By Shyam Sundar Vattam
Mysuru
It was common scene for the residents of Mysuru to see stone troughs (Kallina Thotti) in different parts of the city, built to provide drinking water to stray cattle or those released by their owners for grazing.
The maharajas of Mysuru, who had deep concern for cattle, had constructed these troughs out of stone and placed them in areas frequented by the animals. The citizens used to fill up these thottis daily and also cleaned them regularly, considering it an act of Gau Seva (service to cows).
After the kingship ended and democracy came into existence, many of these stone troughs were neglected. Instead of being filled with clean water, people dumped garbage into them. Miscreants, considering the troughs a public nuisance, damaged them. However, a few stone thottis can still be found here and there, reminding the older generation of the royal era.
Taking a cue from the Wadiyars, Dr. Anil Kumar Jain and his friends have embarked on a mission to distribute cement troughs to those willing to maintain them. Under the banner of Pragathi Pratishtana, they are constructing concrete thottis to quench the thirst of cows. The construction of each concrete trough costs around ₹15,000. They have prepared 50 concrete troughs of three feet in height and another 50 of slightly smaller size. Out of the total cost of ₹ 1,45,000, Dr. Jain has contributed ₹ 82,500, while another organisation, Mysuru Arham Seva Group, has sponsored ₹ 62,500.
Recently, the first cement trough was given away free of cost to a person who volunteered to maintain it and fill it with water daily. Each trough is designed with a small outlet to drain dirty water. This novel campaign was launched by Krishnaraja MLA T.S. Srivatsa.
Dr. Jain stated that the concrete troughs will be distributed free of cost to those who care for cows and are ready to provide drinking water to the animals daily. Pragathi Pratishtana plans to distribute 100 cement troughs and water pots to the general public for the use of animals and birds in and around Mysuru. So far, nearly 40 pots have been distributed free of cost. Sixty big pots and 25 small pots are still at the office, ready to be distributed to the needy.
This initiative is not just about quenching thirst — it's about reviving a lost culture of compassion and community care, once nurtured under royal patronage.