Date:02/05/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/05/02/stories/2004050211920300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

A mission to quench parched throats

By Divya Sreedharan

Two water cans kept at a BMTC bus stop on Magadi Road to quench the thirst of people. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar

BANGALORE, MAY 1. It's a scorching afternoon and Priya Reddy (name changed) is extremely thirsty as she waits for a bus on Magadi Road. There are no refreshment stalls in the area and the college student thinks she will be able to quench her thirst only when she reaches home. That is when she notices two big water cans near the bus stop. A notice on the cans says: "Drinking water — for the use of thirsty commuters."

Like Priya, thousands of people have seen, rejoiced, and used water cans installed at 25 bus stops in the city - primarily around Magadi Road, Sunkadakatte, and Rajajinagar areas. The mysterious good Samaritans are a business family from Bashyam Circle in Rajajinagar. They sell paan, betel nut, and banana leaves at their shop, "R.V. Bhadraiah", situated next to their house.

"The shop is named after our father," says Shivakumar (29), one of Mr. Bhadraiah's two sons.

He says the family is involved in the "water can project".

"My father started it 15 years ago because he believes God has been very kind to him. He began with nothing and is now doing well. This is his way of giving something back," Mr. Shivakumar says.

Every day, Mr. Bhadraiah, his sons, or their shop assistants cover a 25-km. radius. "We have four autorickshaws that we use to transport goods to our shop. We carry the water cans in them and do two or three refills a day," Mr. Shivakumar says. In summer, the cans empty quickly. "We do not supply bottled water, we use the well in our house."

According to him, there is a story behind the well. "In our area, lots of people dug wells but found no water. When my father dug a well, he found water. He took that as a favourable sign." Filling the cans cost them Rs. 500 a day. "We don't consider this a chore. This is something we consider our duty. Besides, Rs. 500 is an amount we can easily spend on cigarettes and alcohol instead," he says. That's not all. They construct concrete benches at bus stops without amenities.

In the coming days, the Bhadraiah family plans to increase the number of "water holes" by another 50.

"We are ready to supply water cans to those who want to do something similar," Mr. Shivakumar says.

To contact Mr. Shivakumar, call 9844358514.