Toilet, cell phone, bank account … are you a part of the New India?
Toilet, cell phone, bank account … are you a part of the New India?

By Patralekha Chatterjee

Sarmita, a resident of Samasnagar village, has a cell phone, a bank account and an LPG connection. But she has no piped water or a toilet. There are many Sarmitas in this New India

Sarmita, a resident of Samasnagar village, has a cell phone, a bank account and an LPG connection. But she has no piped water or a toilet. There are many Sarmitas in this New India

"A toilet? There are no toilets here. We go out in the open."
"A toilet? There are no toilets here. We go out in the open."

By Jigyasa Mishra

It’s not that finding a decent toilet in cities is a cakewalk, but it’s a challenge of a different kind when you are in a village and have to find one on a simmering hot day. Most of them in Lokhariya village drew a blank when I asked them about a toilet. For me it was a day-long ordeal, but for women living in many villages in Bundelkhand, ‘no toilet’ is a way of life.

It’s not that finding a decent toilet in cities is a cakewalk, but it’s a challenge of a different kind when you are in a village and have to find one on a simmering hot day. Most of them in Lokhariya village drew a blank when I asked them about a toilet. For me it was a day-long ordeal, but for women living in many villages in Bundelkhand, ‘no toilet’ is a way of life.

World Toilet Day: Much To Learn from Ladakh’s Dry Toilets
World Toilet Day: Much To Learn from Ladakh’s Dry Toilets

By गाँव कनेक्शन

Ladakh’s traditional toilets are hygienic, economical and water-conserving. Here’s a short read on how these dry compost toilets are environment friendly and a source of natural fertilisers.

Ladakh’s traditional toilets are hygienic, economical and water-conserving. Here’s a short read on how these dry compost toilets are environment friendly and a source of natural fertilisers.

World Toilet Day –– Squat or Sit? Here Are Some Benefits of Using an Indian Toilet
World Toilet Day –– Squat or Sit? Here Are Some Benefits of Using an Indian Toilet

By गाँव कनेक्शन

World Toilet Day is celebrated every year on November 19. Did you know that squatting in an Indian toilet has immense health benefits ranging from better digestion to enabling natural birth.

World Toilet Day is celebrated every year on November 19. Did you know that squatting in an Indian toilet has immense health benefits ranging from better digestion to enabling natural birth.

Flood-Resilient Toilet: An Eco Katha
Flood-Resilient Toilet: An Eco Katha

By Nidhi Jamwal

What if one day you woke up to find yourself in waist-deep water, your toilet submerged in dirty floodwater? And have to live that way, not for a day or two, but for weeks together…

What if one day you woke up to find yourself in waist-deep water, your toilet submerged in dirty floodwater? And have to live that way, not for a day or two, but for weeks together…

Uttar Pradesh to Set Up 1.5 Lakh Toilets, to Mobilise 11,000 Sanitation Workers for Mahakumbh 2025
Uttar Pradesh to Set Up 1.5 Lakh Toilets, to Mobilise 11,000 Sanitation Workers for Mahakumbh 2025

By गाँव कनेक्शन

Preparations are underway to organise the Mahakumbh at Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. The state government is trying to ensure that the site of the grand fair remains free of open defecation. The site of the Mahakumbh spanning across 4,000 hectares will be divided into 25 sectors for efficient management.

Preparations are underway to organise the Mahakumbh at Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. The state government is trying to ensure that the site of the grand fair remains free of open defecation. The site of the Mahakumbh spanning across 4,000 hectares will be divided into 25 sectors for efficient management.

"Want to start using the toilet? Well, pay some commission"
"Want to start using the toilet? Well, pay some commission"

By Ranvijay Singh

In Feb, a toilet was built for the gateman stationed at Safedabad railway crossing in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. It’s locked since then. Nine months later, the Divisional Rail Manager Office is asking for a commission in lieu of keys for the toilet

In Feb, a toilet was built for the gateman stationed at Safedabad railway crossing in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. It’s locked since then. Nine months later, the Divisional Rail Manager Office is asking for a commission in lieu of keys for the toilet

‘इज्जत’ के लिए दुल्हन ने तीन दिन नहीं खाया ससुराल में खाना, दे दिया अल्टीमेटम
‘इज्जत’ के लिए दुल्हन ने तीन दिन नहीं खाया ससुराल में खाना, दे दिया अल्टीमेटम

By Ajay Mishra

India set to be open defecation free on October 2 … but loopholes remain
India set to be open defecation free on October 2 … but loopholes remain

By Swati Subhedar

The government claims 100% of India is now open defection free. When Gaon Connection visited villages to assess the ground reality, the team found that most of the toilets were extremely deplorable and rendered useless due to several factors

The government claims 100% of India is now open defection free. When Gaon Connection visited villages to assess the ground reality, the team found that most of the toilets were extremely deplorable and rendered useless due to several factors

No arrangements for drinking water, nor toilets – Schools in Jhargram, West Bengal, raise a stink
No arrangements for drinking water, nor toilets – Schools in Jhargram, West Bengal, raise a stink

By Gurvinder Singh

After remaining shut for almost two years, primary schools in Jhargram district reopened on February 16. However, the situation of 69 rural schools in Belpahari circle is pitiable as many have neither piped drinking water nor functional toilets. To cook mid-day meals, water has to be fetched from far away, and teachers say that all complaints have fallen on deaf ears. A ground report.

After remaining shut for almost two years, primary schools in Jhargram district reopened on February 16. However, the situation of 69 rural schools in Belpahari circle is pitiable as many have neither piped drinking water nor functional toilets. To cook mid-day meals, water has to be fetched from far away, and teachers say that all complaints have fallen on deaf ears. A ground report.

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