Hi Fellow Citizens

Four years back, I was on my way to Sunderban. There were few Indian people and Foreigners traveling with me in the bus. Mid-way, the bus stopped near a public toilet for freshening up. The people, specially ladies who were going inside, came out with a horrific look on their faces. There was a Japanese Lady, who I remember, was too decent to politely deny that the bathroom was dirty. When my turn came, I wnet inside and a ruddening shock awaited.The toilet had broken windows, no water, dirty seat, no soap and on top of that it reeked of cigarette and bidis which were thrown in the wash basin. I thought for a minute. What should I do? I may catch infection. Lot of things ran through my mind. Should I not pee, should I pee etc. But I had to travel another 4 hours and there was not much of options nearby. I can't control my bladder for that long.

So, friends my purpose of this story was to share with you guys and make my stand clear on providing clean toilets at all major junctions in India, especially tourist places and on the stops in between. I am sure many of you would have faced this problem while traveling. Whether it is an architectural monument, a major tourist spot, bus stops, petrol stations, railway stations etc. public toilets should be installed alongwith proper facilities. Even some major airports, malls have dirty toilets.

Few years back, I had been to Germany and other parts of Europe where I had seen the pay and use concept so beautifully implemented. You pay around 1 euro or 50 cents for peeing at the toilets and they are installed at all major gas stations. The toilets are clean, apt with tissue papers and they have automatic water flushing system, hence if you forget to flush water, the machine does it automatically. Although, I understand that such type of investment in a country like our's which is so vast and diverse is difficult to implement.Hence, I would like to stick to basics.

Wrapping up quickly, I would like to focus on these major points -

1) Clean toilets apt with all facilities like water, soap dispenser and tissues at all major tourist points, bus stops, railway stations etc should be constructed and maintained properly. If required, a 3rd party should be hired to look after these and follow up regularly.

2) Public toilets should be made mandatory at petrol refill stations.

3) Compulsory toilets should be constructed for women who are traveling long distances through buses as many a time, the bus stop points, lacks toilet and specially women face the trauma for peeing in open which makes them uncomfortable. If needed they are also not able to change or wear pads in case of emergency.

4) If public toilets are not maintained and kept clean there is always risk of catching infection and specially children and women are susceptible to it.

5) Also dirty toilets will certainly create troubles for disabled people who find it uncomfortable to change, specially parents have trouble to help their children change on dirty floors. Public toilets should be constructed keeping in mind the disabled people also.

I hope, I have been able to clear my point through what I have written above. I really want us to be conscious regarding the problems we face while we are traveling, related to clean bathrooms. I am sure many women, elderly, people, parents, even men will understand the case and join with me for signing this petition. A clean toilet, whether in household or public will surely pave path towards a better tomorrow and better India, as infections will reduce and we can give our society a clean and healthy environment. Secondly, as India is growing as a major tourist destination, don't you think clean public toilets can be one added bonus for their happy faces and can change outlook towards India.  LET'S START TODAY, FOR A BETTER TOMORROW.

#Clean and infection free environment by creating clean toilets.

Image courtesy -https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/jharkhand/eww-loo-sers-in-the-making/cid/1363070