You got my upvote! I have couple of observations to add. The well with steps on the picture is well architected. When there is more rain and the well fills out, women can fetch water from the very top. As water level decreases, women can keep going down the stairs to fetch the water. No need to have a pulley to fetch water in buckets.
Next, there is an important reason why women were assigned the task of grinding wheat and pulses. Women's uterus needs continuous exercise so it is healthy before, during and after pregnancy. The motion when using the grinding machine and making chapatis exercises the uterus and helps reduce maternal mortality rate.
I don't agree with the concept of open defecation. If you keep the bathroom clean there is no problem regarding germs. Also, Indian style toilet uses minimal water and supports water conservation. By the way, flushing system was invented by Indians.
Thanks for reading with such an interest! You're a keen observer. I agree with all your reasoning regarding step-well & grinding millstones.
Open defecation has become a problem due to over-population and over-urbanization. Otherwise, I think it to be a good practice. Even in Indian toilets, all water that goes down the flush is wasted. We don't have sufficient STPs and this sewerage water pollutes rivers & underground water. Open defecation are more environment friendly and easier to access.
Can you imagine what happens when you don't find any public toilet in the urban settings and defecating in the open is impossible? Air, water and excreting are basic necessities of life and should be free everywhere. Personally, I find the call of the Nature to be more important and pressing than thirst for water. You can't hold that in the absence of a toilet!
Oh, I wasn't aware about the invention of flushing system by Indians. Thanks for telling me about it! How do you know so much about India?