Half of Indians Have Mobile Phones, but no Toilets at Home

"Open defecation continues to be a big concern for the country as almost half of the population (49.8 per cent) do it. Cultural and traditional reasons and lack of education were the prime reasons for this unhygienic practice. We have to do a lot in these fronts," Registrar General and Census Commissioner C Chandramouli told reporters here.

Besides, 62.5 percent rural population continue to use fire-wood as fuel for cooking and 44.8 percent people's mode of transport is cycle while computer with internet facility has penetrated into country's just 3.1 percent population.

Television continues to be the biggest mode of entertainment with 47.2 per cent households owning a set. Only 19.9 per cent people own a radio or transistor.

Bicycle remains the popular mode of transport with 44.8 per cent households owning one while two-wheelers are used by 21 per cent and four wheelers by just 4.7 per cent of the country's population.