Third National Consultation on SDG 6 on the theme of “Sanitation Challenge and Sulabh’s Best Practices” Organised by National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog Government of India and Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) on August 9, 2016 at Juniper Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi By: Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Ph.D., D.Litt. Sociologist & Social Reformer Founder, Sulabh Sanitation Movement “One has seen power of money, power of post and place, but I saw that power of compassion, love and respect for others, which is instilled in Dr. Pathak’s character since childhood, can create magic in the lives of the needy people and transform their lives.” –Mrs. Abha Kumar Vision, Mission, Commitment, Capability and efficiency coupled with honesty, integrity, ethics and morality. One life, One Mission and methodologies and inventions have made difference in the lives of formerly untouchables, widows and in the entire sanitation scenario in India. I have introduced a state of art technology to combat arsenic found in the ground water in several parts of India. This has given a new lease of life to the people living in those areas. By the use of an innovative invention of conversion of human waste into fertilizer serves multifarious functions of prevention of water pollution, providing energy from human waste and reduction of global warming. This innovative recycling of human waste has provided a method to impact climate change as well. Problem Research Invention Strategy Action Collaboration Appreciation including Replication Mr. Bill de Blasio, Mayor of the city of New York , declared April 14, 2016 as “DR. BINDESHWAR PATHAK DAY” 5 BINDESHWAR PATHAK Top 50 diversity figures in public life in This category recognises the achievements of individuals who have used their position in public life, for example as a campaigner, politician or journalist to make an impact in diversity. Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder, Sulabh International (India) "Humanist, social reformer and diversity champion Pathak works as an advocate for to the so-called ‘untouchable’ caste, so they may work, live and pray as a fully integrated part of Indian life. His work in the improvement of sanitation and production of bio-gas is changing health and wealth outcomes for the poorest people and is cited as one of the Globally Best Practice by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements.“ – THE ECONOMIST Ranked by The Economist amongst the World's Top 50 diversity figures in public life along with US President Barack Obama, Angelina Jolie and Bill Gates (November 2015) 6 The Dubai Municipality and UNCHS (HABITAT) awarded Sulabh ‘Dubai International Award for Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment’ out of 1125 entries in the year 2000. 7 Hon'ble Mrs. Anna K. Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT presenting the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour 2003 Award to Dr. Pathak. 8 Mr. JRD Tata at the inaugural Late J.R.D. Tata praised function of Sulabh Bombay Sulabh work Sheriff Bakul Patel is at extreme right “2016 Humanitarian Award” from the New York Global Leaders Dialogue at Harvard Club, New York on April 12, 2016 “‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year, 2015 – Outstanding Achievement’ award by CNN-News18 at New Delhi on June 09, 2016 The BBC World News Series, Horizons has featured Sulabh technology amongst the five inventions of the world. Dr. Pathak and Ms. Rajini Vaidyanathan, BBC BBC Correspondent Rajini Vaidyanathan visits New Delhi Correspondent at the human excreta based Sulabh in India, to examine the twin pit toilet invented by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak. biogas plant linked with Sulabh Community Toilet Complex situated in the Sulabh Campus. 11 World Health Organisation has designatated Sulabh as “WHO Collaborating Center for Sanitation, Hyeiene and Water” Hon’ble Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director, for South-East Asia, visited the Sulabh campus on March 09, 2016 12 Problems Scavengers had to clean bucket toilets before sunrise, so that nobody could see them or touch them 14 15 16 17 Dr. Pathak taking out the human excreta from bucket toilet at Arrah, Bihar Dr. Pathak carrying human excreta on the head in container along with human scavengers at Arrah, Bihar Dr. Pathak throwing out the human excreta along with human scavengers at Arrah, Bihar Open Defecation Open Defecation India had and has the problems of defecation in the open and manual cleaning of nightsoil by untouchables called human scavengers. Gandhi was the first person whose attention was drawn to find out solutions of these problems. 25 In the sixties when I came on the scene of sanitation and untouchability at that time in rural areas, seldom, house had a toilet. The people used to defecate in the open. Women had to suffer the most. They had to go out for open defecation in the dark – before sunrise or after sunset. Their dignity was at risk, subjected to criminal assaults and occasionally suffer from snake bites. 26 Girls did not go to schools because of lack of toilet facilities in schools. Mortality rate among children was very high because of diarrhoea, dehydration, hookworm, roundworm, etc. My own sister’s son died because of diarrhoea while he was being taken to hospital. 27 In urban areas 85% houses used to be served by bucket toilets cleaned manually by the human scavengers called untouchables. The untouchables had to face all sorts of humiliation, insult and indignation by the society. As per 1961 census there were 3.5 million human scavengers out of which 8,02,400 used to clean human excreta exclusively. Only 15 towns had sewerage treatment plants out of 2363 towns. 28 To explain the situation, I just would like to narrate a small story that how an English woman was not inclined to visit India because of lack of toilet facilities: Water Closet Story In the days when you could not count on a public toilet facility, an English woman was planning a trip to India – She registered to stay in a small guest house owned by the local schoolmaster. She was concerned as to whether the guest house contained a WC (Water Closet). Contd… 29 She wrote to the schoolmaster inquiring of the facilities about the WC. The school master, not fluent in English asked the local priest if he knew the meaning of WC. Together they pondered possible meanings of the letters and concluded that the lady wanted to know if there was a “Wayside Chapel” near the house. That the letters could mean a bathroom, never entered their minds. So the schoolmaster wrote: Contd… 30 “Dear Madam, I take great pleasure in informing you that the WC is located 9 miles from the house. It is located in the middle of a grove of pine trees, surrounded by lovely grounds. It is capable of holding 229 people and is open on Sundays and Thursdays. As there are many people expected in the summer months, I suggest you arrive early. There is, however, plenty of standing room. This is an unfortunate situation especially if you are in the habit of going regularly. It may be of some interest to you that my daughter was married in the WC, since she met her husband there. Contd… 31 It was a wonderful event. There were 10 people in every seat. It was wonderful to see the expressions on their faces. My wife, sadly, has been ill and unable to go recently. It has been almost a year since she went last, which pains her greatly. You will be pleased to know that many people bring their lunch and make a day of it. Others prefer to wait till the last minute and arrive just in time! I would recommend that your ladyship plan to go on a Thursday, as there is an organ accompaniment. Contd… 32 The acoustics are excellent and even the most delicate sounds can be heard everywhere. The newest addition is a bell which rings every time a person enters. We are holding a bazaar to provide plush seats for all since many feel it is long needed. I look forward to escorting you there myself and seating you in a place where you can be seen by all. With deepest regards, The Schoolmaster.” No wonder the woman never visited India!!! Contd… 33 Historical Background Mud is removed from the soil by a Khurpi and a hole made in which one can defecate Ancient Indian culture forbade defecation near the house and the practice was that the arrow was shot from the bow and one could defecate only after the distance where the arrow landed. After the ground is dug and the hole is made grass and leaves are put in it. 34 Septic Tank Septic tank is also costly in construction. It requires 10 litres of water to flush, per use and has a vent pipe too resulting in atmospheric pollution. The septic tank without soak pit is health hazardous. 35 Research APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY – TWO PIT POUR FLUSH COMPOST TOILET In the Sulabh two-pit pour-flush Compost Toilet, there are two pits one of which is used at a time. Excreta in the first pit turns into manure after two years which can be cleaned by anybody. Manure is odourless and pathogen free & can be used in fields and gardens. Capacity of the pit can vary from 2 years to 40 years as per design. More than 1.5 million two-pit Pour Flush Compost Toilets installed in India by Sulabh alone. The Government of India has also got installed 54 million such toilets. This design has been implemented in three continents of Asia, Africa and Latin America.