While men used the nearby Thuraiyur Namakkal road for defecation at night, the same stretch was used by men and children during the day. Children and women were the most affected by this rotation system, as answering nature`s call during the night  created problems. The villagers faced torrents of abuse from heavy vehicle drivers who used to veer off the road to avoid oncoming traffic and ran the risk of hitting defecating villagers on the roadside. All the above facts came to the fore during a meeting of the local women`s self help group when field staff from Gramalaya visited the village some time ago. It was decided then and there to put an end to this menace once and for all. The meeting, which took place as planned, also led to a procession (transect walk) of all residents being taken to the sites they usually use for open defecation. It was only then that they realized how much shame and ignominy they underwent daily to answer nature`s call. The dangers of open defecation and how it led to disease, which in turn affected family income, were discussed thoroughly at the meeting. This was a matter of shame for the women, especially, who generally had to get up in the spots they used for open defecation whenever humans or vehicles passed that way. After all these were discussed, the entire community decided en masse to put an end to open defecation once and for all. Gramalaya field staff suggested that immediate construction and use of direct pit toilets were the answers. This would eradicate open defecation totally without residents being forced to spend heavily on toilet construction, they were told. The community agreed to stop open defecation within a month by constructing direct pit toilets. These direct pit toilets do not require a lot of spending or a superstructure. A cement slab with the pan is fixed over a pit that is directly dug below it. There is an air vent pipe that is fixed to send the smell out. Ash is being used after defecation, and there is no water in this place, The fecal matter is turned into manure over a period of time. This toilet is ideal for rocky terrain, and there is very little water involved in the usage. Ash should be available, except during the time of usage, when the toilet should be covered.