Courtesy the Commonwealth Games, Delhi India’s capital city is going to have 300 Heritage Toilets, whatever that means. Each will cost 1 crore (10 million) rupees. Of course, the municipal corporation is quick to add that these loos will be seven star and better than those in any five star hotel.
A recent article in a leading weekly highlights the abysmal state of public toilets in India. There are still places where women have to walk miles in the dark to relieve themselves. Girls drop out of schools because of the lack of toilets, and women from all walks of life master the art of holding on. I remember doing that too many a time. The article goes on to say that girls are now are making toilets an essential demand to a marriage proposal. I wonder how many no star loos could have been built with ten million times three hundred!
The Commonwealth Games seems to be the playground of the rich. The poor, even if they are over 50% of the population, are not welcome. A leading NGO has published a report on the games. I urge you to read it (available as PDF at the bottom of the link). The Games seem to have violated every right enshrined in our Constitution. Over 200 000 people – men, women and children have already been evicted and as I write these words, 44 slums will be demolished and 40 000 families rendered homeless to beautify the city!
Need I say more!
We have been blessed to have had a good education-thanks to our parents..
But then again there are some children in this country who can not even write their own names. Is it not then up to us to make sure that these children also get the education that they deserve.
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These 'heritage toilets' are just about the stupidest thing I've seen in a long time, which is why they are Number 1 on my Top 5 CWG Pet Peeves. No, they are not one of the really big issues, but they are symbolic of something very wrong. AND they are behind schedule and TACKY! What were they thinking? They are supposed to sell coffee or flowers above them. Who's going to say, "Hey, let's meet for coffee above the giant toilet in Def Col"? NOBODY! What tourist will pose in front of one, except as a joke on us? We need good clean toilets for people who need them! Not 5 Star toilets for people who can just as well sneak into the Barista and use theirs!
Nice to find your blog.