As expected, President Ramnath Kovind declaration of the urban areas of the state as Open Defecation Free (ODF) is gaining plenty of traction everywhere. Citizens lost no time in scoffing at these claims - and rightly so - by posting pictures that show the ground reality. Indeed, this issue has proved fertile for opinions and much mirth and mayhem on social media.

But while these claims will be looked on as suspect, it is important that we concentrate on what's at the heart of the matter - giving people maximum access to toilets.