"SULOV SHOUCHALYA IN INDIA" by Sipra Roy.
Rashmi reached Dumdum airport via Bombay after a pretty long gap of sixteen years
She took a prepaid taxi from the Dumdum airport to go Sealdah station. Unlike other international traveller, she had only a light backpack and a cabin suitcase .Her final destination was Kalyani. She would take a local train to reach earlier .Local train was available frequently but the only problem was it didn't have bathroom system.
Rashmi was thinking with curious eyes gazing outside ,until the cab stopped coming near to the Sealdah fly over. Rashmi noticed on the road side through the cab window "Sulav Souchalaya' written in blue colour on glazed tiles . It was public bathroom.
Lot of people need to come daily to this metro city for medical checkup ,court-case, shopping, job-interviews from the suberbs and go back home in the afternoon. They cannot afford any hotel for the day -trip .Some great social thinker accomplished the project of public bathroom to meet up the need of the commuters and to keep the city clean.
She remembered her cousin sisters' letter which was full of excitement.
"Do you know that here in Calcutta also beautiful public bath room of luxurious glazed tiles had been made for the use of common people on the road side, like American-style ! People can take even shower! People need to pay little money which is necessary for the maintenance of cleaning etc!"
"Really?"
"When you will come next time you must release the pressure of bladder before taking the local train from Sealdah ok?"
Rashmi laughed," So I have to buy a flight ticket to experience the ecstasy of "SulavSouchalaya, right ?"
Rashmi noticed most people from the bus or taxi were walking under the fly over towards the station.
It was 12:30.She got down from the taxi with her wheeled cabin suitcase to have some novel experience.
Coming near to the Sulav she found a skinny middle-aged man with blue-colored ill-fitted costume with badge stood up from his stool ,blocking the path ,"I am the security guard .you have to pay first ."
"How much?"
"What will you do? Pee or poo?
For pee: Rs 1/. For poop:Rs 2.
"If some poop licked at the time of peeing, then what do you charge?"
The guard looked little confused. He made his throat clear by coughing to say,
'Every item has separate price,; Look at the front board ;every thing is written clearly. I also have catalog;" He became busy to fumble a paper with menu from the drawer of the little plastic table in front of him .
"Keep it with you. I don't need it! Please take care of my luggage a little while".She was about to move forward .
The guard interrupted her" What type of mug do you want?
A chained mug:Rs1// unchained steel mug: 1:50
Taking a glance on the board, Rashmi said impatiently I will take the 'Luxury package' Rs3:5o."
She gave the guard Rs 5.The guard handed her a 'coupon'.
Before leaving she took her luggage with thanks to the guard .The guard was ready with the change 1:50 .
"here it is your change"
"Not needed".
"O, Didi your change!" The skinny man hailed running after her.
Rashmi "Keep it.I won't wish to touch it !"
Guard:"ja Babba!"(O my gosh!)
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