When Nature Calls

I can still recall those vivid childhood outings with my mother. Every time, just before stepping out of the house for a drive, or a trip to market, our mother would absolutely insist that all of us (we are five siblings) must visit the toilet as we may not find one in town, besides it was bad manners to use a wall or a corner. Interestingly enough the situation remains – well almost – the same even today, as we still do not know where to look ‘when nature calls’. Once we are out of our homes, ‘The Toilet’ factor still haunts us...!

Recent times have witnessed burgeoning population of malls, shopping centers, restaurants, cafés like never before. To match this growth we have a cheering population to enjoy these high profile world class eateries. Behind all the glitz and glamour it is unbelievable how we have missed out on upgrading the basic facility for urban population i.e. a nice, clean, functional ‘Public Toilets’ OR ‘Rest Rooms’ as they call it in the west.

I find this platform most suitable to address this fundamental need of all humans and the law and the norms that govern the Industry of restaurants, cafés, bars, lounge and eateries. A study conducted by Global Hospitality Consultants has revealed some startling facts on the subject. In Delhi, the law clearly states;

“Every eating house requires proper toilet facilities for their guest and if an outlet has over 100 covers, it will also need to have not only proper locker rooms, but also separate staff toilets for both gents and ladies”

Ironically enough the situation in reality is very different. Here are some disturbing revelations of the GHC study:

· Our study found that the most up-market restaurants are the ones located in the shopping centers and malls. These restaurants per force follow legal requirement - not out of respect for the law & rules made by the government, but the class of the visiting guests in their outlets compel them to create this basic requirement.

· Most of the cafés located in Delhi’s high profile shopping centers have either small cubicle as a common toilet or just have nothing at all. Furthermore the GHC study reveals that all the classy cafés & restaurants in plush areas of C.P., South Extension I & II, Greater Kailash Part I & II and similar elite areas have cubical as a common toilet for guest and staff . Interestingly enough one popular brand name Cafe operating from posh ‘Friends Colony’ doesn’t even have toilet facilities on the premises – GHC Advisory –Spot a corner or a wall before entering these PJs (Plush Joints) - pun intended. OR just read this limerick from GHC – When nature calls, in restaurant or mall. Leave your muffin or focaccia. Look for the corner or a wall. If this is the state of affairs in south Delhi, the condition in the west & north Delhi can be left to our imagination or is anyone’s guess. ‘I am sure the script writer of the film 3 IDIOTS got his inspiration from; either by regularly using the corner or a wall in desperation or after keen observation of this every day roadside spectacle.

· Major International fast food chains boast of highest standards world wide, but when they confront the Indian system & people, they start wilting- why? is anybody’s guess. Forced, pushed and tossed around, they start ‘loving it’. As the time passes by they mould themselves to become as incorrigible as the system here.

The World Standards

Any premier food chain serving 1000 /2000 covers / meals every day, any where in the world will always have minimum of 3 to 4 urinals, 2 toilets (including one for handicapped guests and a similar configuration goes for ladies. In contrast what we have in India is two small cubicles one for ladies and other one for gents. To add to the anguish, this cubicle also has a WC - and if they were to have there way, they would squeeze in a BIDET (For the record its pronounced Be-day) too and start boasting of a plush ‘Rest Room’ which is a cubicle.

Flouting these norms anywhere in the world would mean ‘closer’ any where in the world. But in our India its, Jai Ho! Balle - Balle. A Liaison consultant flippantly quipped, ‘ that is what they pay additional money for’.

· All Indian sweet houses with Indian fast food who boast of phenomenal

sales have pathetic wash rooms. Just as a token, in the name of rule, there is a small poorly maintained toilet for a 150/200 cover restaurant with flush system not working or no running water. Little attention is paid to hygiene standards. We are referring to some of the well known cash rich Indian fast food chains and sweet shops. Will someone tell these filthy rich owners that how filthy is their RESTROOM or are we used to filth & grime with no nostrils.

· The sad part is that most of these toilets are so badly maintained that they only add to the deteriorating of standard hygiene. There is no soap in the dispenser, no water in the faucet, no toilet paper in the ring or napkin in its place and a hand drier that doesn’t work. What a shame! What Mockery! What anguish! What stuff are we made of?

Are we a country of self opinionated bull shitters? Let’s ask ourselves this very moment.

Due to sub human hygiene conditions of toilets in Delhi, it is not surprising that a large number of people suffer from gastric disorders. I guess for this reason some one coined the appropriate phrase ‘DELHI BELLY’.

GHC has taken upon itself the task of sensitizing both intelligentsia and the government about the critical need to address this problem at the same time GHC accepts responsibility to offer solutions as well.

GHC Recommendations:

We strongly urge the government and other social bodies to:

1. Promulgate a law for:

a) For all new restaurants that are coming up, and

b) a separate law for existing eateries, with a separate set of rules keeping in view the conditions and space constraints.

c) To set up an advisory committee consisting of hospitality professionals, Doctors and qualified health officers to scrutinize and clear all new projects and proposals by majority secret vote. Thereafter it can be forwarded (with the Committee Recommendations) to appropriate government authority for final stamp of approval.

2. The government must authorize the committee to carry out inspections of all eating houses based on the draft of guidelines.

3. Subject to approval, all restaurants licenses must be canceled after giving three months to rectify the situation.

4. For non-compliance after 3 months the license must be canceled for minimum three years.

This is a simple and workable solution, we are confident that our Government will find substance in these overtures. As for GHC it will always remain willing to make its humble contribution to lift the standards of the Hospitality Industry in India.

Written by Anil Chak & Virat Varma