Recently, I was interacting with the Gram Panchayat in a village in Western Maharashtra. The agenda was simple; I had lots of money to offer on behalf of a corporate body but I wanted to know what they would do alongside or in return or for sustenance, once we were done. Based on a detailed, integrated study, wed narrowed down on Sarvajanik Shauchalayas in an adivaasi zone beyond the hills. Our proposal was a win-win situation in our heads, so it was put forward with a lot of hope. Heres what we said for the category of Hygiene and Sanitation: Give us anywhere from 12 by 12 feet to 20 by 20 feet of land. Just sanction it. We will buy the material, build the toilets, pay for the labour, get the water connection, oversee the maintenance and even create awareness about hygiene, since the outdoor defecation in the adivaasi zone is spreading serious diseases.- according to a study weve conducted over the last three months in this area. Not only that, we will get all their surrounding areas cleaned and plant 500 Gulmohar trees in order to beautify the zone.: Their response, We have no land to offer. Its all so costly these days, that we are struggling ourselves. (after 30 minutes of discussion on various other ideas from different categories, of a van filled with sports materials and a coach for the local village youth, better lighting on the streets, a counselling clinic in the truckers parking area for AIDS awareness and so much else, we were brought back to the toilet issue quite indirectly) We know you would like to contribute. And according to the CSR law, you have to spend this amount. We have some land we can give to you. Please build a temple on it. It would help the local villagers and adivaasis to have a place for poojas and functions. If theyre alive after contracting diseases due to the lack of proper hygiene and water conditions. Bastards. Its not about temples, or any other religious places. Its about the use of religion and misplaced faith that causes repercussions unimaginable. We will not build that temple. We will build triple the number of toilets. THIS YEAR. And you bastards will want to be called to inaugurate them.
Posted on: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 06:23:00 +0000
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