With the temperature crossing 40 degree Celsius in Khariar town, commuters get great succour when they trace the drinking water distribution point opened in front of the Government Girls’ High School at Khariar by the Education Department.

The Scouts and Guides of Nuapada district is running the point with support of the District Education Office, Nuapada, since Wednesday last, which was inaugurated by Nuapada DEO Laxman Bhoi.

"We had the plan to run the point for six days, but it has been extended to ten days now," informed the DEO.

The involvement of school students in the activity makes the whole endeavour encouraging. "I am very happy to be a part of the programme.  I feel very happy, while giving a glass of water to a thirsty person approaching us," said Uzman Nishar, a class 10th student.

Her friends Mamata, Lopamudra and Ayusman equally gleam with joy when handing over a glass of Jal jeera or Dahi Pana to the unknown commuters. "This should continue till the end of May," they opined.

"Since there is hardly any clean and safe drinking water taps in public places inside Khariar town, this water supply point has turned into a life saving point for people working or traveling, who otherwise would fall back upon unhygienic water or buy plastic water bottle from road side shops being unaware of the water quality," said District Training Commissioner (DTC), Guide Sunita Sahu.

She along with Ashok Behera, DTC, Scouts, Bijaya Naik, DDC, Scouts, Mahesh Dandasena, Secretary of Scouts District Executive Committee, and Senior Rover Roshan Panda has been providing full time to run the water point.