Okhla’s unsung heroes quench thirst of strangers in scorching heat

With an intense heat-wave taking its toll on Delhi residents, including Okhlaiites, and temperatures regularly soaring beyond 45 degrees Celsius, one thing is in particularly high demand: clean, chilled drinking water available by the roadside. Come to Okhla, and you’ll witness the spirit of compassion flowing through the streets.

From Shaheen Bagh to Batla House, Okhla Head to Zakir Nagar, local residents have stepped up in remarkable ways by installing water coolers at street corners and outside shops to quench the thirst of daily commuters and underprivileged passersby.

These self-funded initiatives, not part of any official scheme, reflect the deep sense of community responsibility that Jamia Nagar has long been known for, said local resident Naseem Ur Rehman.

“In many places, these water stations operate throughout the day, offering chilled water to rickshaw pullers, labourers, street vendors, children, and the elderly walking under the blazing sun. In this heat, even a glass of water can feel like life-saving medicine,” he said.

Interestingly, most residents prefer to keep their efforts anonymous. Years ago, when a water cooler was installed on the main Abul Fazal Enclave road, the OT approached the person behind the initiative. He politely declined to reveal his identity, requesting that his name not be published. “We do this not for publicity, but because our faith and humanity both teach us to serve,” he said.

Though functional throughout the year, these coolers become crucial during peak summer. They are refilled around the clock, ensuring that poor residents, daily labourers, and others who cannot afford refrigerators or bottled water can quench their thirst free of cost.

At Okhla Head corner, one resident has placed a water cooler outside his house, offering it freely to anyone passing by. A little further toward Batla House, an industrialist too has set up a station on the main road, continuing the tradition of generosity.

On a humid afternoon, Mohsin, an auto driver, stopped to refill his bottle at one such cooler. A short line of people had already gathered to do the same. “This is a good initiative,” he said. “Whenever I come here to drop a passenger, I stop to fill my bottle. The weather is so hot and humid these days that you need water to stay hydrated,” he said.

“The initiative is not only easing physical hardship but also warming hearts. In a time when urban living is often associated with apathy, the residents of Jamia Nagar are setting an inspiring example and showing how collective kindness can turn a simple act like offering water into a social movement,” said Noushu Ali, a software engineer.

“We may not be able to solve every problem, but we can at least ensure that no one walks through our neighbourhood thirsty,” he said.

With the monsoon expected to arrive in the coming weeks, some respite from the blistering heat may be in sight. Until then, this humble cold water offered freely by the hands of strangers will continue to provide relief to hundreds of passersby each day.