The ‘great future of the country’?

Conversation among passengers and driver of a shared taxi, overheard when passing the Orto–Tokoi reservoir on the Naryn–Bishkek highway on September 24, 2014: Woman 1

My, the water reservoir is low now.

Driver

Yes, even though this region has had more rain than others this year.

Woman 2

I drove past the Toktogul water reservoir the other day – there is almost no water left!

Driver (grunts)

Yes, they sold the water over the summer.

Woman 1

It’s good that they are building new hydropower stations higher up in Naryn region.

Driver

Yeah, but now there is no money for building. It all depends on Putin’s policy.