NEW DELHI: On the occasion of United Nations World Toilet Day, organizations like World Toilet Organization, Parmarth Niketan, Reckitt Benckiser India and Pehel- The Initiative, emphasised that to make India a ‘healthy’ country, it is much needed to treat rural cities with their sensibilities rather than imposing urban thoughts over it.
“Urban thoughts cannot develop rural cities. The government needs to tap rural people’s intelligence in their way. They (rural people) are also very talented and can be productive provided their health stays intact and I believe toilets play a huge role in this scenario. The present government is focusing a lot on supply rather than demand. There is an immense need to look out for behavioural change and look out a way of approaching the entire issue of toilets rather being rational,” Jack Sim, Founder, World Toilet Organisation told ANI.
Citing the example of smokers, he added that the habit of defecation in open cannot be removed because it is comfortable for the rural public.
Jack has also taken initiative to organise ‘Run For Toilet’ to spread awareness about the need for a clean toilet facilities.
Adding to Jack, H.H.Swami Chidanand Saraswati said, “There is an urgent need for people to understand that sanitation and meditation go hand in hand. There is a need to get software, hardware and heartware together and work at grand level. Open defecation is devastation and an insult on our country’s women. It is high time to take steps towards eradicating this problem and I would recommend to begin this initiative from festivals like Kumbhamela.”
United Nations recognises the role of sanitation to be very important for a healthier living and has decided to celebrate 19th November every year as “UN World Toilet Day” to address this global need.