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From the ramparts of Delhi's 17th-century Red Fort, Modi vowed that his administration was on track to meet its pledge of providing power and toilets to every household across the world's second most populous nation.
Modi drew praise in his first August 15 speech in 2014 as he tackled often taboo issues such as sexual violence and a lack of toilets, promising to build one for every household within four years.
"Today I can say that in such short time, more than 20 million toilets have been built in India's villages and more than 70,000 are free of open defecation," Modi said to loud applause.
Open defecation has long been a major health and sanitation problem in India, where almost 594 million people—nearly half the population—defecate in the open, according to UNICEF.
Modi has stressed the need to clean up India since storming to power in 2014 and has repeatedly urged every household to have a toilet to end the spread of disease and illnesses such as diarrhea.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 16 2016, @10:29AM
I am watching this play out not far from where I live.
Since this last financial turnaround, a growing number of homeless have been created in out city. Many have lived here since birth, but fell for the financial shenanigans of the 2008 crash. So, the city has been letting them erect their tents along the riverbed.
The homeless have been resorting to a few antics that have made them unwelcome at the local fast-food eateries. One thing they do is loiter near the counter, and take whatever comes up, and get their hands on it "by mistake" so hopefully they will simply make another for the customer who had already paid for it. ( That one happened to me, caught me by surprise. ). I have seen a lot of really blatant "soda stealing". C'mon now, the restaurant offered free ice water and cups to anyone - customer or not, and they use that hospitality to steal beverages?
Another thing is they need to use the washroom for exactly that... that's the only place around they can take a bath!
So they tie up the washroom for maybe 30 minutes at a time with their personal hygiene needs. Well, doing that takes time, and many of these people displaced by the real estate banking crowd were formerly neat, clean people. Forced by foreclosure into this lifestyle.
Others are bitter and dishonor the washroom, from simply making messes to deliberate vandalism.
To counter this one, the restaurant two days ago installed electromagnetic locks on the bathroom doors and are closely monitoring who they will admit to the washrooms.
This whole mess seems so pointless, yet I know a lot of the homeless got that way because of:
* Did not have good parents who taught them how to survive
* Misuse of Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco, Weed
* Divorce. Men seem to be really prone for this one.
* Stupidity/Greed... falling for TV Pitchmen who provide "free seminars" on how to get rich quick, and
* People who just got old and are simply not as desirable as the younger ones.
(Score: 2) by cubancigar11 on Thursday August 18 2016, @03:42AM
The real problem is that there is no support system for men in your society. As a man if you are not sacrificing everything all your life then you slowly end-up on the street. I am surprised by the hatred you show for homeless men in your comment. They are occupying washrooms, realy? Have you ever considered pooling some money and creating a washroom for them? You do realize that almost all of those men paid taxes so that public washrooms can be built and maintained and people can be paid money?
See, this is the problem with homeless people. If they were women, several thousand NGOs will be working to provide them air conditioned rehabilitation and trauma recovery center. But because they are men, cities all over the western society are purposefully making public seats slanted or with bumps so no one can sleep on it. The value of men is in how much money they can give. Poor people can just go away where ever and just die or something, but need to stay away from your sight and your money.
The most common lamest excuse. Can't be seen "victim-blaming", can't be forced to acknowledge personal responsibility. Theory of evolution to the rescue - blame the parents!
All of those are drugs. And misuse of drugs is a psychological problem. May be if people had some other support system, they wouldn't be prone to drug-abuse? "Men don't cry, men drink" mentality could be an issue here?
How does economic meltdown prompts divorce? Please say it. Please tell us why is it okay for men to become homeless but their ex-wife shouldn't take a hit to her married lifestyle. Please say it openly. Let's talk about sexism, shall we.
Huh. Data please.
Imagine if they were women. Old women being thrown to the streets, replaced by young women. Ah, the good old days, isn't it? Except that hasn't happened ever. Do you see this connected to divorce or shall I point it out?