Praveen's venture into the not-so-glamorous world of fecal sludge management (FSM) began with an internship that initially seemed baffling to him. However, this experience turned out to be the catalyst that ignited his passion for a cause that resonated deeply within him. Hailing from a mechanical engineering background and a stint in the mining industry, Praveen's quest for deeper significance led him to Institute of Rural Management Anand, a B School espousing values steering towards nurturing professionals for non-profits and cooperatives. His journey in FSM when he decided to pursue an internship opportunity with CDD society during his MBA. Despite initial confusion about fecal sludge management's intricacies and necessity for a business model, Praveen plunged into the assignment, discovering the complexity within stakeholders' needs and dynamics, an experience that reshaped his path and instilled his belief in FSM as a solution. Little did he realize the profound impact this assignment would have on his life and the lives of countless others.

The shift in Praveen's perspective came during his fieldwork in Nepal post the 2015 earthquake. Amidst the aftermath, he recognized the profound impact of sanitation amidst dire humanitarian needs. The unsanitary conditions were causing significant distress, impacting not just their physical health but also their dignity and overall well-being. Witnessing the consequences of inadequate sanitation on people's lives during a disaster ignited a passion within him. He recognized that sanitation, particularly inclusive sanitation, was not merely a matter of waste management but a fundamental human right. He delved into learning the intricacies of sanitation, utilizing his experience to set up the first fecal sludge treatment plant in Nepal after the earthquake.

Returning from Nepal, Praveen's dedication to transforming sanitation in India grew stronger. However, he recognized that the issue extended beyond technical solutions; it required a societal shift in perspective. Praveen's work with CDD took shape, realizing - scalable impact hinges not just on infrastructural design but on advocacy, education, and influencing policy. Armed with no background in civil or environmental sciences, he had to learn quickly, right from the basics to cutting-edge innovations. His entire journey of learning was intensive and elaborate - from theory and research, scaled-down experimentation, full-scale pilots, and monitoring. Praveen recalls how his foray into training and capacity building was shaped by the need to make sanitation a household subject which is well understood by everyone. These days, he endeavors to explain to a broader audience, in simple terms, solutions to complex urban sanitation problems, through trainings and government engagements via creative and innovative methods of delivery. 

As Praveen's journey progressed, so did the sector's evolution. From struggling to explain the need for faecal sludge management to governments, the landscape shifted. Awareness grew, policies evolved, and burgeoning private sector involvement signaled progress.

Praveen's involvement with the NFSSM Alliance provided access to a network that shared his vision, fostering collective wisdom and solutions. The Alliance's collaborative platform offered a repository of shared experiences, streamlining problem-solving and catalyzing faster responses.  This platform nurtured collaboration and expedited solutions, offering a space for collective learning and knowledge exchange, empowering faster responses to sector challenges.

Praveen's aspirations for the sector are clear and profound: envisioning a world where sanitation is not a privilege but a humanitarian right, where cities thrived in resilience and inclusivity, unchained from the burdens of inadequate waste management.

Praveen's journey is not just about waste management; it is a testament to the transformative impact individuals can have when driven by empathy and a relentless pursuit of social justice. His story stands as a beacon of hope, inspiring others to embark on journeys that may initially seem daunting but ultimately lead to profound change.

Santosh Nargund, a seasoned aerospace engineer turned civic advocate, embodies a multifaceted journey. His trajectory, rife with technical prowess and civic fervor, converges in his involvement with the NFSSM Alliance and his current role at the Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy. 

Beginning his career as an Aerospace Scientist, Santosh led groundbreaking projects on iconic aircraft models for both government and private sectors. He led global teams on several pioneer projects on aircrafts such as the Tejas (Indian Light Combat Aircraft), Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A350XWB and the A320 neo. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B), and armed with a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering and a Master's in Technology in Structural Engineering, his industry tenure ignited his dedication to community development. This new-found passion led him to transition from industry, diving into grassroots initiatives spanning climate action, sanitation, and societal reforms.

Santosh does not view cities as economic hubs only but sees them as crucial habitats for sustainable living for an aspirational population. His pivot towards systemic interventions aimed to transform cities into safe, prosperous environments for all residents, including the most marginalized. 

Santosh expounds on the vital role of sanitation in human life and its historical significance, dating back to civilizations like the Indus Valley. He illuminates the inherent inequalities in sanitation access, advocating for addressing these disparities. Reflecting on his experiences, Santosh recounted a poignant anecdote from his early days. Working in an urban poor community in Bangalore, he spearheaded efforts to secure sanitation facilities, catalyzing community mobilization that led to governmental attention and some initial improvements. Stressing the significance of inclusive sanitation as a fundamental human right, he champions equitable access and community involvement for sustainable practices.

Santosh believes that his involvement with the NFSSM Alliance emerged as a privilege. It serves as a collaborative nucleus where like-minded individuals converge, singularly dedicated to elevating sanitation practices nationwide. Engaging with diverse partners within the Alliance heightened Santosh's awareness of gender-specific sanitation needs, influencing his commitment to inclusive sanitation and gender-sensitive urban development. 

Santosh recognizes the critical role of stakeholder appetite and collaboration in expediting reforms for effective urban governance. His affiliation with Janaagraha, an organization at the forefront of systemic change in urban governance, dovetails perfectly with the Alliance's mission. By leveraging Janaagraha's systemic approach, Santosh underscores the need for a comprehensive view of sanitation, one that addresses not just the immediate challenges but also embraces cross-learning from various sectors to drive impactful change.  

Santosh's story echoes the collaborative spirit and relentless pursuit of equitable urban development and inclusive sanitation within the NFSSM Alliance, painting a vivid picture of dedication and systemic change in the pursuit of a more sanitary and equitable society.