TOILET SURVEY SHOWS HIGH USAGE RATE
According to a government press release, India’s Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation will soon be checking to make sure people in rural areas are using the toilets that the government has built for them.
Just picture a government official knocking on the door of a middle-aged man named Jagdish Kumar.
Official: “Good evening, Mr. Kumar. My name is Mr. V.K. Aggarwal. I’m here to find out about your toilet. Are you using it and how often?”
Kumar: “Toilet? Oh, you mean the new room – we love the new room. Thank you for building it for us. It’s a beautiful room. Would you like to come and see it?”
Official (walking inside): “You are right: it is a very lovely room. But where is the actual toilet? We built one right here where this plant is standing.”
Kumar: “Oh, you mean the hole in the ground? We filled it with soil, so we could grow this beautiful plant.”
Official: “But you were supposed to … well … do your business in the toilet.”
Kumar: “Oh, you mean that business. Why waste a good room when we can have outdoor business?”
Official: “What do you use this room for?”
Kumar: “It’s our guest room. When my wife’s family visits, this is where they sleep.”
Official (entering info on his tablet computer): “My boss isn’t going to be happy about this. We are trying to run the Clean India Campaign and if you do your business outside, you are not keeping India clean.”
Kumar: “But we are keeping this room very clean. Isn’t this room part of India?”
Official: “That’s true. On second thoughts, Mr. Kumar, I’m going to write a note here that you’re putting the toilet to good use. Carry on.”
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