Dean Spears

"Where India Goes demonstrates that open defecation in India is not the result of poverty but a direct consequence of the caste system, untouchability and ritual purity."

I am not sure how did you determine this, but in my childhood we used to go out to the nearby fields for defecation. But surely not for the reasons you mentioned. There is only one reason, that time we don't have latrines at home. Do the latrines 100% good? I see mobile and Manufactured homes with no sewerage, are they good?

There is also another side to going out to fields. Everyday all friends we used to go out together, it was chit chat time, morning walk time, we get fresh air, some exercise and on the way back to home we take care of some errands too.

I am not saying open defecation is good, but going in the latrines as well not 100% good, especially western styled latrines. the reasons behind this you mentioned are not correct, at least in my village.… (meer)

“Where India Goes” by Diane Coffey and Dean Spears is an excellent book.
First, I will congratulate them for staying in Sitapur during their research. Most Indians would shy away from this.
The book confirms some impressions I had — that to reduce open defecation, education is essential.
I have read Mulk Raj Anand’s book, “Untouchable”, which sensitized me to the caste bias regarding the role of Dalits in clearing excrement.
The book contains a few surprises for me. I did not realize that many people in rural India consider open defecation to be healthy.
Neither did I realize that some women prefer to defecate in the open. It provides them with a chance to socialize with other women.
Building expensive toilets and latrines is not a solution for India. This is clear.
Diane stresses the need to build inexpensive toilets.
She emphasizes the need to educate people.
Finally, she recognizes the social prejudices that exist in India.
The recommendations at the end of the book enhance its value.
Open defecation is a problem, one that will take years of sustained effort to tackle.… (meer)

I like this book my Dean Spears. Dean has done some meticulous research before writing this book.

He focusses his examples on his findings in a few towns in India. Dean has focused his fieldwork in these few towns. The findings, and the lessons he draws, do apply to the rest of the country.

There are a few aspects that I like. While he brings in the work of many international academics, Dean does not live in the rarefied atmosphere of the scientists. The book covers ‘external’ pollution as well as ‘household’ pollution. This approach is a welcome contrast from many other books that I have read.

At the end of the book, he makes four recommendations. I like this restriction that he has imposed on himself. Again, this is a welcome contrast from the approach that many authors adopt, wherein they end with a long list that no one reads.

Dean Spears’ book is not easy to read. While he has, thankfully, not filled the book with technical jargon, it is a book that the reader should read carefully.… (meer)