WELCOME DRINK: Commuters enjoying a glass of buttermilk in Chromepet. — Photo: A. Muralitharan

TAMBARAM: As Chennai's summer picks up heat, a glass of cool water is the first thing anybody would want. Better still, if it were a glass of buttermilk. And, it would be great if the drink is offered free of cost.

Hundreds of men, women, daily wage earners, senior citizens, children, office-goers and commuters at a bus shelter in Chromepet, find some respite from the heat in a tiny thatched hut, where members of a voluntary organisation distribute buttermilk free.

Volunteers of Shree Gayethri Trust have been distributing free buttermilk and water for about three weeks now and intend to continue rendering the service till the worst part of summer is over.

According to G. Raghavan, managing trustee, their organisation helped give unclaimed bodies a decent cremation. It was also involved in other charities, he said.

In order to mitigate the summer heat, they decided to start the `thanneer pandal'. Help from P. Dhan Singh, Chairman, Pallavaram Municipality, and other officials of the local body came instantly. They have been supplying Palar water directly from the distribution centre daily.

The trust was able to render the service with the support of activists in Chromepet and K. Santhanam, correspondent of Sundaravalli School, who donated Rs.4,000 for the thatched shed.

The daily expense is around Rs.700 for about 20 litres of milk and spices. Philanthropists have extended their support to the activity.

Visitors are surprised that the best summer coolant is available `on the house.'

On Thursday, visitors were also offered a glass of sweet `paanagam' (water mixed with jaggery, lime and elaichi) in view of `Ram Navami'.

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