378 पटक हेरिएको 
Pokhara : If you travel 2.3 kilometers from Zero Kilometer in Pokhara towards the Pokhara-Baglung Highway, you will reach the Baglung Bus Park. Aashika KC has been overseeing the public toilet at the bus park for the past 8 years.
Aashika works as an employee at the public toilet operated by a cooperative organization. Her responsibilities include cleaning the toilet, collecting service fees from users, and depositing the collected money into the cooperative.
Aashika says, “I take pride in my profession. No work is small or big. Work is work.”
After working in the same place for seven years, she has had the opportunity to interact with many people. She has closely observed the habits and behaviors of individuals. Since the bus park is also a tourist spot, Aashika has experienced a diverse range of users from the east to the west, each with their own unique characteristics.
Aashika says, “Some people come and leave the toilet dirty, use drugs inside the toilet, and refuse to pay the fee for using it. Some, after paying the fee, believe that cleaning is the responsibility of the toilet operator, while others even damage the toilet’s facilities.”
No matter what kind of toilet users come, Aashika provides service with a smile. This is because she is responsible and happy with her profession. She is aware of the potential spread of infectious diseases when toilets are dirty, which is why she always keeps the toilets clean. Aashika says, “I don’t like leaving things dirty. I don’t even feel like keeping it smelly. As soon as the toilet gets dirty, I immediately start cleaning it.”
In addition to these, Aashika has a regular cleaning schedule for the toilet. She cleans it after closing at night, then once again at 10 AM, and again in the afternoon around 2-3 PM, she elaborated.
Aashika has experienced that society often views toilet-cleaning work with disdain. However, she has no complaints about people who behave rudely, avoid paying the fee after using the toilet, or even insult her. Aashika says, “I take pride in my profession. No work is small or big. Work is work.”
Aashika argues that if one is satisfied with their work, it is not necessary to please the world. She says, “I enjoy my work. Others may say bad things, call me lazy, or criticize me. People often give advice or insult me. When I ask for money after they’ve used the toilet, they try to argue. But I don’t mind. I just focus on fulfilling my responsibilities.”
She has been earning a living and investing in her children’s education through her cleaning profession. She believes that her profession, which has made life easier and contributed to environmental conservation, is truly great.
Aashika says, “I find the work of cleaning very important and meaningful because I have provided convenience to others. I have kept the toilets clean, and people who come here are able to use them. I have arranged plenty of water and provided soap. If I hadn’t kept the toilets clean, there would have been a foul smell around, and people could have contracted diseases from the toilet. That’s why I am proud of my work.”
During the process of cleaning the toilet, Aashika sometimes meets people with good manners and behavior, which further motivates her to work. She says, “I sometimes meet people who say, ‘What a clean toilet, thank you!’ At that moment, I feel that my work is truly valued, and I feel happy.”
The cooperative has provided Aashika with a room to stay, as well as electricity and water, without charging any fee. She is completely satisfied with the services and facilities provided by the cooperative. However, she wishes that health insurance could also be provided.
“If I fall ill, the worry of how to afford treatment becomes overwhelming. If the cooperative could just provide health insurance, I would feel much more at ease,” Aashika shared about her expectations from the cooperative.
