India, June 11 -- By Dr. R. Balasubramaniam

First time International travel is an eye-opening experience, especially when the first challenge you face is simply finding a place to pee. My first such experience came while transiting through Singapore several decades ago. My search for a toilet - a perfectly respectable word in my vocabulary - led to unexpected confusion.

After scanning the massive airport terminal and failing to locate anything labelled "Toilet," I finally approached the information desk. The helpful attendant smiled and said, "Sir, you can find the restroom just around the corner."

Restroom?

For a moment, I hesitated. A restroom, in my understanding, was surely a place where tired and privileged passengers lounged bet...