The document summarizes Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak's presentation at the 2009 World Water Week in Stockholm where he received the Stockholm Water Prize. It discusses the lack of sanitation in developing countries like India, where over 650 million people lack basic sanitation. It then outlines Dr. Pathak's founding of the Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reform Movement in 1970 to address issues like open defecation, manual scavenging, and lack of public toilets in India through sustainable technologies like pour-flush toilets and public toilet complexes with biogas plants. It discusses the methodology and impact of Sulabh's work in providing sanitation solutions and rehabilitating manual scavengers.

1. Presentation
Presentation from the 2009 World Water Week in Stockholm
©The Author(s), all rights reserved

2. Opening Plenary Session
2009 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate
August 17, 2009
at
2009 World Water Week Stockholm
by:
Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Ph.D., D.Litt.
Founder
Sulabh Sanitation & Social Reform Movement

3. FACT: Access to Sanitation Provision
Common sights in developing countries
2.6 billion people lack basic sanitation worldwide – of
which 650 million people reside in India.

4. Existing scenario of open defecation
3

5. Lack of Sanitation
The three basic problems which India was
facing;
• Defecation in the open
• Cleaning of bucket toilets manually by the
people called scavengers
• Public places without facilities of toilets and
urinals.
4

6. 400000 BC 200000 BC STONE AGE Defecation in the open was widely
(PALALEOLITHIC, practiced as people lived in the jungles,
MESOLITHIC AND dense forests and caves. The idea of
NEOLITHIC AGE) health hygiene or sanitation was
unknown to them.
5000 BC INDUS VALLEY Latrines were fairly common and rubbish
CIVILISATION chutes were also not unknown. All
garbages, human and animal excreta
were easily deposited in the fields and
they turn into natural manure.
1500 BC VEDIC INDIA There were no toilets inside the house.
700 BC POST VEDIC PERIOD People had to go outside for attending
nature’s call and return home only after
bath.
326 BC ALEXENDER THE Nobody was allowed to defecate in the
300 BC GREAT open in the city. They used to go outside.
MAURYA PERIOD
300 BC BACTERIA People used to go outside for open
100 BC SUNGAS defecation.
BC/AD KUSHAN DYNASTY People used to go to nearby fields,
100-300 groves etc. for nature’s call.
5

7. 400 WHITE HUN DYNASTY There was no open defecation in the city. The
500-800 GUPTA DYNASTY buildings, theatres, dining halls were very clean
with a very high degree of civic sense and
every house having sewage system.
900-1500 THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD People used to defecate in the open, except for
Kings and Queens in the palace using the own
toilets which was cleaned by war captives.
1600 MUGHAL EMPIRE After the advent of Muslims in India the term
1700 sweeping and scavenging seems to have taken
the form of a formal profession. It is said that
the system of bucket privies was designed and
constructed by Muslims for their women in
Purdah. Those who were made captives were
forced to clean latrines, bucket privies and
throw off the night soil at distant places.
1600 BRITISH DOMINATION Civil Lines were inhabited by the white rulers
1700 with fine sewage and drainage system, while
the other parts were left out for the natives.
After setting up of army cantonments and
municipalities a large number of people were
employed to do sweeping and scavenging work
on a regular basis.
6

8. 1947 INDEPENDENT INDIA In the rural areas open defecation was widely
prevalent. Hardly one percent of the people used
to have latrines in the house. In the urban areas
also a large number of people used to go for
open defecation or have dry latrines in their
houses.
2009 POST INDEPENDENT After a lapse of sixty two years of independence
PERIOD the sanitation scenario is gradually changing due
to the efforts of the Govt. and NGOs like Sulabh.
The sanitation coverage in the rural areas has
increased from almost zero to 57 percent in 2008
and the percentage of people going in for open
air defecation has dropped from 89 percent in
1990 to 74 percent in 2006. The practice of open
defecation continues and there are still a large
number of dry latrines cleaned manually by the
scavengers. Even now out of 5161 towns only
232 towns and cities have sewer lines and that
too partial. The sanitation coverage in the urban
areas is only 63 percent. The percentage of open
defecation has been reduced from 28 percent in
1990 to 18 percent in 2006. 7

9. The Unfathomable Plight of Scavengers!!
Cleaning of bucket toilet manually by a woman scavenger, a sub-human
practice
8

10. contd…
contd…
These practices endangered hygiene and
health of millions of the people which were
afflicted by diseases such as cholera,
diarrhoea and dehydration due to insanitary
conditions.
Girls did not go to school because of lack of
toilets.
9

11. An Ancient Joke
In the days when you couldn’t count on a public toilet
facility, an English woman was planning a trip to India ‐
She registered to stay in a small guest house owned by the
local schoolmaster. She was concerned as to whether the
guest house contained a WC. In England, a bathroom is
commonly called a WC which stands for "Water Closet".
She wrote to the schoolmaster inquiring of the facilities
about the WC. The school master, not fluent in English
asked the local priest if he knew the meaning of WC.
Together they pondered possible meanings of the letters
and concluded that the lady wanted to know if there was a
“Wayside Chapel" near the house. A bathroom never
entered their minds. So the schoolmaster wrote the
following reply: ‐
10

12. contd…
contd…
Dear Madam,
I take great pleasure in informing you that the WC is located 9
miles from the house. It is located in the middle of a grove of
pine trees, surrounded by lovely grounds. It is capable of
holding 229 people and is open on Sundays and Thursdays. As
there are many people expected in the summer months, I
suggest you arrive early. There is, however, plenty of standing
room. This is an unfortunate situation especially if you are in
the habit of going regularly. It may be of some interest to you
that my daughter was married in the WC, since she met her
husband there. It was a wonderful event. There were 10 people
in every seat. It was wonderful to see the expressions on their
faces. My wife, sadly, has been ill and unable to go recently. It
has been almost a year since she went last, which pains her
greatly. You will be pleased to know that many people bring
their lunch and make a day of it.
11

13. contd…
contd…
Others prefer to wait till the last minute and arrive just in
time! I would recommend that your ladyship plan to go on
a Thursday, as there is an organ accompaniment. The
acoustics are excellent and even the most delicate sounds
can be heard everywhere. The newest addition is a bell which
rings every time a person enters. We are holding a bazaar to
provide plush seats for all since many feel it is long needed.
I look forward to escorting you there myself and seating you
in a place where you can be seen by all.
With deepest regards,
The Schoolmaster.
The woman never visited India !!!
12

14. The Genesis:
Sulabh Sanitation Movement
Sulabh Sanitation Movement was started in the
year 1970 by me.
To end the inhumane practice, technology was
necessary so I developed two sustainable
technologies:
o Conversion of dry latrines into Sulabh twin‐ pit,
pour‐flush, compost toilets.
o Public toilet complexes with biogas plants.
13

15. Technological Solution to a Social Problem
To solve the social problem and provide sustainable
sanitation options, I developed a technology of Sulabh
two‐pit, pour‐flush, compost toilet which is
appropriate, affordable, indigenous, eco‐friendly,
socially and culturally acceptable and an on‐site
solution for recycling of human waste.
14

16. SULABH TWO-PIT POUR-FLUSH, COMPOST TOILETS
TWO- POUR-
Sulabh Twin Pit , Pour Flush Sulabh Toilet with Rectangular
Compost Toilet Technology Pits
15

17. Sulabh Two‐pit, pour‐
Sulabh Two‐pit, pour‐flush, compost Toilet
(Sulabh Shauchalaya)
This technology does not
need vent pipe, gases are
absorbed in the soil and it
requires 1.5 litre of water to flush.
There are two pits – one is
used at a time and the other is
kept as standby.
16

18. Ceramic Pan with 25° to 28° slope –
it needs only 1.5 litre of water per
flushing due to slope and P ‐ trap
PVC P – trap having 20 mm water
seal which does not allow the smell
from the pit to enter the toilet
Only a small quantity of water (about
1.5 litres) is enough to flush the excreta
from the pan into the pit, whereas
conventional flush latrine needs about
12‐14 litres of water for flushing. Thus,
it saves a lot of water.
17

19. Different designs of twin‐pit, pour flush,
Different designs of twin‐
compost toilet:
It is flexible in design and affordable.
It can be constructed for the poor US $15, 20, 50, depending
on the choice of design and materials used by the householder.
18

20. contd....
Cost – US $32 Cost – US $50
Cost – US $53 Cost – US $152
19

21. contd....
Cost – US $145 Cost – US $160
Cost – US $185 Cost – US $190 20

22. Cost – US $1100
21

23. Panormic View – Different Designs of Sulabh Two‐Pit Pour Flush Compost Toilets
22

24. contd….
The Sulabh Shauchalaya can be
constructed in the minimum possible
space – in a narrow lane, courtyard of
a house or in the bedroom.
23

25. contd...
The Sulabh toilet can be constructed in areas where the water
table is high and even in upper floors of buildings.
24

26. contd....
Sulabh pit platforms can be used for variety of purposes like cooking ,
chopping fish, chaffing grains. 25

27. contd....
Sulabh pit platforms can be used for
offering prayers
Sulabh pit platforms can be used for
running small shops
26

28. After a rest period of two years, the excreta is converted into
manure. almost dry and becomes a rich organic manure and
soil conditioner that can conveniently be used in the fields
and gardens.
27

29. Human excreta manure is rich in Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potassium and
provides good nutrients to plants, fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc.
It is a good fertilizer to raise productivity of field.
High yielding variety of fruits High yielding variety of crops
28

30. Methodology and Delivery System adopted by Sulabh for
Construction of Toilets:
Toilets:
Contacting the house‐owners to convince
and persuade them to agree to the
conversion of dry latrines into Sulabh
Shauchalayas (toilets).
Beneficiaries were given directory of the
list of materials required.
29

31. Methodology and Delivery System adopted by Sulabh for
Construction of Toilets: contd…
Construction of Toilets: contd…
Sulabh Directory – Explaining the details of Sulabh Shauchayala to the
beneficiaries.
Filling of forms by house‐owners for construction of toilets.
Processing of forms by Urban Local Bodies.
Amount for construction of toilets received from ULB by Sulabh
volunteers.
Certificate of completion is given by the beneficiaries.
To avoid human error ‐ the beneficiaries are also sent post‐cards to certify
satisfactory completion of work through mail.
Thereafter, Guarantee Card is issued with Sulabh accepting the
responsibility of rectifying defects free‐of‐cost for a period of five years.
Further, it also ensures that if any complaint is received, it will be attended
to within seven days.
30

32. Energy from Human Waste
To ensure recycling of human excreta in public toilets, I developed
the technology of biogas production.
Sulabh by now has installed 200 biogas plants attached to public
toilets. 31

33. Diagram of Public Toilet Based Biogas Plant
32

34. Use of Biogas
Biogas used for lighting of Biogas used for cooking
mantle lamps 33

35. Use of Biogas
Biogas used to warm oneself in winter Biogas used for electricity generation
34

36. Sulabh Effluent Treatment Technology
35

37. Sulabh pay and use
Sulabh pay and use Public Toilets
In 1974, Sulabh introduced the
concept of pay and use public toilets.
Sulabh has built more than 7,500
public toilets at all important places
in the country.
Alongwith the toilet facility, they are
equipped with the provision of
drinking water, telephones, laundry,
health centers, lockers, cyber cafe,
first – aid box, etc. It is in a way, a
Happy Home. Largest Sulabh Toilet Complex in the world at
Shirdi (Nasik), Maharashtra, India.
Funded by SHIRDI TRUST, constructed and maintained by Sulabh
International Social Service Organisation, it has 148 toilets cloak
International Social Service Organisation, it has 148 toilets cloak
rooms, 108 bathrooms and 5,000 lockers for keeping the belongings
of pilgrims. The complex is lit by the electricity from the biogas
generated from human excreta. 30,000 persons can use these
facilities daily. 36

38. contd....
•Both individual and public toilets are being used by
more than ten million people daily.
•Millions of scavengers have been relieved from their
inhuman occupation.
•Sulabh has also constructed and maintained
Community Toilet Complexes in countries like
Afghanistan, Bhutan and recently signed MoU with
Ethiopia.
37

39. Quality Education to wards of scavengers
Sulabh Public School:
Premier English medium
school.
Recognised by CBSE.
Tuition fee is waived and free
uniforms, books are provided to
children of scavenger
community.
There is a 60:40 ratio of children
from scavenger community to
other sections of society.
Students share lunch with one
another.
Messages of proper hygiene
behaviour spread from children
to parents and community.
38

40. REHABILITATION OF SCAVENGERS
The scavengers were then weaned away from the
demeaning practice of manual cleaning of human
excreta and brought on a par with others –
realization of a dream of Mahatma Gandhi.
Rehabilitation programme through training in
various trades was then initated for them to being
them into the mainstream of society.
39

41. NAI DISHA: An Initiative towards Rehabilitation
of Scavengers
‘Nai Disha’ Vocational Training
Centre was set up at Alwar, in
April 2003, to liberate and
rehabilitate women hitherto
engaged in the profession of
scavenging till end March 2003.
40

42. contd…
A comprehensive 2‐year training is being provided to
56 women scavengers in food‐processing, beauty‐care,
tailoring and embroidery, with a three year
rehabilitation programme.
41

43. contd…
Economic Sustainability and Social Transformation
The social transformation brought about can be gauged by the
incredible fact that the same society that was averse even to the
touch of a scavenger, today readily purchases products (even
eatables) prepared by the hands of these very scavengers. This
symbolises a fundamental change in the attitude nursed for
centuries by the people. 42

44. contd…
Adult literacy classes are held to teach them
English and Hindi.
43

45. SOCIAL INTERACTION
A monthly stipend of Rs. 2000 is paid to ensure that they do
not return to their earlier profession. The stipend is directly
put into their bank accounts which they operate themselves.
44

46. Social Interaction
Taken to the best restaurants in town
45

47. Social Transformation
The Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil crowning Smt.
Usha Chaumar in the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
46

48. Social Acceptability
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, giving audience to the erstwhile
scavengers of Alwar Rajasthan, who used to clean nightsoil earlier: and now after
47
education and training have become self‐employed and lead a life of dignity.

49. World Toilet Summit 2007, October 31‐
World Toilet Summit 2007, October 31‐
November 2, 2007 at New Delhi
Mrs. Sushila Chauhan, shared the dais with former President of India,
Hon’ble Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and addressed the gathering at the
Inaugural Session of the World Toilet Summit at Vigyan Bhawan, New
Delhi 48

50. World Toilet Summit 2007, October 31‐
World Toilet Summit 2007, October 31‐
November 2, 2007 at New Delhi
The erstwhile woman scavengers walked the ramp with
the top models who showcased their handiwork at the
World Toilet Summit 2007 in New Delhi 49

51. Mission Sanitation
HRH the Prince of Orange of the Netherlands felicitating erstwhile woman scavengers, who
were liberated and rehabilitated by Sulabh, with bouquets of flowers, lending prestige to
the scavengers who cleaned human excreta manually till March, 2003. 50

52. Mission Sanitation
Flying in the Sky – A journey
to United Nations Head
Quarters, New York, U.S.A.
51

53. Mission Sanitation
The erstwhile woman scavengers walked the ramp with the
models who showcased their handiwork at the United Nations
in New York on July 2, 2008. Their social status went up.
52

54. Fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi’s Dream
H.E. Mr. Vijay Nambiar, Chef de Cabinet of the Executive Office of the Secretary General of
the United Nations, crowning Mrs. Usha Chaumar, an erstwhile woman scavenger of Alwar,
Rajasthan on July 2, 2008 at the event “Sanitation for Sustainable Development” in the
United Nations at New York. 53

55. Fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi’s Dream
The liberated woman scavengers showing the sign of ‘V’ for Victory as a sign of triumph, in front
of the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA to show their liberation from the demeaning
profession of cleaning dry privies and carrying human excreta (nightsoil) of others, to eke a
living for their families. 54

56. Erstwhile Scavengers Gain Entry in Temple
Puja and hawan being performed outside the Jagannath Temple in Alwar, Rajasthan
on Decemeber 21, 2008 by Dr. and Mrs. Bindeshwar Pathak, Mrs. Usha Chaumar
and her husband and other erstwhile scavengers of Alwar and Tonk, Rajasthan
55

57. Dining With Mahatma Gandhi’s Grandson
Prof. Rajmohan
Prof. Rajmohan Gandhi, Sulabh Gram, New Delhi
A unique lunch and an amazing experience when Mr. Rajmohan Gandhi dined
with the liberated scavengers and the families where they did scavenging, along
with priests, in the lawns of the Sulabh Campus, New Delhi on January 5, 2009. 56

58. Training & Research
Sulabh International in collaboration with UN‐HABITAT,
Nairobi has trained professionals from 14 African countries
for their capacity development towards achieving the MDG
for sustainable development in water and sanitation.
Sulabh has recently signed a MoU with Ethiopia to
provide its expertise to improve sanitation, health and
hygiene.
It has trained more than 50,000 people to work in the
construction & maintenance of community toilets in
India.
57

59. Millennium Development Goals
Apart from the problem, solution, people’s participation,
replication of sustainable technologies is more important.
To meet the UN Millennium Development Goals,
especially target 7 on water and sanitation, for ensuring
environmental sustainability, Sulabh’s affordable
technologies for on‐site sanitation should be replicated
throughout the world with some modifications if
necessary.
58

60. contd....
Sulabh has explored new pathways in its
journey of over for decades for providing
sustainable sanitation technologies, not
only for the urban poor but for the 2.5
billion people in the world who lack
improved sanitation facilities.
59

61. THANK YOU
Sulabh International Social Service Organisation
Sulabh Gram, Mahavir Enclave
Palam-Dabri Road, New Delhi-110 045
Tel. No. : 011-25031518, 25031519; Fax : 011-25034014
Email : sulabhinfo@gmail.com / sulabhinfo1@gmail.com
Website : http://www.sulabhinternational.org / www.sulabhtoiletmuseum.org
60