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Water kiosks dot Rajasthan's roadsides

          Jaipur: As the summer intensifies, locals in Rajasthan have set up water kiosks along roads for thirsty travellers. Rajasthan cherishes a tradition of offering water to travelers during the summer. Several individuals and institutions have set up water kiosks along roads and national highways during the months of May to July. "This custom has been carrying on for the last 30 to 40 years, maybe even longer. Many people have put up coolers. People travel so much in the heat. This way they can drink water, quench their thirst and even rest for a few minutes," said Abdul, a local. Water is stored in earthen pots to keep it cool. "It is so hot in the summer. When a traveler feels thirsty, he can drink this cold water and quench his thirst. He will, in return, pray to the God for the person who has put up the cooler," said Rinku. Many locals have gone a step further and have installed expensive water coolers to quench the thirst of the commuters. Each of these coolers costs between fifty thousand and sixty thousand rupees to install and maintain it.
-May 7,  2007