Agra:
For more than 32 years now, a group of good samaritans religiously sit every summer at busiest crossings across the city and offer cool water to commuters sweating buckets under the searing weather.
Seventy seven-year-old Bankey Lal Maheshwari, chief of Sri Nath ji Nishulk Jal Sewa, who has been spearheading the initiative, said, “The service was first started in early 1980s, but was expanded in 1987 after a tragic train accident drove city residents to help the injured and offer them water at Raja ki Mandi railway station.”
At present, there are more than 42 such kiosks around the city, which are run by volunteers. Interestingly, Jal Sewa is not a registered body and primarily depends on people’s contribution. Besides water kiosks, Mahehwari has also installed 101 ice boxes in front of many business establishments.
“Many business houses and residents come to me and promise to provide daily requirement of water. We open kiosks at such places. Generally, it is the older people who volunteer for work. The elderly brave the heat but sit at kiosks all day to offer water to people,” Maheshwari added.
A little amount of Kewra (pandanus flower) water is mixed to give it a distinct, pleasant smell.
However, the work of providing water to people is not as straight forward as it seems. Maheshwari has to keep a tab on the inventory. “Every year, we lose around 55 drums each costing Rs 400 and 1,200 mugs priced at Rs 10 each. There is no help from the administration, but we continue to provide our services,” he added.
However, Maheshwari and his team’s effort does not go in vain – what they get in return for their endeavor is public appreciation. “What Jal Sewa is doing is great. The Jal Sewa maintains a high standard of hygiene at every kiosk,” said Sandeep Sharma, who works at Sanjay Place.
Surendra Sharma, 70, said, “Agra faces problem of water scarcity. So there could not be a better way to serve the society. Every day hundreds of people benefit from this service.”
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Agra / by Aditya Dev / TNN / May 03rd, 2016