At the age of twenty-two, Snehal, a driven and career-focused individual, holds the role of Site-Incharge at the Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) managed by Tide Technocrats in Wai, Maharashtra. From the plant's inception, she has effectively overseen its operations and takes immense pride in her venture within the sanitation sector. Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in engineering, Snehal resides in Rautwadi, situated 26 km away from Wai. Her inclination toward technology and engineering and desire for a hands-on field experience prompted her to apply for the position of Site in-charge for an FSTP.

Initially, she faced challenges such as difficulty in understanding the nature of the work, handling male workers and travelling to the FSTP since it was at a considerable distance from her residence. But with time and tremendous support from family, she was able to overcome all these challenges. With her hard work, she gained respect amidst the staff and has since been successfully managing the FSTP. The initial 3 months of COVID-19 were particularly challenging for Snehal; workers were apprehensive about coming to the site. But with support from the TIDE team, assured the workers of safety. The FSTP has been successfully operational, even during the pandemic.

Besides operating the plant, Snehal has also been raising awareness about Faecal Sludge and Septage Management and its importance within her community. Her family is very proud of her achievements and has been incredibly supportive and helpful in managing her work with her studies.

"If I can do it, any girl can. Working sincerely is the key to earn respect and to get everyone to listen to you. Girls and women should be encouraged to pursue their careers. The practical experience gained will be beneficial in the long run. Receiving the award for best employee of the month was an achievement for me."

"As privileged urban Indians, we often take water for granted, assuming it to be a readily available commodity. We don’t even travel somewhere if the toilet isn’t 'nice'.

Aditi holds a Master's in Infrastructure Planning from CEPT University and a Bachelor's in Physical Planning from School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi. She joined the Centre for Water and Sanitation in 2015, leading communication activities and supporting projects related to digital technologies for improving WASH services. With experience in various areas including faecal sludge management, water security, and capacity building, she provides support to different city and state programs.

Aditi recalls that her perspective towards water and sanitation was first challenged, during her time at CEPT University in Gujarat, when she was introduced to WSH during a studio. Her early experiences in WSH during her degree made her question the assumptions she had always had throughout her life. It was due to this exposure that Aditi came to appreciate the unimaginable effort that goes behind making WSH services accessible.

Aditi firmly believes that the need to access sanitation is universal. Using a toilet is a common experience, shared by all, it is an essential part of being human. A core tenet of her work has remained that everyone should receive at least basic sanitation services, human health and dignity must never be compromised. She finds it especially distressing when she witnesses girls being forced to drop out of school due to the lack of hygienic toilets or when families are unable to construct household toilets simply because they face challenges in obtaining the necessary permits. She is persistent to uphold that these challenges should never become a hindrance to someone’s personal development.

As part of her work with the Centre for Water and Sanitation, Aditi has worked on demonstrating how cities have the potential to deliver and sustain high quality sanitation services by employing low-cost solutions. They demonstrated this through models they researched and implemented in Wai and Sinnar. The Wai-Sinnar model pioneered the implementation of citywide scheduled emptying of septic tank service. The success of the models was instrumental in developing state-wide guidelines in Maharashtra. Further, through their involvement with the NFSSM Alliance, they were able to take these guidelines to the national level as well. Being part of a like-minded group has provided greater credibility when advocating for ideas. Aditi finds that being part of a diverse group of practitioners and hearing from people from different states like Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh who have faced unique challenges and maneuvered them differently enriches her understanding of the problem at hand.

In the bustling city of Satara, the Chief Officer of the Municipal Council, Mr. Abhijeet Bapat, has been at the forefront of a remarkable journey. His vision for Satara transcends traditional sanitation efforts and has transformed the city into a shining example of sustainable waste management, while fostering community involvement and empowerment.

Satara, known as the capital of the Marathas, has a rich historical background and a thriving population of one lakh eighty thousand. The sanitation journey in Satara began with a vision: to provide cost-effective human waste treatment solutions that balance technology with nature. Their sanitation odyssey commenced when Satara was declared an Open Defecation Free City in 2014, coinciding with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launch. However, Mr. Bapat and his team aimed for much more. They focused on natural treatments, particularly composting, to make human waste management both sustainable and affordable. This approach relieved the city council of undue financial pressure.

The provision of individual toilets under various government initiatives and the Swachh Bharat Project significantly improved sanitation and hygiene. Over a thousand families availed themselves of personal toilet schemes, enhancing the city's Open Defecation Free status. The process wasn't without hurdles. Challenges of space and finances were confronted head-on. Yet, Satara overcame these challenges with innovative approaches, such as community-built toilets. The city's dedicated team provided technical assistance and made sure funds were available to people, enabling them to build their toilets with ease.

Satara's commitment to sustainability led to a pivotal decision - the adoption of a Single Window Approach. This strategy streamlined the implementation process by integrating technical and administrative sanctions, ensuring swift execution of Feacal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) projects. Critical components such as technical sanctions, administrative approvals, and access to funds from initiatives like the 14th Finance Commission were harmonized, expediting project implementation. The city council capitalized on this strategy and harnessed government funding efficiently, leading to the creation of infrastructural marvels like the pivotal 30 kiloliters per day Feacal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP), powered by solar energy. Satara's FSTP initiative didn't just offer waste treatment; it provided stable incomes to waste collectors while involving citizens in the process. The FSTP generated income through the sale of fertilizer, contributing to the city's economy. This project became a beacon of progress, courtesy of collaborations with educational institutions and philanthropic organizations.

Looking ahead, Satara continues to expand its sanitation infrastructure. Plans for a 5.5 million liters (about twice the volume of an Olympic-size swimming pool) per day Sewage Treatment Plant and other initiatives are in progress. As the city grows, it will be better equipped to treat its waste and preserve the environment.

Satara's journey showcased the power of community involvement, and the single-window approach for approvals and funding streamlined the entire process. The city’s transformation serves as an inspiring example of how vision and strategic leadership in synergy with the community’s support can be a game-changer in the realm of human waste management and a beacon of inspiration for municipalities striving for sustainable, efficient solutions in sanitation.

Abhijit Bangar assumed the role of Executive Officer of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) with a clear vision in mind: to transform the city's sanitation landscape. Traditionally, sanitation efforts had centered on solid waste management alone, and rightfully so, but Bangar envisioned a comprehensive approach that extended beyond solid waste because that is not the only waste that cities have to deal with.

Under Bangar's leadership, Navi Mumbai achieved the remarkable feat of ranking 3rd in Swachh Survekshan 2020. The transformation was driven by innovative strategies, focusing on beautifying the city, ramping up Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities, and fostering robust citizen engagement.

Bangar managed to mobilize citizens to the extent that the IEC activities were enabled by enthusiastic citizen participation and included street plays, performances by Swachh Ambassadors, flash mobs, social media campaigns, and cleanliness drives. Bangar is sure to highlight the important role the community plays when saying “The city of Navi Mumbai has always been at the forefront of cleanliness, and citizens' participation has played a major role in this.” The #NischayKelaNumberPahila campaign ("we have decided to be No.1") further rallied citizens, inspiring active participation.

To bolster engagement, innovative initiatives like Swachh Radio and QR-based Toilet Feedback systems were introduced. Automation technology and apps streamlined operations, reducing fraud and accelerating digital transformation. RFID/GPS-based Garbage Vehicle and Bin Tracking System and Septic Tank Level Sensors enhanced waste management efficiency and safety. Bangar recognizes the synergy between technology and behavioral change in sanitation. While technology modernized waste management, he stressed that behavioral change was the linchpin for sustainable sanitation.

Abhijit Bangar's visionary leadership not only elevated Navi Mumbai's sanitation standards but also fostered citizen engagement, laying the foundation for a resilient and sustainable city. Bangar’s efforts spanned far beyond sanitization and focused on beautification projects in the city. These projects, spanning traffic signals, crossroads, water bodies, bridges, and underpasses, adorned public spaces with art installations and LED traffic lights, elevating aesthetics across all 111 city wards. With Bangar’s relentless efforts, NMMC's initiatives reinforced citizen's trust in the government.

In the bustling city of Sinnar, where centuries of history have woven a rich cultural tapestry, there is a transformation underway - a transformation driven by the tenacity of women who have come together to change their lives and the future of their beloved city.

Nestled in the heart of Maharashtra, Sinnar is a city where people of diverse backgrounds and faiths have lived in harmony for generations. However, like many urban areas in India, Sinnar had its share of challenges. One such challenge was open defecation, which had persisted for years. In 2017, everything changed when the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched, setting in motion a wave of transformation for the city of Sinnar. This nationwide cleanliness campaign aimed to eradicate open defecation and promote sanitation, turning the vision of a cleaner and healthier India into a reality.

Anil Ganpati Jadhav, City Mission Manager of the National Livelihood Mission in Sinnar, is at the helm of an initiative aimed at eradicating poverty in urban areas, primarily through women's empowerment, social integration, and institutional building. Within Sinnar, the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana scheme has been at the forefront of this anti-poverty campaign. Under the aegis of the National Urban Livelihood Mission, the city of Sinnar placed self-help groups at the center of its focus. These groups empowered women to create change, offering training, and support to help them uplift their lives and those of their families. Women learned about financial literacy and digitalization, giving them newfound confidence and skills. These initiatives, as he emphasizes, are instrumental in empowering women and uplifting the urban poor from poverty's clutches.

Women who had previously limited employment opportunities found themselves at the forefront of change. The municipal council recognized the potential in these self-help groups and started offering them work in various projects related to sanitation. This, in turn, improved their economic standing and contributed to the financial stability of their families. The transformation in Sinnar was not just limited to personal empowerment. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan aimed at making the city open defecation-free, and the women of Sinnar's self-help groups played a pivotal role in this achievement. They were at the forefront of creating awareness and helping families build individual toilets. The municipal council provided financial assistance to construct these toilets, changing the way people viewed sanitation in the city.

Sinnar's remarkable journey didn't end there. Over time, these septic tanks were often filled to capacity in these toilets. The women conducted a survey to collect information about septic tanks in households. The municipal council thereafter initiated a sewage management project, led by the women's self-help groups, to process the sewage stored in the toilets. The sewage was collected and brought to the project site. This wastewater was then purified and used for nurturing plants and gardens, minimizing environmental impact and enhancing the city's green spaces. The impact of these initiatives extended beyond sanitation. The newfound financial stability allowed women to contribute to their families' livelihoods. They could afford education for their children and manage daily household expenses. Women no longer had to depend solely on their husbands or other family members for financial support.

The story of Sinnar, he shares, is a testament to the resilience and determination of women, the power of government initiatives, and the spirit of a community working together for a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future. Sinnar serves as an inspiration, showcasing the positive change that can be achieved when communities unite to overcome challenges and transform their cities. The success of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan resulted in the city being declared open defecation free.

Tejaswini Gaikwad grew up in a small village called Menavli in Maharashtra. While growing up, she was an ambitious girl who dreamt of building her career and becoming successful. She dedicated herself towards her education and was eventually able to finish her higher secondary schooling majoring in science. Her education gave her confidence and enabled her to access the right opportunities to build a sustainable career for herself.

A 24-year-old Tejaswini applied for a vacancy at Sumeet Facilities Pvt Ltd – a firm that was working closely with the Wai Municipal Council for scheduled desludging. (Desludging is the process of removing both the scum and the sludge layers from your primary septic tank, usually with a vacuum truck that comes along to essentially pump them out through the top access lid). Wai was 4 kms away from her village and while Tejaswini was not aware of the process of desludging, she was keen to learn. In a few days, she got the job and was excited for the opportunity.

Her role required her to understand the process of desludging well and most importantly to sensitize citizens towards its importance. She coordinated with citizens who were owners of households where she provided desludging services. She worked closely with the officials from Wai Municipal Council and with the field staff who would manage the machinery for desludging, to ensure services reached citizens timely. It filled her with pride when women-only households felt comfortable that she was supervising the desludging process for their homes.

Her family is proud of her for being the ambitious and driven woman that she grew up to be and believe that she enables crucial services for the society. Today, Tejaswini not only overlooks desludging for most households in Wai but has also played an important in ensuring smooth delivery of desludging services by managing bills, reporting and documenting her work with the municipality.

In the heart of Satara, within Maharashtra's vibrant tapestry, an unassuming yet impactful revolution took root - a story anchored in sanitation's unsung champion: the toilet. Sagar Badekar, a Health Inspector, embarked on a journey that transcended waste management, weaving together access to toilets and communal health into a symphony of progress.

Sagar's journey unfolds against Satara's evolving landscape, mirroring its growth, challenges, and the pressing issue of waste management. His passion for communal welfare sprang from firsthand experiences as a sanitation worker. Progressing from this role to Health Officer and later to Health Inspector, driven by higher education and commitment, Sagar saw how complex challenges in the city of Satara proved to be a hindrance to delivering important services to its citizens. It was during this time that his conviction about toilets being the cornerstone of sanitation service delivery to the most vulnerable grew stronger. 

The burgeoning population in Satara, growing from a modest city to one bustling with over two and a half lakhs of residents, resulted in a parallel surge in waste generation. This surge stressed the city's waste management and health systems, spotlighting the mounting waste crisis accompanying rapid urbanization. 

The Satara City Municipal Council, securing CSR funding, established a Sewage Processing Center at the Songaon Garbage Depot. Employing modern technology, this facility operates a faecal sludge desludging unit, facilitating comprehensive sewage management across diverse city zones. One such zone encompasses slum areas, constrained by financial barriers that limit access to essential services like desludging. Here, the Municipal Council initiated a pilot program offering free sewage pumping every three years. This alleviates financial burdens on residents, aiming for equitable health service distribution. Sanitrack, an app for daily data recording, is used to monitor this pilot zone, storing sewage data accessible via a dashboard. 

Another key initiative involves converting sewage into fertilizer, delighting local villagers. Previously contaminating water sources and impacting both livestock and people's health, sewage now sees utilization thanks to innovative projects by the Satara Nagar Parishad. Furthermore, the Council's initiatives, including expanding sewage processing projects and introducing innovative mechanisms like the dewatering unit, reflect a proactive approach to manage sewage effectively amidst projected population growth. 

Sagar's narrative unveiled strides taken by the Satara Municipal Council in erecting sewage processing plants and promoting toilet construction. Government subsidies of Rs. 12,000/- coupled with an additional Rs. 5,000/- from the Council enable households to construct Individual Household Latrines (IHL), under the Swachh Survekshan Mission, combating open defecation and preserving dignity and health. 

Sagar also mentions that Satara's waste management was not a lonesome one. It flourished through strategic collaborations with all important stakeholders. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) became pivotal in handling waste and educating communities about the importance of sanitation health facilities, bridging educational disparities. Their integration catalyzed community engagement for toilet construction, highlighting SHGs' transformative impact on sanitation, livelihoods, and economic stability. 

"Toilets empower communities," stresses Sagar, highlighting the broader impact beyond infrastructure. As Satara steers towards better waste management, Sagar envisions a future where waste is managed, cities thrive, and every citizen's right to health and sanitation is honored.

Kolhapur, situated in Maharashtra, India, is known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance. The region is characterized by a mix of urban and rural areas, with a vibrant community that values its cultural roots while embracing modernity. The city has seen rapid urbanization and faces challenges typical of growing urban centers with a fast-growing population, including infrastructure development, waste management, and sanitation facilities. 

Dr. Vijay Patil, the Chief Health Inspector at Kolhapur Municipal Corporation, stands at the forefront of a sanitation revolution, placing household toilets at the center of his initiatives. His journey within the Health Department has helped him recognize and reflect on the transformative power of toilets. Throughout his tenure, he has observed a significant shift in sanitation practices and the challenges that exist around them. Initially, the focus was on building public toilets to solve the problem of access to sanitation services. However, considering inherent risks around spread of diseases continued to persist, owing to issues of overcrowding and a lack of individual maintenance, the discourse shifted towards individual household toilets.

Dr. Patil has been spearheading this paradigm shift from communal sanitation solutions to personalized household toilets, advocating for public health, hygiene, and dignity for all. The challenges of limited urban space and community opposition to building individual toilets led to innovative collaborations with architects and NGOs. Together, they devised space-saving models and unique septic tank designs, enabling construction even in tight city spaces. The strategy was not just about providing toilets; it involved modifying houses, connecting drainage lines, and ensuring that the most marginalized urban poor had access to the best services in cities. The Corporation also adopted a participatory model involving self-help groups and local communities in the design and implementation process to ensure beneficiaries felt a strong sense of ownership towards the solutions being implemented. 

With the aim to promote inclusive sanitation, eliminate economic barriers and enable more families to afford and access proper sanitation, the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation waived drainage connection fees for households constructing personal toilets, emphasizing the corporation's commitment to societal welfare. Another crucial aspect was the introduction of scheduled desludging programs monitored through the Sanitrack app. This technological intervention ensured timely maintenance and waste disposal from septic tanks, reducing dependence on citizens and enhancing the sustainability of the sanitation system. One of the pivotal aspects of the success of these toilets was the involvement of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in program delivery which helped in fostering community participation. These groups not only facilitated financial aid transfer from the government to citizens but also served as motivational pillars, encouraging widespread adoption and accelerating the construction of personal toilets. 

Looking ahead, Dr. Patil envisions a city completely devoid of public toilets, emphasizing the hygiene and sustainability benefits of individual household sanitation units. His vision aims for 100% household coverage with personal toilets, creating a healthier and more dignified community who has access to their own privacy. His efforts have significantly improved public health, with reduced spread of diseases, improved hygiene practices, enhanced public health and the empowerment of women and vulnerable groups.

Before landing in WSH, Aasim used to work for a construction company in Mumbai. Wanting to do something more meaningful that leaves behind a lasting impact, he decided to pursue Town Planning from CEPT University. Urban services, like water and sanitation, fascinated Aasim and led him to join the Centre for Water and Sanitation (CWAS), where he has been for 13 years. Through his experience, he has come to recognize WSH services as critical public goods.

Associated with CWAS since 2010, Aasim has extensive experience in WSH across India, Nepal, and Africa. He leads CWAS' work in supporting sanitation programs in small and medium towns in Maharashtra, focusing on City Wide Inclusive Sanitation and Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM). He provides technical support to the Maharashtra government for Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas. He is passionate about working towards efforts to mitigate climate change through WSH.

Aasim believes that inclusivity has a non-negotiable place in sanitation service delivery, and it cannot be fragmented but must be city-wide, self-financed, and self-monitored. For him, strengthening existing systems is at the core of inclusivity. To be truly inclusive, safe sanitation services must reach every household, especially those in hard-to-reach areas with high population density and cramped roads.

A thrilling initiative Aasim led as part of CWAS is “scheduled desludging”, which carries out regular or periodic services instead of being demand-based, implemented in Maharashtra. This first-of-its-kind initiative in India has helped improve the quality of and conserve water. To make the concept more relatable to people when first introduced in 2013, they compared it to Ghanta Gaadi, which does daily door-to-door waste collection from households. Instead of being daily, scheduled desludging would occur once every three years. The analogy was a game-changer in building political will and getting the initiative implemented!

This journey of doing what it takes to translate powerful ideas from the bookshelf to the ground and scaling them keeps Aasim driven. Being surrounded by a community of experts, as part of the NFSSM Alliance, has played an instrumental role in helping Aasim and CWAS scale efforts. Aasim believes that even though CWAS has strong relationships with the government, it has a much more significant impact when 30+ organizations come together to approach the government.

The Alliance has been pivotal in shifting the focus from toilets to the entire sanitation value chain and promoting inclusivity in SBM. For Aasim, engaging in the NFSSM Alliance has been a personal and professional triumph. Motivated by this community, Aasim continues inspiring others with his innovative solutions to help people adopt WSH services.

Ramakant Dake, Chief Municipal Council of Karad, Maharashtra embarked on a journey that would lead to making Karad one of the cleanest and most sustainable cities in India. Under his guidance, Karad achieved top ranks in the Swachh Survekshan surveys, and it is now recognized as a “Water Plus" city. This transformation reflects a pioneering vision for wastewater management, achieved by Dake’s dedication to community participation and hygiene.

The introduction of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, provided Ramakant and his team the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of citizens. While in charge of Pandharpur in 2014, Ramakant noticed how the river overflowing into the town caused major problems for the community, with many people having to vacate their homes. At the time, there were no toilets either and people would defecate in the open, and with the river overflowing it would create unsanitary and dangerous conditions. Ramakant noticed workers’ suffering in having to clean areas near the riverbed where people littered and openly defecated. He was a part of the Water Plus initiative which focused on bringing meaningful change not just to the city, but to the lives of sanitation workers. Through various campaigns, the initiative has targeted people’s paradigms towards sanitation workers, of seeing them as “dirty” or ignorable. With cleanliness campaigns, citizen’s attitudes towards sanitation workers have been driven towards respect, which is a major observable change.

The Water Plus journey dates to 1966, when P. D. Patil, the Mayor of Karad, envisioned a city with fully processed wastewater and multiple uses for it. This vision led to the creation of the underground drainage system. Simultaneously, an organization called Preethisangam Panisapuri Sanstha was established to supply treated water to farmers. This initiative not only benefited sanitation but also agriculture, reducing the use of fertilizers. Since 1974, Karad has been reusing wastewater 100%.

Community participation was key to Karad's success. Ramakant highlights that it was citizens' involvement that drove the transformation. They understood the benefits of cleanliness for their well-being. Karad's approach of not only collecting but also processing and reusing wastewater inspired and resonated with its people.

Ramakant’s vision is not just about rankings and surveys; it's about sustainable practices. The city is now working towards further reducing costs, increasing solar energy usage, and expanding green buildings. The aim is to involve maximum social groups to manage solid waste, ensuring that the municipality's costs are minimized, and citizens' daily lives are unaffected.

With citizens' transformed mindset and continual campaigns, Ramakant believes the pursuit of sustainability and clean water will be an ongoing success. He recognizes the positive change in society's perception of sanitation workers, who are now held in higher regard.

Ramakant is proud to be part of this journey and envisions even more positive changes for Karad. His vision focuses on reducing expenses, expanding the use of solar energy, and ensuring that the cleanliness initiatives continue to transform not only Karad but India as a whole. Under his leadership, Karad has set a shining example of prioritizing water management, cleanliness, and sustainability for other cities to follow.

Sanjay Kedar's journey in the sanitation sector paints an inspiring tale of transformation and progress. Appointed as the Chief Officer of Sinnar Municipal Council in February 2020, he embarked on a mission to tackle the sanitation challenges plaguing the industrial town of Sinnar in Maharashtra.

Sinnar faced multiple sanitation hurdles, making it imperative for the Municipal Council to plan and implement Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) services. With support from (Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology) CEPT University’s Center for Water and Sanitation (CWAS), CEPT Research & Development Foundation (CRDF), this collaborative effort aimed to set a model for other towns and cities without external funds.

Sanjay's visionary leadership focused on scheduled desludging as a public service to achieve ODF++ status. Under this program, every property along a defined route received advanced notifications about desludging, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Sinnar was divided into 3 zones, with each zone's septic tanks slated for desludging over a 3-year cycle. This initiative was implemented through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, leveraging performance-linked annuity contracts between the desludging company and the local government. To sustain the services, a sanitation tax was imposed to secure adequate funds.

Crucially, Sanjay ensured that FSSM services benefitted all sections of society, including low-income families and slum residents. This inclusive approach aimed to provide scheduled desludging services to everyone.

Moreover, Sinnar's Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) was operated by a private entity. Treated wastewater was ingeniously repurposed for landscaping and maintaining an urban forest. Self-Help Group (SHG) members played an active role in daily maintenance, while the FSTP relied solely on solar energy, making it a self-sufficient and eco-friendly plant.

Sanjay's vision created a blueprint for other cities to follow, showcasing that scheduled desludging is not only possible but immensely beneficial. It underlines that small and medium towns possess the potential to offer FSSM as a regular service and reap its rewards.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanjay's leadership took center stage. The safety of sanitation workers was paramount, with the distribution of PPE kits and stringent adherence to health guidelines.

Sanjay's unwavering dedication ensured the continuity of basic sanitation services even during the pandemic. Sanitation workers were issued ID cards and permission letters, hand washing stations were set up near toilets, and the FSTP continued to operate. His leadership ensured that Sinnar's sanitation sector not only thrived but contributed significantly to curbing the virus's impact.

Sanjay Kedar's journey stands as a testament to the power of visionary leadership in transforming sanitation services and serving the community, even in the most challenging times. His forward-thinking approach has set Sinnar on a path of sustainable sanitation and inclusivity.

Seema Dhamdhere, a distinguished civil servant in Maharashtra, embarked on a remarkable journey that transformed urban sanitation across the state. Her tenure began in 1984, spanning various departments like Public Health, Maternal and Child Health, Education, and Administration, setting the stage for her significant role in the Urban Development Department. Her arrival in the Urban Development Department marked a turning point. Amidst the complex tapestry of projects, she found herself amidst the inception of monumental missions - Swachh Bharat and the Smart City Mission. It was a time when open defecation and sanitation woes plagued the nation, especially its women. Seema's transition from health and education to urban development provided a unique perspective, especially concerning women's health and dignity. Her commitment to addressing the struggles faced by women, particularly in matters of sanitation, became her driving force.

Collaborating with the government, Seema spearheaded citizen-centric programs, driving a mission that transcended government labels. The mission was embraced by citizens across 400-plus cities, uniting diverse demographics towards a singular goal: eliminating open defecation.

She reminisced about her initial days, attending conferences where the core theme resonated deeply: "Apne Toilets, Apne Swasthya." The transition from educating women about reproductive health to combating the indignity of open defecation was a significant leap. The missions brought forth a wave of change. They struck a chord, not just with the government but with the public - a collective movement to reclaim dignity, especially for women. The idea that a woman's self-worth should not be compromised by the lack of basic facilities propelled Seema and her team forward.

Her vision extended beyond mere infrastructure. It was about liberating women from the shackles of societal norms that restricted their movement and dignity. She saw sanitation as a cornerstone for gender equity. The absence of proper sanitation, she argued, not only affected physical health but also shattered a woman's dignity and safety. Her approach was about ensuring women's safety, providing facilities for personal hygiene, and acknowledging their fundamental right to access these amenities. The journey toward gender equity in urban sanitation became her passion.

The journey wasn't easy; it demanded collaboration with numerous stakeholders, NGOs, UNDP, World Bank, and more. Seema acknowledged that achieving success in sanitation required a collective effort. She emphasized that involving citizens and aligning stakeholders on the same platform facilitated substantial progress in this realm. Having been among the few women in urban development, Seema envisioned a more inclusive future. She believed that greater representation of women in this domain would yield profound results, aligning closely with women's needs and their pivotal role in societal hygiene. Throughout her career, Seema applied a gendered lens to her work, advocating for the underprivileged and championing initiatives that elevated women's dignity. Her dedication was evident in initiatives providing sanitary facilities on highways, state transport buses, and slums, easing the challenges faced by women in accessing basic amenities.

Reflecting on her trajectory, Seema encourages future leaders to amplify efforts in this regard. Her message to future leaders echoed: "The cornerstone of progress lies in recognizing the fundamental right of women to access dignified sanitation. It's not just about building toilets; it's about upholding dignity and safety for every woman in our society."

Seema's story wasn't merely about her tenure or achievements; it was a testament to a woman's determination to rewrite the narrative, one toilet at a time. Her journey illuminated a path where women's dignity and rights were not negotiable and where urban development equated to gender equity.