10 FACTS ABOUT INDIA’S TOILETS AND SANITATION THAT YOU SHOULD READ TODAY

There has been lots of discussions about the ‘open defecation’ scenario in India after the Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan was launched by the Modi government. Let’s learn more.

It is not an unfamiliar sight in India to find people defecating in the open early in the morning, even today after so much awareness is spread in the country against open defecation.

While the government constantly endeavours to help construct a toilet in every home in every village of the country, the reality is different and will take a lot of time to change.

The issue has escalated in its level of importance with high0budget films like Toilet- Ek Prem Katha being made on the subject, aiding in shedding light on the crucial issue.

Open defecation is not only a very poor sanitation alternative but also exposes women and children to various kinds of exploitation, at the same time putting their health in harm’s way.

Here are 10 facts about India’s sanitation that will help you stay informed:

1. Approximately, a 130 million households in India lack toilets! So many people defecate in the open every single day!

2. In spite of the Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan, around 72% of rural folk in India relieve themselves behind bushes, rail tracks and other open places.

3. India accounts for nearly 600 million of the 1 billion people in the world who have no toilet! That is 60% of the total number of people who do not have toilets!

4. India has 17% of the world’s population, but accounts for 60% of all people in the world without sanitation! The numbers really need to improve!

5. Around 67% of Hindu households ( rural and urban) defecate in the open compared to 42% of the Muslim ones.

6. 10% of urban India defecates in the open – these are majorly people who have migrated to towns in search of better earning opportunities but have failed to find a home and live in slums.

7. Wonder how much is the economic impact of inadequate sanitation in India? A whopping ₹2.44 trillion a year!

8. 1 million litres of sewage flows into the holy river Ganga, every 60 seconds!

9. In the slums of Mumbai, 81 to 234 people share one toilet!

10. Rural folk in India have more number of TVs and cell phones than the number of toilets!