A Zilla Parishad (District Council) in India’s Marathwada region of Maharashtra hit upon a rather…. inspirational method of getting its citizens to stop open defecation in its tracks for good.
If they’re able to build toilets in their homes, they’ll be enjoying a holiday in sunny Singapore. The home of the World Toilet Organization.
The intention is to make all 621 villages within the district free of public bowel movements by Oct 2 this year.
We’re not kidding. According to The New Indian Express, Osmanabad Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Anand Rayate stated that they’ll be selecting winners among villagers “who take early initiative in building toilet at home and send them on an all-expenses-paid trip to Singapore”.
The winner of the challenge will be decided by lottery, according to the authorities.
Following the region’s campaign for eradication of open defecation – launched yesterday on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, the Marathi New Year — the villagers from within the district had to take a pledge to commit to ensure the campaign is a success.
The challenge? Simply build a toilet within their home. It’s something Singaporeans would take for granted, but it’s a shitty problem (literally) that’s apparently been plaguing the district for a long time. Well, long enough to dangle a dream holiday to ensure proper hygiene practices, we suppose.
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