Cruise Ship Group Experience the ‘Filth and Stink’ of Local Toilets
Mangaluru: When Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh declared that “India has more temples than toilets” in October 2012, he sparked a wave of controversy that eventually led to his removal from the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation less than a month after he had been appointed. Later there was another sign with a very simple quotation attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “Toilet First, Temple Later.” Now, the public seems more tolerant, or perhaps desensitized: the temple-and-toilet talk has become ubiquitous in public discourse, from references in local newspapers to bold statements by the new Prime Minister himself. This discourse is buttressed by Modi’s new sanitation campaign, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, (“Clean India Mission”), which has been sweeping the country (pun intended) since its launch on the anniversary of Gandhi Ji’s birthday in October 2014.
Concern over poor sanitation in India is nothing new. Mahatma Gandhi once said sanitation is more important than Independence. But more than 65 years after Independence, only 31 per cent of rural Indian households have toilets. Nearly 70 percent of rural households defecate in the open in the absence of toilet facility. If there is a ranking of countries in respect of observance of standards of sanitation and hygiene, one can be sure that India would figure close to the bottom. From time to time, in their unguarded moments, foreigners visiting India have burst out against the dirty toilets and filth all around while walking the Indian streets. A majority of visitors to India from outside countries complain about the dirty toilets, scattered garbage, etc within a few hours of arrival, and some fall ill. And here is one such example that happened right here in our Mangaluru/DK district when a bunch of cruise ship group took a bus trip- and when they wanted to use a toilet, either there was none or when there was one it couldn’t bee used since it was dirty and stinky?
There is no point in getting infuriated or defensive about this. The general lack of cleanliness and hygiene hits the eye wherever one goes in India — hotels, hospitals, households, work places, railway trains, airplanes and, yes, temples. Indians think nothing of spitting whenever they like and wherever they choose, and living in surroundings which they themselves make unlivable by their dirty habits. Last weekend a German cruise ship named AIDAbella had arrived at the New Mangalore Port Trust, with nearly 1800 passengers on board. While many of the passengers opted to take local sigh-seeing trip around the Mangaluru City, some preferred to take a bicycle tour around Kudla, but quite a few opted to take a tour to see temples in Udupi, Moodbidiri, and the Soans Farm. And I had an opportunity through the local tour organizers-Globe Travels to join this group in one of the buses.
Reaching the Thousand Pillar temple in Moodbidiri after over an hour journey, few ladies desperately wanted to use the toilets- and nearby to the temple there was a facility which mentioned about the existence of toilets. When the ladies went in, they found that the toilets were closed- and they were not happy. That’s terrible- when you have tourists visiting the shrine, why lock the toilets? Okay, now the ladies moved ahead to see the 1000 pillar temple- while entering they were asked to pay Rs 100 for the use of camera- if you are taking pictures using your smart phones no charge. That doesn’t make sense to me- these days with all these new mobile phones you can click better pictures than your digital or pro-cameras.
Now here is the catch- the ticket issuers at the temple door know that foreigners hardly carry any loose Indian currency- so being Rs 100 for photo clicking charges, each group member paid $2 towards camera charges- but no one got the change back. Currently, the dollar rate is around Rs 65- so two dollars come to Rs 130. Imagine when nearly 30,000 cruise ship group alone visit this temple yearly, look at the extra money they make from these foreign tourists. It’s just like foreign tourists being charged Rs 1000 to see Agra Taj Mahal, while Indians pay only Rs 30-40. Also if Foreigners pay more to see the Mysuru palace, than locals- that’s total discrimination. Visit any tourist place in Western countries, everyone pays the same rate irrespective of color or race. Guess, that’s India!
In spite of making extra money out of these foreign tourists, the temple management can’t provide a clean and hygienic toilet is something that needs to be rectified by the tour organizers with the temples board members. After much requests, the temple staff agreed to open the toilets- and many of the ladies were happy that they could use the toilets. OMG- within few seconds entering these toilets, the ladies were seen walking out holding their hands over their noses. No one used the toilets-You know why? The next stop was Bahubali Temple to see the statue of Gomateshwara. Reaching the spot, at the entrance were a couple toilets for men and women.
Thinking that they would be relieved , a bunch of these ladies on the bus went to use the toilets- guess what, the same story like the earlier-they all walked out without using the toilet- and when asked they all said, “Filthy and stinky-this is terrible?”. Out of curiosity I went in just to see how these looked like- what a surprise- the while colored sink looked yellow and dirty. God only knows when the last time they were cleaned. The toilet was dirty, the western style commode was filthy- who would squat on a filthy commode. I clicked a few photos to highlight this issue to be rectified by the concerned authorities of these sight seeing places. (see pictures in the article). Finally after over two hours journey, the ladies had good luck to use the clean toilets at the Soans Farm. Thank you, Mr Soans- you made their (ladies) day!
I am okay with our toilets being Indian style- but provided they are clean. Using toilets the ‘Indian way’ – Ever since the first human being descended on the Earth, squatting has been the most natural posture to finish one’s daily “business”. Indian toilets, which require you to squat and use water (instead of toilet paper), have long been considered healthier than western commodes. Foreigners have often admitted that though they find it awkward and gross at first, they have learned to love it with time. Many of them have even said that it is definitely a better way to keep yourself clean and fresh.
You see, in India, most toilets have a hose-sort-of-looking thing attached that you’re supposed to stick under your butt to wash yourself. In fact, most of India thinks toilet paper is actually sort of gross. The logic being, why wouldn’t you wash your butt after you poop the same way you’d wash your hands after you poop? Why are a few simple plies of toilet paper sufficient enough to get your downstairs clean? It’s time the West embraced the Indian way. In 2017 we need to really mix things up, and I think a fundamental rethinking of how we take a poop is a great first step.
But that’s a different story- but no matter what style of toilets we have- they need to be clean and hygienic-period. I humbly request the organizers of such kind of tours to communicate and discuss this hygienic toilet issue and rectify it before the next batch of foreigners on cruise ships arrive next year- also other tourists other than cruise ships. Let’s not give a chance for these foreigners to speak bad of our dirty surroundings and toilets- I know they do if they see filth. When we are all looking for a better and cleaner India through Modi’s “Swachh Bharath Abhiyan”- why ignore it. Hope this article will bring some changes in the toilets at least at these two sight seeing places that we all experienced. Is this Incredible India or what?
A Very Apt, Essential ”SWACHH BHARATH” Article By Our STAR Campaigner Dear ALFIE. YES, Clean Toilets Are A NEED. Give Job Opportunity And Employ a Cleaner Permanently Near Tourist Spots at least. In Malls They Maintain Clean Toilets–So We Can…., We MUST. -Jerardin D’souza-MAA-Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association
Thank you, Mr. Alfie D’Souza, for your frank and candid remarks on the importance of providing clean toilets, wash rooms, restaurants and tourist spots for visiting foreign tourists, specially from the visiting Cruise ships. This is also a great reflection on the Port of Mangalore, where we are told that we have four berths available for cruise ships alone.
Cruise ships visiting any port has a great advantage for not only the local port but also the local tourist attractions including shopping and restaurants. Unless and until we have clean roads, clean transport facilities, clean restaurants and also clean tourist sports, the Cruise owners themselves will discourage visiting any port so that the passengers do not carry any kind of virus or disease with them due to lack of proper sanitation facilities.
Tourism is a “package” where the Tourism Department is closely knitted with the local authorities so that more and more tourists visit Mangalore and avail of all the touristic facilities that are available for them. Cleanliness is “Godliness” to all the foreign tourists visiting Mangalore and India. Foreigners are very sensitive to unclean water, unclean food, and even unclean toilet facilities. Foreigners are very allergic to even bad odors, and even to any flies or mosquitos.
Please, please therefore listen carefully and give the best priority towards cleanliness in everything that you contemplate not only for the benefit and safety of the tourists, but ourselves who live in Mangalore. Let some of the Tourist authorities visit some of the foreign countries and see to themselves some of the most hygienic precautions they take in order to maintain good health and good environment. Thank you for your understanding.
I have been noticing that our Govt. is really spending first for the wrong things. A beautifull gate for kadri park, a musical fountain, then a rope way bridge which had started and died till sultan battery and finally a planetarium in pilicula.!! All this necessary but toilets first. its a shame when we have tourists from abroa and they are made to see shitty toilets.
Yet another important topic highlighted by Alfie to bring awareness about having clean toilets in India, also Mangalore. Just look at the pathetic condition of the toilet that has been portrayed in this report- could you imagine that anyone will use this toilet-no way. The Jain community is a well to do community- so they should see that the temples/sight seeing places are clean in their hometown.
Kudos to you Alfie and Mangalorean.com for always highlighting such issues-that’s what non-bias journalism should be-Cheers!
Oh My God? OMG? OMG?- Is this a toilet or what? Do you call this a TOILET?
Great article anyways to bring a change in our society. May God bless Mangalorean.
Surprised to see lack of planning on the part of tour operators. They seem to be as lousy as the ones at these tourist places!! When you are taking several dozen foreign tourists around the city, I would expect a some homework in advance to ensure that there are clean toilets and other facilities available at the location? Oh well..
Coming to the main topic – The entire India smells and feels like one big open toilet. Sorry for being harsh here. One of the biggest slum is literally next to Mumbai international airport. Our mangalore is not too far behind. The hampanakatta and townhall areas are some of the filthiest areas I can think of. As far as cleanliness campaign goes, have you seen any of our elected reps in those weekly events organized by Monks (with the exception of Capt.Karnik)?