Bandi Manemma is a Septic Truck Operator who had always aspired to be an independent woman capable of meeting her own needs as well as those of her family. She tried establishing various ventures but none of them proved successful.

When the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC) approached Bandi with an offer to engage in septic tank work, she was hesitant at first. Initially, she had reservations because she doubted her ability to invest in the business without sufficient funds. However, she overcame her hesitation since she had witnessed several people in sanitation business earning a decent profit. GWMC intervened and provided crucial support by facilitating a seven-year loan, enabling Bandi Manemma to purchase her own septic tank truck. Furthermore, equipped with training provided by GWMC on the proper utilization of personal protective equipment, she soon earned a license to operate the truck within the city limits. Since then, Bandi has cleaned over 36 septic tanks, leading to a notable improvement in her financial situation. Loan opportunities help individuals such as Bandi in becoming micro-entrepreneurs contributing to overall financial well-being and the opportunity to lead a dignified livelihood.

She aspires to see her children receive a quality education and progress in life, when she observes their dedication to their studies and ambitious dreams, it fills her with profound happiness and pride.

Born in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh, Valluri Kranthi's childhood dream of becoming an IAS officer became a reality in 2016 after graduating from IIT Delhi with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. As the Municipal Commissioner of Karimnagar, she steered the city's sanitation initiatives, driving transformative changes in the way the city managed its sanitation services.

Karimnagar, a city in Telangana, faced sanitation challenges until 2007 when plans for a comprehensive sewerage system began taking shape under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small & Medium Towns scheme. Kranthi's leadership ushered in a well-structured septage management mechanism, optimizing the capabilities of a Sewage Treatment Plant for co-treatment of faecal sludge.

Under her guidance, a City Level Sanitation Plan (CSP) was formulated in 2016, leading to a series of impactful initiatives. These included training of private septic tank cleaning operators and linking them to the ULBs, promoting responsible disposal practices. Additionally, a vibrant awareness campaign was launched to spread awareness about toilet usage and desludging, and operation and maintenance improvements, and an Auto Development Control Regulation process for toilet building approval were instituted, bolstering sanitation infrastructure.

Additionally, Kranthi's team established a 24x7 helpline and WhatsApp service for citizens to register complaints and request desludging services, ensuring swift redressal and feedback mechanisms. With a dedicated budget and comprehensive programs for marginalized communities, Karimnagar is positioned to achieve city-wide inclusive sanitation.

During the pandemic, Kranthi's focus on safeguarding sanitation workers was instrumental. She ensured that all 1300 workers were equipped with PPE kits and raincoats, backed by health check-ups and special financial incentives as a token of appreciation for their dedication. Championed by Kranthi's vision and leadership in executing ground-level measures, Karimnagar has taken big strides in city-wide inclusive sanitation.

“We are ostracised from society and always have difficulty in accessing even our basic needs. Beggary isn’t an option, not a dignified one. And we deserve dignity. There are many more barriers we will have to face, but it is nice to know that some people are helping us to overcome them. I wish to do the same for my community, as well.” 

O Laila shoulders immense responsibility in her community in Warangal, Telangana. Despite her complicated past where her transgender identity has always been called into question, she chose to take centre-stage and champion the cause of the transgender community in the city. Laila had to leave her native village very early in life so that she could hold on to her sense of identity. An absolute model of resilience, she does not speak of the past. Instead, in the face of rejection, Laila chose to equip herself with education. A post-graduate herself, she strongly believes in the power of education in shaping one’s future and has been influential in the education of transgender youth in the community. She believes that any job is, and should be a viable option for them which is the first step towards dignity. With her leadership skills and strong vision, she has been able to bring together a group of transgender people under the umbrella of an NGO called the Modern Awareness Society (MAS). 

Active since 2004, the organisation focuses on alleviating the problems faced by the transgender community and the urban poor. Today, with her efforts, there are about seven transgender Self-Help Groups in Warangal. Her hard work has earned her recognition. The MAS has been awarded a contract for the operation and maintenance of a community toilet in Warangal by the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC) in June 2020. This has been one of their most outstanding achievements on their path for a sustainable livelihood and leading dignified lives. She is also a member of the City Sanitation Task Force (CSTF) of Warangal. With this role, she has taken the opportunity to serve as a spokesperson for her community with the potential of addressing critical areas like the lack of access to dedicated toilets for the transgender community. She continues to leverage her membership and lend her voice to contribute to the sanitation decision-making by GWMC actively. 

She is also championing the cause for exclusive toilets for the community and exploring various livelihood options across the sanitation value chain for them.