

Their travel to Titan was without any difficulty, and their spaceship landed on Titan as scheduled.

Titan the Gandharva Land

 As they exited the spaceship, several microorganisms surrounded them. They moved around these three. Kiran could catch one of the microorganisms. Then, all of a sudden, the organism in his hand blew itself into a gigantic figure twelve feet in height with a hefty personality and red cricket ball-sized eyes. Shivaram called them Gandharva. With this, all other microorganisms took their regular shapes. The astronauts were astounded at this happening.

The Gandharva leader touched Shivaram with his right forefinger and signalled to question him. Shivaram understood and told in English that they were from the Earth. The Gandharva called his colleague and asked him to translate Shivaram's spoken words. He asked Shivaram to speak again, towards his right palm.

As Shivaram spoke, it translated into their language, saying, "We are humans from India, a country on Earth. We are on a mission to explore the Titan and came by this spaceship."

For this, the head of the Gandharva group, Vishnu Pada, said, "You are from a different planet and have arrived on Titan without permission. You need to appear before a committee and explain. We will thoroughly investigate you all and your spaceship. Then, the planet head will decide."

The astronauts heard his words when the head spoke with his right palm. They could not hear his words when his palm was closed, so they could not understand the Gandharva conversation. The Gandharvas took them for further investigation.

Astronauts were surprised at their technology. Their right palm was their laptop. The head Gandharva operated with eye signals. Their hands were double the size of humans. Everything was visible in their hands.

The astronauts were afraid after observing Gandharva's advanced knowledge.

Then, Vishnu Pada ordered their scanning. One of the Gandharvas came with a cylindrical bag and asked Shivaram to enter. Once Shivaram entered, the Gandhrva closed and switched the bag. Then, the bag looked bright with lights inside for a few seconds, and the scanning was complete. The Gandhrva removed some sheets from inside the bag and stored them aside.

The scanning recorded their identity. It recorded the space suit's external features, internal materials, physical body features of the person, internal organs, mind reading and body skeleton. Once a person enters the bag, it records all the details with high-precision technology. They scanned all three and their spaceship.

Astronauts Imprisoned

Vishnu Pada saw the scanning reports. Though there was nothing abnormal, he ordered their imprisonment. The prison head, Sarveshu, was happy that someone had come to the prison and that he had work.

After the scanning, the astronauts changed into their regular clothes. Shivaram and Kiran wore white half-hands shirts with two pockets and pants. Shakthi wore a light green pure silk saree embroidered with flowers, a red border, and a matching blouse.

Shakthi removed the knot on her circular-shaped braided long hair, allowing it to fall free and dance on her back. She wore gold earrings attached with bell-shaped hangings, which attracted the observer's attention. She had a beaming face with bright, piercing eyes. She made up her lips with lipstick.

Shakthi looked beautiful in this dress, doubling her beauty with Titan's fresh air and pleasant atmosphere. Baffled, Shivaram stared at her as if seeing Shakthi for the first time. Shakthi looked at Shivaram, and their eyes met; he pulled her onto his lap, and they hugged.

Sarveshu allotted each of them a separate room in the prison. It was not like a prison but a posh guest house with a bed and attached toilets. They were alone in the room and not expected to converse with others.

Sampreethi Loves Kiran

Kiran wanted to test them and said, "I want Indian mutton Biryani from Hyderabad."

The voice laughed at him and said, "Keep silent. Don't think you are an intelligent person. We are several hundred times more intelligent than you people. We can read your minds and understand your necessities. Are you feeling hungry? No, you are bluffing. I warn you not to play tricks here."

Then, the voice figure appeared. Sarveshu said, "Yes, Sampreethi, why did you come here? If you had sent a word, I would have appeared before you. What do you require?"  

Sampreethi said, "I want to talk to prisoner Kiran."

Then Sarveshu left. With the behaviour of the Sarveshu, Kiran understood that Sampreethi commands respect.

Sampreethi told Kiran, "You should know that we Gandhravas on Titan are pure vegetarians. Animals are our God-given friends. If we start killing them, there will be an imbalance in the environment. We don't do anything that disturbs the natural God-given environment. That is the reason we are more developed than human beings. Presently, all humans are suffering from their fault of neglecting nature."

 Sampreethi continued, "You people on Earth do not know how to utilise the resources provided by nature. God has provided forests, animals, creatures, seas, rivers, and natural lakes. You are drifting away from naturally available foods to AI-generated or chemically processed foods, affecting your health with co-morbid diseases. You have polluted your environment with urbanisation, deforestation, and air pollution."

Sampreethi's argument convinced Kiran. As people don't care for nature's environment, animals from the forest enter residential areas, spoil crops, and threaten human life. Today, humans and animals search for drinking water on Earth. On Earth, people live without caring for the environment.

Then,  Sampreethi put a plate of vegetable biryani before Kiran. The girl was gorgeous and attracted Kiran at first sight. She understood Kiran's feelings for her from her vision and mind. Kiran felt Sampreethi was playful and merciful and wanted to be near her. Sampreethi, too, wanted to be close to Kiran.

Kiran said, "Thank you for the biryani."

She was shy, with her face down, and did not speak. Kiran understood her feelings, got up from his seat, approached her, and put his hands on her waist. She did not resist. Suddenly, Sampreethi changed to human form, stood close and put her right hand around  Kiran. The overjoyed Kiran hugged her, and she enjoyed it. They both enjoyed the vegetable biryani.

Sampreethi and Kiran met daily, feeding each other biryani in the prison, and enjoyed.

Shivaram and Shakthi sensed the smell of the biryani from their rooms and came out into the hall. They found a girl feeding Kiran. They were surprised at this girl. On seeing Shivaram and Shakthi, Sampreethi stood up and took her Gandharva shape. Kiran also stood up and told Shivaram and Shakthi that the girl was Sampreethi, a Gandharva girl. Sampreethi looked down, feeling shy, and stood beside Kiran, taking the human shape. To Shakthi, they both looked as if made for each other, and Shivaram and Shakthi blessed them. Shakthi told Sampreethi that she looked more beautiful in human form. Sampreethi offered them biryani.  

Elders Committee to decide the fate of Astronauts

The next day, the prison officials took them to Ved Bramha. The Gandharva officials asked the astronauts to follow them. They made the astronauts become flying microorganisms, flying along with them.

There were no transport or freight vehicles on the Titan. The Gandharvas managed their transport, becoming microorganisms and flying. After some time of flying, they were before the committee for interrogation. The flying was pleasant for the astronauts, who could not find the distance travelled. Shivaram felt as if he had travelled several thousand kilometres.

Ved Bramha and several other Titan elders were sitting in the hall.

All the people were twelve feet tall except for a few slightly shorter women. The women's clothes were of coloured leaves and flowers pasted with tree adhesives on plant fibre cloth, and the men's were of plain plant fibre cloth joined with tree adhesives. Men and women covered their lower bodies below the navel up to the knees, and women extended their clothes to cover their chest and part of their back. 

Sarveshu projected all the scanning reports of the astronauts and the spaceship on the big screen in the hall. The elderly people in the hall found nothing abnormal except their coming to Titan. Nothing was abnormal in their spaceship, either. They discussed among themselves and found that it was not the fault of the astronauts but the people who sent them to Titan. These astronauts are the tools in the hands of their organisers.

The committee members asked if the astronauts had to say anything before they made a decision.

For this, Shivaram said, "Our primary purpose of visiting Titan is for water. We are now facing a scarcity of drinking water on Earth, and we are afraid that our future generations may not have drinking water at all.

We hoped for water on Titan and tried to find out if it was available on Earth. To our surprise, we found Gandharva's life here. Now, you can consider our requirements and decide.  

We request that you provide us with drinking water for Earth. Earlier, Lord Shiva released the River Ganga at the request of 'Maharshi Bhagirath.' Today, we are happy with the River Ganga. With that hope, we came here.

The Gandharva committee has to decide what action to take against these astronauts for their unauthorised entry onto Titan and whether to provide water to Earth. The committee authorised Ved Bramha to make a final decision on these issues.

Ved Bramha was in a dilemma and asked his men to contact the ground control station to find out the truth. He informed the scientists there that their astronauts were on Titan as prisoners and that the head of Titan, Ved Bramha, wanted to speak with them. The scientists at the ground control were amazed at this talk. The head scientist came in contact to talk with Ved Bramha.  

Ved Bramha first informed the scientists that their astronauts Shivaram, Shakthi and Kiran were on Titan as prisoners and enquired whether these three people were from India and sent by you.

The Indian head scientist said, "On behalf of the world countries, we sent Shivaram, Shakthi, and Kiran to explore Titan to determine the availability and possibility of drinking water on Earth. We never expected that there would be life on Titan. We are happy to find life on Titan. We request that you consider our proposal. We now hope for a positive response from your side."  

In a consoling voice, Ved Bramha said, " Dear Scientist, I have noted your request for drinking water. Your people also told me about the Earth's fresh, potable water requirement. Our clouds will provide rain in your mountainous regions and plains so that your rivers flow fully and you can cultivate on plains. If you don't use these resources properly, you will face problems again."

All the heads of the nations agreed and thanked Ved Bramha for the help.

On Tour of Titan

Ved Bramha ordered one Gandharva to show these three humans the Titan. The astronauts came out of the hall. One Gandharva was ready to take them on a tour of the Titan. Sampreethi accompanied them. The Gandharva did not object because Sampreethi was Ved Bramha's daughter. The Gandharva made these humans microorganisms, and all of them flew. They saw rivers flowing with clean water, lakes and tanks full of water, and seas with fish. The mountains were full of snow coverings. They had palatial independent houses with open spaces. Their open spaces were full of trees and greenery and well maintained. The houses were of wooden structures and sloping roofs.

 At night, they provided palace-like accommodation in the cities of Titan. For Shivaram and Shakthi, it was like a foreign tour at the cost of Gandharvas. For Kiran and Sampreethi, it was a delightful experience.

 Their forests were full of trees and animals enjoying life. Their tour ended after about five days near the hall.

Ved Bramha bids Farewell to his daughter

Ved Bramha was waiting for them. He said, 'It is now time to return to Earth.'  Then Sampreethi posed a problem, saying she was in love with Kiran and wanted to live with him.

Ved Bramha was in a dilemma about whether to permit her. Finally, the committee members came to her rescue and told Ved Bramha to allow her with one condition: She should never return to Titan, embody the shape of a human being on Earth, and leave all her miracle powers on Titan. Sampreethi accepted all their conditions.

The committee asked an elderly Gandharva woman to give  Sampreethi a permanent human body and remove all her Gandharva powers. The woman elder took Sampreethi to a nearby river and dipped her in the river three times, performing the pooja. Shakthi gave one of her dresses to Sampreethi, and Sampreethi became a human.

She took blessings from her parents. Ved Bramha was in tears, for his daughter was going to Earth, leaving him and the Titan's life facilities. The committee members consoled him. Finally, Ved Bramha and his wife blessed Sampreethi. Sampreethi was in tears and left her parents.

Astronauts Safe Return to Earth

The spaceship landed in the Bay of Bengal. Indian Air Force helicopters picked them up and flew them to the space station. The Indian navy also picked up the spaceship and sent it to the space station for further investigation. All four were safe, and all countries welcomed them warmly.

On the astronauts' return, rain fell worldwide, improving the freshwater availability in all rivers and for agriculture. This rainfall increased tree growth, and forests flourished. All countries imposed strict measures on tree cutting. With increased per capita green cover and decreased pollution levels, fewer people were suffering from health issues. The temperatures became normal. People enjoyed their lives.

Kiran's parents were happy with Sampreethi and lavishly arranged their marriage. All the Indian and foreign space scientists attended and blessed the couple. Shivaram and Shakthi lived in their flat as usual.

***********The End****************

Note: This is purely a story of imagination. Please read and enjoy.

About the Author: Dr M. Prabhakar is eighty-one years old, retired from the teaching profession, and lives in Hyderabad, India.