This video is also from Rajasthan, but the city of Alwar. One of the challenges often used to criticize India and rightly so , is the lack of sanitation. This 20 minute video is about the untouchable caste of 1/5 of the population in India and one man, Dr. Pathak, a Brahman of the highest caste, who has committed his life to solve this problem. He started a movement in 1973 called the Sulabh Foundation to work to improve life for the Dalits or the Untouchables. Today, other developing countries in Africa are also producing these simple toilets and in India, Sulabh has become the synonym for public toilet.
This monumental national problem is starting to be overcome. Is there much more to do, of course. Remember Rome was not built in a day! The Indian entrepreneurial spirit of problem solving is evidenced here. Listen hard when Dr. Pathak tells the story of his grandmother when he, as a little boy, touched a Dalit . Today Pathak is an Indian hero!
If you have been following my blog, you know I don’t really like to dwell on the tremendous challenges in a country with 1.3 billion people. I was a guest there, everyone is aware of the problems, it is very easy to criticize, I think progress is being made , and the country is only 60 years young as a democracy. When I found this video, I had to post it, though it is long. This is for those of you with the time to watch for even just a bit, and /or those who have admiration for or are in awe of these incredible Indian people, as am I !
This Is Incredible India! T I I I !
Google image public domain
TalesAlongTheWay 
Reblogged this on Oyia Brown.
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It’s incredible! Truly sad!
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Hopefully, these small steps will grow into a national initiative. Mr. Modi who wants to be Prime Minister says, “Build toilets , not temples.” And he is a devout Hindu!
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Brilliant work, thank you for this.
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I hope this will spread successfully as it is so needed ! Thank you for the comment!
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Incredible place indeed. I am glad to see there is an organization to help these very poor people in improving their daily life. Sanitary is one important one as well as food and water.
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Actually there are lots of people trying t o help the poor in India. The education is free, but many little kids don’t go. It takes a long time to change hearts, minds and lives. It is one of the oldest cultures on earth and the oldest religions. . . Hinduism. So it is a clash of cultures and traditions….just defies words sometimes! I love your comments. Thanks for the time!
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The Provincial Treasurer of the Divine Providence Province of the Servants of Charity visits India often. He is always impressed that even though they live in such unsanitary conditions, when they arrive for events the children are squeaky clean and well groomed. Our many houses in India learn how to innovate with what they have because of lack of funds.
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Well said. The Indians are such an amazing people. Thank you for all you do to make their lives better now and in the future!
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