Kabali has ‘the fire’ to create hygiene awareness: Bedi

On Thursday last, Bedi invited Rajinikanth to become Brand Ambassador for Prosperous Puducherry, a new initiative aimed at overall development of the union territory. In keeping with all things Rajinikanth, her suggestion broke the internet and on Monday, Kiran Bedi explained why she feels Rajinikanth can make a difference. “I asked for the most famous artiste of our times, Rajinikanth, to be the Brand Ambassador of the cause of Swachh Puducherry. I felt with his message, several will build toilets on their own, others with government assistance. It will hasten the behavioural change, vital for putting this on the fast track,” she said in an article published on NDTV’s website.

The former top police officer, who once famously took action against Indira Gandhi’s car for wrongful parking, also wrote about the need for orderliness and cohesive work in public life. “The scene as it prevailed in many outlying urban and rural areas (in Puducherry) was completely unacceptable. I could not tolerate open shit, strewn around putrefying garbage, “she wrote.. Touching upon the widely-prevalent open defecation, she said “It is a huge civic problem, with thousands of small dwelling units built without provision for toilets, since people believed the lands, parks, lakes and water bodies would serve the purpose”. 

The need to factor in safe defecation space for women was overlooked, said Bedi, despite the fact that central government funds were available (via Swachh Bharat Movement), to help construct toilets in the home and community, both in urban and rural India. “How do you implement this? Because it needs wholesale infrastructure where very little exists. Also, wherever it exists - for instance, a community toilet - a behavioural change is needed to use it, along with the willingness to contribute Rs. 2 or so for using that public toilet. And then the question is who maintains it? Who takes the ownership? Who ensures all use it and not still go for open defecation? 

“This is why I asked for the most famous artiste of our times, Rajinikanth, to be the Brand Ambassador of the cause of Swachh Puducherry. I felt with his message, several will build toilets on their own, others with government assistance. It will hasten the behavioural change, vital for putting this on the fast track.” 

“Our Collector in Puducherry, P Jawahar, offered just one Kabali ticket free for those volunteering to build their toilets - and there was a riot. Imagine if Rajinikanth lends his face and voice to the change,” she said.