Sunday, December 7, 2008

In the ambiance of the blue skies

country men are living in the illusion of hailing from the most respectful community, which has rich tradition and culture. We proudly claim to have come from the oldest civilization, a country where administration and planning commenced, a country where wealth and knowledge ruled. This was the first civilization where all the facilities, including the sanitation was made available to the public. There are strong historical evidences of Harappa and Mohenjodaro, having the most planned sanitation facility. Lets halt and stop reveling in the glorious past and look at what India has today? The world's largest urinal, the Indian railway tracks. The fragrance of shit and the ambrosial from the platform chai wala, makes food irresistible. Travel in an Indian train, the early morning sight from the window is really enjoyable. Men and women love defecating in the ambiance of the blue skies. When I traveled in India last time, I came across a mother who would not allow her child into the rest room and the defecation is done only in the compartment. This incident drove me crazy. Of course, the allergies that might clinge on to you if you used the rest room makes it a dangerous proposition. There are many issues related to open defecation raging from health to eve teasing. A number of research work is done indicating these issues. Very few steps are taken to provide solution to this. For most Indians a toilet is the most unwanted place. No care is taken to monitor its cleanliness. Is there no immediate solution to a plague like this. One organization like Sulabh alone cannot cater to the entire Indian population. Probably all schools should shake hands with the organization and educate students about using the rest rooms. It is of paramount importance to promote research and improve the standards of Indian toilets. Some measure has to be taken to be able to clean up the Indian tracks and the defecated solids should not be let out, instead collected and used for generation of biogas or should be converted into ash. Step by step approach will never work. We know there is a plague in the country, would you try and destroy it today or will you wait and make strategic plans? Now lets start reveling, squat is the most helpful position for pregnant women... when are Indians going to change?