Chandigarh: Year after year in the peak of summer, a charitable activity provides a soothing relief all over Punjab. Hundreds of 'chhabeels' dot highways where people are offered sweetened water to quench their thirst in the scorching heat.

'Chhabeels' are counters put up along roads where water and milk are mixed with essence and sweetener and offered to thirsty people, motorists included. Hundreds of thousands benefit from the largesse.