Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Toilets for all) that was published in Newsband

Toilets for all

Jairam Ramesh has done the right thing by starting a debate on toilets. But when he pitched temples against toilets he was misunderstood by many. He didn’t mean to insult the temples. He just tried to emphasize on the needs of the toilets even within the premises of a holy place like temple.

There are many individual and communities interested in building toilets everywhere. But the issue is what can be a viable business model for building toilets, which serve individuals or small groups. It's here that the government needs to step in.

Interestingly, the most active intervention in this field of sanitation has come from Sulabh International, an NGO which launched a movement in the 1970s to liberate scavengers. Using low-cost and hygienic technology Sulabh has, over the last three decades, devised 26 toilet designs of varying budgets, with the help of local materials, factoring in existing water scarcity.

Its partnerships with governments, private companies, religious institutions and railways have generated viable non-profit business models, based on communication and motivation. The most successful of these include residential and pay-per-use toilets in highly populated areas, building toilets on land and funds provided by the clients. Since then more private players, like the Society for Promotion of Area Resource Centres, have entered the toilets market. But at the end of the day, the onus of ensuring universal access to toilets rests primarily on governments and not on NGOs or religious trusts.

Personal hygiene can not be government's responsibility. It is all our responsibility to learn and teach others not to defecate in the open. Providing toilets for 300 to 600 million people is a must and important task that the government is facing.

In India Dr Bindeswari Pathak revolutionized sanitation through Sulbh Shauchalay which is available in most of the public places. If Jairam Ramesh was really concerned about public hygine he could have done the same. Instead of connecting temples with toilets and make the issue sensational, he can always help the poor and common men through government resources. Jairam Ramesh could have reworded what he said. Perhaps he should have said toilets are as necessary as saying our prayers.

It is high time that government considered imposing a Sanitation cess like they do with Education and then build toilets that are clean and well maintained. Government should also consider ensuring that toilets in Government schools are in working order. Allow public especially the women from the weaker section to use the toilet facilities in Government schools (if possible private schools should also be asked to share resources) early morning and after school hours. That way we can rid India of a lot of open defecation.

Jairam Ramesh is absolutely right about his toilet remarks. The toilets are that essential for everybody.