Sir,
This refers to the news item’ Two crore toilets to be built in villages, linked to MNREGA’ (DE, Jan 6,2015).Open defecation is the practice of relieving oneself in the open without using the toilets.This practice has long been followed in our country either due to lack of access to toilets or other reasons.
The decision of the Government to build over two crore toilets in select villages across the country under a programme of making India open defecation free by 2019,by linking it to MGNREGA will go a long way in ending this unhygienic practice.Under this programne,the Government will deploy specially trained women workers called the ‘Sanitary Mates’ who will be specially trained in various methods of sanitation and bringing about behavioural changes in the masses.What is more,they will be considered as semi- skilled worker and paid for the days of work as other workers under MGNREGA.
Open defecation is one of the most important causes of deaths of children.Open defecation leads to the spread of disease causing germs, which, when ingested, cause serious problems and even deaths.There are reports which suggest that the death rate is much more in those areas where open defecation is practised.Open defecation also exposes the womenfolk to the lecherous eyes of the criminals and voyeurists.As such, they have to control themselves till it is dark enough to go to the open area so that they donot fall a prey to the eyes of the menfolk.It is strange and shameful that even in the twenty first century, a vast chunk of our population have to relieve themselves in the open.
Thus, there is need to bring behavioural change in the people and motivate them to use toilets for better health.The government needs to help the poor people and those living below the poverty line in constructing their toilets.The villages which practise open defecation need to be awarded the tag of ‘open defecation free’ village.The rural educated youth too need to be motivated to educate the rural people, especially the elderly people to cultivate good sanitary habits and use toilets in the interest of their own health and the health of the members of their family.The toilets need to be constructed with the active involvement of the members of the household so that they may use the toilet instead of rendering it dysfunctional.
Yours etc…..
Ashok Sharma,
Flat No 4, Housing Colony,
Udhampur
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