Married at the age of 18, Madhu lived a quiet life in a joint family in Baldev Vihar, Lucknow, with her husband and three children. She built her life around her family and continued to live that way till one day her husband lost his job. This put her family in unprecedented circumstances with financial difficulties and Madhu was determined to see how she could solve for the same. She and her husband saw a growing demand for desludging in their locality and after speaking to a few businesses in their vicinity, they decided to take the leap and start a desludging tanker business of their own.

The business required heavy financial investment when they started it and both of them decided to invest their entire retirement savings into it with the hope that this venture will give them and their children the security they needed. Despite putting their entire savings into the business, they soon realized that they needed additional funds which led them to apply for a loan of of INR 7 lakh in Madhu's name from a local bank in 2013. The loan came through and thus, Madhu transitioned into becoming a businesswoman.

While the plan initially was for Madhu as well as her husband to run the business, fate had other plans for them. Her husband was offered a job as a security guard 75 kilometers away and keeping their financial constraints in mind, he decided to take the job. Suddenly, Madhu was left to take care of the business alone. De-sludging can be a gendered profession with mostly men running a business in this space across the country. Madhu defied societal norms by deciding to run this business with no help. Her decision shocked her children, her family, and society. However, her husband played a key role in negotiating with her ecosystem to create a space for Madhu to thrive and thrive she did!

The early days were challenging, with employees and drivers not taking her seriously. She handled business inquiries and negotiations over the phone. Maintenance issues, irregular tipping fees, and improper desludging posed additional hurdles. Through determination and a customer-first approach, Madhu mastered the nuances of the business and ensured the timely repayment of the tanker loan.

Madhu's courageous venture transformed her family's financial situation. Madhu credits Population Services International (PSI) India for forming the tanker operator association in Lucknow during the #ATF project. This initiative facilitated private operators' integration into public systems, addressing challenges like tipping fees, disposal sites, and registration. PSI's support during the COVID-19 lockdown ensured uninterrupted desludging operations, allowing registered Private Tanker Operators like Madhu to continue their businesses and support their staff.

Madhu's role in the executive committee of the Septic Tanker Operator Welfare Association reflects her success and acceptance in the predominantly male profession of faecal sludge management. Exemplifying the power of determination, Madhu believes in challenging traditional livelihoods to change societal perspectives and encourages more women to join the movement for sanitation reform in the country.

Neha Sharma is an enigmatic force in the vast landscape of public service in India. An IAS Officer from the batch of 2010, she currently serves as the Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban and the Director of Urban Local Bodies & Municipal Administration in the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

During her 12 years in public service, Neha has served as the District Magistrate in various districts of UP, these diverse experiences have shaped her understanding of the challenges faced by different regions. While working as the Additional CO at Noida Authority, she delved into intricacies of urban sanitation and municipal issues. Her determination and commitment to improving the living conditions of the people led her to her current posting in Uttar Pradesh.

Neha's educational background played a significant role in shaping her aspirations. She spent her formative years in Scindia Boarding School in Gwalior, where she developed a strong academic foundation. After completing her schooling, she pursued her higher studies at Delhi University, specializing in Gender and Space.

Her motivation to join public service stemmed from her childhood dream, which was nurtured by her father's constant encouragement to explore civil services. Although she lacked immediate examples or mentors, Neha found inspiration in observing a woman District Collector in her hometown. Witnessing her dedication and impact left a lasting impression on Neha's young mind, setting the tone for her future endeavors.

Neha's deep-rooted passion for academia, combined with her desire to implement change systematically, fueled her drive to address societal issues. She envisioned leveraging her position to initiate initiatives aligned with her research interests and promote gender equality.

During her tenure, Neha faced multiple challenges, ranging from law and order to development-related issues. Her unwavering focus, however, has remained on women-centric concerns. In Ferozabad, she spearheaded work under the Beti Bachao scheme, emphasizing the importance of empowering and protecting girls.

Neha's dedication to women-led sanitation came naturally to her, and she strived to make a lasting impact. One of the initiatives closest to her heart involved the removal of 3000+ garbage vulnerable points across urban local bodies in UP within 75 hours, through community-led sanitation efforts, which involved the active participation of women, NGOs, and CSOs, and support from Safai Mitras. Round-the-clock monitoring ensured the success of this initiative. Furthermore, Neha worked to introduce innovative assets such as "Neki ki Deewar" (a wall for donations), selfie points, and vending zones, at those points. Neha envisions a cleaner India as her long-term goal, driven ahead by a true people’s movement.

Rajpati Bais, the Executive Officer of Chunar, hails from an agrarian background. His late father worked as a farmer, while his mother dedicated herself to homemaking. With two younger brothers, Rajpati draws inspiration from his agricultural roots, attributing his strong work ethic and collaborative skills to his upbringing.

To broaden his career prospects beyond public service, Rajpati pursued a bachelor's degree in education. Growing up in the village milieu, he witnessed firsthand the social and economic hardships faced by the community. Motivated by the suffering he observed, Rajpati nurtured a desire to hold a public position and actively contribute to problem-solving and alleviating people's difficulties. His inclination to work among the people remained constant throughout.

Rajpati places great value on Swachhta (cleanliness) and has taken proactive measures to raise awareness among Chunar's residents regarding waste segregation and the importance of regular door-to-door collection of solid waste. The citizens enthusiastically participate in these initiatives to ensure proper waste segregation and collection.

His work in Chunar has been pivotal in establishing a comprehensive approach to proper Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM), considering both the demand and supply sides. With support from Jal Nigam and technical assistance from the Centre for Science and Environment, Nagar Palika Parishad, Chunar successfully established a 10 KLD capacity Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP). The formation of a Swachhta Dal, comprising educators, media persons, lawyers, and health experts, facilitates cross-sectoral collaboration to educate the public about the importance of emptying their septic tanks every three years. This ensures safe transportation and treatment of the waste at the FSTP.Rajpati's goal is to make periodic desludging every three years a routine process, minimizing the financial burden on households, particularly the economically disadvantaged.

Given Chunar's proximity to the river Ganga, protecting its water from pollution is crucial. Rajpati recognizes the significance of the FSTP and regulated desludging in achieving the mission of a Clean Ganga. He also recounts his efforts in a campaign on the river bank, raising awareness and sensitizing people about the importance of preserving the cleanliness of the Ganga.

Rajpati envisions Chunar as a pivotal city that will lead the way in ensuring safe and sustainable sanitation practices, shaping a better future for its residents and serving as an example for others to follow.

Embarking on a journey to revolutionize sanitation practices in Chunar Nagar Palika Parishad, Ms. Prathibha Singh, the Executive Officer, stands as a resilient leader breaking barriers and championing the cause of equitable sanitation. Her narrative unfolds as a beacon of inspiration, driven by a deep commitment to transforming Chunar's waste management and mainstreaming Faecal Sludge Management (FSM).

Ms. Prathibha has been associated with the Uttar Pradesh Government since 2007, navigating challenges around access to clean water and sanitation facilities, especially for women. She is committed to working towards achieving a sustainable and efficient sanitation value chain. Leading by example, she shattered gender norms, actively participating in decision-making, capacity building, and educating students on sanitation.

In 2019, a groundbreaking partnership with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) paved the way for enhanced FSM in Chunar. The Technical Support Unit (TSU) established under this collaboration aimed to fortify Chunar's sanitation infrastructure. Prathibha's team steadily progressed in effectively identifying and managing fault-lines in the sanitation value chain before the pandemic hit.

When the pandemic struck in 2020, Prathibha's demonstrated a forward-thinking approach in leadership. Recognizing the potential panic among sanitation workers due to the lack of information, she collaborated with CSE to provide technical support in training and spreading awareness amongst workers. The support also involved supplying over 120 PPE kits to sanitation workers in that time.

Despite the hurdle posed by the pandemic, Ms. Prathibha remained optimistic and proactive. She saw reduced waste from hotels and industries as an opportunity to design better strategies for waste management. Even with a constrained budget, she collaborated with CSE to create communication materials on FSM, ensuring continued awareness.

Looking ahead, Prathibha aspires for Chunar to achieve ODF++ and Water+ milestones. The Malasur campaign will drive FSM awareness, with a focus on leveraging new technologies for occupational safety and health. Undoubtedly, she sees students as change-makers, envisioning a ripple effect as they carry the message to their families and communities, fostering a transformative impact on society. Prathibha’s inspiring journey in the sanitation sector serves as a testament to her resilience, vision, and commitment to creating a positive change in Chunar.

Subrata Chakraborty, a Senior Programme Manager in the Water Programme at CSE, began his journey from the bustling urban streets of Kolkata. A Master's degree in economics in 1999 marked the start of Subrata’s career in the social development sector. In his early years he was working with an NGO in eastern India, primarily focusing on education and integration. As time passed, he ventured into rural development, working with the Panchayati Raj Institutions and Rural Development Departments. These initial experiences offered him an eye-opening realization about the disparities in accessing clean water and sanitation between urban and rural areas.

Growing up in Kolkata, Subrata assumed that amenities like clean drinking water and proper sanitation were available for most citizens. However, his perspective shifted drastically once he started working in the sector and moved to rural areas where these basic necessities were scarce. The experience of witnessing the challenges people faced in rural communities left an indelible mark on Subrata. He spent the next 11 years dedicated to improving sanitation and water resources. These efforts allowed him to understand the complex challenges of sanitation, including issues related to toilets, clean water, and wastewater management. His work in areas grappling with problems like arsenic contamination, high salinity, and inadequate sanitation facilities led to profound insights and motivation.

In 2016, Subrata transitioned to becoming a consultant at the World Bank, where he played a pivotal role in supporting the governments of West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Haryana in implementing sanitation initiatives. Throughout his journey, Subrata has collected anecdotes that shed light on the behavioral aspects of sanitation. He shared a story from 2017 when he was working in a village in Purulia, West Bengal. Subrata assumed that toilet usage would solve challenges of privacy that rural communities have faced due to open defecation. Hence, to promote toilet usage, Subrata had encouraged the installation of doors for privacy. However, he was surprised to discover that the villagers had placed steel see-through grills on the toilet cubicles instead of solid doors. Recognizing this disparity, it became imperative for him not only to gain a deeper understanding of their challenges, rooted in systemic inequalities, but also to initiate conversations with them. Addressing concepts of rights and privacy became crucial in empowering these communities to lead improved lives. 

His journey from integrated village development to the sanitation sector was marked by his vision for a holistic approach to sanitation where he broadened his focus to include fecal sludge management, greywater management, blackwater management, and solid waste management, recognizing that sanitation extended far beyond just building toilets. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Subrata to return to Kolkata and take on a new opportunity with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). At CSE, he leads the Water Programme, a position that allowed him to make an impact not only on sanitation but also water management, lake rejuvenation, and solid waste management. Subrata's work at CSE underscores the holistic approach to sanitation he has consistently advocated for.

Subrata emphasizes 3 key aspects to inclusive sanitation. First, he believes that sanitation should be accessible to all people, irrespective of the marginalization they face from society and their communities. Second, he stressed on the importance of ensuring equitable and affordable services. The economics of pricing for various sanitation services was a significant consideration. Finally, Subrata highlighted the interconnectedness of sanitation with broader development goals, including water management, climate initiatives, and employment generation under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

As part of CSE, Subrata also got the opportunity to be a part of the the National Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (NFSSM) Alliance. He found the alliance to be a community of like-minded individuals who come together to address common and complex challenges in the sanitation sector. He appreciates the culture of mutual learning and shared advocacy tools developed by the Alliance. He recalls his experiences working with government officials from Odisha and Tamil Nadu. These interactions allowed him to coordinate efforts with organizations like the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), Erasmus University Rotterdam, to promote collaborative learning. This collaboration extended to supporting government officials from different states in their visits. 

Subrata's vision for the sanitation sector is to address the challenge of sustaining sanitation infrastructure and ensure that the institutional and regulatory frameworks are strengthened. He aims to enhance people's participation and build a robust regulatory structure to make the infrastructure operationally sustainable. Subrata Chakraborty's journey in the sanitation sector is a testament to his commitment and the transformative power of holistic approaches to address India's sanitation challenges. His work at CSE and contributions to the NFSSM Alliance continue to drive positive change in the field of sanitation.

In his role as the Executive Officer (EO) of Bijnor Nagar Palika Parishad (BNPP) in Uttar Pradesh, Durgeshwar Tripathi has made great strides in city sanitation management. Holding a postgraduate degree in Sociology, Durgeshwar has propelled capacity-building training, workshops, and international field visits, all geared towards enhancing Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) practices.

In a district heavily influenced by political narratives, BNPP boasts a robust City Sanitation Taskforce (CSTF) representing diverse women leaders. They convene quarterly to guide discussions on critical facets of the sanitation value chain. Durgeshwar's position as EO enables him to stay abreast of the city's sanitation endeavors. Recognizing the pivotal role of sanitation workers, BNPP, with technical support from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), conducts regular training and awareness programs. These initiatives have been particularly impactful, ensuring the adoption of safety gear, self-hygiene, and equitable work rights among sanitation workers, with women workers taking the lead.

Durgeshwar's leadership came to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Workers emptying septage tanks were issued special passes to ensure uninterrupted services during the crisis, while hygiene practices such as mask-wearing and handwashing were encouraged. CSE's technical support played a crucial role in preparing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials for FSM.

Having been recognized as the second-best Ganga town with a population above 100,000 under the Swachh Survekshan 2020, Mr. Tripathi aspires for Bijnor to clinch the subsequent Swachh Survekshan award as the champion. The BNPP, in collaboration with the CSE-supported Malasur campaign, seeks to encourage citizens to empty their septic tanks promptly. The city is also progressing towards achieving the ODF++ status through upcoming co-treatment initiatives.

Depinder Kapur is a renowned Development and WASH expert, currently serving as the Director of Water Program at Centre for Science and Environment. With a diverse background, he has held significant positions at WaterAid, NIUA, CARE, Oxfam, and WSSCC, among others. He has worked to develop national strategies and frameworks for assessing capacity development and resilient urban sanitation response effectiveness.

Before his foray in WSH, he had worked in various fields including watershed development, forestry, and agriculture, among others. Having initially focused on rural issues, he gravitated towards the intriguing nature of urban challenges, which to him remained relatively unexplored and underserved. It presented an additional challenge to him, which he was eager to tackle; thereby making Urban Water and Sanitation all the more enticing to him.

From his initial days of exploring WSH, he was surprised to witness the state of small towns of UP, where drain water actually flew into septic tanks. Similarly, in the floodplains of Bihar, he encountered houses with septic tanks located in the center of the house owing to lack of proper drainage systems outside. These seemingly basic challenges lacked documentation or public discussion. These initial experiences played an important role in instilling in him an appreciation of the importance of adapting solutions to local contexts.

Reflecting upon his journey in sanitation, Depinder recounts that while initially, the sector’s focus was limited to community and public toilets, over time, there was a rise in momentum to address the challenges of urban sanitation. The period between 2015 and 2020, just before the onset of the COVID pandemic, was one of exhilaration in the sector. During this time, there was a flurry of activities taking place in the sector, including implementation efforts, research endeavors, capacity building initiatives, and the establishment of the National Faecal Sludge and Septage Management Alliance. It marked an exciting moment in the sector. The NFSSM Alliance has played a role in bringing the agenda of Faecal Sludge and Septage Management to the national level. Depinder strongly believes that being a part of the NFSSM Alliance has exposed him to different approaches and unique experiences across a range of issues. He regards it vital to sustain the work that has been done for FSSM, to scale it up and cull out the right learnings towards the goal of inclusive sanitation.

As part of his work at the Centre for Science and Environment, he strives to center the inclusion of the poorest and most vulnerable settlements, being of the firm belief that Urban Planning, which is a neglected area, is not just about spatial planning but about addressing gaps and inequities, bringing legislative entitlements to people residing in cities to all services including water and sanitation. The very premise of city sanitation planning is to address those parts of cities which are denied services.

Hailing from the city of Allahabad, known for its competitive pursuit of the civil services, PK too had his sights set on a career in the government. He diligently worked for and appeared for the Provincial State Services exam and opted to work in Municipal Administration Services. His public service journey has taken him all over Uttar Pradesh, from Lalitpur, Kanpur, Jhansi to Varanasi and Lucknow, encountering multiple challenges related to urban services. He currently serves as Additional Director, Training & Capacity Building and Additional Mission Director, AMRUT for the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

PK Srivastava recounts that while urban services are riddled with difficulty, he always finds joy in embracing these challenges head-on. He describes it as ‘a double-edged sword’, where success brings in immense recognition, but failure can often invite scrutiny and public accountability. PK finds himself driven by the compelling desire to seek innovative approaches to solve complex problems. Recognizing the financial constraints faced by Urban Local Bodies, PK became deeply passionate about finding low-tech, cost-effective solutions in sanitation; making him a vocal proponent of Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM).

He strongly promotes Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) as the most practical solution for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to adopt. FSSM, which treats faecal slude generated from on-site sanitation systems such as septic tanks, requires minimal land acquisition, avoiding the cumbersome and time-consuming process; as opposed to setting up sewer networks. Furthermore, it eliminates the inconvenience of excavating roads, which often results in prolonged disruptions. Connecting households to sewage pipelines poses a significant challenge, as residents are often unwilling to bear the associated costs. Recognizing that people are accustomed to using septic tanks, he worked in collaboration with the Centre for Science and Environment to develop models and bye-laws for FSSM in UP. These guidelines mandate regular desludging of septic tanks every three years and incentivize households that adhered to this practice by reducing the charges or rates for their next desludging. The goal was to regulate desludging and promote responsible sanitation practices.

Inspired by his visit to Odisha, where he witnessed the exemplary efforts of SHGs led by Transgender communities, he believed that communities could play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of FSSM initiatives. Their involvement would lead to a sense of ownership while fostering sustainable livelihoods. PK Srivastava emphasized the potential of training and engaging communities in the operation and maintenance of Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs).

In his forward-thinking perspective, he recognized that even with low-tech solutions, there were remarkable possibilities for wastewater reuse. Through the process of anaerobic oxidation, the liquid part of wastewater could be treated and repurposed for gardening and other similar activities. Meanwhile, the solid part could be transformed into valuable resources such as nutrient-rich manure and biogas.

He envisions a future where FSTPs would play a central role. These plants emerged as the most promising, low-tech, and cost-effective solution for managing faecal sludge. Importantly, the responsibility for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of these plants would lie with the Urban Local Bodies, ensuring their full ownership and commitment. To ensure the success and sustainability of FSTPs, PK Srivastava emphasized the active engagement of communities. By involving the community in decision-making processes and fostering their participation, the FSTPs would truly become a collective endeavor, serving the needs of the people and the environment.

Serving as the Sanitation and Flood Inspector for Nagar Palika Parishad, Chunar, Uttar Pradesh, Lalmani has emerged as a pivotal figure in promoting citizen awareness in the Urban Local Body. Prior to entering public service, Lalmani had a very diverse educational background including a BSc, MA, and B. Ed. He initially pursued a career in education. It was his deep passion for working with children that drove him to seek a broader avenue to make a positive impact; his instincts ultimately guided him to the world of public service. He soon found himself working amidst the public, interacting with people from all walks of life. Working directly with communities to help solve their issues gave him a tremendous sense of self-satisfaction.

In 2019, Lalmani was posted in Chunar Nagar Palika. Upon arriving in Chunar, he felt taken aback by the state of the sewer lines. He learned that the city's sewer system directly disposed of waste, which led to alarming pollution in the nearby Ganga River. Determined to address this pressing issue, Lalmani collaborated with the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) team to set up a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) in Chunar. Before the FSTP was established, Chunar's residents did not recognize its functions and benefits, social stigmas made them skeptical, and they protested the establishment of the FSTP. Recognizing the need to bring the community together on this issue, Lalmani and his team organized a communal event, where everyone gathered to enjoy the local delicacy Baati-Chokha, to foster open dialogue and discussion and a sense of unity.

With a goal to instill citizen awareness, Lalmani and his team devised a plan. They instructed the drivers and operators involved in desludging septic tanks to educate every tenth household they serviced about the necessity of regular desludging.

Lalmani's dedication to cleanliness and preventing pollution extended beyond Chunar, as he was deeply concerned about keeping Ganga pollution-free and ensuring no untreated septage was flowing into river water. Lalmani and his team worked diligently to ensure scheduled desludging was implemented according to the proper procedure. Their aim was to make Chunar 100% Swachh, leaving no stone unturned in their mission for a clean and healthy environment.

Lalmani Yadav's dedication to his community and his unwavering commitment to citizen awareness and cleanliness made him a respected figure in Chunar. His journey exemplified the positive impact an individual can have when they are driven by a sense of purpose and work tirelessly towards a common goal.