by We have progressed onto a century that has seen umpteen advances in the field of technology, medicine, transportation and communication. The decade is defined as nothing short of the digital era , a renaissance of innovations, inventions as this country of a billion people even touched the mars through its satellites, somewhere no machine or man has set foot
Based on these, one happens to assume this should be a prospering developing nation that has seen an upliftment of the way people live. Sadly such is not this case in this country, which still has several millions of people living on extreme poverty with no access to even basic survival amenities like shelter, water or even a toilet. We constantly see thousands of dwellers , sleeping in pavements with makeshift shelters, and obviously given no sanitation facilities , defecate in the open. Be it near schools or temples , no streets or even sometimes main roads are spared, to make it dirty and turn it into a public urinal.
Despite several government ads or initiatives by NGO’s or CSR Activities by corporates to improve awareness and communication on the importance of cleanliness, hygiene and subsequently its impact on health , there has been absolutely no progress on that front
As per common sayings, health is wealth and cleanliness is next to godliness. But its stuck to the saying alone and no one seems to really care
These kind of defecating directly in public utilities ,streets and walls leads to direct alarming health hazards including malaria, typhoid, dengue and several other skin diseases. The situation becomes even worse especially, when one goes to the rural areas of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu
Not only do the poor people have no access to basic sanitation facilities but its quite shocking to see that even in some decent households don’t have an inbuilt toilet in their homes and every household member has to literally go out in the open areas .
Sadly this includes even woman who has no choice ,but to face this embarrassment on a day to day basis and are actually at a risk of contracting several health hazards
Unlike men, this situation can be extremely uncomfortable and according to me it’s actually a sin that any woman has to be treated to such standards and punishment. Its imperative that a war footing has to be taken over to improve sanitation standards in all areas and every woman has access to a secure , clean and hygiene sanitation facility
Despite the presence of corporation toilets in many areas , it looks like an insect fest with extremely nauseating and stench filled bathrooms, that no humans can set foot in.
On a good note, the government has indeed gone on a cleaning mode, with a new campaign called Swachh Baarath that translates to Cleaner India
But this cleaner India cannot be restricted to just clean roads but all things related to cleanliness and hygiene
I like to contribute my article here (#ToiletforBabli) as a contribution to Domex’s ( http://www.domex.in/)initiative in actually making a huge effort in bring hygiene and sanitation facilities to all woman and rural villages
More on the Domex initiative :
Domex Toilet Academy was launched on 19th November 2013. It aims to become a sustainable and long-term solution to provide sanitation that benefits the local community and helps stimulate the local economy. The Toilet Academy makes toilets accessible and affordable, while promoting the benefits of clean toilets & good hygiene. Their effort has resulted in bringing the change in the villages of Maharashtra and Orissa and we aim to build 24000 toilets by 2015 in rural areas faced with the problem of open defecation.
You can bring about the change in the lives of millions of kids, thereby showing your support for the Domex Initiative. All you need to do is “click” on the “Contribute Tab” on www.domex.in and Domex will contribute Rs.5 on your behalf to eradicate open defecation, thereby helping kids like Babli live a dignified life.
Come , join the initiative to make ToiletforBabli a reality !
I have clicked on my part. Have you ?
Pic Source : www.domex.in
