This is with reference to the article “This education can not be watered down” (April 23). Western Rajasthan is a drought-prone area and locals use simple techniques to mitigate the effects of such calamities. These include bawari and jalara, local names given to stepwells that supply water in the area. At present there are 88 such structures. Then there are nadis (village pond) and tankas, which is an underground cistern constructed with lime plaster and thatched with bushes. In an earlier era, roof water harvesting also played a significant role in supplying drinking water. Another way to do this is