Sulochana Sahu’s story is a glorious example of how we can use diverse skillsets to contribute to behavioural change towards sustainable sanitation. Sulochana Sahu is a Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSM) Call Centre Executive in Odisha’s Dhenkanal Municipality since 2019. She was hired for the Operation and Maintenance of FSTPs by the Jeevan Jyoti Area Level Federation (ALF).

Taking on the lead for effective implementation of FSSM in both urban and rural areas, Sulochana has undertaken a range of activities. She takes booking for desludging requests, allocate cesspool vehicles, maintains and uploads the FSSM service information on the SUJOG-DIGIT app (which facilitates delivery of municipal services) and on Excel sheets developed by the HOUDD, Government of Odisha and creates an efficient process for individuals to access FSSM services. She coordinates with the Municipality and Jeevan Jyoti ALF’s President for grievance redressal and goes the extra mile to create awareness on FSSM services, sanitation, and ODF amongst ALF members and beneficiaries at the monthly meetings.

Sulochana has built an effective rapport with households through continuous follow ups on desludging activities. This not only enables effective monitoring, but encourages households to participate in opting for sanitation services. With mass participation, the FSTP in Dhenkanal Municipality caters to the needs of 3 lakh people and 49 tagged GPs.

She has been instrumental in FSSM service delivery and creating awareness on FSSM among the people and SHG members in the city and rural areas. For her contribution to the FSSM service in Dhenkanal Municipality, she has won various accolades and awards at the state and national levels.

Due to her untiring efforts towards FSSM service delivery, more than 19,923.6 KLD sludge has been disposed and Rs. 78 lakh revenue has been generated till now (until May 2023); and 22 women’s SHGs and their communities have been sensitized. In championing the cause as a determined individual and bringing forth her unique skills, Sulochana Sahu has been able to create far-reaching impact

As the Project Engineer of Odisha’s Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Suryabarti Majhi held with her the key to effective implementation of the state’s FSSM vision.

Odisha’s success in FSSM has been achieved not only due to the political will, leadership, and vision of senior administrators, but also because of on-ground implementation by committed and efficient government officials. Ms. Suryabarti is a shining example, having been instrumental in the planning, site selection, construction, commissioning, and testing of the 110 operational Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs) out of 120 FSTPs in Odisha.

In an otherwise male-dominated field and with the FSSM programme being a new initiative in Odisha, Suryabarti has proved her mettle in its execution with her rigorous follow-up mechanism with executive agencies, frequent visit to the sites, providing handholding and technical support to municipal engineers and contractors, and playing a vital role in the Construction Process Management of the engineers in the department. She did all this while demonstrating concern for people and environmental factors. She came up with an action plan to conduct interface meetings and exposure visits for the community, PRIs, and other stakeholders to create a paradigm change towards the construction of FSTPs.

During the surge COVID period, Suryabarti provided handholding and technical support to agencies visiting the ULBs to understand the new FSSM projects. The execution period was six months. Not only did she design PPE kits and other COVID-safe supplies, but she also conducted online, hybrid, and offline skill training for SHGs, municipal engineers, technical resources persons, and elected representatives of all ULBs.

The 120 FSTPs are expected to cater to a total capacity of 2087 KLD to treat an estimated septage generation of 1425 KLD. This would help to take care of 16.9% of the waste of Odisha’s entire urban population. Suryabarti has facilitated and coordinated the visits of national and state officials, UN agencies, and other international organizations who come to study the uniqueness of the FSSM model.

Suryabarti has demonstrated utmost commitment and ownership toward the cause. She sets an example for other women working as government functionaries in ULBs. She exhibits passion, high-energy, and enthusiasm, inspiring other engineers towards the effective implementation of FSSM.

Suryabarti has also played a key role in training the 700 women and transgender SHG members managing the FSTPs. Her presence at the operational plants guiding the SHGs has enthused several SHG members. She truly embodies the vision of the State for safely managed sanitation embracing inclusivity, gender equity, and community engagement.

As a woman Sarpanch of Sujanpur Gram Panchayat, Bishnupriya Mahakud (age 47) set an inspiring example of achieving an ODF+ status with continuous efforts towards making the Gram Panchayat clean and green.

Bishnupriya has made tireless efforts to sensitize all households towards swacchhata and dignified living. She undertook a range of activities to bring about behavioural change, including IEC activities on sanitation and waste management though village meetings, interpersonal communication, door-to-door visits, rallies, cleanliness drives, wall writings, and poster and banners. She has been supported in her efforts by women SHGs, youth, and other villagers. She utilized MGNREGA, 15th FC, and SBM-G funds for the effective implementation of sanitation activities.

Additionally, Bishnupriya created a revenue model for the women SHGs through door-to-door collection of the user fee of Rs. 10 per household. The incentive is Rs. 5,000 per month paid to the SHG members for waste collection from every 250 households.

She has played a vital role in the district’s collaboration with UNICEF and UNDP to ensure WASH and solid waste management awareness in schools and anganwadis. Bishnupriya has been instrumental in bringing the programme to the district.

Bishnupriya is the first woman leader of the village and has ensured an ODF+ status for each village in the district. Her continuous community mobilization and efficient coordination with various departments and stakeholders has led to various accolades for the Jajpur district. It secured the 4th rank at Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2022 at the national level.

Meghna Sahoo is the President of the Transgender SWIKRUTI Self Help Group (SHG) which has secured livelihoods for numerous members of the transgender community and has aided the efficient execution of sustainable sanitation processes.

Before joining SWIKRUTI, its members depended on begging and sex work to earn a livelihood. They endured harassment and especially painful conditions during the COVID lockdown. Concerned about having a steady source of income and being able to live with dignity, the 17 members joined the SHG, founded in 2018 by Meghna Sahoo.

Meghna came to know that the State has made substantial efforts to include women's SHGs in sanitation work as a source of income and dignity. She was inspired to broaden the horizons of these efforts and proposed to involve transgender SHGs in sanitation duties. She devised a strategy for meeting with the government and, following persistent discussions, the SHG was chosen and hired by the government to run and operate the Basuaghai Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP).

This achievement was a turning point for the team members, who thereafter found the Million Dollar Smiles. Not only did Meghna successfully pave the way for transgender inclusivity in the Faecal Sludge and Septage Management space, but through coordination with the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and the Housing and Urban Development Department the SHG members secured capacity and technical resource building for the management of the FSTP. Since July 1, 2022, the Basuaghai FSTP in Bhubaneswar has been operated and managed by the 13-member SWIKRUTI SHG. The trained SHG members ensure seamless execution of FSSM services and create awareness about it in the community and amongst various stakeholders.

Meghna’s innovative action towards inclusivity has led to increased access to safe sanitation and has created a ripple effect in the state of Odisha regarding the livelihood opportunities for transgender communities. Until now, transgender SHGs have been engaged in 7 ULBs (Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Parelakhemundi, Nimapada, Pipili, Tusura, and Jaleswar) for the operation and management of FSTPs. By engaging in this work, the members of Swikruti have not only improved their financial conditions but have also gained respect and acceptance in society as professionals. Meghna has now become a facilitator and sanitation champion who is leading and facilitating all visits and training held in FSTPs toward making this FSTP plant a hub for others to learn from and a model for others to replicate.

The SHG facilitates exposure visits of national and state officials, UN agencies, and other international organizations who come to study the uniqueness of the FSSM model. The impact of these exposure visits is wide-ranging, enabling officials to potentially replicate the revolutionary model in their respective states. The Basughai FSTP plants run smoothly and cater to the needs of both urban and rural areas.

Master Book Keeper(MBK) in Niladunguri Village, Kabarapali GP, Jujumura Block, Sambalpur District

Saraswati Bhoi’s story is that of a Master Book Keeper noticing the state of single pit toilets in her village and taking on leadership to make the village have 100% toilet coverage.

Saraswati Bhoi works as a Master Bookkeeper in Niladunguri Village, Odisha, under the Odisha Livelihood Mission and a member of a women’s self-help group (SHG).

During her work, Saraswati observed that most of the toilets in the village are single pit toilets. These toilets are susceptible to overflowing and can potentially harm the health of the entire community. However, this is not what drove Saraswati to take charge of the situation. Her community believed that these toilets will fill up within a short period, which will force them towards open defecation. This fear is what drove Saraswati to take matters into her own hands. She was determined to convert all single pits into twin pit toilets within her village

Such infrastructural change is not easy and requires persistence as well as resources, but Saraswati was not one to be intimidated by this. She first met all her SHG members, mobilizing them and explaining to them why she was keen on this change. She also engaged with the community resource persons (CRP) to discuss the importance of retrofitting toilets. Once she had all key stakeholders on board, she then focused on coordinating with the Gram Panchayat to conduct a Gram Sabha meeting for mobilizing the community. Despite various obstacles, a Gram Sabha was conducted on 2nd October 2022, in which Saraswati set an example and motivated all CRPs and SHG members to take a pledge to create 100% toilet coverage in the village and to improve cleanliness in her community

This pledge led to the formation of Nigrani Samiti to stop open defecation. The team further undertook coordination and advocacy with the Block administration for the release of WASH loans to SHGs to carry out the retrofitting. They also worked towards capacity building for SHG members with support from UNICEF and through ;oans ranging from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 10,000, for retrofitting toilets to make them functional. Saraswati coordinated with all stakeholders and, with the support of the team, conducted a series of IEC activities to sensitize households about retrofitting, toilet usage, and visual cleanliness.

Through surveys, periodic cleanliness drives, and period meetings, the team managed to achieve 100% retrofitting of toilets, i.e. in 105 households in Niladunguri village. These toilets are actively being used by the beneficiaries, resulting in a drastic reduction of water and airborne diseases.

A Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant(F STP) was constructed at the nearby Urban Local Body for the treatment of sludge from septic tanks from Niladungiri village. The village has achieved the magnificent achievement of becoming ODF+.

The success story of Niladungri village and the efforts of Saraswati Bhoi has motivated Nilima Jouda, a Member of Srustikarta SHG working as CRP in Kkarapali GP of Jujumura Block of Sambalpur district to replicate this model, carry out retrofitting of toilets, and contribute towards the ODF+ journey of Sambalpur district. Saraswati was not just a champion in her community but inspired more women like her to take matters into their hands. Without Saraswati, her community would not have the kind of toilet infrastructure that they now have access to.

Nama, a sewer entry professional, resides in Cuttack and commutes to Bhubaneswar daily for work. Name Nayak’s was introducted to sanitation work by his uncle who is a sanitation worker himself and has worked in providing sanitation services for over 5 years. His work schedule extends from 7 am to 7 pm, with no breaks in between. He avoids taking leaves, knowing that a backlog of complaints would pile up in his absence.

Nama has received comprehensive training in Bhubaneswar that encompasses the operation of different tools and machinery such as grabbers and jetting machines. In the past, the thought of physically entering the sewer to remove sludge used to intimidate him, and rightly so. However, with the mechanisation of processes, manual entry is no longer required. Nama and his fellow sanitation workers, participated in training and capacity building sessions, which have helped sensitize them on the importance and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and checking for hazardous gases before entering sewerage chambers, keeping safety as a priority.

Even with such protection, however, taboos are difficult to surmount. People often speak to Nama while standing at a distance, judging him due to the nature of his work. He expresses frustration that people often fail to comprehend the challenges involved in sanitation work. When he visits sites for servicing, people often view him and his fellow workers as an “inconvenience” not understanding the importance or role of their services.

In the thick of a demanding profession, Nama appreciates the presence of Garima Grihas, a private rest facility that provides lockers, water, and other amenities for sanitation workers to rest and have adequate space to clean up, giving not only a much-needed respite after performing strenuous labour but also acts as a site which helps preserve their dignity. They no longer have to depend upon others for basic amenities such as food and water, nor do they have to travel with a dirtied uniform. Nama hopes that with the continued demonstration of hygiene he, and other sanitation professionals, can be treated with dignity.

Nama holds a deep-seated aspiration for his children to receive a top-notch education, driven by his unwavering belief in the power of knowledge and the doors it can open.

Babuli Nayak is a certified Sewer Entry Professional who lives and works in Bhubaneshwar.

His journey, however, starts in a small village in Nayagarh district of Odisha where he was born and raised. Having grown up with barely enough to make ends meet, Babuli decided at a young age to migrate to the city of Bhubaneshwar for better opportunities to make a living. In Bhubaneshwar, he found work in sewage cleaning and maintenance through his nephew, who is a sanitation worker himself.

The work involved hard labour and had risks and hazards. In addition to which, Babuli had to face the brunt of social prejudices and stigma. People would express disgust, refuse to speak to him or offer him water – since his work required him to deal with human waste.

With over a decade long experience in service delivery, Babuli speaks of his job with pride. He feels that there is no shame in working in dirt and sewage, since after all it is a job too. He recognizes the crucial role played by his work in ensuring the health and hygiene of citizens. However, retrospectively Babuli realizes that a lot more could have been done for the well-being of sanitation workers like him in the last decades.

Over the years, Babuli observed the sanitation sector change in a way that enabled dignified lives for sanitation workers. After the implementation of the GARIMA scheme in Odisha, Babuli received training for 2 days to learn how to operate machines and to also understand the critical role that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) plays in their safety. After this training, he was formally recognized as a Sewer Entry Professional by the Odisha Government, enabling him to earn more than the minimum wage and send money back to his family in the village. The government also constructed ‘Garima Grihas’ - small community centers exclusively for sanitation workers to take breaks, rest and clean themselves with dignity. He considers his work to be a service to people; a good deed through which he is earning people’s blessings.

To learn more about how the Government of Odisha Government is front running the effort to make sanitation a dignified profession for sanitation workers such as Babuli, click to learn more about the GARIMA Scheme.

Sheetal Kinnar’s journey towards sanitation work is marked by exceptional courage. Born as Chandan in rural Odisha, Sheetal grew up in a joint family, navigating a complex existence as a man at home and a woman in her community. Her life was marred by abuse, harassment, and isolation. For the sake of her financial independence, Sheetal was forced to work with her tormenting brothers who did not accept her for who she is.

In 2005, Sheetal found her true self within the transgender community. Embraced by the transgender community, she renamed herself Sheetal Kinnar and became deeply involved in community work, driven by a determination to empower her fellow transgender individuals. Her remarkable communication and leadership skills eventually led her to contest the general elections in 2019.

Sheetal's journey led to the formation of 'Bahucharamata,' a self-help group for transgender individuals. Starting with modest ventures like producing home-based cleaning products, the group's dedication to community welfare caught the attention of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC).

The CMC entrusted them with operating and maintaining a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant in Cuttack. Through rigorous training, Sheetal and her team learned the intricacies of sanitation management. This partnership not only offered them stable income but also dignified work. Each member now earns approximately Rs. 10,000 per month, marking a significant improvement in their lives.

Sheetal Kinnar's journey, from personal struggle to empowering her community and managing a treatment plant, stands as a powerful symbol of transformation and hope for the transgender community and beyond.

Manju Bengaraj is a women’s SHG member whose leadership inspired 2200 SHG members and their families towards safe sanitation. Manju’s story is that of how a community leader can play a crucial role in helping communities envision a better future. Though an FSTP now runs successfully in Dhenkanal Municipality, Odisha, it was not the easiest road. In the initial days of the FSTP construction, there was some public resistance during its installation and limited engagement to run and operate it.

Manju is the Secretary of Jagruti Women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) and the President of Area Level Federation, which has signed a contract with the Dhenkanal Municipality to manage both the Cesspool and the FSTP. In the initial days of the FSTP planning and construction, Manju worked day and night to create awareness about FSSM services, their benefits, the importance of being ODF, and safely managed sanitation amongst the SHGs in her locality through group meetings and periodic IEC activities using leaflets, wall writings, and rallies in the town. Even though this was not an easy task, Manju never backed down and showed courageous leadership to mobilize SHG members to expedite FSSM services to people.

The Jeevan Jyoti Area Level Federation (ALF) now comprises 44 members of 22 Women SHGs. Under Manju’s district leadership, 11 members work in the plant and are well trained in its daily operation and maintenance, including desludging, treatment, disposal, landscaping, composting, etc. In addition, she provides support to the SHGs to improve their financial planning as part of Pachasutra (under Livelihood Mission). This engagement has created livelihood opportunities with dignity for women in these groups.

Manju has been working as a plant operator for 4 years and is leading and facilitating all visits to the FSTP. She has become a sanitation champion, making this FSTP a training hub and spoke model. Manju is a torch bearer for community members and for other women to join the movement towards sustainable sanitation and to make Dhenkanal Municipality clean and sustainable.

Aveek is the Sanitation Mission Leader at eGovernments Foundation. He has 28 years of consulting and business transformation experience in the corporate sector and has spent the last 10 years in the social sector in leadership roles working in initiatives at the intersection of technology and social change. He has led large-scale transformational programs in rural India and Africa. Aveek is an MBA from the Asian Institute of Management, Manila, and a Salzburg Global Fellow.

Aveek advocates that every individual must have the opportunity to access safe sanitation facilities when and where they need it; it is a basic human right. Compromised access to safe water and sanitation disproportionately impacts marginalized communities’ health and ability to participate in economic activity. The urgent need to address this draws him to work towards inclusive sanitation outcomes, his motivation further emboldened when he sees the passion of young individuals dedicating a significant portion of their lives to WSH.

The ‘sheer complexity’ of the sanitation ecosystem has both intrigued and driven Aveek to work in this sector. In the sanitation value chain, he could see different actors, each with a unique role to play – from citizens, ULB officials, private operators to FSTP operators. However, to understand what is really happening in the system, he considers that it is critical to have visibility across the entire service chain, which is currently missing. When data is digitally recorded and analyzed, it gives a comprehensive understanding of gaps at each level. For instance, he says, "there’s no record of how long waste takes to be disposed of at a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant after being picked up from a household. But if we are to ensure safe and timely disposal of waste, we must define a Service Level Agreement and service providers need to adhere to time limits."

With Digital Public Goods (DPGs) being increasingly recognized as a solution, Aveek is working directly with the government in deploying ‘DIGIT’ for systemic changes in WSH. DIGIT is eGovernments’ open-source service delivery and governance platform, customizable across different states and needs. It brings together disjointed parts of the service delivery process through a common platform, enabling data collection and assessing areas of improvement in the service chain.

Aveek and his team piloted the platform in 3 ULBs in Odisha and expanded to 37 within 6 months. To train ULBs on the use of the platform, they partnered with the Odisha Water Academy and identified master trainers. During training sessions, Aveek found himself feeling energized by the participants’ enthusiasm to make a mundane activity exciting through interactive gameification. The participants left with a solid understanding of how to use the platform, inspiring the confidence that a statewide scale-up of the platform is possible.

Aveek recounts that the DIGIT- FSM platform was built after several consultations with the Centre for Policy Research and WASH Institute, helping them bring greater accountability and transparency to sanitation service delivery. In fact, CPR can now utilize the data collected using DIGIT FSM to support the government on data-driven policy making. Similarly, WASHi is looking at exploring ways to embed the digital infrastructure at a national and state level.

To learn more about Digital Public Goods in WSH, read here: Link

Hailing from Kandamahal in Odisha, Banita, a tribal woman in her 40s, migrated to Bhubaneshwar over two decades ago and has since resided in Adivasi Gaon. With a strong belief in the transformative power of education, Banita strived to pursue her studies up to the 10th standard. Her dedication extended to tutoring tribal children in primary school during her free time. Beyond teaching, driven by a passion for social change, Banita actively engaged in community development by joining a women’s self-help group (SHG) and a Mahila Arogya Samiti. Her commitment led her to assume a leadership role as the Secretary of her SHG.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Banita was quick to recognize the importance of safe access to water and sanitation services. She was convinced that Water and Sanitation lie at the very core of our problems and must be addressed to achieve a better quality of life. This realization led her to join the ‘Community Management Committee’ facilitated by the Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR).

A CMC is a community-based forum of women formed and facilitated by CFAR and CBOs, and is a critical vehicle for community mobilisation. It is responsible for creating community awareness, raising WASH-related issues, supervising and monitoring the implementation of sanitation infrastructure and services, and supervising O&M of CTCs.

In order to raise community awareness towards sanitation and raise community demand for sanitation services, Banita enthusiastically pursued a comprehensive training program with CFAR. This helped her develop a firm grasp over liquid waste management, especially mechanized desludging services. To register online demand for desludging services she also learnt to operate apps and other online tools. Desludging is the process of removing scum and sludge layers from a septic tank. While it is essential to regularly empty septic tanks to ensure proper sanitation and hygiene, due to lack of proper awareness there isn’t enough demand for desludging.

An enigmatic force, Banita reached out to over 1,000 households and single-handedly scaled the demand for desludging services. Especially passionate about connecting tribal households with water and sanitation services, she utilized QR codes to link over 150 tribal households to desludging services. She actively promotes the Janhit Vaani mobile radio, facilitated by CFAR, to ensure that communities can record their grievances on mobile devices. These recordings are then uploaded to the grievance redress portal of Bhubaneshwar Municipal Corporation, enabling efficient resolution of issues.

Banita's efforts have resulted in helping approximately 300 households regularize waste collection and access water supply twice a day, effectively meeting their daily needs. Her dedication and commitment to improving the living conditions of her community are commendable, and she continues to be an influential force in driving positive change.

Read on: https://www.waterforwomenfund.org/en/news/centre-for-advocacy-and-research-awarded-for-outstanding-contribution-to-city-sanitation.aspx

In 2019, Mr. Subhankar Mohanty assumed the role of the Deputy Commissioner of Sambalpur Municipal Corporation in Odisha. He came into this role with great zeal and enthusiasm, eager to gain a deeper understanding of its challenges and implement impactful and innovative solutions. Since then, Mr. Mohanty has not only been able to bring in efficient governance, he has also ensured that the most vulnerable of his city’s service providers are prioritized. Before Subhankar’s appointment, the Corporation faced multiple administrative changes, placing significant responsibility on his shoulders. When he came in, he saw that sanitation emerged as a priority for the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation, presenting unique challenges in service quality and worker safety. As the Nodal Officer for sanitation, he took charge of the Corporation's daily operations, overseeing sanitation activities, grievance management, tax collection, and COVID-related duties. This helped him understand the local challenges in the sector better which helped him bring in effective solutions.

With a citizen-first approach, he introduced a monitoring mechanism allowing citizens to message their grievances to the Municipal Corporation via WhatsApp, revolutionizing accessibility for the citizens and ensuring that governance bodies have better visibility of the problem areas. Harnessing the power of social media, he addressed citizens' concerns promptly, showcasing his commitment to efficient governance.

As the next step, Subhankar also took proactive measures to ensure sanitation worker safety during the pandemic. He organized regular training sessions on occupational hazards for the workers and provided safety kits to sanitation workers. Collaborating with Self-Help Groups (SHGs), he initiated awareness campaigns on waste management, emphasizing community involvement and leading by example.

"Sanitation and cleanliness are among the humblest of civic virtues, and it is easy to underestimate their significance," emphasized Mr. Mohanty, recognizing the fundamental role of sanitation in community well-being.

Looking ahead, Subhankar envisions continuing his service to Sambalpur, tackling sanitation challenges with innovative ideas. His approach, rooted in citizen participation, sets a precedent for other cities to follow.

Jojo Mehra, a seasoned professional in the technology space, embarked on his journey during the nascent days of the internet in India, pioneering digital start-ups like rediff.com and Yoomedia Plc. and co-founded a shared accommodation platform and an HR-Tech startup. His foray into the development sector began only around 8-9 years ago, when his curiosity led him to explore how digital technologies could be harnessed to address societal challenges. He began to immerse himself in understanding the complex challenges of the society and the potential to leverage technology for effective solutions. This journey took him through some pro bono work within the development sector, and a return to school for further knowledge where he pursued a master's programme in Technology Governance and Digital Transformation from the Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance at Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia). 

Jojo recognises the growing appreciation of the power of digital public infrastructure in India and its relevance across various sectors. He believes that the sanitation sector is poised for transformation through digital public infrastructure, and he is determined to drive this change. Jojo’s involvement in the sanitation sector was kick-started by his work at eGov Foundation, a philanthropic mission that creates open digital infrastructure and ecosystems, to enable city administrations to deliver services that are accessible, affordable, and inclusive. Their approach involves leveraging digital public infrastructure, building state capacity, and catalyzing market ecosystems to address complex challenges within the sanitation sector. Over the past few years, the sector has witnessed the expansion of their work. At a crucial point, eGov Foundation launched the DIGIT Platform which was meant to enable good service delivery by engaging with all key stakeholders including citizens, government employees, vendors, administrators and policy makers to collaborate and exchange information in real time. The platform was taken to Odisha for faecal sludge management as part of the ‘Sustainable Urban services in a Jiffy by Odisha Government (SUJOG) program. Their current focus is on catalyzing a nationwide scale-up of this open-source platform by collaborating with multiple partners in the ecosystem.

He emphasizes the collaborative nature of this space, where multiple stakeholders come together to address various aspects of sanitation. Inclusivity, in his view, necessitates collaboration across multiple dimensions to make safe sanitation easily accessible to all. Being part of the NFSSM Alliance has been an enlightening experience for Jojo. He appreciates the energy and dedication that different individuals and organizations bring to the sanitation sector. He particularly mentions the pivotal role played by the WASH Institute, whose interactions were instrumental in shaping his understanding of sanitation and influencing his approach to solving related challenges.

Jojo's journey in the digital realm has transitioned into a quest for inclusive sanitation, driven by the goal of leaving no one behind. His aspirations for the sector and the NFSSM Alliance include catalyzing a nationwide transformation in sanitation by leveraging digital infrastructure, creating a future where safe and sustainable sanitation services are easily accessible to all.

Dilip Kumar Mohanty, currently serving as the Executive Officer in Jatni Municipality, Khurda district, Odisha, embarked on his government service journey in 1989. His remarkable career spans over three decades, marked by challenging assignments which required him to think innovatively keeping the local context and the communities at the center of all solutions he implemented. One of his most prominent posting being the one in Paradip Municipality, Odisha, where he played a crucial role in transforming the way Paradip managed its waste.

Dilip held the position of the Executive Officer in Paradip from September 2015 to September 2020. During this time, the town was plagued by pollution driven by lack of disposal and treatment systems in place. Paradip had a diverse population which included daily wage earners and migrant workers who did not have access to optimal sanitation and hygiene services. Mohanty identified this challenge as an opportunity to transform Paradip into a cleaner and greener city. He initiated a Door to Door (D2D) garbage collection and segregation program. This program adopted a decentralized approach in collection and segregation allowing communities to have more control over their health and environment. As always with citizen-driven solutions, Dilip faced strong reluctance from the people of Paradip. To combat the same, he engaged the entire municipal workforce to raise awareness and drive behavioral change among the town's residents.

Aiming to carry his learnings into safer sewage handling, Mohanty adopted a decentralized approach to educating citizens, creating a chain system where municipal officials motivated sanitation workers and ward officers, who, in turn, engaged with the local populace. This holistic and multi-stakeholder approach ensured a more effective outreach, which in turn, enabled better impact.

Dilip was also a pioneer in implementing the state’s 'Mo Khata' initiative which addressed solid waste segregation and disposal, pioneering sustainable waste management techniques that significantly reduced the burden on landfills. This project's success extended beyond Paradip, earning recognition from the Chief Minister and attracting Executive Officers and sanitation teams from 113 other Urban Local Bodies for learning.

Dilip is a strong believer and endorser of community involvement and believes that the most effective solutions ensure community driven implementation. With this philosophy at the epicenter, Dilip trusts and recognizes the efficiency embedded in work by self-help groups (SHGs). The 'Mo Khata' project is now managed by women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under Mission Shakti, with support from the Urban Management Centre (UMC), a member of the NFSSM Alliance. These SHGs, comprised of waste pickers and transgender individuals, operate and maintain the facilities. The project's success has prompted its expansion to other concerned departments, creating outlets that sell organic manure to support the Municipality's finances.

Transferred to Jatni Municipality in September 2020, Mohanty continued his exceptional work. Mohanty's future goals include integrating sanitation development into interconnected drain systems, optimizing Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) operations, establishing smart parks, and creating model water bodies in Jatni.

With an unwavering commitment to inclusive sanitation, Mathi Vathanan has harnessed his team's dedication to transform Odisha's urban development landscape. Mathi has been the Commissioner and Secretary of the Department of Housing & Urban Development, Government of Odisha, since 2014. Under his leadership, Odisha witnessed the launch and effective implementation of various sanitation policies and guidelines.

Mathi Vathanan's vision was deeply rooted in addressing the social stigma and the lack of sufficient compensation for core sanitation work. He spearheaded multiple comprehensive schemes and policies that ensured that services reached the most vulnerable and that the service providers live safe and dignified lives. His passion to bring sustainable change to the lives of sanitation workers became a driving force for relentless effort.

The remarkable 'GARIMA' scheme, initiated in 2020 under Mathi's guidance, played a pivotal role in ensuring efficient sanitation systems and dignified lives for sanitation workers. This groundbreaking scheme provides welfare measures to those who directly handle faecal matter in their line of work, covering areas like community and public toilets, wastewater treatment plants, drain cleaning, and maintenance of confined spaces such as septic tanks and sewer lines. By consulting workers about what their requirements were, Mathi ensures that they were involved in the process as advisors whose insights were taken absolutely seriously. Working closely with the Chief Minister of Odisha, Mathi led the consultative process that brought together stakeholders, sector experts, and community voices to shape the GARIMA scheme, which addressed all concerns raised by the stakeholders, thus enabling dignified livelihoods for sanitation workers.

Mathi’s motivation in conceiving the GARIMA scheme was to address the generational injustice implicated in manual sanitation work and the safety threats that workers faced while handling faecal-matter. There was not only the lack of a comprehensive scheme which addressed safety and dignity, but also the lack of information on the number of workers and the extent of danger they faced. Once they conducted a sincere study, they were able to implement a variety of solutions. Specific PPE kits tailored to various core sanitation roles were identified and recommended for procurement by Urban Local Bodies. To alleviate the challenges faced by workers in handling and cleaning, GARIMA rest sheds were established, providing a safe space to rest, store PPE, and clean equipment. These sheds allowed sanitation workers to separate their work from the rest of their lives by cleaning themselves and storing their uniforms, which helps alter people’s perceptions of sanitation workers as “dirty” or unhygienic and enables dignified working conditions.

Mathi believes that an empathetic and collaborative approach is crucial for the effective implementation of schemes targeted at vulnerable sanitation workers. Convergence, cross-learning, and sensitivity to worker needs are key to introducing worker-friendly policies and practices. The Department initiated Emergency Response Sanitation Units, adopting national advisories tailored to state requirements for better on-ground implementation.

Under Mathi’s leadership, Odisha has won some prestigious international awards for sustainable urban development such as the Global Water Leader Distinction Award 2022 for 24x7 Drink from Tap, World Habitat Award 2019 and 2023 for the JAGA Mission, the Asia Pacific Housing Forum Award 2021 for JAGA Mission, the WRI Ross Prize for Cities for MUKTA in 2021-22, among many others.

Having won multiple trans-national and global awards, Mathi emphasizes the importance of identifying and registering sanitation workers to ensure they access their rights and entitlements. He plans to engage with private contractors, encouraging them to adopt model contracts that foster safe and dignified work environments. By reshaping the occupational landscape, Mathi aims to challenge societal mindsets and ensure sanitation workers lead dignified lives. Through synergy among stakeholders and robust enumeration processes, Mathi is driving transformative change for sanitation workers in Odisha, underpinned by the Garima scheme's ideals of dignity and safety.

To Learn More about the GARIMA Scheme: https://urban.odisha.gov.in/more/GARIMA

Raised in a family where both parents worked as municipal street sweepers, Mantu knew since his childhood that he would do sanitation work. Knowing the hardships of a low-income life and with no guidance about the importance of education in planning his future, Mantu studied till 10th grade and then sought financial stability by applying for a range of jobs. Besides providing for his younger brother and sister's education, he faced the challenges of supporting his own family, including his 2-year-old daughter.

A turning point came when Mantu learned about a meeting organized by Dhenkanal Municipality, offering a chance to join a male Self-Help Group under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM) and Swacch Bharat Mission convergence. Recognizing the opportunities ahead, he joined the group and became the driving force behind OMM SAI SHG. He conducted regular meetings, went door-to-door, and inspired members to save, eventually enabling them to access bank loans.

Mantu's leadership enabled him to convince the group to submit an application to Dhenkanal Municipality for the operation and maintenance of community toilets. Overcoming social stigmas tied to sanitation work, the group submitted their application and was subsequently awarded the contract.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including financial constraints and irregular payments, Mantu's resolve kept the group united. He learned the intricacies of Dhenkanal Municipality's operations, ensuring the enterprise's continuity through internal savings. They capitalized on their internal savings and planned to start an alternative livelihood enterprise. Their success story continues, as they aim to secure more contracts and expand their community toilet initiative.

Dhenkanal Municipality recognizes Mantu's group for their outstanding performance and plans to award them more contracts, built on the foundation of trust established through sheer hard work and dedication. Through his journey, Mantu not only became an entrepreneur but also gained valuable skills, increased safety awareness, and accessed various schemes to improve his family's life. His transformation is a testament to the transformative power of determination and community-driven initiatives in the sanitation sector.

Xerxes' journey into urban sanitation was not just a career choice but a calling ignited by experiences that painted a vivid picture of the disparities in sanitation services. His story encapsulates a transformative odyssey from observing open drains in his childhood to reshaping the paradigm of inclusive sanitation across cities.

Born in Indore, Xerxes' childhood memories of sewage spilling into the streets sparked his relentless quest to understand and resolve the unaddressed sanitation issues. Despite the societal focus on home comforts and infrastructure, the overlooked fate of waste disposal deeply concerned him. His architectural studies and professional experience further solidified this conviction.

In 2005, while working with the International City Managers Association on the Afghan Municipal Strengthening Program, Xerxes encountered the dire sanitation situation in Kabul. The absence of proper waste management systems and challenges in waste disposal highlighted the gravity of the issue on an international scale. This experience shaped his mission to bring effective change in sanitation practices.

Xerxes' commitment led him to collaborate with the Urban Management Centre (UMC), where his journey of transformation began. He wasn't just reshaping infrastructure - he was reconstructing perspectives. His work in Dhenkanal, Orissa, marked a pivotal moment. He collaborated with sanitation workers and formed self-help groups (SHGs) to uplift and empower them. Notably, one encounter with Ashish Nayak, a qualified civil engineer working as a sanitation worker, highlighted the plight of skilled individuals facing societal bias. Xerxes was relentless in reshaping paradigms, turning overlooked sanitation workers into guardians of better living standards. The journey wasn't just about building toilets but nurturing an ecosystem of respect and dignity.

Through the years, Xerxes' focus evolved from mere infrastructure development to emphasizing operation and maintenance in sanitation. The integration of sanitation workers into self-help groups and schemes like GARIMA marked a significant shift in perspective. His efforts reshaped societal perceptions, aiming not to see these workers as mere laborers but as valued contributors to a safer and more dignified urban landscape.

Being part of the National Feacal Sludge and Septage Management Alliance (NFSM) provided Xerxes a platform for cross-learning and collaboration. It allowed the sharing of best practices and policy changes to redefine the narrative around sanitation workers' roles.

Looking ahead, Xerxes eagerly contributes to the Statewide Framework of Inclusive Sanitation for Odisha and envisions scaling these initiatives nationally. His aspirations resonate with creating citywide inclusive sanitation programs and fostering collaboration among stakeholders for a more equitable urban environment.

Xerxes' story is not just about reshaping sanitation but also about shifting societal perspectives, from stigmatization to empowerment. His journey reflects a commitment to transforming the lives of sanitation workers, redefining urban landscapes, and fostering an inclusive approach to sanitation for all.

Meghna Malhotra is Deputy Director at Urban Management Centre (UMC). She has extensive experience in urban governance and management across health, water, and sanitation. She holds a master's degree in environmental planning and a bachelor's degree in architecture.

The World Health Organisation posed a question in 2006 that has stayed with Meghna ever since: “Why do we keep treating people for illnesses and send them back to the conditions that created the illness in the first place.” Having worked at the intersection of health and WASH, she strongly feels that until we ensure sanitation for all, we cannot achieve health for all.

On the topic of alternative livelihoods, during a meeting with sanitation workers, one of them said, “Kya aap humsein yeh kaam bhi cheen loge”? (Will you take away even this work from us?). This question jolted Meghna into remembering how sanitation workers are alienated from mainstream sectors, making the idea of losing their jobs scary. Each time she heard of an accident or workers without PPEs, it was a distressing motivator of the immense work ahead towards ensuring sanitation worker safety.

Meghna has led UMC’s partnership with the Government of Odisha to implement the Garima Scheme --- a comprehensive scheme targetting safety and dignity for sanitation work --- alongside supporting the Deendayal Antyoday Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).

Meghna believes that for inclusive sanitation services, all sections of the city must be covered, including the urban poor, women, trans persons, and other under-served communities. Involving diverse citizen voices in design and maintenance encourages ownership and the payment of taxes/fees required to maintain these services.

At UMC, Meghna focuses on granularly approaching the process of achieving ODF status in informal settlements in cities, which ultimately helps shape perspectives across the country. UMC’s efforts have played a key role in impacting policy design over the last two decades. Before the national launch of SBM-Urban, they supported the Gujarat government in preparing an ODF policy for the state.

Through her determination to focus on change at the micro-scale, Meghna has been able to see a trickle-up effect where states are inspired by the work she is engaged in, causing a macro-level difference. Meghna’s commitment to inclusivity is inspiring in many ways.

“After graduating from architecture and working in the field, I realized that I was not happy with just designing for a few individuals, properties, houses, some institutions, etc. I wanted to understand how cities work, what are the methods and systems in which they grow. That is why I studied urban planning.”

Manvita, driven by curiosity, always wondered why urban environments often failed to prioritize those in greatest need of their services. Recognizing that the efficacy of urban planning hinged on placing people at the core, she made this realization the cornerstone of her perspective. It was Manivta’s upbringing in Russia that instilled in her a strong sense of inclusivity. She firmly believes that good governance is essential for inclusivity. All citizens must get represented and get what they deserve and need from different levels of government. When it comes to sanitation, unfortunately, cities are not inclusive because informal settlements and marginalized communities get left out. Not by design, not by anybody's apathy, but by the overall system's apathy. Manvita believes that inclusive sanitation requires inclusion of geographically challenging areas that need to be catered to, vulnerable people who need to be prioritized, trans people who are interspersed into certain settlements, and all those at the periphery of the city’s existence.

Her childhood impressions motivated Manvite to prioritize communities in her work. She entered Urban Planning purely from an urban poverty perspective and worked at the intersection of sanitation and poverty much more. Manvita acknowledges the slow progress in the sanitation sector, emphasizing the need for more well-designed systems. Despite promising strides, there is ample room for further improvement. She advocates for prioritizing the lives of sanitation workers, ensuring proper equipment, innovative solutions for occupational safety, and making their well-being a top priority for cities.

At Urban Management Centre, Manvita and her team work towards strengthening municipal systems; embedded into all three levels of government and the community. Their focus on municipal systems stems from the fact that the local government is the closest to citizens. Unless one’s city reaches out to them, one will not be able to reach out to it to address their problems. This has driven their advocacy for strengthening and providing more autonomy for local governments. Autonomy, financial and otherwise, is important for cities. Manvita’s vision is to enable robust urban governance particularly in sanitation, to see Indian cities sanitised- right from cleanliness to liquid waste management. Her core belief is that for this to happen we not only require emphasis on technology but also collaboration with people who remain behind the scenes i.e. sanitation workers. Manvita emphasis upon the transformative potential that lies in reshaping the capacity-building and training ecosystem for inclusive sanitation and urban planning. The goal is to empower individuals interested in city planning through university programs and professional courses, providing them with the tools to effectively organize and manage cities in collaboration with the government.

Manvita is the Director and Founder of Urban Management Centre, and has been deeply involved in shaping more inclusive urban systems by working with local governments. She harbours a deep passion for planning cities that leave no one at the periphery, regardless of geographical and socio-economic vulnerability. Having formally studied architecture and urban planning, she has vast experience in training young professionals as well as city officials in designing cities that work for everyone.

D. Siva has been engaged in providing crucial sanitation services in Odisha as a sewer worker for over 15 years. Driven by a sense of responsibility towards his family’s needs from a young age, he joined the sanitation workforce, following the same line of work as his father.

In the initial stages of his life as a sanitation worker, he underwent immense exploitation with little to protect him. On several occasions, he recalls having to immerse himself in faecal sludge, relying on nothing more than a towel wrapped around his body. It is only with continued sectoral progress towards ensuring safety and dignity of sanitation workers, that D. Siva’s exposure to faecal matter reduced. He now has complete access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and mechanized tools to tackle blockages in sewers, which contributes to improved Occupational Health and Safety for him.

He received extensive training which educated him about essential aspects of the job: the associated hazards and safety protocols. The training assured him and instilled confidence in him to safely carry out his work. He and other trainees received identification cards and certificates, officially recognizing them as service delivery professionals.

Observing the improvements in safety measures and witnessing her husband's confidence, his wife became convinced that this was a safe occupation to pursue. He and his fellow coworkers now find adequate safety and stability in their sanitation work, due to the fact that proper rules and protocols are now in place. They express hope that more individuals will be encouraged to join the profession, knowing that their safety is prioritized.

Furthermore, the community in his neighborhood greatly appreciates the tireless efforts of D. Siva and his team in maintaining sanitation standards. He aspires for his children to receive a quality education and secure a promising future.

Watch to learn more about sanitation workers’ safety, dignity and rights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B30mMDyfQuU