Nothing should go a waste
It is indeed intriguing how nature almost rejuvenates everything - nothing ever goes waste in nature. A dead body is a food for the decomposers (however much it may be gory to imagine). The human urine and faeces are in fact incredible manures. There are lot of articles out on google on humanure, but what has prompted me to post is this -
Read this Urine replacing fertilizers
Recently, my sister was on a visit to a remote village in Uttaranchal to promote a World Bank project. The project was about "educating" the villagers about the modern toilet. On how to use the flush, how to clean and how not to defecate anywhere and "use" the toilet. She in fact noted that, although she went on this "education project", there was absolutely no pollution in that village. One hardly steps on any urine or faeces. The people obviously used the forest areas. It was lush, green, serene and very refreshing. The lassi was so thick and refreshing - nothing like she has ever had anywhere in Delhi. When all I could tell her was that she ruined whatever was good, there was an interesting question she asked.
As far as India is concerned, men (most often) hardly have any shame urinating and making a nuisance in public. It is the women who are more restrained. The women who approached my sister were the ones pushing for the modern amenities as they were driven by "lajja" - shame. They found it difficult especially during their periods to be with the old system of urinating in the open in some designated places, or when they were out in the fields with men around. 4-5 women had to round up the one woman who had a nature's call.
Now that brings me to the other topic of complete rest during the menstrual period. I remember my mom and aunts being advised to stay "out" - essentially, they were not allowed in the kitchen and were not to touch anything. Basically, they were given a lot of rest. Unfortunately, we have done away with that healthy and wise practice for reasons of "shame" and "lajja" and inconvenience with nuclear families. Inconvenience is another reason how the sanitary napkins are in vogue even with maids who earn just Rs.500-1000 a month. I shudder to think how much of a pollution all that plastic would create. Can there not be a disposable, but an organic solution to this...which is more convenient too?
It is in fact a criminal waste to flush out so much water if all we need is to utilize the nature's manure. But, how do we solve the issue with respect to women? My sister said, the women would come to meet her alone and would cry telling her to influence their "men" - they could not hold on in the fields with so many men around - they needed some provision. There should be a way out if we want to do away with the flush....especially for women.
Read this Urine replacing fertilizers
Recently, my sister was on a visit to a remote village in Uttaranchal to promote a World Bank project. The project was about "educating" the villagers about the modern toilet. On how to use the flush, how to clean and how not to defecate anywhere and "use" the toilet. She in fact noted that, although she went on this "education project", there was absolutely no pollution in that village. One hardly steps on any urine or faeces. The people obviously used the forest areas. It was lush, green, serene and very refreshing. The lassi was so thick and refreshing - nothing like she has ever had anywhere in Delhi. When all I could tell her was that she ruined whatever was good, there was an interesting question she asked.
As far as India is concerned, men (most often) hardly have any shame urinating and making a nuisance in public. It is the women who are more restrained. The women who approached my sister were the ones pushing for the modern amenities as they were driven by "lajja" - shame. They found it difficult especially during their periods to be with the old system of urinating in the open in some designated places, or when they were out in the fields with men around. 4-5 women had to round up the one woman who had a nature's call.
Now that brings me to the other topic of complete rest during the menstrual period. I remember my mom and aunts being advised to stay "out" - essentially, they were not allowed in the kitchen and were not to touch anything. Basically, they were given a lot of rest. Unfortunately, we have done away with that healthy and wise practice for reasons of "shame" and "lajja" and inconvenience with nuclear families. Inconvenience is another reason how the sanitary napkins are in vogue even with maids who earn just Rs.500-1000 a month. I shudder to think how much of a pollution all that plastic would create. Can there not be a disposable, but an organic solution to this...which is more convenient too?
It is in fact a criminal waste to flush out so much water if all we need is to utilize the nature's manure. But, how do we solve the issue with respect to women? My sister said, the women would come to meet her alone and would cry telling her to influence their "men" - they could not hold on in the fields with so many men around - they needed some provision. There should be a way out if we want to do away with the flush....especially for women.
posted by appalam vadaam at
3:30 AM
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