Water-Engineer-Power-Demirel

Years ago, I had finished my doctorate and become an assistant professor. May God bless the administrators of that time; they gave me my position as soon as I finished my doctorate.

There was no need to seek approval from sects whose names I had never heard of, as is the case now. 

These were the times when the Pennsylvanians were just starting to flourish, but were not yet in the senate.

These were times when, if you met the established academic requirements and rules, you could easily obtain a position.

In other words, an era of merit and competence.

Anyway, with the enthusiasm of working at one of the world's most prestigious, generous, and high-level intellectual academic environments like Anadolu University, we were feeling quite confident.

Then, notices regarding our military service obligation, which we had deferred due to our doctorate, began to arrive one after another.

Demanding that I report for military service as soon as possible.

While we were deferring our military service with medical reports obtained from our doctor friends during call-up periods, an urgent letter stamped by the General Staff landed on my desk.

“Either report for military service or your public sector employment contract will be terminated.”

I immediately rushed to the military recruitment office.

When it turned out the head of the office was from my hometown, we struck up quite a conversation.

One of the primary traits I missed while living abroad, “hometown camaraderie,” instantly gave me the feeling that it would be useful.

Together, we immediately headed for the military hospital.

The 5-10 day medical reports for high fever, diarrhea, fatigue, or a sprained ankle that my doctor friends used to provide from the emergency room were no longer working. My trick had been figured out.

The new report had to be obtained from the Military Hospital.

In other words, I had to get an official report, but I wasn't actually sick or anything.

When I saw the Military Hospital's chief physician, a colonel with furrowed brows and a stern gaze, I thought to myself that there was no turning back; from here, I would go straight to the military gate, and perhaps end up at a border outpost as a penalty for my delayed service.

As I was thinking about calling home to have them pack a bag, that stern-looking colonel suddenly turned into a sweet, grandfatherly figure.

He looked at my file and said, 'Son, you're an engineer, right?' 

I thought he must have had a change of heart.

That was not the case.

Once he realized I was an academic, he wanted to help me, thinking I might have academic work.

And he did help.

After all, he was a real soldier, a graduate of the old military academy.

He had graduated from GATA long before the era when exam questions were leaked.

A “high fever-diarrhea-dizziness-fatigue” By obtaining another report, I gained time to complete my academic work before the next summons.

I was overjoyed.

“What a great guy,” I thought to myself about the colonel. 

He understood my situation.

I served my 12 months of military service as a lieutenant, unlike those who pay their way out or immigrants who receive citizenship for free.

I am glad I did.

I had the honor of being a comrade-in-arms with Lieutenant Prof. Dr. Barış Doster, and I also realized how important water is as a substance.

I still haven't found the taste of the water I drank after hours of training we did in August, under the scorching sun.

Do not underestimate water.

It is necessary to know well the role of water and Hydraulic Engineering in the historical process.

Hydraulic Engineering has played a very important role in the emergence of ancient empires, as well as in their collapse.

Alacahöyük, Gölpınar Hittite Dam,

The Qanat water channel system built underground in Iran, 

Irrigation canals in Ancient Egypt,

Water cisterns in the Ottoman Empire, water dams built deep within the Belgrade Forest, irrigation canals in the Konya plain, 

The Hoover Dam built in America in the 1930s, and the more than 50 dams and irrigation structures built in the 1970s during the era of Süleyman Demirel, the 'King of Dams,' and The Atatürk and Keban Dams built on the Euphrates, 

Massive dams like the Deriner, built on the Çoruh in recent years.

All of these were built by ENGINEERS as WATER STRUCTURES to control water so that societies would not perish and could live in a civilized manner.

WATER is the main substance of both the Neolithic (Prehistoric) Revolution 10,000 years ago and the industrial revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries.

WATER is one of the most important factors in humanity's transition to a settled life.

WATER, which is necessary for agriculture and nutrition.

WATER, which powers ships through the steam generated by heating it.

WATER, which accumulates behind a dam and generates electrical energy through turbine wheels via free fall.

The Roman Aqua Deck, built years ago beyond the Unkapanı bridge in the Aksaray district of Istanbul, which provides for our personal hygiene and care. Roman Aqua Deck WATER coming from a dam built between mountains kilometers away. 

WATER, which adapts to its environment by taking the shape of the container it enters, and absorbs negative energies.

WATER, which shortens sea routes by thousands of kilometers and lifts gross-tonnage ships using the lock method in the Panama Canal project.

And the ENGINEER, who uses water for the benefit of humanity and creates added value.

The ENGINEER who builds the dam that collects water during rains.

The ENGINEER who utilizes stored water during dry days for both agricultural and vital needs.

The ENGINEER who establishes a system that provides water and electricity in our homes 365 days a year, regardless of rainfall.

The ENGINEER who generates electrical energy from the water stored in the dam.

The ENGINEER who raises fish in the water stored in the dam reservoir, feeding humanity.

The ENGINEER who builds dams that prevent flooding during excessive rainfall.

The ENGINEER who moderates the climate with the water stored in the dam reservoir.   

Societies that develop by optimizing the Power-Water-Engineer algorithm versus those that are left behind. 

Those who possess water reserves and the power of water, who convert the potential energy of water into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy, and who take the shape of the vessel they enter,  and thus strengthens his power.

When we look at the story of civil engineer Demirel with WATER, we can easily understand how he remained in power by building dams in front of the rushing rivers flowing in vain between valleys, how he left 6 times and returned 7 times during turbulent periods, and how he managed to dock the ship safely in the harbor, even if it was damaged, ultimately finishing his career as President.