A shameful social evil
For last two days I am in the Ganjam District of Orissa. This district is famous for Bhanja Literature and the straight forward attitude of its people. The people of this region are frank and speak unequivocally what they feel. But this district has a characteristic but unacceptable social habit which is visible mostly at the time of sun rise and sunset. At these times most human beings naturally feel a pressure to empty their bowels. And most people of most of the villages of this district would sit by the sides of the road with round bottomed pots full of water to attend natural calls. The people of this region love to pass morning and evening faeces counting the passing vehicles on the road. In the evening even the strong headlights of the vehicle can not deter them. They would stubbornly sit and excrete paying no heed to the traffic. They become dumb and blind to the presence of the passers-by and vehicles.
This socially unacceptable behavior has become a part of their life. However it is really disheartening that the social malady is infecting the new generation too. Last evening I saw two small children had lined up in the group which was assembled by the road side to attend the natural call. It is needless to say that those children will now bear the wrong habit for the future generation.
It is a fact that India is a hot country and the terrible heat makes many people suffocate in the toilets. So passing stool by the side of the road is much more enjoyable because open sky and natural wind are abundantly available. However, this bad habit has caused many tragic accidents in the past.
Bad habits should be replaced with good ones. Now it is high time when for the sake of sanitation and civilization all people should adopt safety latrines although it is devoid of open sky and fresh air.
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