St.
Louis Despatch No 3.
(08 March 2014)
"Dignity To All" (& Save the Earth!)
Hello
Folks,
Before
I begin, I would like to dedicate this piece to the memory of Kevin Mellifont,
who had come down from the US to Pune, to share his vast experience of
over 40 years, in the Portable Toilet
Industry. In a short period of 6 months, he had grasped not only the
intricacies of the industry in India/Pune,
but had identified himself with everyone in 3S and the results
of his directions have already begun to show. His tragic & untimely
demise last month has left us the poorer
for guidance.
This is more of an informative piece, as compared to the others, which were ‘travelogues’ & more chatty .
This is more of an informative piece, as compared to the others, which were ‘travelogues’ & more chatty .
The Pumper &
Cleaner Show
And thereby hangs a tale! And it came about most casually but
spontaneously. Before leaving for here,
Kevin strongly suggested, that since I
was going to be the in US, I should attend the Pumper & Cleaner Show at
Indianapolis. This is the biggest Expo of
the Liquid Waste Management Industry in the world.
“Go
Greyhound -- and leave the driving to us" says the
slogan.
I had heard about the Greyhound Buses for years, but never ever thought that I will be riding one of these. So I found myself on the US version of Neeta Volvo/Shivneri travelling from St Louis to Indianapolis. Honestly, I was disappointed to say the least. My comparison above was justified. No details here!! TCALSS, I found myself at the Embassy Suites & caught up with Rajeev.
I had heard about the Greyhound Buses for years, but never ever thought that I will be riding one of these. So I found myself on the US version of Neeta Volvo/Shivneri travelling from St Louis to Indianapolis. Honestly, I was disappointed to say the least. My comparison above was justified. No details here!! TCALSS, I found myself at the Embassy Suites & caught up with Rajeev.
The Expo was not just an eye-opener, it was a
revelation, an insight into the Industry, but most apparent, it brought out the
importance that Portable Sanitation has been accorded the World over. The equipment
on display was straight out of a Sci Fi movie. The suction (vacuum) vehicles,
fitted with the most efficient systems,
 |
| A dismounted unit (Tank+ vacuum pump) |
 |
| A Portable Rest Room |
Rajeev had a session on
the “State of Global Sanitation”,
which was very well received. I want to
digress a bit to drive home a point. I understand Aamir Khan’s 2nd
Season of ‘Satyamev Jayate’ is being aired. In season 1, he had touched upon various
issues, plaguing us & the overall
perception towards these, of our fellow countrymen. There are cynics & cynics
and people with a myopic view of anything that can be a called
a “Trailblazer” & I
understand that they are already at
work, picking holes in the subject matters!!
 |
| Rajeev interviewed for a TV channel. |
In the
same spirit, Rajeev has taken it upon himself
to provide Portable Toilets, with a view to bringing, dignity to millions of people in
India, who are bereft of this basic
need. The impact of non-availability of toilets
has got far-reaching ramifications, too long to enumerate!
.JPG) |
| A 3S Suction vehicle on duty. |
 |
| Servicing a Rest Room at a Constr Site. |
While it is not possible for everyone to visit these Expos, I think everybody should at least try to grasp the importance of the subject & specifically, the role that Rajeev & his Team 3S is playing in a very noble, but “unusual” (by Indian standards) vocation. A synopsis of Rajeev’s session is also attached.## .
 |
| Pressure Washing. |
Imitation is the best form of flattery..blah blah..! So what is so difficult about picking up
something from others that is of
positive value & use? Sure, everyone is welcome to swear by the Big Mac/Big Apple or speak with that twang acquired in just over
2 months! To each his own.
But look
at what else is also happening out there!
The importance the rest of the World has given & rightly so, to Sanitation
is nothing short of colossal. True, it is not possible, as yet, to compare the quality & standards
that are prevalent there , especially given the fact, that this ‘Industry’ is
in it’s infancy here, besides other
intangibles. (Mindset, ignorance of such a facility being available, etc. etc.)There’s
a lot to be achieved. We have to make a start somewhere, but fast! There
are Brand Ambassadors for almost every product in the country. Can someone take
this on, please!! And I really mean ‘Championing the cause’. Thank you.
To that effect, Rajeev’s
talk threw a lot of light on a subject which, in India, one would not talk about much, leave alone be a part of it! Another irony. Remember Gandhiji's Tolstoy Farm & the issue of
cleaning ‘toilets’(have used a more
sober word!) Here is a young man,
with a dream & with his Company,
manned by an equally motivated staff, wanting
to provide a basic but vital necessity to his countrymen. Someone told me once,
long ago, that ‘when you dream, you are also given the power to make it come
true’!
Personally, it was quite an education for me & I have definitely come away, better informed & with a ‘focused
direction’.
In- between breaks / end-of-day, we met a lot of
Exhibitors & Operators, most of them on first-name & back-slapping
terms with Rajeev. The Hotel where we stayed hosts a “Manager’s Cocktails” from 5:30-7:30 pm.
EVERYDAY. So you can imagine the scene
at 5:30!. Major difference? Everyone standing quietly in line for his/her turn.
Followed by dinner. Remember my comments on the Sparrows here being stouter
than their Indian cousins? Ditto for the Chicken!! Next time onwards, I am
going to order a “kids meal”!
Three days later, I was back on the Greyhound, ably driven by
a lady, who brought me back home in good time. That reminds me. In India
ladies, are more comfortable at running (steering) Organisations, homes & the
like, but not vehicles.(there are a few exceptions, but limited ). I think we
need to break new grounds here too. It is my dream to see a All-Lady crew on a
Suction Vehicle, servicing the Rest Rooms at various sites. That will be the
day!
##
State of Global Sanitation
Description:
It is clear that portable sanitation protects billions of people around the world from sickness and deadly diseases. However, there are many areas of the world where portable sanitation is under used or non-existent, and billions of people suffer on a daily basis. Thankfully, there are operators in these regions who are making a difference. Come hear their stories, and be inspired as you learn how valuable your business is to the community you live in.
It is clear that portable sanitation protects billions of people around the world from sickness and deadly diseases. However, there are many areas of the world where portable sanitation is under used or non-existent, and billions of people suffer on a daily basis. Thankfully, there are operators in these regions who are making a difference. Come hear their stories, and be inspired as you learn how valuable your business is to the community you live in.
Till then, TC. Hope you guys take a deep hard look at this issue & at least spread the word, if nothing else.
Cheers & TC
Ashok Gune
Cheers & TC
Ashok Gune
No comments:
Post a Comment