City vlogger’s drive to allow public to use private toilets

The youngster is mobilising groups of volunteers across the city, walking door-to-door approaching cafes, petrol bunks, stores and offices, requesting them if they would agree to let their restrooms be open for public use – and carry a sticker on their door, proclaiming the same. 

He is also documenting the entire project through vlogs on his YouTube channel ‘Sivapuranam’, that is already a favourite among Chennaiites. The YouTube creator and filmmaker first found fame last year for his enterprising hitchhiking journey from Guwahati to Chennai – without spending a single rupee. 

“Since I already had a strong network of viewers, I wanted to vlog again, and interact more with the audience. A while back, a petrol bunk in T Nagar had let me use the restroom on their premises – but there was no board or poster indicating there was a toilet there. I’d asked them if they’d be okay with letting the public know this, and they agreed. That’s when the idea struck me that urinating in the open could be lessened through this,” Siva said. 

He began printing stickers that could be stuck on the doors of such restrooms, and then along with a few friends, started scouting neighborhoods. “As of now, we have covered parts of Kodambakkam and Anna Nagar. We were ecstatic at a few places agreeing to display the sticker, while many others said that the cleanliness and hygiene might be affected, or that by letting anyone in, the safety of the store could be compromised. We found the reasons fair enough – but a big thanks to the cafes, bunks and clothing stores that are on-board so far. Restroom users can thank the store on social media for their service,” Siva added. 

Along with the ‘Walk in to use the toiler’ sticker, Siva and team are also giving away a ‘Drinking water’ sticker that lets shops invite people in to quench their thirst.