Kuensel Phodrang is currently hosting a major religious programme, which is being presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo. Therefore, it has become the biggest crowd-puller with thousands of devotees in attendance every day. But this is aggravating the condition of the public toilet facilities there.
According to the organizer, Central Monastic Body, this is solely due to poor civic sense among the public.
More than 40 unit toilets have been constructed for public use a few weeks before the oral transmission of Kuenkhyen Kabum or the Kuenkhyen Kabum Jaklung began.
However, they wear an untidy look with sanitary pads and diapers thrown around them. The toilet pits are not properly flushed despite the continuous flow of water.
So, where does the problem lie? The Sanitation Coordinator of the Central Monastic Body tells BBS, it boils down to poor civic sense among the people.
“Our restrooms are equipped with all the required facilities. But people with poor civic sense don’t use them properly. Only a handful is mindful of using the toilets properly. People throw sanitary pads and diapers irresponsibly. So, I think adhering to toilet etiquette is crucial if toilets need to be spotlessly clean,” said Kinley Penjor, who is the Sanitation Coordinator from Zhung Dratshang.
He says four cleaners clean the toilets round the clock. Yet, it is challenging to keep the toilets clean and user-friendly.
Some of the devotees gathered at the religious event say it is inconvenient to use filthy toilets. They added people must take the blame for such uncivilised behaviour. Otherwise, this problem will remain unresolved for many years to come.
“The toilets have all the required facilities including water. It is just that a lot of people are using the restrooms and hence, the sanitation issue emerges,” said one of the devotees, Khandu.
Nonetheless, the sanitation in-charge is reminding people to use the toilet responsibly. But the tide will never turn unless people inculcate good civic sense and social attitudes.
The month-long oral transmission is attracting about 12,000 to 20,000 devotees every day.
Monks from various monastic institutions from across the country including a few from neighbouring countries like India and Nepal are also attending a religious ceremony.
Kencho Tshering & Tshering Dendup
Edited by Pema Lhaden
