"In 1998, I came across this idea of building toilets. It is amongst the lowliest of businesses to be in. It of course is the business of filth. But I can truly say that I enjoy my work."

Mr. Fuad Lokhandwala, who lived overseas for 25 years, is President and Founder of FUMES International, an innovative enterprise that provides public facilities in New Delhi. Following are his words to the youth at a conference held at Asia Plateau and excerpts of an interview with him in June 2006.

“I am pleased to be here and honoured as well. Do I deserve it? I don’t know. But thank you for inviting me.

I have worked all my life as an entrepreneur. I enjoy the freedom – the risks – the rewards – the flexible schedules, etc. – as opposed to a regular job.

As a person I am a loner and the best times of the day are the moments I spend alone – reminiscing, reflecting and even dreaming. I can do without my morning coffee but I can’t do without my quiet moments. After returning to India almost ten years ago, I was in search of work – something to gainfully occupy me. For long periods I simply drifted. Often I thought of what a friend of mine once said to me: “At the end of the game, the King and the Pawns go into the same box.” Then in 1998, I came across this idea of building toilets. It is amongst the lowliest of businesses to be in. It of course is the business of filth. But I can truly say that I enjoy my work.

A couple of years ago I was invited by Columbia University in New York City to take part in a global competition. After my presentation, one of the judges asked me: “Why are you taking part in this contest?” I told him bluntly, it was not the prize money that brought me to New York. I felt that if I won this contest and the press picks it up in India – people will read that Indian toilets have won an international award. They won’t believe it. Nonsense. Absurd. Ludicrous, they will say. But then they will say that if Indian toilets can win international awards, why can’t we have award winning schools, roads, hospitals? The point is we need to raise our standards in this country. On a day to day basis the common man goes through so much. He really is a tolerant man in India. He lives on hope. He hopes that one day the water he drinks will not be contaminated. He hopes that one day the food that he consumes will not be adulterated. He hopes that one day his daily bus ride will be a pleasure, not an ordeal. He hopes that one day his child will be able to go to a good school without having to pay exorbitant entry fees. Much of this is taken for granted in other countries.

I said to myself, “Enough is enough”. Let me at least provide the general public with a clean, hygienic and dignified experience whenever they want to use a toilet.

I am reminded of a song. This song is from the movie ‘The Lion King’. The movie was produced by Disney and the song was sung by Elton John. The words to that song are as follows: “Some say eat or be eaten, some say live and let live. But all are agreed as they join the stampede – you should never TAKE more than you GIVE.”

Through this project I know I have given more than I have taken – and that’s gratifying.

I am grateful I was allowed to bring an idea to fruition. Thank you.”

How did FUMES start?

FUMES is basically a company name formed out of my family’s names. FU is for Fuad; ME is for Mehru and S is for Sana. That’s how we got the name FUMES. The idea of starting this business came one day after India tested some nuclear devices, in the desert of Pokran. At that time, I happened to be watching television and an American TV host commented that India was now a nuclear power, but it still didn’t have clean public toilets. And that got me thinking. I thought I should do something about it and that’s how it really began. That was the first step.

What was the reaction of the government when you proposed this idea?

I was fortunate, because at the time, the Minister of Urban Affairs was Mr. Ram Jethmalani;one of India’s foremost lawyers. He was very supportive and he was a doer. Because of that, it was easier, but I did have to go through the whole ‘rigmarole’ and that took quite a long time.However, with the support of Mr. Jethmalani and others, I could see it through. And then, when I made my first one, it sold itself. People appreciated it and the authorities wanted me to make more. So that’s how it started.

What is the number of the public facilities that you run now?

My company runs 25 public conveniences and more than 20 garbage collection sites, the latter based on the process of segregation.

How are the facilities economically feasible, since you only charge one or two rupees per customer?

We charge a very nominal fee for the use of the facilities. But basically we are supported by outdoor advertisements. We need company sponsorships, so if we can market those outside walls to companies, then we are able to sustain ourselves. That’s how we run the show.

What’s the toughest aspect of your business?

The toughest part of this business is the maintenance. That’s an ongoing process. You know, I can clean my toilet the whole day, I can scrub it all day and it’ll be sparkling clean. And then, one filthy guy goes into it. If you are the next in line, you would say it is the worst toilet you’ve ever been to. So the nature of this business is such, that it’s a mammoth task and we all know that a toilet is only as clean as the last person who uses it. With that in mind, you’d understand what kind of a job we have ahead of us in cleaning and maintaining those facilities.