Eight-year-old daughter makes parents build a toilet with gold ornaments

MANGALURU: The resolve of an eight-year-old girl belonging to Moodu Konaje in Moodbidri taluk, to construct a toilet at home had made her parents to pledge their gold ornaments.

All this because of the cleanliness awareness talk which was held at her government primary school, Kavya, 8, who is a resident of Moodu Konaje which is governed under the Shirtadi village panchayat, decided that her family should stop open defecation. She is the youngest daughter of Seena and Leela who are daily wage labourers.

“I was inspired by the talk at school and began to pester my parents to build a toilet. My parents finally agreed to it but we’re poor and couldn’t afford to build one,” she said.

A few years ago, the family credited a loan of Rs 1.5 lakh for the purpose of repairing the thatched roof of their house. The land on which they stay is not registered by their name and title deeds problems are yet to be sorted out. The family, also has a 10-year-old elder brother, who depends on plots in the surrounding areas for open defecation.

Her parents, giving in to the pressure of their daughter, they contacted the panchayat officials to find out if there was any scheme to construct a toilet but nothing concrete was used. With options running out, the couple finally pledged their gold ornaments and built a toilet-cum-bathroom at a cost of Rs 30,000.

After the building of the toilet the family is facing another challenge. As It is located on the Naga Beedi, a route which is used by the serpent god. According to local belief, nobody is supposed to hinder its movements and if it happens, there could be a negative impact. The family is now looking up to religious rites to avoid it. The family has given a fresh application through the panchayat for the government grants.