Into the Great Wide Open

It takes a while to figure that the circular structure sticking out like a sore thumb on top of the house is a helipad. A house with a helipad is not exactly a common sight in any part of India, let alone in a remote corner of Raichur district.  Yet here it is, standing tall and large amidst other humble residences. Obviously, even in the most under developed regions of India, someone has the resources to find their own solution for bad roads. 

A few kilometers away, lies a small town called Sajjalgudda. A mere two hundred people reside here. It has got a primary school, a high school, a junior college and a teacher's training college. Education must be the highest priority. The principal of the teacher's training college is well qualified, has thirty years of experience and takes pride in his role of preparing teacher educators. Over 90% of the students are women. All the faculty are post graduates. The college itself boasts of good infrastructure with a lab, well equipped library and spacious class rooms. Overall, the mood is upbeat.

Discussions done, directions are asked for the rest room to one of the faculty members. He points to the vast open fields around. Like, there you go. He says, the college does not have any restrooms at all. For a second, I wonder if I heard it right! Yes, he says, we do not have toilets. Unbelievable. Why so? Funds were allocated but the management felt it was not really needed and diverted it to other important requirements. And adds with a wry smile, people here prefer the open spaces. Sounds absurd, especially in a college having so many women students. A town full of educational institutions and well qualified residents does not give priority to sanitation. If there could be an house with a helipad, wonder why not toilets!

ASHWAS, a study conducted by Arghyam, an NGO focused on sanitation and hygiene, reveals some interesting statistics. Apparently in rural Karnataka, 72% of the people defecate in the open, with the number going upto 98% in Raichur district. Reality does stink. And 80% of those who defecate in the open actually find it inconvenient and do so, mainly due to financial constraints of constructing a toilet. The study also indicates that a majority of school toilets, though present, are defunct. Shocking truths, when infact, one would think the schools & colleges should be enforcing the use of toilets. If generations till now have gotten used to this, shouldn't we atleast ensure that the next generation learns the right sanitary habits? Raichur district has 2400 government schools, which effectively implies a school every few kms and I'd think they are the best places to start with. It will have a strong influence in the neighborhood and maybe over a period of time help in improving the sanitary conditions. Also, functional toilets in schools will have a positive impact on the retention of girls in schools, as girls usually tend to drop out of schools primarily due to lack of such amenities.

And as I bid goodbye to the Sajjalgudda college, I notice a student venturing into the fields. 

Into the Great Wide Open, A rebel without a clue? Tom Petty's song definitely rings a different bell.