Sulabh Swachh Bharat - VOL: 2 | ISSUE 15

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Marora to Trump Village

Swearing In Ceremony

Sanitation in Bengaluru

Pritzker Prize 2018

Trump Village expresses gratitude to Dr Bindeshwar Pathak and Sulabh

On a hot and dusty evening, over 4,000 guests watched Modi swear oath

Teen raises awareness about menstrual hygiene for girls in orphanage

Balkrishna Doshi becomes first Indian architect to receive the honour sulabhswachhbharat.com FIND US ONLINE

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RNI No. DELENG/2016/71561

A Good News Weekly

Vol - 2 | Issue - 15 | March 26 - April 1, 2018 | Price ` 5/-

TOILET: THE TOOL OF SOCIAL CHANGE

JOURNEY From MARORA TO TRUMP VILLAGE How Dr Pathak and his Sulabh Organisation changed the outlook of toiletless Marora village to Trump Village where now every household has its own personal Sulabh two-pit toilet

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March 26 - April 1, 2018

JOURNEY From MARORA TO TRUMP VILLAGE

On way to Trump Village

Indians living abroad should adopt at least one village, block or district and work for the development of that particular place Gala inauguration of Trump Village

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n Urooj Fatima

usty roads... farms scattered far and wide...

Random queues of mud houses... swarms of children covered in dust... the women at the woodfuelled stoves... like in any other village in India... where news of a new era travels slowly to this remote village of Mewat... Everything remains the same, as it has been for generations, children not bothered to go to school…women and men ignoring hygiene and cleanliness issues.

This village is just 80 km from the national capital, Delhi, but in terms of basic amenities in this small village of Haryana, it was far away from Delhi. The biggest problem faced by the inhabitants here, especially the women, was they had

Quick Glance Marora has emerged from its non-descript existence to being a celebrity one Dr Pathak adopted this village and gifted Sulabh toilet to each and every family Keeping village in the name of the American President is a great honour

squalor, a civilized person could have known. The flies in the morning and mosquitoes towards the evening, as a result, would fly in every one’s face.

Disease ruled the roost. Many were easy prey for snakes and scorpions.

Into this situation of dirt and desolation walked a group of strangers, who talked about building the much needed toilets and that at no cost to anyone. The group belonged to Sulabh International Social Service Organization.

Marora, a tiny village in Haryana’s Nuh district, shot into the limelight on June 18, 2017 after Sulabh International renamed it ‘Trump village’. The NGO wanted to trumpet its project aimed at ending open defecation in the village by building Newly built Sulabh Magic Toilets at Trump Village a toilet in every house.

This village has emerged from its to go at dawn for open defecation. It to work in the morning and return non-descript existence to celebrity was humiliating, and they also had to at dusk. That’s also the time when status. Sulabh has turned its fortunes face a variety of dangers when they many of the women with infants around by actually making it Open go for open defecation. The women pressed against their bodies go out to Defecation Free (ODF) and giving it of the village say-’Fear of snakes and relieve themselves under the cover a nick name Trump Village after the scorpions ... threat of wild animals of darkness. And they wait the long US President.

More than three-fourths of its and uninvited elements were always day to end and darkness to fall.

The wild vegetation, the shrubs 1,800 residents are below the poverty there.’

Once just a dirt track, now better and bushes, the streets, all the line. The sole primary school here is known by its nick-name, Trump known desolate corners, even the rundown. Sulabh has also promised Village, the inhabitants take pride state highway passing by it are free education for the children of in it. Most of those who live here spattered with the human excreta, widows, as well as an approach road are poor labourers, walking or stinking, decomposing, giving the to the school and a community peddling their ramshackle cycles village its worst conceivable face of centre.

March 26 - April 1, 2018

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S o m e b ytes . . .

DR PATHAK IS A MESSIAH FOR US Landlord Mukesh says that this village was formed by his grandfather after the partition of India-Pakistan. At first, toilets in our village were nominal, no one used them. One day Dr Pathak came to our village like a Messiah. He told the villagers about the use of toilets and its benefit. Not only that, they have built a toilet in every house of our village, for which we are very thankful to them. He said that in such a short time Sulabh has constructed 95 toilets in our village and 15 toilets are still being made.

He said that today people know us and our village by the name of ‘Trump Village’. Dr Pathak and Sulabh bestowed respect to our daughters along with our village. He said that we do not have the words to express gratitude to Dr Pathak. We are less educated people, we don’t know how to talk ... We are only aware that the changes that have taken place in our lives today are because of Dr Pathak.

SULABH’S EFFORT BROUGHT AWARENESS The life of women was limited to cooking, filling the water in the morning and feeding the cattle, unaware of the changing environment.

Their world revolved around these things only until Sulabh brought the change in their lives. Today these women use Sulabh toilets and they are also aware of their health. Not only this, the girls of this village have been learning to stitch from the Sulabh Sewing Center and they are very excited about it.

working together to educate women in 21 districts of Haryana. Aarti said that she had met the manager of this institution at the Anaganwadi. He asked Aarti if she can educate the women of her village. Aarti said yes, as she has studied up to class 10 and can teach them to read and write.

Aarti said that they gave her training in the use of computer. After that, he gave me the responsibility of teaching 50 women. Since then, I have also decided that I will continue to make women of my village literate and also make them aware of injustice against them. I am very thankful for Sulabh that they have built a toilet in our village, by which we got rid of many problems related to that. We fully support Sulabh in this noble work and express gratitude to the people of Sulabh.

SARPANCH OF TRUMP VILLAGE SAYS… Abdul Jabbar, Sarpanch of Trump village, says Sulabh has constructed 95 toilets in our village for which we are thankful to Sulabh and Dr Pathak. Jabbar points out that the Mewat district was working to build toilets in Dhandhuka village. When I came to know about it, I went there and contacted Madam Monica Jain. I requested Madame Monica for the construction of toilets in our village too, and she accepted my request happily. After that, the construction of toilets was also started in our village, and in just one-and-a-half months, Sulabh built toilets here.

More than half of our village’s problems have been overcome due to the construction of toilets.

Earlier, the daughters of our village had to go out for defecation.

RUBINA SAID… People used to see them with evil eyes, tease them, and pass comments Rubina said that going for open defecation was the biggest problem of on them. Along with this, children also had many problems because of it. the village and it ceased after Sulabh toilets have been made. Earlier, in Often children met with an accident while crossing the road, but since rainy seasons we have to think hundred times to go to the toilet outside the Sulabh toilets are made, all these troubles have ended in our village. at night, but now it is not so. Rubina says that I am the daughter of this Now women of our village do not have to face embarrassment. village and from my childhood, I have seen my village. Earlier we had to With the efforts of Dr Pathak and Sulabh, people have started to know go far away from the house for the toilet. our village today. No one came to our village before and neither did In the rainy season also we had to take the children outside for the toilet anybody come to ask about our problems, but today people come from which was very painful. Because the forest was far away from home so far to see our village, for which credit goes to Dr Pathak. Dr Pathak and we have to take the children to the fields. The owners of the farm started Sulabh have changed the image of our village, for which to complain that grains are grown there you can’t use it we are very thankful. for defecation, and it became very embarrassing for us.

People talk about doing big things but how a work Since Sulabh toilets have been constructed, we don’t The life of women is actually is done is proven by the Sulabh. The work have to face these problems anymore. We are grateful to Dr Pathak for saving us from such embarrassment and here was limited to done by them in this small village of Haryana is commendable. This village which was unaware of what problems. daily chores, is going on in the world is now writing a new chapter unaware of worldly of development. Sulabh has made this village free from WHAT DOES AARTI SAY? open defecation in a very short span of time. Sulabh had Aarti teaches women and girls of the village to read and write through the medium of the computer. Aarti says developments. Today faced many problems during their work in the village. It that she used to take children to Anganwadi, and then one they know of their was not so easy to explain to the people of the village who were unaware of toilet-hygiene, but the workers of day she came to know about the ‘Nayi Disha’ and ‘People health essentials Sulabh have demonstrated it with efficiency. to People India Company’. Both these organizations are DISEASES GOT EXTICT FROM OUR VILLAGE We have been benefited by the construction of Sulabh toilets and for that we are very grateful to Dr Pathak. He helped women of our village get rid of the problems faced due to open defecation. Islam said that there was a wide variety of diseases due to open defecation, children used to get late for the school and so on. Women had to wait till nightfall to go for defecation, due to which they had to face many problems like stomachache, vomiting and dizziness, diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, but since Dr Pathak has built Sulabh toilet in our village many diseases disappeared.

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March 26 - April 1, 2018

Sulabh wanted to trumpet its project aimed at ending open defecation in the village by building a toilet in every house God Really Answered Their Prayer In the holy month of Ramzan, 18th June 2017, for the first time, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder of the Sulabh movement, reached Marora with his dedicated team. Dr Pathak promised to the women of the village and rest of the villagers that they would get Sulabh toilets in each house. And the expenses for the construction of these will be borne by the organisation. Dr Pathak also spoke about establishing a skill development centre in this village.

The women of the village really felt like Dr Pathak had given them ‘Eidi’ before Eid. When Sulabh at the instance initiative of Dr Pathak announced the adoption of this village of 165 families, then the faces of the villagers lit up, they felt that God had really answered their prayers. With the help of two-pit pour flush ecological compost toilet technology, more than 20 million domestic toilets and more than 8, 500 public toilets have been manufactured in the country by the Sulabh. It is not only environmentally friendly, but it is an extremely low-cost technology that has been accepted socially.

On June 23, 2017 a gala

Dr. Pathak with the eminent people of the village inaugurating the Sulabh Magic Toilet

SULABH ‘TWO-PIT’ TECHNOLOGY

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he use of Sulabh technology does not have any adverse effect on human health. The ‘Sulabh two-pit’ technique has proved a milestone. Two pits are made keeping in view the local geographical conditions, one of which is used immediately and the second is kept closed. When the first completely gets filled up, another pit is turned on to collect the stool-urine and after two years, the human stool deposited in the first pit turns into manure by the bacteria. It is not only germ-free but it is also odourless. The first pile is evacuated and the manure obtained from it can be directly planted in the fields to increase the crop yield. This compost contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. After adding a little bit of lime in it, it becomes a good fertilizer. It is this quality of manure that produces humus and keeps the water in the roots of plants. When the plants need water it gives water. These properties are not found in the chemical fertilizer. Flushing in Sulabh toilets technology requires only one to one-and-a-half litres of water. Water and gas are easily absorbed by the soil in Sulabh toilets technology which is why this technique does not use different gas pipes. It does not even lead to bad odour. Due to not having a gas pipe, there is no side effect on the environment.

inauguration of the programme was organized in the village. The foundation stones were laid by Dr Pathak. A large contingent of Sulabh volunteers, members of Sulabh School Sanitation Club and the proud villagers marked the virtually historic event, like one never witnessed at any point of time in the past. In a matter of few months, 95 Sulabh toilets were ready in the village.

Dr Pathak took the opportunity to announce some other community welfare programmes.

A tailoring centre for women and

The proud owner of Sulabh Magic Toilet a tuition centre for the children of widows were planned and made known to the community. The training centre is fully operational now.

Beginning Of The New Chapter, Full Of Hopes As the toilets were built in the village the lives of the people here changed in the same way... learning the need for cleanliness and toilet, the whole village jumped happily...lost smiles came back on the faces of women and girls... Freedom from open defecation has changed the picture of their life… When the toilets were created, the diseases began to go away ... fear of snakes and scorpions no longer haunt anyone here anymore… Children have started going to school on time ... happiness beamed in every house.

With the efforts of Dr Pathak and Sulabh, the picture of this village has changed... with the name of the village Marora on everyone’s tongue...

People of Marora village who talked about farming and animal farming till yesterday are suddenly talking about development... Children are ready to go to school every morning after taking bath… the women of the village are beginning to recognize the letters of the alphabet written on slate…the days of becoming friends with the computer did not happen all of a sudden… behind the changing

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March 26 - April 1, 2018

picture of the village was the inspiration of Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh Organisation, who was recognized in the whole world... the one who has done many successful experiments of positive social change in modern times…his experiments and initiatives have not only been considered as substantial in the whole world…but also accepted it by the people everywhere wholeheartedly.

Vocational Training Center A Sulabh Sewing Centre was established where the women and girls are learning sewing and embroidery... Sulabh ki Nayi Disha and People to People India are working together to make women and girls literate in 21 districts of Haryana. To make this happen, these institutions make any woman or girl of the village competent by

MOTIVE BEHIND NAMing of ‘TRUMP VILLAGE’

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r Pathak, who is an acclaimed champion of sanitation the world over, had announced that a village would be named after the US president to give a fillip to the Indo-US relationship. “I announce to name one village in India as Trump Village.”

The man, who is known to take everyone by surprise by his outof-the-world ideas and actions to take them forward, Dr Pathak, said the move was aimed at encouraging businessmen, the well-heeled of the society to adopt villages in India and take the new national ethos of cleanliness and sanitation to its logical conclusion.

The Sulabh founder urged the India-American community to help realize the goal of sanitation and cleanliness in India while giving his presentation to local leaders on his longstanding countrywide work of providing affordable, ecological, on-site waste disposal toilet systems.

“To re-brand Marora as ‘Trump Village’ is an exercise to promote and put in larger global public domain the initiative to sync in with the vision of the Indian PM Narendra Modi to make Indian villages free from open defecation by the deadline, of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in the year in 2019,” said Dr Pathak.

Dr Pathak and his organization play a vital role in the flagship campaign of the PM Narendra Modi.

Indians living in abroad should adopt at least one village, block or district and work for the development of that particular place especially in the field of sanitation and cleanliness. God has helped you to help others; you can’t take money to the grave so why not work for the people, as your benevolence is what will go with you after your death.

“I am a follower of Gandhi but Bhakt of Modi because he is the first person after Gandhi who has worked in the field of sanitation and hygiene and trying to make India ODF,” Dr Pathak further added.

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WORDS OF PUNEET AHLUWALIA

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o name the newly named Marora village after the name of American President Donald Trump, American Republican Party member Punit Ahluwalia said that this is a welcome move. This will help to raise issues such as cleanliness at the international level. Puneet Ahluwalia, who reached Trump Village with Dr Pathak, believed that “keeping the name of the village in the name of the American President is a great honour of a world leader. This is a message for the world leader that he should bring socio-economic changes in the lives of ordinary people. “He also said on this occasion that the women of this village are especially happy that such a big initiative has given them respect. Ahluwalia said, “As before building a temple or a mosque no one needs to get permission from God, in the same way, if anything happens in respect of the leader of the free world there is no obstruction in it. ‘ Ahluwalia inaugurated newly built toilets and vocational training centre for women and girls of the village. “I feel privileged to be part of the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make villages free from open defecation.” giving training her, then entrust her with the responsibility to make women of her village literate and skilled in job-oriented worok. Not only this, these institutions pay for the cost of the computer, laptop, copy-book and pen. Today, women of this village have learned to read and write and they are skilled in many job-oriented tasks so that they can earn their livelihood.

The heart of women of this village is filled with respect for Dr Pathak... often words fall short for expressing their feelings for Dr Pathak whenever someone mentions his name. The children who were wrapped in dust till yesterday go about all clean. Today, those children have a chance to go to school and study. There is a new confidence in them.

Dr Pathak, who created the Trump Village by teaching the lessons of self-reliance to Marora village, also imparted the magical lesson of development to this village.

Today, this magic of development and cleanliness is spoken of highly by the people of Marora village.

Women of this village are witness to the development and miracle, who are not only burning the woods in the stove but also their old day. The new sun of the new age has risen in this village after seven decades of independence, but its brightness has illuminated the village of Marora so much that its glitter is not only seen in the country, but

Ahluwalia inaugurated newly built toilets and vocational training centre for women and girls of the village it is also garnering appreciation in foreign countries across the sea. Dr Pathak and Sulabh family are truly worthy of appreciation for this righteous work.

Dr Pathak Made The Village Global Dr Pathak has not only made Sulabh toilets in this village but has named this village after the name of American President, Donald Trump, and made it global. Today, not only India but the world, also know this small village by name of Trump Village. Women who waited for hours to go out to defecate did not get tired of thanking Dr Pathak and Sulabh today. The children here did not know about the world beyond, but today these children are looking forward to know all about the world.

The credit goes to Dr Pathak. The workers of Sulabh have altered the ambience of this village on the strength of their hard work.

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March 26 - April 1, 2018

MARORA TO TRUMP VILLAGE

Tales of Happy Families Of Trump Village The residents of Trump Village express their gratitude to Dr Bindeshwar Pathak and his Sulabh Foundation

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“...Atleast I have something on my name”

“...it’s a great comfort no doubt”

Nasri, a widow beneficiary says that I am happy because now at least I have one thing on my name.

Pointing towards her name written on the wall of toilet she said, “until before I have only heard my name, never read it.” She lives with her son and daughter-inlaw after the death of his husband. When asked about the benefits after the construction of toilets- she said “it doesn’t only have one benefit which I can tell… and neither this is not only my personal benefit… whole village is being benefitted with this…it doesn’t look like my village whose allies where covered with human excreta…and see the toilet is more beautiful than my house. The thing I could never think of is with us today. Total six members of the house use this toilet. I don’t have words to thank Sulabh and Dr Pathak for this.

Arshida wife of Khurshid shares that she had had access to a toilet at her maiden home.

She had a harrowing time in the absence of one at her marital home. Whenever she asked her husband to make a toilet at home, he neglected, even neglected the problem she has to face without the toilet at home during the time of pregnancy. Now with the new toilet made by sulabh in the four walls of their home “it’s a great comfort no doubt, the toilet is more precious to me than my home,” she says.

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No more walking long distances at the cost of school time

“…Toilet saves us from the mess of squalour”

Shakil, a tailor and his wife Shabana with their three children is a happy user of Sulabh toilet since the time it is constructed…sharing the painful story Shabana said, “during all the three time of pregnancy, for at least 15-20 days I have to carry the excreta in a bowl for throwing it outside. It is not so that Shakil doesn’t want to construct the toilet but due to lack of money, he could not give his wife a respectful life…but with now Sulabh toilet one can see the happiness of Shabana’s face.

Haruni, wife of Liyaqat who is a labor share that two months back I had a baby girl…although these days my mother is with us to take care of our daughter…my husband goes to field everyday…left is the home is me and my mother…I worried that once she will leave, I will be alone at home…in this situation I had to leave my baby girl alone at home to go outside for defecation… but now with the Sulabh toilet available at my home, I am so relaxed…I don’t have to leave my daughter alone.

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“...going out with mother for defecation is now a past” Sahun, a mason and his wife Miskina, together with their four children are six happy users of their newly acquired Sulabh home toilet. Their daughter, Bilkees, a class V student, shares how earlier they would go in the fields for defecation…walking long distances and often even out on main roads, also searching a dry spot flanking earthen pathways. She and her siblings were invariably accompanied by their mother, which is now in the past, she says with a beaming smile. The family made place for the new toilet by demolishing a bathroom they had constructed earlier.

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“…Thanks To Sulabh” Rehana’s younger daughter was having loose motion and she has used Sulabh toilet 8 times since the morning...describing such situations Rehana said, “Earlier it was very difficult to handle such situation, taking the children outside for 8-10 times for the defecation in the field leaving all the household work…this is the ultimate benefit if toilet being constructed at home.”

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“We had to relieve ourselves in the open every day stealthily, but no more” Yusuf, a labourer and his wife Razeena are among eight users of their new toilet Sulabh has constructed for the family. “We used to go out in fields and had to get up often in the middle of night of performing ablutions every time we saw a passerby,” Razeena recounts. “Also the agricultural field owners would shoo us away. We had to relieve ourselves every day stealthily,” she shares. We have a bucket kept inside for the water, sometimes children fight over it for filling it…it is good to see them fight to keep the toilet clean.

Her two sons are married; they have their own toilets at there home.

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“...had even snakebite on one of her visits to the fields for defecation” Ruddar, a labor and his wife Makina (75) are the two elderly who make the family of two users of their newly built Sulabh home privy.

The couple is generous enough to share the facility with neighbouring children who do not have their home toilet adequate enough to serve all in their family. For Makina this was the first she ever stepped in... “When I used our new toilet earlier I was scared of lizards,” she says. The couple uses battery powered torch to light up the WC at night as they have yet to connect it with electricity like many others. She had had even snakebite on one of her visits to the fields sometime back.

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“…as if Qaasam is still there with me” Basiri, wife of late Qaasam remembering her husband says…after his death, it was difficult to go at midnight for defecation as earlier he used to accompany me…I never had to take my daughter or son with me…but I always remember his the most during the time I had to go alone...but with this Sulabh toilet it seems as Qaasam is there with me…with an unmistakable smile of relief she narrated her story.

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“...no need to guard the field anymore” A family of seven is users of Sulabh home toiletTahir, a laborer, his wife Sarzina, their two kids, his mother and brothers. “When it rained or when crops were ripe we had to search a place for the morning call and often not finding one we had to sit on the roadside, right on the state highway which was very embarrassing…sometime people threw pebbles and runaway”. Now Tahir himself maintains the toilet unlike many men…and now there is no need for people to guard their field.

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“Sulabh toilet has saved us all the ordeal of going out...”

Jaber, a labourer, his wife Tabassum along with their four kids are six in his family who no longer head to fields for the morning ablutions. “Sulabh toilet has saved us all the ordeal of going out for the purpose,” he says. She said, “I don’t remember the full name of Sulabh but I know Pathak Sahab…I have tied him a rakhi…he changed the name of our village to ‘Trump Village’, I even know that he is a president of USA… since the time he Pathak Sabah stepped in our village, the fate of this village has been changed.”

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“...great facility we could never imagine what it would do to our life” Mubina, sister of Shareef who is out of town with his wife, came to take care her niece and nephew tell us that…earlier whenever she used to visit her brother place…she had to go outside for the defection which bothered her a lot as her-in-laws home have a facility of toilet…because of the terror of monkeys at times children use to defecate in the veranda or just outside the front door…but this visit was a different experience…the look of whole village has changed because of Pathak Sahab.

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“…In times of her being sick and suffering from diarrhea it was hell” Shahid, a labourer, and his wife Basgari along with their six children and her in-laws are 10 users of Sulabh two-pit toilet at their home. Basgari explains how nightmarish it was to go out for relieving themselves especially in rains when there was water logging just everywhere in and around the village. Fear of insects and snakes always lurked. Her maiden home had a toilet, but after marriage she had to get used to open defecation. Her husband or mother-inlaw had to accompany her to answer call of nature at night. “In times of her being sick and suffering from diarrhea it was hell,” she says.

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“…At night, toilet comes a lot useful saving them walking through muck”

Omprakash, a cleaner, his wife Asharfi and their children make five members of their family, “At night especially toilet comes a lot useful saving them walking through muck when they had to go out to relieve themselves; often we had a fall, leaving us hurt and bruised,” Asharfi recounts.

Omprakash house is the cleanest house of the village with the cleanest toilet among all.

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March 26 - April 1, 2018

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“...had to relieve ourselves when men folks were around, often doing without water” Sabir, a laborer, and his wife Aliman with their three children are five users of Sulabh toilet they have now at their home. “We would go out in muck, exposed to insects, thorny bush, squalor, often had to relieve ourselves when men folks were around, would go even without water as had to run some chore like picking wood. Now even kids use toilet, wash their hands with soap,” shares Aliman. The family got a bathroom-cum-urinal constructed at home. Earlier the allies next to home where filled with human excreta of the children, the adults…no one ever stopped anyone on defecating in allies as there were no option other than fields or allies…now the village is properly cleaned with no human excreta near the house.

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“…getting fractures while going to the field for defecation was common”

Ali Mohammad, a rickshaw puller and his wife Hasina’s is with their children are among the beneficiaries of the Sulabh toilet. Going out for the ablutions means insect bites, and the lady suffered a shoulder injury from a fall sometime back while going to defecate in a rainy season before Sulabh changed the way the family lived. Her son once had got even a snake bite and was rescued after he was treated in time. She said, “It was a common scenario earlier of people getting fractured while going in the open to defecate especially in midnight and during rainy season…but now because of Dr Pathak our lives are completely changed…my son goes to computer training centre and daughter to the Sulabh Sewing center.

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“…Family members visit our house to see the new Sulabh toilet” Irfan, a labourer, his wife Asma and their two children are happy users of Sulabh toilet. Asma is glad to share that her parents-side relations visit her to see the new Sulabh toilet which gives her a great sense of pride. She uses cleaner and a brush to maintain the toilet…even her two year old daughter also uses the toilet now.

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She, like many others, keeps her new toilet locked to save it from a possible unauthorised use Wife of Ramzan, Islami is 70 years old…she had a kidney stone operation…it was hell for me to go outside in this condition but now I have my own toilet…it is still difficult to sit in that with the stitches so my son got a chair improvised in a commode shape and keep it on the toilet and my daughter-in-laws help me to sit on that whenever I had to go. She locked the toilet to save it from a possible unauthorised use.

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“…The couple is all gratitude to Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Sulabh”

Sajid, a barber, his wife Sajida with their two kids make four users of their new two-pit Sulabh toilet, which he calls “a great convenience”. She said, “We are too poor to even think of a toilet”. Sajida had a toilet at her maiden home which she would miss at her marital one, over which the couple used to have regular fights. She said that her sister-in-law would accompany her when she had to go out in the odd hours for relieving herself. She is well aware that her family’s new possession Sulabh toilet made possible by the organisation’s founder Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak.

The couple is all gratitude to him and happy for the nick name, Trump Village, their village has got.

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“…Passersby would ogle at women relieving themselves in the open” For the four children of labourer Mubarik and his wife Aneesha, six users of the new Sulabh two-pit toilet system installed at their home, it is exciting times. Aneesha narrates her difficult time during the defecation…passerby sometime ogle at times…I had stopped taking the water with me…I had a fear in my mind that somebody will follow me seeing that I am going in a field for defecation…earlier we had got a basic one-pit urinal-cumbathroom, which had to be abandoned as it had got filled and was overflowing… but now with this toilet life seems easy again…can’t buy Herpic as it is expensive but keep the toilet clean with phenyl and brush daily.

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“…Village nick-name means ‘development’ as now it attracts people’s attention it never got.”

“...like the new name of the village”

Isaar, a rickshaw puller and his son Shukeen, a painter, are a family of two users of Sulabh toilet…

Isaar wife died few years back…he says, I wish she has seen this, it would have made her very happy.

His son Shaukeen got the surprise of his life when he returned home after 3 months from Faridabad and saw a fully constructed toilet at his home. He has no clue about Sulabh two-pit toilet technology earlier. He is aware about the US President Trump to whom the open-defecation-free village has been dedicated and is happy over the nick name his village has acquired. He says, “New nick-name means development as now it attracts people’s attention it never got.”

Somebody told Basiri mother of Qaasam that without the gas line the toilet can be blast anytime when the gas will be filled inside… she got very worried about this…Naseem and Saroj explained her that…with the Sulabh technology the gas get mixed with the manure in the soil…if we will release this gas in the atmosphere…it will get polluted…she got relaxed listening to that and said I like the new name of Marora village.

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March 26 - April 1, 2018

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“…children still unable to discontinue old habit of going out to defecate” Basiri and her husband was out to see the doctor, only their two children were at home…when asked about the use of toilet…they started giggling and blaming each other that they still go outside for the toilet…we explained them the use of toilet and hygiene.

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“Toilet saves us the hazards of venturing out to answer call of nature” Mukesh, a mason, his wife Lalita and their children make six in their family of users of their new Sulabh toilet system that was installed in their home recently. “It saves us the hazards of venturing out to answer call of nature especially at night and even more so when one is sick,” says Lalita. She is very much aware of the US President after whom the village has been nick-named and Sulabh which has constructed and donated the toilet.

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“We have relatives visiting us, saying we are not as good as the toilets made in the village.”

Ramchand’s family of three is the user of Sulabh toilet. His father Gangadas says, “The facility saves us hardship of going out and from diseases.” The household has their own preexisting one-pit toilet. So they are quite habitual to using four-walled convenience. He chuckles in self-deprecation, sharing, “now when relatives visit us, they first ask about the toilet then about us... even they make sure to visit the toilet once before leaving weather there is a need of using it or not”

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“...saves us a lot of time and is hygienic too” Radhe Kishan’s daughter Aarti who recently lost her mother but not her motive…everyday around 3 PM the women who wants to learn come to her place…with the help of her laptop movies and her knowledge, she teaches them and since the time toilet is being constructed at the village…she now teaches them the importance of toilet and hygiene…she runs a literacy mission programme.

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“...thanks Sulabh for what he should have done himself long back” Manoj Kumar is a furniture artisan. Along with his wife Savita they make a family of six who are users of Sulabh toilet. He admits that he should have taken this initiative to construct a toilet for her wife…as he has money also… but because of mindset neglected such a big issue…it is not that we men hadn’t any problem going for open defecation but then also neglected it…thanks Sulabh for what they have done for us and the whole village. He plans to have the home privy connected with electricity soon.

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“…without doing any hardwork got the fully constructed toilet” Priyanka knew about the Swachhta mission going on in the country through the medium of TV, she even knew that Vidya Balan and Priyanka Bharti is involved in the Swachhta mission. She never said anything about the construction of toilet to her husband…she knew nothing will be done in this aspect…but miracle happened, within the fraction of days…the fate of our village got changed, without even putting any effort or hardwork…all thanks to Sulabh.

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“…All praises for Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak for changing our life” Hariom with his wife Anita and others in their extended family are eight users of the Sulabh toilet system they got in their home recently. Says mother Saraswati, “we are too poor to make one on our own; it’s a lot of convenience that we could never think of and discover now.” The family took no time getting habituated to the new norm. “Never ever anyone of us goes out to relieve herself or himself even if it meant waiting long for his turn,” she says. She is particularly all praises for Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak for changing their life.

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“Easing themselves out in the open, now a memory of harrowing experience” Satvir’s is a family of six users of Sulabh toilet that he takes pride in and recalls the days of harrowing experience of fearing snakes and scorpions “when we would go out to relieve ourselves.”

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“…slowly and steadily understanding the importance of toilet” Mahavir, a tailor, his son Devinder, a class 12 student and others are a family of six who use the new Sulabh toilet they got in their home recently. “Others would fight with us when we went to their fields for morning ablutions,” they share.

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“...will get tired counting benefits of toilet” Dayakishan and his wife Dharamwati with others in their family are six users of their Sulabh toilet they take pride in. “There are many benefits of this toilet that we will get tired counting; we suffer from serious water scarcity as there is shortage in supply but still we manage water from far off for toilet use and never go out to answer call of nature,” says Dharamwati.

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“...village a lot cleaner, toilets built by Sulabh stopped people from defecating in the streets”

“Thankful to the generous Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak”

Kishanchandra is a mason. His son Rakesh and others in the family are five users of Sulabh toilet. The family ensures the toilet is clean and well maintained. “ The toilet saves us from dirt and disease we were so used to; now our village is a lot cleaner as toilets built by Sulabh have stopped people from defecating in the streets,” says Rakesh.

RajKumar, a mason’s family has five users of Sulabh toilet.

Theirs is one of few toilets in the village that has electricity connection. His sons are particularly relieved on having a comfortable toilet, a facility they never knew was possible even in their lifetime. His mother Saraswati has taken up to keeping their privy clean. She says the biggest advantage of the toilet is not having to go out. She is all gratitude to Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, founder, Sulabh International, for his generous gesture.

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“…will marry our daughter in the home which has a toilet” The 12 members of the extended family of Tarachand, a labourer and his wife Rajabala have yet to start using their new Sulabh toilet. Says Rajbala, “The new toilet is bit far off from the water reservoir we have which gets water supply; so meanwhile we are using our pre-existing one-pit privy.” She is happy that the new toilet will take away much load on their old toilet, which was a pressing need. She said, “I will fix my daughter’s marriage only in the home which has toilet in there premises.”

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“Could never plan to built the toilet having low-income status” Shushila and her husband Mahesh, a labourer, along with five others are seven users of Sulabh toilet system which they could never have even planned for the family given their low-income status. “It saves us from the untold hazards of going out in the night to answer call of nature, and is a great relief even otherwise,” Shushila says.

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“…a strong sense of ownership of their new proud possession, Sulabh toilet” For Shersingh, a labourer, his wife Beena and others who make six of the family of users of Sulabh toilet at their home it is an unimaginably happy end to their daily grind of locating a place to ease themselves. Beena says even when others in her neighbourhood had toilets before theirs was built they would not allow them to use. A strong sense of ownership of their new proud possession.

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“Cannot articulate how toilet changed her life” Suter is a widow of late Sri Ram. She, being the only member of her family, is the lone user of Sulabh toilet.

She is unable to describe in words how her home privy has transformed her life. She even allow other women of the village to use her toilet whenever in need.

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“…anytime use of toilet is possible now” Ratan Kumar, a labourer, his wife Kaushalaya and others in their family are eight users of Sulabh toilet for whom going out for ablutions meant planning a great deal. Now, “anytime toilet use is possible,” says Kaushalaya with palpable sense of relief across her face.

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“Mukesh’s toilet is open for the visitors also” Mukesh Kumar is from the landed family of the village whose ancestors had got predecessors of the current village inhabitants populate their desolate track. Sulabh toilet has come to him as a relief as he missed one while on visits to the village. He lives with his family in a nearby township where they already have a toilet facility.

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“…this is a blessing of my lord” Ali Mohammad, a labourer has an extended family of six who are proud users of Sulabh toilet. But the four of the lot who have their own dwelling also have a separate toilet to themselves. All first time users of toilet, he says, “it comes as a great relief for the old man like me as it saves me a lot of time, effort in long walks every morning”. Earlier he never used a pre-existing toilet in the nearby house of the family of his son as visiting them for that purpose he found rather unacceptable.

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“Sulabh has given us a life of dignity we cannot thank them enough” Ikram, a driver by profession and his wife have had a sigh of relief on having Sulabh toilet right in their own home.

“Earlier we would face rowdy elements who would pass vulgar comments often when we were out for morning ablutions and so planned number of times to have own toilet but could never save enough. Sulabh has given us a life of dignity that we cannot thank them enough for,” says the lady of the house.

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March 26 - April 1, 2018

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“Toilet a savior from squalour and disease” Jakhra’s family of five are happy users of their newly built Sulabh toilet. She is well aware of the fact that defecation in the open can be a serious health hazard that brings squalour and disease in its wake, something their maintained facility can save them from.

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“…Khurshidan’s Tajmahal, says his husband” Iliyas, his wife Kurshidan and others in their family are seven excited users of the Sulabh toilet which is a second one for the lot hence reducing pressure on their pre-existing onepit toilet they got done on their own sometime back. Being quite used to a four-walled privy everyone must carry for use a bucketful of water to toilet, a norm in the village which gets its water supply into a tank each household is equipped with since a recent past.

45 “Toilet saves lives of kids crossing road to relieve themselves, women from indignities hurled by rowdy” Sulabh Magic Toilet

Jahid shares his family’s ordeal of going out for morning ablutions- “children used to cross state highway (close to their home) to go out thus risking their lives due to fast traffic. 2-3 kids actually died in recent past while crossing the road. Women are often molested by outsiders who often happen to be drivers of passing vehicles.” For his family of five users of Sulabh toilet the convenience has proved to be a lot of safety for the family besides being a big time saver.

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“...Trump gave us these Sulabh toilets” Mehboobi, a widow, her father-in-law and her son’s family make for an extended family of six users of Sulabh toilet. She says she had to get up at 4 in the morning, in the dark for privacy, for her morning ablutions Young women have to be accompanied by someone like “I had to go with my daughter-in-law for two years after her marriage,” , she says. She maintains the privy herself and doesn’t let her father-in-law clean, out of respect for the elderly. She even goes on saying that Trump provided us with the toilets.

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“...women had to get up on seeing a passerby when they were out to ease themselves” Sanjay, a government employee and his wife Poonam with their children are a family of four users of Sulabh home toilet. They have an existing one-pit toilet the family had built for the old lady of the house when she

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was alive. Poonam had a toilet at her maiden home and it was a shock for her when she discovered her marital house without one. Her mother-in-law used to accompany her to the fields for the morning ablutions. She cannot forget that women had to get up on seeing a passerby when they were out to ease themselves.

Comparatively an affluent family, theirs is among a few houses in the village built in two storeys. A 12-class passed, she is aware of health consequences of open defecation. She is hopeful of further development of the village in the wake of it acquiring a prestigious nick name.

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“still go to forest but collect woods not for defecation” For Shivcharan who works as a daily-wage labourer and his family of four users of Sulabh toilet it was unthinkable to have a toilet for themselves given the fact that they always led a hand to mouth existence. His daughter-in-law Laxmi is both happy and shy to face the Sulabh team. She says earlier when had to go to forest for collecting wood, use to defecate at that time only there…which is not the case anymore…I still go to forest but now just to collect woods.

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“There was no concept of toilet for anyone” For Pawan, a labourer, the five users of Sulabh toilet are seeing a new chapter of their life which no one thought could be possible. The concept of a toilet in their own home just did not exist for anyone of them, he says.

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“...went through nightmare, being physically carried out for ablutions by family members” Rajpal, a mason and his wife Murty and their children are a family of six users of Sulabh toilet system. He says the importance of the facility was deeply felt when “we fell sick and went through a nightmare of being physically carried out for ablutions by family members.” His daughter Monika says she had to go out in night often accompanied by her mother.

All that is now a past.

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“...going out for ablutions meant wasting one and a half hour” Amarsingh, a mason has an extended family of nine for whom Sulabh toilet has proved to be panacea of their life. Among the nine users, his daughter Usha and son Amit say “when we would go out for ablutions it meant wasting one and a half hour.” It’s about valuable time saved and much more.

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“Two Sulabh privies divided exclusively between men, and women” Sohan lal, an elderly unemployed, spent lot of time walking to search a place for his morning ablutions and strolling back home before his family got a Sulabh toilet. All that time for him and others in the family is saved. His and his son’s family, in the immediate neighbourhood together, makes a kind of a joint extended family who between them shares the two new Sulabh toilets the respective families have got recently – the two privies being divided exclusively between men and women and children each.

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March 26 - April 1, 2018

53 “Saves us all lot of time & women’s untold hardship” Sulabh Magic Toilet

Ram Singh is a daily-wage labourer, who along with his wife Battan, five others in his family uses their newly constructed Sulabh toilet. He is upfront in counting the two biggest advantages their home privy has made possible for the family when he says, “it saves us all a lot of time and the women of the house an untold hardship.”

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“Toilet immensely useful in emergencies” For Sukpal, a labourer, and his family of five, especially his mother Ramwati, the Sulabh toilet facility is immensely useful in emergencies when anyone in the family is sick. They all ensure its cleanliness with pride.

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“A prized possession, the Sulabh toilet” Deepchand, a mason’s family of six is the user of their new surprise possession, a Sulabh toilet system that he is remarkably happy telling, “very useful really; we were spurned and humiliated by even police when we would go out for morning ablutions.”

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“Fights over space of ablutions in the open now a past”

Sitaram, a labour, has family of seven users of Sulabh toilet. His wife Kamlesh says their valuable possession, the toilet, right in their own home saves them from walking long distances out to the fields and frequent fights with the householders and land tillers near whose properties they had to go to relieve themselves. She happily cleans and maintains their toilet.

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“Sulabh toilet is a bright new chapter in their hard life”

“...my toilet is best among all the toilets in Mewat”

For the seven users of Sulabh toilet in the family of Hakamdin, a labourer and his wife Samina, their own home privy was not there even in their wildest dreams. The Sulabh toilet is definitely a new chapter in their hard life which they find “exceedingly useful as it saves us from the vagaries of morning ablutions out in the open,” they say.

When we reached Israyli’s home, her daughter and granddaughter were there...she said, “we are all grateful for the organisation for the favour done to them in their old age when they need the facility the most. It’s of great comfort and our toilet is the best among all the toilet in the village.”

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“Sulabh toilet, a comfort, respect, dignity, all “... Now I don’t fear men and animals” rolled into one” For RajKumar, a daily-wage labourer and his wife Mithilesh Sulabh toilet is a comfort, respect and dignity, all rolled into one, something they had no clue about. Mithilesh have a little mental disorder because of that whenever she use to go out for defecation…she forgets the lane back home…and sits anywhere in the ally…family members had to search for her which was kind of daily routine for them…but now they don’t have words to thank Sulabh organization for the toilet they got…in the starting it was difficult for her to use toilet but slowly slowly she is becoming habituated.

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“…got rid of mosquitoes and insects because of toilet” Ravikumar, a labourer, his wife Babita and the family of his brother, all six in the household, already were sharing a one-pit toilet. But often they had to go out in the fields as the toilet was not adequate to serve them all. They would often end up in fights with the householders or the tillers of the fields where they would go to answer the call of nature. Babita is especially happy to have Sulabh toilet now in their home premises as for her it is going back to her old habit of using a toilet that she was used to at her parental home. The one-pit privy at her marital home was built on her dogged persistence with her husband.

Akhtar, a labourer and his wife Kashmiri are among six users of their newly acquired Sulabh toilet. “Can’t say how useful it is; day and night it was hell for us; now I don’t fear men and animals. Once I encountered snakes. I really pray for the maker and all of you, Sulabh associates,” says Kashmiri, well verse in Urdu, and is effusive in articulating her feelings.

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“...no more thought of going out for the morning ablutions haunt us” The household of Birsingh, a mason, has eight members of his extended family who use their newly acquired Sulabh home privy “without fail and no more thought of going out for the morning ablutions haunting us,” he says.

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“Profound wishes to Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak” Murarilal, 55, is a paralytic and bed-ridden. His family members help him relieve, as he is unable to use the Sulabh toilet although for his extended family of 10 it’s a boon.

Children make me sit on the chair they have kept for me in the toilet with a hole in it.

He asks the visiting Sulabh team to convey his profound wishes to Dr. Pathak.

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March 26 - April 1, 2018

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“…now we don’t get late for the work” Rajendra has in his family four users of their new Sulabh toilet that was constructed in their home recently. They find it hard to contain their happiness over this unforeseen development which means a lot to their life. Rajendra was at work when we reached his home, on that his wife said, “because of toilet now he doesn’t get late for the work and leave on time.”

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“Toilet has come as rescue in their life of hardship” Hasam is a driver by occupation. His family of three is user of Sulabh toilet, which finds the facility godsend. The WC has come to their rescue in their life of daily hardship when they had to hunt for a place to relieve themselves and especially when one is terribly sick. His mother is all praise for the toilet. She said she saw really tough life before the toilet system was installed recently.

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“...toilet means cleanliness which we never knew, it is a prized possession” Sajid, a tailor’s daughter Amira, a student, who also works as tailor to supplement their household income, says, “The toilet means cleanliness which we never knew till sometime back”. A pair of slippers outside toilet, to be mandatorily used by a toilet user, indicates the sensitivity of the family towards a new norm of cleanliness the family has been quick enough to adopt. She goes to a girls high school that has a toilet. Meman, the youngest daughter-in-law of the house, her mother-in-law complains, is not helpful in cooking for the old couple.

But they let her use their toilet, a favour her other daughter-in-law may not allow, and in that case she may have to go out to ease herself, she fears. Sulabh toilet, for the villagers, is a prized possession.

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“New toilet takes off pressure from pre-existing” Nasruddin, a scrap dealer and his wife Anisa’s is a household of seven users of Sulabh toilet. Anisha informs that the family didn’t have to go out for ablutions for five years as they have a pre-existing one-pit privy that was made by her late in-laws. The couple’s daughter Naseema never had to go out for relieving herself since she grew up. The new Sulabh toilet reduces pressure on the family’s old toilet which was also shared by the family of Nasruddin’s brother.

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“...big time saver for the school going child” Subba, a driver by profession, his wife Arfina, their kid and his father are four of the family of users of Sulabh toilet, for whom the life has turned around like never before. What comes on the top of their mind as the biggest advantage of their home privy is that the facility is a big time saver, especially for the school going child.

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“Toilet brought a meaning to our life”

Mubin, a driver by occupation, has a family of seven. His wife Sugra and five kids definitely see now a lot of meaning to their life with crucial “time saved and best used when we have toilet at home, something we never dreamt of,” Mubin is upfront in his reaction.

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“11 members of family queue every morning” Fakru, a driver, has a family of 11. His children, his wife Varisha and his mother are the first generation users of a home toilet Sulabh has built for them. He points out that all are so much habituated to the facility that no one goes out now although the 11 of his family make a crowd and queue up in the morning. He hopes to have another toilet in future for his old mother.

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“Battery-powered torch to light up toilet at night” Sher Mohammad, a share cropper, his wife Nurjahan together with their unmarried son and another married one’s family are an extended family of seven. “Sulabh has completely changed his life of hardship,” he says. The family uses a battery powered torch to use their home toilet at night. Since the time Dr Pathak stepped in our village and gave us the fully constructed toilet, daily one or other person comes from Delhi, Mumbai and different cities to cover our village, to take pictures and even to make film on our village…this is all because of Dr Pathak and the name the name ‘Trump Village’ which he gave.

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“Family trains toddler of toilet use” Aijaz is a tailor. His wife Razina, also trained in stitching and their three kids are a family of five users of Sulabh home toilet. The couple is happy over their new possession, their own privy right in their own home. They are enthusiastic about their child, a toddler, who they are training for using the toilet. “I forcibly make him sit in the toilet but often it is too hard to have him obey,” says Razina, who has to dispose of his waste by throwing it at a distance from their dwelling. Toilet helped in the development of all the women of village. Earlier during windy season, village smelled like excrete all the time but now there is no more odour only the fresh smell of soil.

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“Their second toilet ‘much better and superior’ they are planning for third one” Including Samsuddin and wife Rasidan there are 16 in their extended family who use their traditional one-pit toilet that was too inadequate to serve all till they had their second one “much better and superior in quality.”

The one-pit one, they inform, is dug deep till water level. They are quite unknowledgeable of the health repercussions such system entails. The one Sulabh toilet now the family’s favourite they aspire for another which Samsuddin says, is “badly needed”.

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“Nothing more they could have asked for in their life” For Kallu’s family of six users of Sulabh toilet their home convenience is more than they could have asked for in their life. “In times of sickness and in rainy season one is too helpless to even move out to ease oneself; our own toilet at home saves us from many odd situations,” says his daughter-in-law.

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“Stress of open defecation is now left behind” For five users of the family of Irshad and his wife Munfida, it is a new chapter of life sans hardship and toil they had to put in just every day when they had to go out for their morning ablutions. Earlier most of the children died because unhygenic condition caused by open defecation.

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“Nothing can replace toilet at home” Jamsuddin, a labourer and his wife Usmani beam with smiles talking about their home toilet that saves them from inclement weather when they had to go out for ablutions.

“Outside the fields are rendered unwalkable, unusable. Toilet at home is a must, nothing can replace it,” says Jamsuddin. Usmani said, “today we realized how important it is to built toilet during the construction of home.”

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“…never thought of a toilet at my home” Kallu is an agriculturist. His family of five are users of the Sulabh toilet. He said, “Sulabh has provided us with separate toilets for all the brother and their family, so that nobody fights for the use of toilet. we keep our toilet clean... and cant thank enough Dr Pathak for this development.”

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“...Fields are ours of course but toilet is for privacy” Samsuddin, a labourer and his wife Hasina and others, 10 in his family, queue up every morning to use the Sulabh toilet they have now. No one goes out in the field anymore.

“Fields are ours of course but toilet is for privacy,” he says…his daughter who is studying in class 5th tell us that “earlier it was very difficult going for open defecation in rainy season as the field used to be filled with mud and human excrete everywhere…the Sulabh toilet is a big relief for us especially for rainy season.”

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“For the family Sulabh toilet is Godsend”

For Lalchand, an auto rickshaw driver, his wife Murty and their three children Sulabh toilet is godsend as it means saving the souls a lot of hardship for their morning ablutions especially when any of them is sick and “has to be physically carried to relieve himself.” Especially going at the night time…always had a fear of snake and scorpions…which is not anymore.

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“Women, children are prime users of toilet” Farukh, a labourer and his wife Burfina admit that some in the family still go out for defecation as one toilet is not enough to cope up with the morning rush. Mostly women and children are the toilet users as men, are mostly out for work and relieve themselves in open, but they are also trying to avoid this habit.

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“Shares his toilet with women of training centre” Prakash Chand is an agriculturist whose family stays in a nearby town. He has donated a piece of land for a women training centre that Sulabh has built for the village. The Sulabh toilet not only serves him on his visits to his farm it is a lot of convenience for the trainees of the Centre next door which he has allowed them to use.

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“Relatives appreciate development in their village” Deshraj, a labourer’s family of six are happy users of their new dream-like Sulabh toilet. “It’s a very good facility no doubt. It was so much difficult to manage when we had to go out for ablutions,” says Susheela who adds that her relatives really appreciate the development in their village.

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“…Toilet changed their life like nothing else could” Rasidan is the owner of their toilet…she is a widow with 3 members in a family…she says, “I have weak eyesight because of which I have fell down lot of times at night while going for open defecation and got injuries…now I got relief from all these problems…from childhood to adolescence life has been spent while going for the open defecation…but I thank my Allah now that Sulabh provided us with such a big gift in form of toilet , which made my old age relaxing.

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“…Toilet means a new found freedom” For Sabir, his father Ramzan and wife Islamia, Sulabh Toilet has brought a welcome twist to their life. The lady of the house was operated for a gastric issue recently.

“Thanks to the toilet, I am on my own and my son and my daughter-in-law could go out,” on a social event, informs Islamia. Toilet means a new found freedom for all of us, for sure.

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“It was hell in rains; feces would stay on ground for days without decomposing” The widow with her two sons is three users of the Sulabh toilet. She recounts how they would go out for ablutions and it was hell in rains as the feces would stay for days without decomposing.” Initially they all felt claustrophobic but now quite habituated to the convenience right in their own home. She understands the benefit of Sulabh technology which ensures disposal of waste right on the spot.

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“...kids to old people everyone is now using toilet ” Including labourer Jamshed, wife Miskina there are nine members in the family using Sulabh two-pit privy. Their earlier attempt at making their own toilet at home failed due to technical glitches. She says, “Without a toilet at home it was always tough leaving small kids home often unattended; hence the dire need of the facility.” She takes pride in cleaning and maintaining the toilet.

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“…I also felt humiliated”

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Irshad is a student and one among 13 of the family members who all queue up in the morning to use the Sulabh toilet. Mother Amina stating that now “ not even a child ventures out for defecation; for myself being old and sick it’s very helpful.But the new toilet is everyone’s favourite while it has taken away the load on our old one which is still used by a few of us.”

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“…will always remember this gift of Sulabh” Shahid, his wife Zubeda and mother Vahidan are the nine users of Sulabh toilet. “I find it much useful being old, I must say,” says Vahidan, his mother who is all praises for Sulabh that has “done us a great favour.”

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“Toilet saves ladies from indignity day in day out” For Yusuf, a confectioner, his wife Arshida, in all seven users of Sulabh toilet. “The home toilet is important for the ladies who are saved from indignity day in day out, and a great relief in times when we fall sick,” he adds…Arshida says now atleast we don’t have to excrete on someone else’s field, it save us from a lot of humiliation.

For Umardeen, an agriculturist’s family of 10 Sulabh toilet Sulabh Magic Toilet is something they didn’t even dream of…it is not that we 93 liked going out for defecation…we also felt humiliated… especially when our daughters and wife had to go outside on the field for excretion…but we didn’t had that much of money to built the “…wish the toilet happened to much earlier” toilet…but now our lives have changed. He can’t find words to tell its virtues and how it changed their life.

Yusuf ‘s brother Saleem and his wife Shakunta are the users of their newly built toilet. Saleem was arguing with his wife as she was not agreeing for the picture clicking with their toilet…he is the same Saleem who never thought Sulabh Magic Toilet 88 before about the dignity and respect of his wife when she had to go for open defecation…Sulabh gave respect to his wife by providing the toilet in their home premises…Shakunta whispers ‘Thank you to Sulabh and you all’.

“…Leant about toilet in school, has my own now”

Ayyub, an agriculturist, has 10 users of Sulabh toilet in his family. His son, Suhail, says he learnt about hygiene and toilet use at his school but could never understand how it was relevant to him till the family had their own home privy that he takes pride in.

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“Didn’t appreciate Sulabh’s technology earlier” Kamaluddin, a driver said it is such a big relief for us… going out for the morning ablutions was quite a hardship especially for women.

He was not able to appreciate initially the two-pit technology as one-pit toilets are popular among the villagers of this part of India and also many other places in the country. Sulabh team explained him the purpose of the two pits towards complete disposal of waste.

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“... not even a child ventures out for defecation”

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“toilet,new nick-name, brings hope of development” For Faruq, a labourer and his family of nine users of Sulabh toilet. The facility “saves us from the vagaries of nature when we had to go out in the open to relieve ourselves.” Little kids are being trained to use the home privy which currently they are finding cumbersome, he informs. He is thankful to Sulabh for turning around their life. The toilet, new nick name brings hope of development, he added.

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“One-pit cant be compared with Sulabh’s two-pit toilet” Umar Mohammad is an electrician. He recalls how he always felt terrible when a passerby went past him while he would sit out in the open to answer call of nature. He is not tired counting its benefit. He has another of his own built one-pit toilet but it cannot be compared with the new one.

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March 26 - April 01, 2018

Swastika tripathi Swastika is a budding journalist and an aspirant storyteller

Theatre can help us build our future, rather than just waiting for it

VIEWPOINT

Augusto Boal

Staging positive changes March 27 is celebrated as World Theatre Day not only encourage us to admit our flaws, rather it shows these flaws are a part of what makes us people.

What is essential about the theatre is that it creates a temporary, intimate microcosm that teaches us where to go and how to improve from that are untouched for long.

Life Is A Beautiful Disaster

Life’s journey is the sum total of the collection of the bitter and the sweet moments we experience along the way

Sparking development beyond taboos

F

rom the cradle to the grave, life takes us all on its rollercoaster ride.

Childhoods, some are filled to overflowing, full of sugar coated dreams. Others are played out in the theatre of conflict and of war.

Teen years are where dreams that have not turned into nightmares are under constant siege by addictions of so many uncontrollable kinds. Our expectations and that of others around us are the vehicles for this purgatory.

Then love comes along, like a beautiful rose. Its blooms are exquisite, so richly perfumed and overflowing with promise. To the unwary, the rose will draw blood. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of love, many will try again and again. Others will hide their deep mental scars in the darkness of their pain reflecting on how life has been unfair to them. Life never has and will never promise to all that journey on it, that it will be fair.

Most of us will hold on to the journey despite what life throws at us through fear of the unknown if we get off the ride. Some will hang on to the ride hoping through faith and hope that it will get better.

Life will never ever change its path. It will challenge us, too far beyond our limits taking us to the ecstasy when two are one to the tears that come from deep within our soul in our times of loneliness. In reflection at the end of this journey, in another time and place, we all will know that life’s journey is the sum total of the collection of the bitter and the sweet moments we experience along the way.

Editor-in-Chief

T

heatre. A word too common with a power too diverse. It is not only an art form but a method of communication and community building.

It involves its audience both intellectually and emotionally, it sensitises audiences to issues, ideas and people portrayed, and it engenders a personal connection with the events and characters on stage.

Community-based theatre goes a step further. When a play is directly relevant to audience’s lives and concerns, a process begins which can lead to deeper understanding and change. Audience begins to recognise the characters and their dilemma. And because they can watch rather than live the experience, they also objectify the problems, and in so doing begin to be able to think critically about possible solutions or alternate actions and so have the ability to change.

There is no question of a right or wrong performance when it comes to theatre. It is not a place of condemnation or judgment.

In fact, the theatre is one of the few sacred places in the world that universally promotes dialogue and growth. Theatre

Time and again, theatre has been used to provide a forum wherein difficult and even taboo subjects can be broached, where ideas can be formed and where change can begin. The theatre can help people ask forbidden questions, consider the world from a different view, and give a voice to those who traditionally cannot speak.

It is the neutrality of the theatrical environment that allows it to serve as a tool for creating positive sustainable change.

And a similar positive change is escalated on hushed issues like sanitation and latrines.

Hygiene and sanitation are the central components of the daily lives of the humans, world across. It is not just about access to latrines. It is about who is actually able to use those latrines. Sanitation is not just about clean drinking water. It is about clean water for cooking, washing and laundry. Sanitation is first and foremost an issue critical to humankind, especially women.

For most parts of the world, sanitation does not stop at the bathroom door. Rather it is a socio-economic, political, and cultural issue, which drives most aspects of the society.

Theatres have been handy in pointing out and then tackling the direst of situations across the world in the field of hygiene and sanitation as they made concepts coherent and real for the masses.

Advocacy in India

Kumar Dilip Edited, Printed and Published by: Monika Jain on behalf of Sulabh Sanitation Mission Foundation, owned by Sulabh Sanitation Mission Foundation Printed at: The Indian Express Limited A - 8, Sector -7, NOIDA (UP) Published at: RZ - 83, Mahavir Enclave, Palam - Dabri Road, New Delhi - 110045 (India) Corporate Office: 819, Wave Silver Tower, Sector - 18, NOIDA (UP) Phone: +91-120-6500425 Email: editor@sulabhswachhbharat.com, ssbweekly@gmail.com

Theater is one such platform whereby actors and audience can be indirect activists, addressing their own individual and social issues

March 26 - April 01, 2018

More people practice open defecation in India than anywhere in the world. Although access to improved sanitation is steadily increasing in India since the year 2000, the pace of change is too slow. If the current trend continues, India will miss the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target for sanitation, and without India the world will not be able to achieve its targets. Clearly accelerating access to and use of toilets and hygiene practices have become a national priority for India.

Thus, the Government of India too sought the help of theatre in spearheading the campaign panIndia, especially in the ‘media-dark’ regions. To accelerate the mission, the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation along with UNICEF and other partners developed a National Sanitation and Hygiene Advocacy and Communication Strategy Framework for 2012-2017. The framework primarily covered four critical sanitation and hygiene behaviours – building and use of toilets; safe disposal of child faeces; handwashing with soap after defecation, before food and after handling child faeces; safe storage and handling of drinking water.

To channel the mission, media was the source of information and promotion of the objectives. But a big chunk of the nation, which in fact is the one in dire need of hygiene awareness, remains ‘media-dark’ region, i.e. the common modes like newspapers and television are yet not there. Thus, street theatre, radio dramas, school plays, etc were widely used to promote sanitation and hygiene messages. A traditional medium like folk theatre helped closely link with and reinforce a sense of hygiene and mobilised community activities in various regions to proceed in the direction of eradicating the open-defecation practice from India.

The ambitious Swachh Bharat Mission is today similarly painting a clear picture of the much needed cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation pan-India with the help of community theatres.

Hence it is safe to state that theatre is one such platform whereby actors and audience can be indirect activists, addressing their own individual and social issues, resolving them and thus contributing to the achievement of a better world. It can thus go beyond mere entertainment and social gatherings to communicate educational, social, political or even religious messages.

OpEd

17

Learning From Negative Experiences

Paula Horan Famous Author, Reiki Master, Mind Body Therapist & Psychologist, have ground-breaking approaches to spirituality and non - dual awareness

Turning Negative Experiences into Stepping Stones of Learning

upfront

A

few years ago I found myself confronted with one of the most difficult periods of my life. This involved a very painful split with my husband after a twelve year marriage. Although it was emotionally excruciating at times, it offered me a ripe opportunity to ‘test my mettle’, to let go of a very strong attachment (actually a number of them which had crept up over the years), and move on.

The experience of separating from someone I really loved, offered me one more opportunity to contemplate impermanence, the reality of suffering, the inevitability of karma and finally the preciousness of an auspicious human birth that should not be wasted at any cost. These four are the preliminary contemplations for all Vajrayana practice. They help us see through the illusion of samsara (the make-belief world which is actually a projection of our own mind), and remind us that whatever circumstances befall us, they have inevitably been attracted by our own mind. The fact is, we are the

only ones who can change our circumstances through making a conscious effort to notice our own mindset. It is the noticing (not resisting or judging) which causes that which no longer serves us to disappear.

It was humbling to go through such a difficult period, in that it enabled me to see how long hours, months, and even years of spiritual practice can all fall by the wayside when we allow ourselves to fall prey to nostalgia or negative emotion and get lost in it. Negative emotion is enticing for the non-existent ego because it makes it feel so real.

We lose ourselves in the illusion of separation and suffer only because we believe the ego is real.

This is contrary to the ego’s empty nature as a simple matrix for the mind to help us navigate through the world. In the same way that repeated thoughts, such as jealousy or hate (or love and devotion) begin

to create a force field that attracts more of the same, our repeated belief in the ego causes it to take on a life force of its own and begin to think of ‘itself ’ as something with actual substance that is separate from all that is.

It is this false belief of ourselves as separate and alone, which has caused humans throughout history to create the concept of a ‘God’ out there, a big daddy in the sky who will hopefully look after us.

The fact is, the only ‘big daddy or mommy’ to take care of us is our own awareness, not the ego awareness which can only perceive within it’s own limited dualistic subject-object framework. Our natural state is bliss, unfortunately veiled over by lifetimes of habit of believing in a separate self or ego.

In truth, we are the ‘unlimitedness’, the oneness or non-dual awareness, which is our true nature.

This awareness of awareness can never be properly described…only experienced directly. We do it all the time, only we just do not notice.

letters to the editor 12

04 Book Launch

President Ram Nath Kovind launched the book ‘Fulfilling Gandhi’s Dreams’

Sanitation in DRC

Sanitation in Africa’s second largest country has come a long way since the 1990s

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Total Recall

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Founder of ‘The Art of Living’ speaks on the importance of ‘satsangs’

Remembering one of the brightest minds - Stephen Hawking

bharat.com sulabhswachh FIND US

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WEE KLY

’S DREAMS FULFILLING BAPU

EPS OF MODI IN THE FOOTST

GANDHI

dra Modi Prime Minister Naren life juxtaposes with the Nation es from Gandhi’s on the Father of with archival pictur Minister’s speeches This pictorial spread quotes from the Prime i spots, along with at different Gandh

President of India

Ram Nath Kovind

Prime Minister Bapu’s Dreams copy of ‘Fulfilling receiving the first on March 9, 2018. at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Modi’s Tribute to

Gandhiji”

legendary Stephen The article ‘The Cosmologist Who Explored The Universe On A Wheelchair’ was written exactly the way we requested to read after reading the previous

article on him. It answered all the questions regarding the legendary Stephen Hawking.

It would be better if we can get some on his research and his theories to read and get to know. He is a perfect example of what a person can achieve in life if he works for it and has a desire to prove himself correct even after all the disability and such a difficult life. He inspirer many and will be an inspiration for many to come and go.

Jaikishor, Noida water is safe The article ‘Water, The DNA Of Life’ talks about one of the major crisis we are fighting.

We say that everyone has the right to safe drinking water but we might not have observed the process of how mineral water bottles that are collected from offices and houses in many areas of our capital (Delhi) and then taken in for refilling. These companies take the bottles, wash them and fill them with the borewell water and then circulate again. How could be one sure of whether the water is safe or not? The article proved a detailed info on the occasion of World Water Day, but it would be nice if someone provides an answer to this.

Santosh Kumar, Delhi

Please mail your opinion to - ssbweekly@gmail.com or Whatsapp at 9868807712

18

Photo Feature

March 26 - April 1, 2018

A historic chapter Political, security and economic developments in West Asia over the last few years are helping India and Jordan re-discover each other Photo: sIPRA dAS

March 26 - April 1, 2018

The over-a-decade-later-visit by King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan to India is a testimony that India’s “Think West” policy, like its “Act East” initiative, is progressively getting robust and vigorous.

Photo Feature

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excerpts from the book: “NARENDRA DAMODAR MODI: the making of a legend�

March 26 - April 01, 2018

Swearing In

Ceremony

On a hot and dustyevening,withtemperatures reaching 400C butwith noneoftherainthathadbeenforecast,morethan4,000guestswatched Modi and his ministers take oaths of allegiance to the Constitution of India before President Pranab Mukherjee.

The Guardian

Narendra Modi being sworn in as the 15th Prime Minister of India by President Pranab Mukherjee.

An aerial view of the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, during the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi and his cabinet on May 26, 2014.

March 26 - April 01, 2018

excerpts from the book: “NARENDRA DAMODAR MODI: the making of a legend�

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Narendra Modi and members of his cabinet at the swearing-in ceremony.

The swearing in ceremony in front of 4000 guests.

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with SAARC heads of state.

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excerpts from the book: “NARENDRA DAMODAR MODI: the making of a legend”

March 26 - April 01, 2018

Most Inspirational Prime Minister Ever

Prime Minister Narendra Modi prostrates himself in a supreme gesture of deference to democracy — the first step of the Parliament building in New Delhi, on May 20, 2014.

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi’s first few months in office were spent planning his vision of inclusive growth. He created a “Team India” spirit that took the instruments of state and the people along with him. He has had extensive interactive sessions with top bureaucrats. He has empowered the officials, but set standards of responsibility for them. He called

upon those working under his watch to nurture the hopes, dreams and aspirations of 125 crore Indians and make them partners in the country’s ongoing development.

While motivating the bureaucracy, he also cracked the whip to get the work done. Offices now start functioning at 9 a.m. sharp. There is perceptible improvement in the work culture. The Modi government

has officially admitted to shredding 11,000 files and revealed that more irrelevant ones will also be destroyed after digitisation. The government has also introduced a bill in Parliament to repeal 32 irrelevant Acts. Another 287 laws are also slated for repeal to end overregulation.

As Prime Minister, Narendra Modi unfurled the National

Tricolour from the Red Fort for the first time on August 15, 2014.

On this occasion, he delivered a sparkling speech, outlining the national priorities and initiatives of his government.

Excerpts from Prime Minister Modi’s Independence Day speech, 2014: “On this day of the sacred festival of independence, the prime servant of India extends greetings to all dear countrymen.

Today, I pay my respect, greetings and homage to all those who laid down their lives for the country’s independence.

The day of independence is a festival when we take a solemn pledge of working for the welfare of Mother India and also for the welfare of the poor, the oppressed, Dalits, the exploited and the backward people of our country.

This national festival inspires us to dedicate ourselves to the nation, and our every activity, should be linked to the interests of the nation.

The nation has neither been built by political leaders nor by rulers or by governments. This nation has been built by our farmers, our workers, our mothers and sisters, our youth.

Parliament is a reflection of our intentions. We are not for moving forward on the basis of a majority, we want to move ahead on the basis of a strong consensus.

It seems as if dozens of separate governments are running at the same time in one main government. It appeared that everyone has his own fiefdom. I could observe disunity and conflict between them.

March 26 - April 01, 2018

excerpts from the book: “NARENDRA DAMODAR MODI: the making of a legend”

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Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi addressing the BJP parliamentary party meeting in the Central Hall of Parliament in New Delhi.

I am by nature an optimist… Only an optimist can bring and instill hope in the country. …We will have to leave pessimism behind. Who says that such an aware democratic country, the largest in the world, cannot move forward?

If 125 crore countrymen resolve to take one step forward, the entire country will travel 125 crore steps forward.

The meaning of democracy is not just limited to electing a government, but its meaning is also that 125 crore citizens work together, joining shoulders with the government to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the country.

Narendra Modi These walls need to be razed; efforts are being made to run the government not as an assembled entity, but as a harmonious whole— with one aim, one mind, one direction, one energy to steer the country to one destination.

Everything is not for self-interest only. There are certain things which are meant for the country. We have to refine this national character.

Parents ask their daughters hundreds of questions, but have any parents ever dared to ask their son as

We are here in the temple of democracy. We will work with all purity... not for the post, but for the people of the country. Work and responsibility are the biggest things. I accept the responsibility you have reposed in me. … I salute all freedom fighters and also salute makers of the Constitution of our country, as because of them, the world is witnessing the power of democracy. … Citizens have realised that this democratic setup can fulfill their aspirations.

Their faith in democracy has strengthened further. … A new hope has arisen in the common man. to where he is going, why he is going out, who his friends are. After all, a rapist is also somebody’s son. He also has parents.

Those who have taken guns on their shoulders and kill innocent people are Maoists and terrorists, but they are also somebody’s children.

Their parents should ask them as to why they took the wrong path. Every parent must take this responsibility.

There has been communal tensions for ages. This has led to the division of the country. The poison of casteism, communalism, regionalism and discrimination on social and economic basis, all these, are obstacles to our way forward. These walls do not benefit anybody.

940 girls are born against per thousand boys. God is not causing this imbalance in society. Doctors

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excerpts from the book: “NARENDRA DAMODAR MODI: the making of a legend”

March 26 - April 01, 2018

The country has reached here today because of generation to generation rigours undertaken by our sages, our saints, our maestros, our teachers, our scientists and social workers. These great people deserve our deepest respect.

should not kill the girl growing in the womb of a mother just to line their own pockets. Mothers and sisters should not sacrifice daughters in the hope of a son. Girls also contribute to India’s fame and glory.

Let’s recognise it. Let’s take them along, shoulder to shoulder.

There are only these two tracks to take the country forward—good governance and development-we can move forward only by taking them with us.

If 125 crore countrymen resolve to take one step forward, the entire country will travel 125 crore steps forward. The meaning of democracy is not just limited to electing a government, but its meaning is also that 125 crore citizens work together,

joining hands with the government to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the country.

The Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana will connect the poorest citizens of the country through the facility of bank accounts. Every Indian citizen will be given a debit card and with it an insurance of one lakh rupees for each poor family.

Today, India also needs a skilled workforce. Millions and millions of Indian youth should go for acquisition of skills. There should be a network across the country for this. They should acquire the skills which could contribute towards making India a modern country.

To promote the manufacturing sector, people across the world are

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets school children after his speech at the Red Fort, New Delhi, on the occasion of the 68th Independence Day of the country.

appealed to, “Come, make in India”, “Come, manufacture in India”. Sell in any country of the world, but manufacture here. We have got skills, talent, discipline and determination to do something.

The youth in particular, our small entrepreneurs, they would never compromise, at least on two counts.

First, zero defect and second, again zero effect.

Lal Bahadur Shastri had given us the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”.

A soldier sacrifices himself at the border and protects Mother India.

Similarly, a farmer serves Mother India by filling godowns with grains.

This is also national service. Filling

March 26 - April 01, 2018

excerpts from the book: “NARENDRA DAMODAR MODI: the making of a legend”

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Today, I pay my respect, greetings and homage to all those who laid their lives for the country’s independence.

PM Modi performing parikrama at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, at Rajghat, New Delhi, on the occasion of 68th Independence Day of the country.

countrymen decide that they will never spread filthiness, no power on earth can make this country filthy.

By 2019, when the nation celebrates the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the country should be as clean as he envisioned. … A “Clean India” campaign will be launched from 2nd October 2014 and carried forward in four years. A beginning will be made by providing separate toilets for boys and girls in all schools

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inspecting the Guard of Honour at Red Fort, New Delhi, on the occasion of 68th Independence Day of the country.

our granaries is the biggest national service that our farmers provide.

Our young I.T. professionals have given us a new path of making a new identity of India. If our country has this strength, we should think about

“Digital India”. … After “Digital India”, we need to move forward to manufacture electronic goods and become self reliant. E-governance is what we need to take this idea of “Digital India” forward, e-governance

is easy governance, effective governance and also economic governance.

Tourism provides employment to the poorest of the poor, but India is not a favoured tourist destination because of its filth. If 125 crore

of the country.

The Planning Commission will be replaced with a new institution having a new design and structure, a new body, a new soul, a new thinking, a new direction, a new faith towards forging a new direction to lead the country.

India will seek cooperation from neighbouring countries for fighting against poverty in the subcontinent.

Once again, I feel proud of the

devotion, the sacrifices of the security forces of the country, paramilitary forces of the country, all the security forces of the country to protect Mother India. The army is vigilant, we should also be vigilant. As the country scales new heights, we have to move forward with this resolution.”

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Gender

March 26 - April 01, 2018 Uttar Pradesh

No Toilet! No Marriage!

A few Village Panchayats in Western UP have vowed not to marry off their daughters in houses having no toilet facility

T

n SSB BUREAU

he Uttar Pradesh government’s various awareness programmes to push construction of toilets in rural areas are now paying a rich dividend in the state. Many cases of girls refusing to get married if their husbands’ houses had no toilets have been reported from different parts of the state. A few village panchayats in western UP have vowed not to marry off their daughters in houses withno toilet facility.

The latest case was reported from Veerpur village in Ghazipur district where a 21-year-old divyang (physically challenged) girl Rajkumari refused to get married when she got to know that her inlaw’s house has no toilet. Rajkumari is doing her final year of college.

Rajkumari’s marriage was fixed with Sudama Nishad of Jaitpura

village in the same district. Her husband too is a divyang and a graduate.

Both the families have little farming as the only source of their livelihood. Despite being poor and physically challenged, both showed extreme courage to pursue their studies facing odds.

“I had told Sudama that I will not cross the threshold of his house till a toilet is constructed,” warned Raj Kumari as a per-condition of she marrying Sudama. Like her, Sudama is also educated and he promised to solemnize the marriage only after fulfilling her legitimate demand.

But Sudama’s parents had already fixed February 8 as the date of marriage. “All cards were distributed.

We tried to cajole Rajkumari that it will be constructed within a month after the marriage but she remained adamant on her demand,” said Sudama’s sister Parvati.

“I am a physically challenged person. What will you do if I am raped while going out in the field to relieve myself,” replied Raj Kumari to her sister-in-law’s request. Speechless in-laws family had no choice than to get the toilet constructed anyhow to go ahead with the marriage.

Only ten days were left to the marriage. Panic-ridden Sudama’s father Pyarelal approached the gram

pradhan Kaushalya Devi and village development officer and pleaded for help. But they showed no interest.

Left with no choice, he then sought help from an NGO Samgra Vikas India.

“After listening to his problem we wrote to the Prime Minister and Union minister Manoj Sinha, who is from Ghazipur, about the urgency of toilet construction. Any delay may result in breaking the marriage,” said Bribhushan Dubey, an office-bearer of the NGO. Dubey knew that it will not be possible to get immediate funds or any relief from the PMO and the Union minister on the urgent matter.

“We then approached the Ghazipur District Magistrate K. Balaji. He listened to the family’s problem patiently and assured to help. He directed Panchayati Raj Officer to visit the house and construct the toilet on an urgent basis,” said Dubey.

Unsure of any help from the government, the NGO volunteers reached Pyarelal house the next morning and began digging the trench for the construction of the toilet. But to the surprise of Nishad family and the NGO’s, the District Panchayati Raj Officer (DPRO) visited the house next morning and assured them of toilet construction within 48 hours.

“We not only decided to construct a model toilet in his house but also encouraged other villagers to follow the dalit family’s resolve to live in hygienic conditions. We also offered training and financial assistance as put the government policy to those who were interested in toilet construction in their houses. Since majority of villagers were going to fields for defecation we decided to turn Jaitpura into open defecation

Many cases of girls refusing to get married if their husbands’ house had no toilets have been reported from different parts of the state

Quick Glance Rajkumari has refused to get married as her in-laws house has no toilet Sudama promised to solemnize the marriage only after fulfilling her legitimate demand NGO Samgra Vikas India and the District Panchayati Raj Officer helped in the construction of toilet

free (ODF) by making Pyarelal’s daughter-in-law brand ambassador of the village,” said the DPRO Lalji Dubey.

“As promised by the DM sahib and the DPRO, we constructed a model toilet at Pyarelal’s house just two days before the marriage on February 8. But we did not allow it to be used by the family till they solemnize the marriage and allow her daughter-inlaw Rajkumari to cut the ribbon in the presence of all relative villagers,” said the District Coordinator Swachch Bharat Mission Ajay Yadav.

“Initially I did not believe. I asked Sudama to whatsapp a picture of the toilet to be doubly sure that it has really been constructed. After seeing the picture, I thanked Sudama, my in-laws and all those who helped and agreed to marry on the date,” said

Raj Kumari.

The marriage of Raj Kumari and Sudama took place on the scheduled date. “A big surprise was in store for me when I reached my husband’s house. A big function was organized and my husband and in-laws asked me to inaugurate the toilet since they owed its construction to me,” said the newly-wedded Raj Kumari.

But Raj Kumari insisted her husband Sudama too joins her in ribbon-cutting ceremony. The entire Jaitpura village participated in the ceremony and lauded Raj Kumari and Sudama for their sustained efforts in getting a toilet constructed in record time.

“I hope that every girl and family not only in Jaitpura but other villages in the district are inspired

by Raj Kumari-Sudama story and contribute in making all villages in the state ODF by October 2018,” said DPRO Lalji Dubey.

Vrindavan Widows

March 26 - April 01, 2018

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Ashoka Rani Mundo

Behind The Laughing Bonhomie, She Holds The Storm Within Ashoka Rani Mundo left her home on her own terms.

The motto was simple – ‘give no further worries’

n Swastika Tripathi

T

he name Ashoka means causing no sorrow, worries or grief and Ashoka Rani Mundo is a living example of that.

The beautiful, beaming sunshine of a personality that she makes it really hard to know of the sorrows that are hidden deep down her heart.

Living in one of the Sulabhassisted widows’ ashram, Kolkata’s Ashoka Rani Mundo is like the life of the place and silver lining to the cloudy lives of her inmates. Though, after talking to her for at least 20 minutes separately , a different, not-soperky side to her personality comes out.

Ashoka Rani was married at the age of 15 and in a matter of time had a son. But when the child was only 2.5 years old, he lost his father, and so was gone Ashoka Rani’s companion who had vowed to stand by her for the rest of his life. Not even in her darkest dreams had she thought that the companionship will end this soon.

Like any other widowed mother, she too could see the dark days ahead and was tangled in her worries to raise the little child single handedly. Hardships were on the card. She started working in farms. All day long she would sow the grains in scorching heat and with that make the money to care for her son. She did not surrender to the hardships, instead stood

strong by her responsibilities.

With this sole source, she not only raised but also educated and finally married off her child.

In the midst of all the struggles, Ashoka Rani mastered the art of always beaming and never letting a soul get any clue of the storm she held within.

Her son got a job with his qualifications but the money was not enough for him to sustain both his wife and mother. The son and daughter-in-law gave birth to two girls. Seeing her son struggle to meet the demands of the house, Ashoka Rani felt the pain and decided to ‘give no more worries’ to him.

Ashoka Rani had heard of a lot of women travelling from her native place to a holy land in Uttar Pradesh called Vrindavan. She also knew of a similar group of women travelling there in a few days time, and thus decided to pack her bag and take her leave.

The son and the daughterin-law were taken aback. They cried, begged and pleaded. But her decision was firm. She was concerned about the son and his family, and worried over the fact that now he has two daughters – which implied heavy dowry in her son’s fate. So, for the greater good of her loved ones, she went on to join other widows on their

Quick Glance Ashoka Rani was married at the age of 15 and in a matter of time had a son

The child was only 2.5 years old when her husband died

She went to Vrindavan for the greater good of her loved ones

journey to Vrindavan.

“I love my son and his family.

They love me, too. But I had to separate from them. It seemed as a better choice to put an end to my son’s miseries. Often the health issues give a second’s thought to return to them, but my two granddaughters are yet to be married. The money involved would be huge. So I never let those thoughts overpower me. I worry a lot and pray to God to make things smooth for my children.

It sometimes hurts the heart but it’s all for good,” she said strongly holding behind all the tears that had surfaced on the brim.

Having spent so many years in the ashram now, given the perky character she is, Ashoka Rani is a friend to all the widow inmates.

She would laugh, chat, sew colourful clothes for idols, sing bhajans, and with all this let go off her health-related issues (she

In the midst of all the struggles, Ashoka Rani mastered the art of always beaming and never expressing her worries suffers a severe acid reflux).

The fragrance of agarbatti is the first thing that attracts one to her room and she would warmly welcome you in. She likes to show her small yet beautifully decorated temple and the sewing machine on which she loves stitching clothes for her Lord (Laddu Gopal) to anyone who visits for the first time. She has fire in her soul and grace in her heart. The enthusiasm despite all worries teaches to smile despite the circumstances and laugh throughout the pain.

“Oh, I have so many friends here. It’s like a life of luxury, living in this Sulabh ashram.

Enough about me. Tell me about yourself. You are like a daughter to me. Eat all you like. I’m making halva in Prasad today. Do not leave without having some. And when are you getting married?” she chuckled as she once again put the sorrows under the shell and resumed the chirpy mode.

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Sanitation

March 26 - April 01, 2018 Bengaluru

Bengaluru Teenager Raises Awareness About Menstrual Hygiene For Girls In Orphanage She also plans to spread awareness regarding eco-friendly menstrual solutions n G Ulaganathan

Quick Glance

A

class 10 student, Sanjana Dixit, has been going from class to class to raise funds for a workshop and a one–year supply of sanitary napkins for girls of an orphanage here.

Lakshmi has been using a cloth to manage her menstruation ever since she can remember. After use, she would wash and dry it in the shade, away from prying eyes. A month ago, however, she learnt that not drying it properly in the sun was unhygienic. “I come from Kolar, where we don’t know about these matters. Next month, I’ll be switching to pads, something I’ve been reluctant to do,” she says.

The change has come about after a workshop she attended in January.

The workshop was organised by 16-year-old Sanjana Dixit, it introduced Lakshmi to the cloth sanitary napkin and its advantages, and was followed by a year’s supply of the same sanitary napkins.

A workshop was organised by 16-year-old Sanjana Dixit She held a menstrual hygiene workshop for 45 girls She raised Rs15,000 for a one-year supply of cotton sanitary napkins

How did Sanjana get into this?

It all happened when Dixit, a 10thgrade student herself, walked into the washroom of Thayi Mane, a children’s home in Sarjapura, in November, where she was celebrating her 16th birthday.

How did the girls there manage their period? Were they able to do it in a healthful manner? She went back home and discussed it with her family, who suggested that she should reach out to them if she felt so strongly about the issue.

“There are a lot of people who contribute books and stationery to orphanages. But an issue as sensitive as menstrual hygiene is not really given too much importance,” says the 10th grade student.

She was busy preparing for her board exams, but decided to go ahead and start a menstrual hygiene initiative. “I wanted to do something while the enthusiasm was still fresh. I didn’t know if I would feel

the same way if I postponed it by a couple of months,” she says.

So she held a menstrual hygiene workshop for 45 girls, educating them about irregular periods after menarche and pre-menstrual cramps. Then, she raised Rs15,000 for a one-year supply of cotton sanitary napkins (of a noncommercial brand) for them.

For nearly, two months, Dixit contacted gynaecologists in nearby hospitals in Sarjapura, to see if they would be willing to conduct the workshop. “Many of the girls didn’t know about menstrual health and hygiene and the easiest way to fix it was holding a session with them,”

Dixit says.

For the supply of sanitary napkins, she went from class to class in her school, explaining to the students what and how her initiative was going to help and soliciting contributions. “Surprisingly, the boys were the first ones to come up and support the cause. I was glad to see them being so open in their support for an issue that is often hushed up,” she says.

But closer to the date of the workshop, there were problems.

Doctors began backing out citing other commitments, and the brand she had placed a bulk order with for 500 pads, said they could

She plans to expand her awareness drive to other orphanages, starting with slum kids

supply only 300. “My mum and I were running from pharmacy to pharmacy, looking for a similar type,” Dixit recalls. Finally, she managed to connect with a doctor who conducted the workshop, in addition to organisation 100 more sanitary napkins from a commercial brand.

The workshop itself opened her eyes. Some girls asked if they shouldn’t eat curd during their period, while others wanted to know if they should stay off vegetables.

Some even wanted to know if they should stay at home for four days.

For Dixit, a student of National Public School, HSR Layout, and the experience has been heartening. No stranger to volunteering, she recalls “tagging along” with her mother to help out in social causes since the age of seven.

She also takes two-hourlong math sessions for two underprivileged kids in class four and six every week, and volunteers to help children with mental disabilities.

Next, she plans to expand her awareness drive to other orphanages, starting with slum kids. She also plans to spread awareness regarding eco-friendly menstrual solutions at the same orphanage, something they weren’t open to at this point, because of a lack of water, and little awareness amongst the girls. For now, though, she is glad they were able to clear their doubts and take charge of their health.

Book Launch

March 26 - April 01, 2018

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Book Launch

GyanYog And KarmaYog Are Invaluable Gems Of Truth Of Life BOOK RELEASE inauguration and PANEL DISCUSSION of - “The Wisdom of Vasistha”

Yoga Vasistha is a work of Advaita Vedanta including inter alia practial steps for spiritual practice

An abridged version, Laghu Yoga Vasistha contains six thousand Shlokas

n urooj fatima

G

yan Yog is the best means of knowing ourselves in the world of spirituality. It is said that knowledge leads one towards God. Philosophy of Vedanta is one of the branches of GyanYog, through which the person moves toward knowledge.

Vedanta philosophy is mainly derived from the Upanishads.

Upanishads are unwritten important parts of Hindu religion, and this is the last part of Vedic literature, hence it is called Vedanta.

Vedanta means the essence of the Vedas. There are mainly three branches of Vedanta, the Advaita Vedanta, the distinctive Advaita and Dwaita.

Advaita Vedanta’s important texts in Sanskrit literature are – Yoga Vasistha. In this book, Rishi gives Lord Ram knowledge of Nirgun Brahma. Valmiki is considered the author of the Yoga Vasistha. There are more than 29 thousand Shlokas in this text. The small form of this text, which contains approximately 6000 Shlokas, is called the ‘laghu Yoga Vasistha’. The book, “The Wisdom of Vasistha - A Study of laghu Yoga Vasistha from Seekers Point of view” was inaugurated at India International Center, New Delhi. The author of this book is the famous spiritual writer Raghunandan. The chief guest of the inauguration program was Dr. Karan Singh, the senior Congress leader and founder of Sulabh International, Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak. Other dignitaries in the program included Professor Ram Nath Jha at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Professor Gerald James Larson and Professor Jayakant Sharma of Lal Bahadur Shastri of National Sanskrit Vidya Peeth for

Quick Glance

The author of this book is the famous spiritual writer Raghunandan

salvation.

Raghunandan explained about Vedanta philosophy, referring to many stories of Lord Buddha and Ram.

Karma cannot be neglected

their work on Indian philosophy. C. Tripathi was also present.

said that he has the desire to see God’s real form.

The importance of Upanishad is for everyone

What are we and how to get salvation?

Chief Guest Dr. Karan Singh said, on this occasion, it was a pleasant experience to see an academic atmosphere emerging from the discussion organized on this topic.

Upanishad and Geeta is the essence of life, and it is for everyone. Such a notion that the Upanishad is for the Saints only, is wrong. Explaining the importance of both GyanYog and KarmaYog, he said that these two has been highlighted in the Vedas and Upanishads.

Talking about the book, he said that it is a very important for the modern world. He disagreed with the prevailing ‘Brahm Satyan Jagat Mithya’ statement saying that nothing is false, but everything is Brahma. Describing himself as a supporter of Dwaita Darshan, he

The author of the book, Raghunandan, said on this occasion that Yoga Vasistha and all the books based on Yoga Vasistha has been a guide for the seekers across the country. There are basically more than thirty thousand shlokas in it, which is in the form of a dialogue between Rishi Vasistha and his disciple Lord Ramchandra.

He said that I have seen and learned a lot about the context of Yoga Vasistha through the eyes of searcher. All of us can have different perspective about life and we all think differently. The way I have seen life and found it, has expressed in the same way here.

He told us how we approach to life is very important. I have tried to write what we are and how to get

Raghunandan explained about Vedanta philosophy, referring to many stories of Lord Buddha and Rama

Professor JayaKanat Sharma said that it is not possible to get ultimate knowledge by neglecting karma. Describing consciousness as the world, he said that we should always be ready for the karma.

Sharma said Yog as a symbol of karma and symbolising Samkha as a symbol of knowledge, that by taking both of them together, we can attain ultimate truth.

Deep Meditation is Yoga

Professor Gerald James Larson said that yoga means deep meditation.

Yoga is related to Karma. Talking about Vedanta Yoga and Patanjali Yoga, he said that there is a lot of difference between them. Vedanta Yoga has given more importance on knowledge, whereas Patanjali Yoga to karma. Speaking on the Samkha philosophy and Yoga philosophy, he said that it is true that Samkha is the supreme lover of knowledge and yoga is a major motivating force.

Religious mind leads to ultimate truth

Professor Ram Nath Jha, describing Vaishith as a founder of the Advaita Parampara, said that the basis of Advaita was initially told by the saints. Later this tradition was very flourish.

While presenting a comparative study of religious mind and scientific mind, he said that religious mind accepts much of the reality, but the scientific mind works on the principle of reduction and it divides reality into smaller parts.

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Literature

March 26 - April 01, 2018

emotional tale

The Letter To Mom

S

ally jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: “How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?”

The surgeon said, “I’m sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn’t make it.”

Sally said, “Why do little children get cancer? Doesn’t God care anymore? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?”

The surgeon asked, “Would you like some time alone with your son?

One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes before he’s transported to the university.”

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good-bye to her son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair.

“Would you like a lock of his hair?” the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes.

The nurse cut a lock of the boy’s hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to sally. The mother said, “It was Jimmy’s idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. “I won’t be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom.” She said, “My Jimmy had a heart of gold.”

Sally walked out of Children’s Mercy Hospital for the last time, after

LIFE LESSON

spending most of the last six months there. The drive home was difficult.

She carried Jimmy’s belongings and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son’s room. She started placing his personal things back in his room. She lay down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.

It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Lying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said: Dear Mom, I know you’re going to miss me; but don’t think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just because I’m not around to say I LOVE YOU. I will always love you Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won’t be so lonely, that’s okay with me.

He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn’t like the same things us boys do. You’ll have to buy her dolls and stuff. Don’t be sad thinking about me. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything.

The angels are so cool. And, you know what? Jesus doesn’t look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to

The Father’s Gift

A

see GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God’s knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important!

That’s when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to say good-bye.

Although it is not allowed, God handed me a paper and His personal pen to write you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said to me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him ‘Where was He when I needed Him?’ “God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children.

Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else

young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car.

Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box.

Curious, and somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name

can see what I’ve written except you.

To everyone, this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn’t that cool? I have to give His pen back now. He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life.

Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I’m sure the food will be great. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you.

The cancer is all gone, doesn’t hurt anymore. I’m glad because I couldn’t stand that pain anymore and God couldn’t stand to see me in pain, either.

That’s when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?

Signed with Love from: God, Jesus & Me

embossed in gold. Angry, he raised his voice to his father and said “with all your money, you give me a Bible?” and stormed out of the house.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.

Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his

father’s important papers and saw the still gift-wrapped Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matthew 7:11, “And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?” As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words paid in full.

How many times do we miss God’s blessings because we can’t see past our own desires?

Events

March 26 - April 01, 2018

events & more...

New Year Bhonu Venue: SODABOTTLEOPENERWALA 73, Khan Market, New Delhi

18 March 2018 11AM - 1 April 2018 11PM

SSB crossword no. 15

events

SOLUTION of crossword no.14

Made By Women Film Series Venue: INSTITUTO CERVANTES OF NEW DELHI 48, Hanuman Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi

11 March 2018 4:30PM - 1 April 2018 6PM

Crossroads - Textile Journeys With Ritu Kumar Venue: VISUAL ARTS GALLERY

India Habitat Centre, Institutional Area, Lodi Colony, New Delhi

23 March 2018 10AM - 5 April 2018 7:30PM

1. Empzilla 2. Oman 3. UAE 4. SBI 5. ISRO 6. Wikipedia 7. Google 8. Haryana 9. HDFC 10. 1946

solution of sudoku-14

Art Pilgrim Live Presents Transitional Spaces Venue: BIKANER HOUSE Pandara Road, India Gate, New Delhi

21 March 2018 11:30AM - 25 March 2018 6:30PM

11. 16 12. Huawei 13. Bihar 14. Ripple 15. London 16. SBI 17. UBER 18. Dubai 19. Spain 20. Egypt

31

ACROSS 2. The Malampuzha Dam is located in which state?

3. The famous Nabakalebara festival belongs to which of the following states?

4. Name the first king in the world who introduced prohibition 11. The Konar dam is built across which tributary of Damodar river in Jharkhand?

12. The oldest veda is ________ 15. Which crop is sown on the largest area in India?

16. The Sangai Festival is celebrated in __: 19. The Omkareshwar Dam is bulit on which river in Madhya Pradesh?

20. The first British ‘Presidency’ in India was established at : DOWN 1. A devotional saint and a cobbler by profession was ___?

5. Mohenjodaro and Harappa are now in 6. The 2018 Pi Day is observed on which date?

7. The value of Gold is determined in 8. In which of the following city Elephant festival is celebrated annually?

9. Which country is called constitution Research Society?

10. Vietnam joined the U.N.O in the year 13. How many countries are member to United Nations?

14. In which year Dadasaheb Phalke Award was instituted?

17. The 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup will be hosted by which country?

18. WORLD,S Largest Country.......?

sudoku-15

Habitat International Film Festival Venue: HABITAT WORLD

India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road Quarters, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi

23 March 2018 10AM - 1 April 2018 9PM

on the lighter side by DHIR

Please mail your solution to - ssbweekly@gmail.com or Whatsapp at 9868807712, One Lucky Winner will win Cash Prize of Rs 500/-. Look for the Solution in the Next Issue of SSB

32

POSTAL REGISTRATION NO. DL(W)10/2240/2017-19

Newsmakers

March 26 - April 01, 2018

INDIAN ARCHITECT BAGS PRITZKER PRIZE

unsung hero

NIC A G R O S W O R DOCTOR G OR PATIENTS F S E L B A T E G E V

Balkrishna Doshi bagged the 2018 Pritzker Prize, becoming the first Indian architect to receive the honour

A

rchitect Balkrishna Doshi has been named this year’s winner of architectures’ highest honour the Pritzker Prize, becoming the first Indian to do so. Balkrishna is a nonagenarian architect and reputed urban planner.

His designs include the IIM-Bangalore; Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology, Ahmedabad; cultural spaces in Ahmedabad such as Tagore Memorial Hall, the Institute of Indology, and Premabhai Hall; and private residence Kamala House (Ahmedabad), among many

others.

The architect also designed Aranya Low Cost Housing (Indore, 1989), which currently accommodates over 80,000 individuals through a system of houses, courtyards and a labyrinth of internal pathways.

Doshi has been an architect, urban planner, and an educator for 70 years. The foundation called the 90-year-old’s work “poetic and functional”.

Influenced by masters of 20th-century architecture, Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, known as Le Corbusier, and Louis Khan, Doshi has been

Balkrishna Doshi able to interpret architecture and transform it into built works that respect eastern culture while enhancing the quality of living in India.

His ethical and personal approach to architecture has touched lives of every socio-economic class across a broad spectrum of genres since the 1950s. His solutions take into account the social, environmental and economic dimensions, and thus his architecture is totally engaged with sustainability.

US$ 170 mn for indian women’s empowerment The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a USD 170 million T h e project aimed at advancing women’s investments will build economic empowermen in India

Bill and Melinda Gates

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nnounced on the eve of International women’s day, the investments focused in India, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will target four key priorities - advancing gender equality, spreading digital financial inclusion, increasing job opportunities, and supporting the agricultural sector and women’s support groups.

“One of the most profound ways a woman can make life better for herself and her family is to take control of her economic future,” said Melinda Gates, cochair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

“When women have money in their hands and the authority to choose how to spend it, they grow in confidence and power.

They change the unwritten rules that say women are lesser than men,” she said in a statement.

on the foundation’s previous financial commitments to advance progress on gender equality, including USD 80 million for gender data, advocacy and accountability, of which USD 20 million was dedicated to supporting women’s movements, a statement said.

According to the foundation, the data show that when a woman has the option of working outside the home and access to financial services to participate in the formal economy, families break the cycle of poverty and national GDPs rise.

When women have access to financial resources such as cash or mobile money, the ability to control those resources and the ability to make decisions that

affect her, and her family’s future, women are empowered in ways beyond economics, it said.

The investments will not only help better understand what works to ensure women are able to fully participate in economies, but also dismantle the barriers that have held women back for far too long, said Sarah Hendriks, director, gender equality at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

“Our strategy is aimed at giving more women and girls the economic opportunities they need to engage as equals in society,” Hendriks said.

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 every year.

It commemorates the movement for women’s rights.

Dr V Soundarrajan grows 20 kilos of organic vegetables to feed over 50 pregnant women

Dr V Soundarrajan

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large percentage of pregnant women in India continue to fall prey to malnutrition and anaemia due to the lack of proper guidance regarding their diet. This is one of the primary reasons for the high maternal and infant mortality rate in the country.

However, one doctor in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu has been fighting to bring down the mortality rate along with malnutrition and anaemia in pregnant women for the past 12 years, and his method will amaze and impress you at the same time!

Every week, Dr V Soundarrajan, the head of a primary health centre in the Seruvaviduthi village of Thanjavur district, harvests about 20 kilos of vegetables from the kitchen garden of the health centre, to feed 50 pregnant women who visit it for check-ups. “Every Tuesday around 50 pregnant women visit the primary health centre. Most of them come from low-income families and are anaemic.

They have no knowledge of good food habits due to illiteracy. So, instead of preaching to them, I decided to give them the required healthy food,” says the 54-year-old doctor to Times of India. With the intention of providing at least one nutritious meal to expecting mothers, the initiative took flight in 2006 and the doctor, who is a specialist in diabetic medicine, invests his own time to clear the ground, sow seeds and water the plants. However, it was only six months ago that he started incorporating organic farming methods to ensure that through the meals prepared at the health centre, expecting mothers were getting proper nutrition.

Soundarrajan, who has been working at the health centre since 1992, receives financial assistance from sponsors to keep the weekly lunch scheme going.

Across the one-and-a-half acre patch, the doctor grows vegetables like snake gourd, okra, pumpkin and cluster beans and the excess produce is distributed among the women, who are also supplied with food like dates, boiled pulses and fruits.

RNI No. DELENG/2016/71561, Joint Commissioner of Police (Licensing) Delhi No. F. 2 (S-45) Press/ 2016 Volume - 2, Issue - 15 Printed by Monika Jain, Published by Monika Jain on behalf of SULABH SANITATION MISSION FOUNDATION and Printed at The Indian Express Ltd., A-8, Sector-7, NOIDA (U.P.) and Published from RZ 83, Mahavir Enclave, Palam-Dabri Road, New Delhi – 110 045. Editor Monika Jain