The Supreme Court’s observation, in a written order (“ > Toilet in structure not a toilet in reality: SC ”, Jan.28), is another example of how high-decibel but laudable projects that are trumpeted by governments of the day are only paid lip service later and go to seed. If the “tree-sapling planting” ceremonies that are often overseen by VIPs and celebrities had borne fruit, India would have been a dense forest by now. “Pay and use” toilets are fairly well-maintained in India. In comparison, “free toilets” are in a shambles. This goes to prove that the average Indian behaves and conducts himself well when supervised and monitored. While the “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” is noble in its objectives, the enforcing agencies should not leave it high and dry.
Sivamani Vasudevan,
Chennai
