[Music] I know sanitation is not one of the
I know sanitation is not one of the
I know sanitation is not one of the hottest topics to talk about at a TEDx
hottest topics to talk about at a TEDx
hottest topics to talk about at a TEDx event I don’t know a lot of you’re going
event I don’t know a lot of you’re going
event I don’t know a lot of you’re going to be hooked about me talking about
to be hooked about me talking about
to be hooked about me talking about sanitation at talking dirty right now
sanitation at talking dirty right now
sanitation at talking dirty right now but I know it’s the need of the hour I
but I know it’s the need of the hour I
but I know it’s the need of the hour I know we as a society are being grappled
know we as a society are being grappled
know we as a society are being grappled by lack of sanitation and adequate water
by lack of sanitation and adequate water
by lack of sanitation and adequate water what does water in our country so I’m
what does water in our country so I’m
what does water in our country so I’m basically going to talk about what I
basically going to talk about what I
basically going to talk about what I didn’t be hard it was a 6-1 journey that
didn’t be hard it was a 6-1 journey that
didn’t be hard it was a 6-1 journey that I had so this is in a remote village in
I had so this is in a remote village in
I had so this is in a remote village in Nylon the district where I was involved
Nylon the district where I was involved
Nylon the district where I was involved in the construction of a toilet right so
in the construction of a toilet right so
in the construction of a toilet right so we love food we Indians love to talk
we love food we Indians love to talk
we love food we Indians love to talk about food we like to talk about
about food we like to talk about
about food we like to talk about different aromas different textures
different aromas different textures
different aromas different textures different cuisines when I talk about
different cuisines when I talk about
different cuisines when I talk about where we got different ingredients from
where we got different ingredients from
where we got different ingredients from but what happens after that nobody wants
but what happens after that nobody wants
but what happens after that nobody wants to talk about what happens after the
to talk about what happens after the
to talk about what happens after the same food that we all need goes through
same food that we all need goes through
same food that we all need goes through the digestive system nobody wants to
the digestive system nobody wants to
the digestive system nobody wants to talk about that why is that a taboo we
talk about that why is that a taboo we
talk about that why is that a taboo we post pictures on Instagram on Facebook
post pictures on Instagram on Facebook
post pictures on Instagram on Facebook on any social media talking about
on any social media talking about
on any social media talking about different kinds of food that we’ve eaten
different kinds of food that we’ve eaten
different kinds of food that we’ve eaten but the end product nobody wants to talk
but the end product nobody wants to talk
but the end product nobody wants to talk about and we see that lying all around
about and we see that lying all around
about and we see that lying all around the place but still nobody bats an
the place but still nobody bats an
the place but still nobody bats an eyelid about it
eyelid about it
eyelid about it why why is it such an issue for us why
why why is it such an issue for us why
why why is it such an issue for us why do we not talk I’m sorry for my
do we not talk I’m sorry for my
do we not talk I’m sorry for my language but that’s basically they put
language but that’s basically they put
language but that’s basically they put it very crudely that’s basically what we
it very crudely that’s basically what we
it very crudely that’s basically what we don’t do so as a kid I remember nothing
don’t do so as a kid I remember nothing
don’t do so as a kid I remember nothing about this job asking people what’s the
about this job asking people what’s the
about this job asking people what’s the longest toilet in the world the Indian
longest toilet in the world the Indian
longest toilet in the world the Indian Railways right we know that Indian
Railways right we know that Indian
Railways right we know that Indian Railways is littered with our Indian
Railways is littered with our Indian
Railways is littered with our Indian human poop lying all around but nobody
human poop lying all around but nobody
human poop lying all around but nobody did anything about it
did anything about it
did anything about it it was funny then it was funny when as a
it was funny then it was funny when as a
it was funny then it was funny when as a kid I laughed about it I should tell the
kid I laughed about it I should tell the
kid I laughed about it I should tell the jokes to my friends my parents to my
jokes to my friends my parents to my
jokes to my friends my parents to my relatives but it isn’t funny anymore
relatives but it isn’t funny anymore
relatives but it isn’t funny anymore we have 1.1 billion people all over the
we have 1.1 billion people all over the
we have 1.1 billion people all over the world who defecate in the open of this
world who defecate in the open of this
world who defecate in the open of this 1.1 billion people
1.1 billion people
1.1 billion people yeah about 600 million of them in India
yeah about 600 million of them in India
yeah about 600 million of them in India this is not a small number it’s quiet
this is not a small number it’s quiet
this is not a small number it’s quiet it’s a country by itself and we know how
it’s a country by itself and we know how
it’s a country by itself and we know how big a population India is so we come
big a population India is so we come
big a population India is so we come from this country where mothma Gandhi
from this country where mothma Gandhi
from this country where mothma Gandhi 100 years ago said that sanitation is
100 years ago said that sanitation is
100 years ago said that sanitation is more important to us and independence
more important to us and independence
more important to us and independence it’s hundred years now
it’s hundred years now
it’s hundred years now where we still see 60 percent of our
where we still see 60 percent of our
where we still see 60 percent of our population defecating in the open so but
population defecating in the open so but
population defecating in the open so but the government has done quite a lot in
the government has done quite a lot in
the government has done quite a lot in the past we’ve introduced sanitation
the past we’ve introduced sanitation
the past we’ve introduced sanitation campaigns were introduced NBA which is
campaigns were introduced NBA which is
campaigns were introduced NBA which is the neutral palette of beyond we spoke a
the neutral palette of beyond we spoke a
the neutral palette of beyond we spoke a lot about ending open defecation in a
lot about ending open defecation in a
lot about ending open defecation in a country like ours we said we’ll provide
country like ours we said we’ll provide
country like ours we said we’ll provide toilets to the rural communities to
toilets to the rural communities to
toilets to the rural communities to urban communities he’s done quite a bit
urban communities he’s done quite a bit
urban communities he’s done quite a bit they plan to end open defecation in
they plan to end open defecation in
they plan to end open defecation in India by 2012 but we still falling short
India by 2012 but we still falling short
India by 2012 but we still falling short of it by huge numbers and then
of it by huge numbers and then
of it by huge numbers and then thankfully mr. Narendra Modi was
thankfully mr. Narendra Modi was
thankfully mr. Narendra Modi was appointed as the Prime Minister in 2014
appointed as the Prime Minister in 2014
appointed as the Prime Minister in 2014 on October 2nd said he’s going to launch
on October 2nd said he’s going to launch
on October 2nd said he’s going to launch his flagship programme called the swachh
his flagship programme called the swachh
his flagship programme called the swachh bharat mission so I’m sure everybody’s
bharat mission so I’m sure everybody’s
bharat mission so I’m sure everybody’s been talking about swatch part of
been talking about swatch part of
been talking about swatch part of mission we’ve been speaking about sort
mission we’ve been speaking about sort
mission we’ve been speaking about sort of our admission Grameen which is
of our admission Grameen which is
of our admission Grameen which is basically to provide sanitation
basically to provide sanitation
basically to provide sanitation facilities to villagers we even had a
facilities to villagers we even had a
facilities to villagers we even had a recent movie by Akshay Kumar I don’t
recent movie by Akshay Kumar I don’t
recent movie by Akshay Kumar I don’t know how many if you saw this but it was
know how many if you saw this but it was
know how many if you saw this but it was a movie where the movies about toilet I
a movie where the movies about toilet I
a movie where the movies about toilet I mean who wants to watch a movie about
mean who wants to watch a movie about
mean who wants to watch a movie about the humble latrine right and see
the humble latrine right and see
the humble latrine right and see Narendra Modi in a speech as well say
Narendra Modi in a speech as well say
Narendra Modi in a speech as well say that it’s important to construct toilets
that it’s important to construct toilets
that it’s important to construct toilets before we start spending our money in
before we start spending our money in
before we start spending our money in building temples so we we falling short
building temples so we we falling short
building temples so we we falling short of around 7 crore toilets that are going
of around 7 crore toilets that are going
of around 7 crore toilets that are going to be built in villages in the next two
to be built in villages in the next two
to be built in villages in the next two years so the swatch part of Mission
years so the swatch part of Mission
years so the swatch part of Mission Grameen his idea is to end open
Grameen his idea is to end open
Grameen his idea is to end open defecation in India by 2019 while I
defecation in India by 2019 while I
defecation in India by 2019 while I think it’s an ambitious project I think
think it’s an ambitious project I think
think it’s an ambitious project I think you’re going to fall short of it by huge
you’re going to fall short of it by huge
you’re going to fall short of it by huge numbers but at least it’s the first time
numbers but at least it’s the first time
numbers but at least it’s the first time that our Prime Minister actually stepped
that our Prime Minister actually stepped
that our Prime Minister actually stepped up to speak about a pressing issue that
up to speak about a pressing issue that
up to speak about a pressing issue that our country is facing today
right so India’s not the only country
right so India’s not the only country that is having problems with open
that is having problems with open
that is having problems with open defecation right we have a lot of other
defecation right we have a lot of other
defecation right we have a lot of other countries other developing nations in
countries other developing nations in
countries other developing nations in Africa in Southeast Asia are battling
Africa in Southeast Asia are battling
Africa in Southeast Asia are battling the same problem that you’re facing feed
the same problem that you’re facing feed
the same problem that you’re facing feed lack of sanitation lack of water we’re
lack of sanitation lack of water we’re
lack of sanitation lack of water we’re all fighting the same problems so United
all fighting the same problems so United
all fighting the same problems so United Nations set up DST G’s which is the
Nations set up DST G’s which is the
Nations set up DST G’s which is the sustainable development goals 2030 where
sustainable development goals 2030 where
sustainable development goals 2030 where they decided that by the year 2030 we as
they decided that by the year 2030 we as
they decided that by the year 2030 we as the world will end open defecation
the world will end open defecation
the world will end open defecation that’s the goal 6 which is clean water
that’s the goal 6 which is clean water
that’s the goal 6 which is clean water and sanitation will be provided to every
and sanitation will be provided to every
and sanitation will be provided to every hue
hue
hue being on our planet so why why do we
being on our planet so why why do we
being on our planet so why why do we talk about sanitation why is it so
talk about sanitation why is it so
talk about sanitation why is it so important we all thought would clean
important we all thought would clean
important we all thought would clean water everybody wants to spend our
water everybody wants to spend our
water everybody wants to spend our budget on clean water providing clean
budget on clean water providing clean
budget on clean water providing clean water team drinking water services to
water team drinking water services to
water team drinking water services to everybody improving a borewells
everybody improving a borewells
everybody improving a borewells doing things but nobody wants to talk
doing things but nobody wants to talk
doing things but nobody wants to talk about clean toilets there I mean the
about clean toilets there I mean the
about clean toilets there I mean the basic symbol for Saline toilet that they
basic symbol for Saline toilet that they
basic symbol for Saline toilet that they all sit on in the morning have read your
all sit on in the morning have read your
all sit on in the morning have read your newspaper come up with brilliant ideas
newspaper come up with brilliant ideas
newspaper come up with brilliant ideas in the morning is something that’s
in the morning is something that’s
in the morning is something that’s missing in our world why why do we speak
missing in our world why why do we speak
missing in our world why why do we speak about it thousand odd children a day die
about it thousand odd children a day die
about it thousand odd children a day die because of diarrhea related diseases and
because of diarrhea related diseases and
because of diarrhea related diseases and this is because of lack of adequate
this is because of lack of adequate
this is because of lack of adequate sanitation facility people defecating
sanitation facility people defecating
sanitation facility people defecating the open cause rampant disease spread
the open cause rampant disease spread
the open cause rampant disease spread because of this one gram of fecal matter
because of this one gram of fecal matter
because of this one gram of fecal matter contains numerous viruses and bacteria
contains numerous viruses and bacteria
contains numerous viruses and bacteria that caused harmful diseases to us are
that caused harmful diseases to us are
that caused harmful diseases to us are these thousand children that died 300 of
these thousand children that died 300 of
these thousand children that died 300 of them are in India every single day 300
them are in India every single day 300
them are in India every single day 300 student died because of lack of adequate
student died because of lack of adequate
student died because of lack of adequate sanitation we know kids drop out of
sanitation we know kids drop out of
sanitation we know kids drop out of school kids in rural communities double
school kids in rural communities double
school kids in rural communities double school because of lack of sanitation
school because of lack of sanitation
school because of lack of sanitation facilities especially girl children the
facilities especially girl children the
facilities especially girl children the moment they hit puberty and start
moment they hit puberty and start
moment they hit puberty and start menstruating kids the girls children
menstruating kids the girls children
menstruating kids the girls children drop out of school because they don’t
drop out of school because they don’t
drop out of school because they don’t have a sanitation facility sanitation is
have a sanitation facility sanitation is
have a sanitation facility sanitation is not just bringing a toilet it’s about
not just bringing a toilet it’s about
not just bringing a toilet it’s about creating a sense of dignity and sense of
creating a sense of dignity and sense of
creating a sense of dignity and sense of pride for people I don’t even want to
pride for people I don’t even want to
pride for people I don’t even want to talk about how polluting it is to our
talk about how polluting it is to our
talk about how polluting it is to our environment where we see people
environment where we see people
environment where we see people defecating in the open and we see all
defecating in the open and we see all
defecating in the open and we see all sorts of filth lying all around it’s our
sorts of filth lying all around it’s our
sorts of filth lying all around it’s our human waste that lying around we do not
human waste that lying around we do not
human waste that lying around we do not want our kids and the next generations
want our kids and the next generations
want our kids and the next generations to grow up in this world and the
to grow up in this world and the
to grow up in this world and the economic losses are really high as well
economic losses are really high as well
economic losses are really high as well we lose about a hundred and six billion
we lose about a hundred and six billion
we lose about a hundred and six billion dollars because of lack of sanitation
dollars because of lack of sanitation
dollars because of lack of sanitation because of health because of people
because of health because of people
because of health because of people dropping out of work people talking out
dropping out of work people talking out
dropping out of work people talking out of colleges you were dropping into
of colleges you were dropping into
of colleges you were dropping into schools so it is an issue that we need
schools so it is an issue that we need
schools so it is an issue that we need to speak about so I was lucky enough to
to speak about so I was lucky enough to
to speak about so I was lucky enough to be selected for a project that was in
be selected for a project that was in
be selected for a project that was in Bihar while I was doing my master’s in
Bihar while I was doing my master’s in
Bihar while I was doing my master’s in Sweden so I’ve never been to be hard
Sweden so I’ve never been to be hard
Sweden so I’ve never been to be hard right and it’s a scary place for me so
right and it’s a scary place for me so
right and it’s a scary place for me so I’m I’m from Bangalore so for me to go
I’m I’m from Bangalore so for me to go
I’m I’m from Bangalore so for me to go to
to
to go to a place like Bihar is is like a
go to a place like Bihar is is like a
go to a place like Bihar is is like a big culture shock so I went there I went
big culture shock so I went there I went
big culture shock so I went there I went to behind I went to this little village
to behind I went to this little village
to behind I went to this little village called Mahad record I stayed there for
called Mahad record I stayed there for
called Mahad record I stayed there for six months not knowing what I was gonna
six months not knowing what I was gonna
six months not knowing what I was gonna do I was just told go and build a toilet
do I was just told go and build a toilet
do I was just told go and build a toilet I said okay that seems really easy so
I said okay that seems really easy so
I said okay that seems really easy so this is basically the village where I
this is basically the village where I
this is basically the village where I stayed in for six months and this is
stayed in for six months and this is
stayed in for six months and this is that’s the toilet that we’re building in
that’s the toilet that we’re building in
that’s the toilet that we’re building in the background so this community of
the background so this community of
the background so this community of around a hundred people have no
around a hundred people have no
around a hundred people have no sanitation facility at all so you’re
sanitation facility at all so you’re
sanitation facility at all so you’re building a community toilet for them and
building a community toilet for them and
building a community toilet for them and they were surprised they said why are
they were surprised they said why are
they were surprised they said why are you building a toilet we have the entire
you building a toilet we have the entire
you building a toilet we have the entire field around there right they’re all
field around there right they’re all
field around there right they’re all they’re all they’re the ones who carry
they’re all they’re the ones who carry
they’re all they’re the ones who carry the lota and they go into the field in
the lota and they go into the field in
the lota and they go into the field in the dark and so no I think it’s
the dark and so no I think it’s
the dark and so no I think it’s important that you guys have a toilet
important that you guys have a toilet
important that you guys have a toilet say no we have the entire field why do
say no we have the entire field why do
say no we have the entire field why do we need to sit in a room in like a four
we need to sit in a room in like a four
we need to sit in a room in like a four by four rooms sit on it not know what to
by four rooms sit on it not know what to
by four rooms sit on it not know what to do after that so I found that really
do after that so I found that really
do after that so I found that really shocking because for me the toilet is is
shocking because for me the toilet is is
shocking because for me the toilet is is the most important thing right I mean
the most important thing right I mean
the most important thing right I mean just by quick show of hands how many of
just by quick show of hands how many of
just by quick show of hands how many of you look at a toilet the first thing
you look at a toilet the first thing
you look at a toilet the first thing when you check into a hotel or any room
when you check into a hotel or any room
when you check into a hotel or any room the first thing that you all want to do
the first thing that you all want to do
the first thing that you all want to do is see how clean the toilet is we’ve
is see how clean the toilet is we’ve
is see how clean the toilet is we’ve taken it for granted we think a toilet
taken it for granted we think a toilet
taken it for granted we think a toilet is alright but it’s a luxury for these
is alright but it’s a luxury for these
is alright but it’s a luxury for these people so I went there the first the
people so I went there the first the
people so I went there the first the first week was really difficult for me
first week was really difficult for me
first week was really difficult for me to speak to anybody
to speak to anybody
to speak to anybody Frawley because of my language I am knew
Frawley because of my language I am knew
Frawley because of my language I am knew very little of Hindi I knew very little
very little of Hindi I knew very little
very little of Hindi I knew very little of both food at this port but I had a
of both food at this port but I had a
of both food at this port but I had a translator luckily so I was able to do
translator luckily so I was able to do
translator luckily so I was able to do that but but what I saw the Willys was
that but but what I saw the Willys was
that but but what I saw the Willys was really shocking this is a sewer line
really shocking this is a sewer line
really shocking this is a sewer line that runs right pillow the kitchen
that runs right pillow the kitchen
that runs right pillow the kitchen that’s where the kids defecate in the
that’s where the kids defecate in the
that’s where the kids defecate in the open the mother washes the kid there and
open the mother washes the kid there and
open the mother washes the kid there and then with the same hand grows and cooks
then with the same hand grows and cooks
then with the same hand grows and cooks the food there’s no there’s no
the food there’s no there’s no
the food there’s no there’s no sanitation facility people don’t know
sanitation facility people don’t know
sanitation facility people don’t know what hand-washing does they don’t use
what hand-washing does they don’t use
what hand-washing does they don’t use soaps they don’t use anything they want
soaps they don’t use anything they want
soaps they don’t use anything they want they defecate in the open and they
they defecate in the open and they
they defecate in the open and they assume that a child’s fecal matter
assume that a child’s fecal matter
assume that a child’s fecal matter doesn’t cause harm to them but it is
doesn’t cause harm to them but it is
doesn’t cause harm to them but it is equally harmful as you can see the
equally harmful as you can see the
equally harmful as you can see the that’s the boy well there you have kids
that’s the boy well there you have kids
that’s the boy well there you have kids defecating right where the ball is and
defecating right where the ball is and
defecating right where the ball is and that was a toilet that was constructed
that was a toilet that was constructed
that was a toilet that was constructed by the government so government is used
by the government so government is used
by the government so government is used as think oil
as think oil
as think oil flight of an approach where they decided
flight of an approach where they decided
flight of an approach where they decided that we just going to go ahead give toys
that we just going to go ahead give toys
that we just going to go ahead give toys to people and then tell them to use it
to people and then tell them to use it
to people and then tell them to use it but it doesn’t work like that in a
but it doesn’t work like that in a
but it doesn’t work like that in a country like ours and that was basically
country like ours and that was basically
country like ours and that was basically what I thought was gonna happen to my
what I thought was gonna happen to my
what I thought was gonna happen to my project where I did just go and build a
project where I did just go and build a
project where I did just go and build a toilet but I realized that a demand
toilet but I realized that a demand
toilet but I realized that a demand driven approach was actually what was
driven approach was actually what was
driven approach was actually what was needed so that first let me speak to the
needed so that first let me speak to the
needed so that first let me speak to the villages to find out why they did not
villages to find out why they did not
villages to find out why they did not want to use a toilet and what we can do
want to use a toilet and what we can do
want to use a toilet and what we can do about it so I started conducting
about it so I started conducting
about it so I started conducting meetings with the people in the village
meetings with the people in the village
meetings with the people in the village but what happened is the very first
but what happened is the very first
but what happened is the very first meeting that I had was with only men I
meeting that I had was with only men I
meeting that I had was with only men I asked him can we meet and only the men
asked him can we meet and only the men
asked him can we meet and only the men came and they conveniently said yeah we
came and they conveniently said yeah we
came and they conveniently said yeah we can start the meeting so I said no the
can start the meeting so I said no the
can start the meeting so I said no the sanitation facilities for the women and
sanitation facilities for the women and
sanitation facilities for the women and for the kids as well
for the kids as well
for the kids as well so the second meeting onwards we had
so the second meeting onwards we had
so the second meeting onwards we had women and men and kids participating in
women and men and kids participating in
women and men and kids participating in all our meetings because none of them
all our meetings because none of them
all our meetings because none of them realized that sanitation was more
realized that sanitation was more
realized that sanitation was more important for the women and for the
important for the women and for the
important for the women and for the children so women in this village
children so women in this village
children so women in this village reported of sexual abuse because they
reported of sexual abuse because they
reported of sexual abuse because they had to go and defecate and in the open
had to go and defecate and in the open
had to go and defecate and in the open at 4:00 a.m. in the morning they had to
at 4:00 a.m. in the morning they had to
at 4:00 a.m. in the morning they had to hide from all the Predators not to
hide from all the Predators not to
hide from all the Predators not to mention their world jackals and cobras
mention their world jackals and cobras
mention their world jackals and cobras and scorpions that that I’ve seen and
and scorpions that that I’ve seen and
and scorpions that that I’ve seen and these are the women who walked a
these are the women who walked a
these are the women who walked a kilometer every single day to get water
kilometer every single day to get water
kilometer every single day to get water and come back to the household so what
and come back to the household so what
and come back to the household so what we did is a lot of them believe that
we did is a lot of them believe that
we did is a lot of them believe that having a toilet in the house it was a
having a toilet in the house it was a
having a toilet in the house it was a dirty thing they didn’t know that it was
dirty thing they didn’t know that it was
dirty thing they didn’t know that it was it was okay if it wasn’t constructed in
it was okay if it wasn’t constructed in
it was okay if it wasn’t constructed in a safe and hygienic matter there
a safe and hygienic matter there
a safe and hygienic matter there wouldn’t be a problem with having a
wouldn’t be a problem with having a
wouldn’t be a problem with having a toilet in the building so what he
toilet in the building so what he
toilet in the building so what he decided to do is we decided to consult a
decided to do is we decided to consult a
decided to do is we decided to consult a community toilet where everybody can
community toilet where everybody can
community toilet where everybody can utilize and create a sense of ownership
utilize and create a sense of ownership
utilize and create a sense of ownership where people would be responsible for
where people would be responsible for
where people would be responsible for maintaining the toilet constructing the
maintaining the toilet constructing the
maintaining the toilet constructing the toilet was the easy bit but getting
toilet was the easy bit but getting
toilet was the easy bit but getting people to sit on it was really difficult
people to sit on it was really difficult
people to sit on it was really difficult so what we did is we owed him all of
so what we did is we owed him all of
so what we did is we owed him all of this through regular meetings that we
this through regular meetings that we
this through regular meetings that we had with the villagers and we got the
had with the villagers and we got the
had with the villagers and we got the kids in wall as well on what they
kids in wall as well on what they
kids in wall as well on what they thought the importance of sanitation was
so one thing that we did with our
so one thing that we did with our sanitation toilet that we constructed
sanitation toilet that we constructed
sanitation toilet that we constructed ours were completely waterless so we
ours were completely waterless so we
ours were completely waterless so we adopted this technology called
adopted this technology called
adopted this technology called ecological sanitation toilets which
ecological sanitation toilets which
ecological sanitation toilets which basically are waterless and they work on
basically are waterless and they work on
basically are waterless and they work on composting so these toilets are
composting so these toilets are
composting so these toilets are waterless
waterless
waterless we had a composting chamber that was
we had a composting chamber that was
we had a composting chamber that was constructed below the entire toilet
constructed below the entire toilet
constructed below the entire toilet facility and we had a composting chamber
facility and we had a composting chamber
facility and we had a composting chamber where the entire fecal matter was
where the entire fecal matter was
where the entire fecal matter was composted and after a period of five
composted and after a period of five
composted and after a period of five years was removed as compost and
years was removed as compost and
years was removed as compost and utilized as a fertilizer for the field
utilized as a fertilizer for the field
utilized as a fertilizer for the field so 90% of the people who are in this
so 90% of the people who are in this
so 90% of the people who are in this village are primarily farmers so they
village are primarily farmers so they
village are primarily farmers so they rely on using da P urea and harmful
rely on using da P urea and harmful
rely on using da P urea and harmful chemicals for further farms so what we
chemicals for further farms so what we
chemicals for further farms so what we did is we had this technology from
did is we had this technology from
did is we had this technology from Sweden where we could sanitize urine and
Sweden where we could sanitize urine and
Sweden where we could sanitize urine and sanitize fecal matter and apply the same
sanitize fecal matter and apply the same
sanitize fecal matter and apply the same on to crops so that’s basically what we
on to crops so that’s basically what we
on to crops so that’s basically what we did so that’s papaya that’s lettuce and
did so that’s papaya that’s lettuce and
did so that’s papaya that’s lettuce and cabbage and we use this to grow crops so
cabbage and we use this to grow crops so
cabbage and we use this to grow crops so we bought half an acre of land where we
we bought half an acre of land where we
we bought half an acre of land where we had farmers come and see how beneficial
had farmers come and see how beneficial
had farmers come and see how beneficial it was to use human excrement for
it was to use human excrement for
it was to use human excrement for creating food a lot of the villas were
creating food a lot of the villas were
creating food a lot of the villas were shocked they said no something that
shocked they said no something that
shocked they said no something that we’re not going to eat and the moment I
we’re not going to eat and the moment I
we’re not going to eat and the moment I saw people like us eat where I was
saw people like us eat where I was
saw people like us eat where I was plucking papayas from the tree and
plucking papayas from the tree and
plucking papayas from the tree and eating they said okay it’s fine we can
eating they said okay it’s fine we can
eating they said okay it’s fine we can eat it this is basically the toilet we
eat it this is basically the toilet we
eat it this is basically the toilet we constructed for this village in Bihar so
constructed for this village in Bihar so
constructed for this village in Bihar so this is a composting chamber we use this
this is a composting chamber we use this
this is a composting chamber we use this thing called as wormy composting where
thing called as wormy composting where
thing called as wormy composting where we had dead worms that we never put
we had dead worms that we never put
we had dead worms that we never put inside the composting chamber and these
inside the composting chamber and these
inside the composting chamber and these rooms were responsible for generating
rooms were responsible for generating
rooms were responsible for generating the compost from the fecal material yeah
the compost from the fecal material yeah
the compost from the fecal material yeah so this is when you’re laying the first
so this is when you’re laying the first
so this is when you’re laying the first foundation in the toilet right so so we
foundation in the toilet right so so we
foundation in the toilet right so so we got the women to inaugurate the toilets
got the women to inaugurate the toilets
got the women to inaugurate the toilets because I think it’s the most important
because I think it’s the most important
because I think it’s the most important thing that we could do for the women
thing that we could do for the women
thing that we could do for the women because none of the women ever felt
because none of the women ever felt
because none of the women ever felt empowered they felt they were always a
empowered they felt they were always a
empowered they felt they were always a neglected part of society but then when
neglected part of society but then when
neglected part of society but then when women started speaking about the
women started speaking about the
women started speaking about the problems of their face because of a lack
problems of their face because of a lack
problems of their face because of a lack of toilet they realized that they had
of toilet they realized that they had
of toilet they realized that they had the need to have a toilet so one of the
the need to have a toilet so one of the
the need to have a toilet so one of the a very funny story that I heard when I
a very funny story that I heard when I
a very funny story that I heard when I was working here was say ask these women
was working here was say ask these women
was working here was say ask these women during one of the interview
during one of the interview
during one of the interview we’re constructing a toilet for you
we’re constructing a toilet for you
we’re constructing a toilet for you that’s so important because you all
that’s so important because you all
that’s so important because you all leave at 4:00 in the morning you all
leave at 4:00 in the morning you all
leave at 4:00 in the morning you all don’t know where to go to the toilet you
don’t know where to go to the toilet you
don’t know where to go to the toilet you all wait until all the men are asleep
all wait until all the men are asleep
all wait until all the men are asleep all the drunks are asleep and then you
all the drunks are asleep and then you
all the drunks are asleep and then you go into the field so why do you do that
go into the field so why do you do that
go into the field so why do you do that and that’s when we can talk about our
and that’s when we can talk about our
and that’s when we can talk about our husbands to each other say go in groups
husbands to each other say go in groups
husbands to each other say go in groups of five
of five
of five they sit far away from each other and
they sit far away from each other and
they sit far away from each other and they talk so that’s the reason why I did
they talk so that’s the reason why I did
they talk so that’s the reason why I did not want to use a toilet something as
not want to use a toilet something as
not want to use a toilet something as simple as that
simple as that
simple as that so whoo-whee it was funny for me at that
so whoo-whee it was funny for me at that
so whoo-whee it was funny for me at that point of time it was a very serious
point of time it was a very serious
point of time it was a very serious issue so we got them to finally use the
issue so we got them to finally use the
issue so we got them to finally use the toilet so before the toilets were
toilet so before the toilets were
toilet so before the toilets were constructed we had about 80 percent of
constructed we had about 80 percent of
constructed we had about 80 percent of them job out of school then when they
them job out of school then when they
them job out of school then when they hit puberty but then when the toilets
hit puberty but then when the toilets
hit puberty but then when the toilets for install we had an increased amount
for install we had an increased amount
for install we had an increased amount of kids going back to school we had
of kids going back to school we had
of kids going back to school we had women going back to school we had kids
women going back to school we had kids
women going back to school we had kids going back to school and also we created
going back to school and also we created
going back to school and also we created a sense of dignity and pride among the
a sense of dignity and pride among the
a sense of dignity and pride among the villagers that was something that we did
villagers that was something that we did
villagers that was something that we did through this intervention so yeah what
through this intervention so yeah what
through this intervention so yeah what what could we do what can we do as a
what could we do what can we do as a
what could we do what can we do as a society right I mean that’s basically
society right I mean that’s basically
society right I mean that’s basically what we’re trying to do we’re trying to
what we’re trying to do we’re trying to
what we’re trying to do we’re trying to find a purpose in life we’re trying to
find a purpose in life we’re trying to
find a purpose in life we’re trying to see what we as individuals of this
see what we as individuals of this
see what we as individuals of this society can help how can we help our
society can help how can we help our
society can help how can we help our community members so while we have fancy
community members so while we have fancy
community members so while we have fancy toilets created by a Toto in Japan where
toilets created by a Toto in Japan where
toilets created by a Toto in Japan where we have heated toilets we have
we have heated toilets we have
we have heated toilets we have self-rising lids we have we have
self-rising lids we have we have
self-rising lids we have we have technologies there has gone to that that
technologies there has gone to that that
technologies there has gone to that that point of time but we don’t have
point of time but we don’t have
point of time but we don’t have something like that and India so I think
something like that and India so I think
something like that and India so I think it’s really important that there’s no
it’s really important that there’s no
it’s really important that there’s no specific toilet that is working in a
specific toilet that is working in a
specific toilet that is working in a different part of the world it’s
different part of the world it’s
different part of the world it’s different technologies they have to be
different technologies they have to be
different technologies they have to be adopted like we built the waterless
adopted like we built the waterless
adopted like we built the waterless toilet because this place in Bihar
toilet because this place in Bihar
toilet because this place in Bihar lacked water so there’s no one fit
lacked water so there’s no one fit
lacked water so there’s no one fit toilet saying that we need a poor flush
toilet saying that we need a poor flush
toilet saying that we need a poor flush toilet we need water toilets we there’s
toilet we need water toilets we there’s
toilet we need water toilets we there’s nothing it just depends on the scenario
nothing it just depends on the scenario
nothing it just depends on the scenario that we’re in so reinvent the toilet
that we’re in so reinvent the toilet
that we’re in so reinvent the toilet luckily we have Bill Gates and Melinda
luckily we have Bill Gates and Melinda
luckily we have Bill Gates and Melinda Gates who have started Bill and Melinda
Gates who have started Bill and Melinda
Gates who have started Bill and Melinda a Foundation which is basically
a Foundation which is basically
a Foundation which is basically reinventing the toilet so we were
reinventing the toilet so we were
reinventing the toilet so we were working towards reinventing the toilet
working towards reinventing the toilet
working towards reinventing the toilet in the next couple of years where
in the next couple of years where
in the next couple of years where everybody can have access to safe
everybody can have access to safe
everybody can have access to safe economical and hygienic method of base
economical and hygienic method of base
economical and hygienic method of base disposal right
disposal right
disposal right and thanks to Narendra Modi that we have
and thanks to Narendra Modi that we have
and thanks to Narendra Modi that we have made Sanjay Shin a political a priority
made Sanjay Shin a political a priority
made Sanjay Shin a political a priority right now because
right now because
right now because everybody’s talking about Swach Bharat
everybody’s talking about Swach Bharat
everybody’s talking about Swach Bharat we know that toilets have to be
we know that toilets have to be
we know that toilets have to be constructed but I think what they don’t
constructed but I think what they don’t
constructed but I think what they don’t understand is constructing the toilet is
understand is constructing the toilet is
understand is constructing the toilet is actually the easy part getting people to
actually the easy part getting people to
actually the easy part getting people to use it as the difficult part we need to
use it as the difficult part we need to
use it as the difficult part we need to create awareness when you tell people
create awareness when you tell people
create awareness when you tell people why we need to use a toilet we need to
why we need to use a toilet we need to
why we need to use a toilet we need to tell people what are the harmful effects
tell people what are the harmful effects
tell people what are the harmful effects of not using a toilet what are the
of not using a toilet what are the
of not using a toilet what are the harmful effects of defecating in the
harmful effects of defecating in the
harmful effects of defecating in the open how there’s fecal matter is
open how there’s fecal matter is
open how there’s fecal matter is contaminating our groundwater resources
contaminating our groundwater resources
contaminating our groundwater resources our soil and our air rights it’s
our soil and our air rights it’s
our soil and our air rights it’s important to do this and I think it’s
important to do this and I think it’s
important to do this and I think it’s important to make sanitation sexy I
important to make sanitation sexy I
important to make sanitation sexy I think it’s really important to do that I
think it’s really important to do that I
think it’s really important to do that I think everybody likes to do something
think everybody likes to do something
think everybody likes to do something that’s really cool in life we like to
that’s really cool in life we like to
that’s really cool in life we like to own fancy gags we like to own an iPod
own fancy gags we like to own an iPod
own fancy gags we like to own an iPod and iPhone we like to own things for
and iPhone we like to own things for
and iPhone we like to own things for this because it’s cool it’s really sexy
this because it’s cool it’s really sexy
this because it’s cool it’s really sexy you own these things right but we need
you own these things right but we need
you own these things right but we need to make it important for these people in
to make it important for these people in
to make it important for these people in the rural communities to tell them that
the rural communities to tell them that
the rural communities to tell them that owning a toilet is sexy and it’s cool so
owning a toilet is sexy and it’s cool so
owning a toilet is sexy and it’s cool so with that I want to end this talk by
with that I want to end this talk by
with that I want to end this talk by requesting you all to go out and speak
requesting you all to go out and speak
requesting you all to go out and speak to people who are working in your homes
to people who are working in your homes
to people who are working in your homes it could be your mail it could be a
it could be your mail it could be a
it could be your mail it could be a driver speak to them over the importance
driver speak to them over the importance
driver speak to them over the importance of having sanitation facilities the
of having sanitation facilities the
of having sanitation facilities the government has come with numerous
government has come with numerous
government has come with numerous schemes and providing subsidies to go to
schemes and providing subsidies to go to
schemes and providing subsidies to go to villagers and to people in rural
villagers and to people in rural
villagers and to people in rural communities to build toilets on their
communities to build toilets on their
communities to build toilets on their own so I request you all please stand up
own so I request you all please stand up
own so I request you all please stand up speak for these people speak to the
speak for these people speak to the
speak for these people speak to the rights of these people because
rights of these people because
rights of these people because sanitation is an important right I think
sanitation is an important right I think
sanitation is an important right I think while we busy sending satellites to Mars
while we busy sending satellites to Mars
while we busy sending satellites to Mars we should start focusing on what we left
we should start focusing on what we left
we should start focusing on what we left with on our planet as well right so I
with on our planet as well right so I
with on our planet as well right so I think it’s important to make sanitation
think it’s important to make sanitation
think it’s important to make sanitation really sexy and really important so
really sexy and really important so
really sexy and really important so please speak up and speak sanitation and
please speak up and speak sanitation and
please speak up and speak sanitation and talk dirty thank you
”
Be First to Comment