The Timeline

In its 50 years of public service, under the leadership of Bindeshwar Pathak, Sulabh emerged -by far- the world’s largest sanitation movement. Discover the extraordinary journey of grit, toil and perseverance.

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    1968

    An innovation designed to alleviate human suffering

      • Bindeshwar Pathak joined the Bihar Gandhi Centenary Celebration Committee. He experienced first-hand the discrimination and stigma faced by the community of people known as untouchables. To redeem them of their inhuman occupation of cleaning dry latrines, toilet technology was required. Dr Pathak goes on to invent low cost sanitation technology.
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      1970

      Birth of Sulabh Sanitation Movement

        • The low cost toilet then had to popularised and made easily available and hence Sulabh International was born as a non-governmental organisation with the sole objective of converting dry household latrines into two pit pour flush toilets he designed.
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        1973

        Demo toilets revealed

          • The low cost toilet then had to popularised and made easily available and hence Sulabh International was born as a non-governmental organisation with the sole objective of converting dry household latrines into two pit pour flush toilets he designed.
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          1974

          Sulabh inaugurates Public Toilets

            • The low cost toilet then had to popularised and made easily available and hence Sulabh International was born as a non-governmental organisation with the sole objective of converting dry household latrines into two pit pour flush toilets he designed.
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            1978

            Spotlight falls on Sulabh in a historic seminar on sanitation

              • Government of India conveyed a national seminar in collaboration with UNICEF and WHO in Patna on conversion of bucket latrines into sanitary water seal latrine. It was in this seminar Sulabh technology was hailed. It was further decided that the issues of sanitation, manual cleaning of toilets and personal hygiene must be given priority in the national development plans.
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              1980

              Sulabh gets international limelight

                • The New York Times writes a special article hailing Sulabh’s work and its crusade to alleviate the sufferings of manual scavengers.
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                1983

                First visit by a US Ambassador to Sulabh Campus in Patna

                  • The New York Times writes a special article hailing Sulabh’s work and its crusade to alleviate the sufferings of manual scavengers.
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                  1984

                  Sulabh earns its first national recognition

                    • Sulabh is awarded with the K.P. Goenka Memorial Award for outstanding work for the benefit of environment and ecology – it is the first public award to bring the organisation into prominence.
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                    1984

                    Innovation of Bio gas linked public toilets

                      • The low cost toilet then had to popularised and made easily available and hence Sulabh International was born as a non-governmental organisation with the sole objective of converting dry household latrines into two pit pour flush toilets he designed.
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                      1985

                      Skill development initiative for manual scavengers

                        • Sulabh started rehabilitation programme for children of manual scavengers in by training them to develop skills like shorthand, typing, motor driving, mechanics etc. It was done with the support of the Government. The programme was a huge success and was extended across the country. The programme was later expanded to include regular education and technical training.
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                        1985

                        The Washington Post calls Sulabh movement a 'mini revolution'

                          • Sulabh’s work gets featured in The Washington Post calls Sulabh the most successful voluntary scavenger emancipation enterprise.
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                          1988

                          Sulabh leads the way to break social barriers for emancipation

                            • The low cost toilet then had to popularised and made easily available and hence Sulabh International was born as a non-governmental organisation with the sole objective of converting dry household latrines into two pit pour flush toilets he designed.
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                            1989

                            Temples for all

                              • Soon after, Dr. Pathak launched a campaign to help the Scheduled Castes offer prayers in temples and perform puja at their homes by Vedic Brahmins.
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                              1990

                              Mainstreaming of Manual Scavengers

                                • For the mainstreaming of manual scavengers and to do away with the practice of untouchability, Sulabh urged people of reputation to help - and even - adopt a family that worked as manual scavengers. Consequently, almost 5,000 scavenger families were adopted by high-status people, including judges, advocates, journalists, ministers.
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                                1991

                                Recognised with India’s third highest civilian award

                                  • In 1991, Dr. Pathak was awarded Padama Bhushan by the President of India, Mr. R. Venkataraman, for his “distinguished social service.”
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                                  1991

                                  J.R.D Tata calls Sulabh public toilet “as an icon of Mumbai's civic infrastructure”

                                    • In 1991, Dr. Pathak was awarded Padama Bhushan by the President of India, Mr. R. Venkataraman, for his “distinguished social service.”
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                                    1992

                                    Launches awareness campaign on liberation of manual scavengers

                                      • The low cost toilet then had to popularised and made easily available and hence Sulabh International was born as a non-governmental organisation with the sole objective of converting dry household latrines into two pit pour flush toilets he designed.
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                                      1992

                                      Sulabh champions education for all

                                        • The low cost toilet then had to popularised and made easily available and hence Sulabh International was born as a non-governmental organisation with the sole objective of converting dry household latrines into two pit pour flush toilets he designed.
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                                        1992

                                        Blessed by the Pope

                                          • His Holiness Pope John Paul-II gave audience to Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak before awarding him with International Saint Francis Prize.
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                                          1992

                                          Sulabh opens a Museum of Toilets

                                            • The first of its kind in the world, the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets was set up in New Delhi. The curation of this unique museum is such that it narrates the story of toilet evolution through artefacts, pictures, posters and other available materials. The museum is hugely popular and has been profiled by the likes The Time Magazine and the Discovery Channel. Thousands visit the museum every year.
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                                            1993

                                            A personal message from UN Secretary General, Boutros Boutros Ghali

                                              • The low cost toilet then had to popularised and made easily available and hence Sulabh International was born as a non-governmental organisation with the sole objective of converting dry household latrines into two pit pour flush toilets he designed.
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                                              1996

                                              The Duckweed Project

                                                • Sulabh developed demonstration projects on duckweed-based cost effective and eco-friendly technology for wastewater treatment. The technology, besides having low operational and maintenance costs, gives economic return in area of pisciculture.
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                                                1996

                                                Sulabh International was granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations

                                                  • Sulabh International was granted the Special Consultative Status with the United Nations. In the same year Sulabh technology is recognised as the Global Urban Best Practice by the United Nation Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS) at Istanbul
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                                                  1996

                                                  Dr. Manmohan Singh, the architect of India’s historic economic reforms awarded the "Honest Man of the Year" Award by Sulabh International

                                                    • Sulabh International was granted the Special Consultative Status with the United Nations. In the same year Sulabh technology is recognised as the Global Urban Best Practice by the United Nation Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS) at Istanbul
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                                                    1998

                                                    Sulabh honours India’s prime minister Atal B. Vajpayee with the "Honest Man of the Year" award

                                                      • A people’s commission on the abolition of manual scavenging constituted by Sulabh is inaugurated by the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Sulabh honoured the Prime Minister with the "Honest Man of the Year Award".
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                                                      2001

                                                      A gendered approach to WASH

                                                        • The low cost toilet then had to popularised and made easily available and hence Sulabh International was born as a non-governmental organisation with the sole objective of converting dry household latrines into two pit pour flush toilets he designed.
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                                                        2002

                                                        Sulabh Effluent Treatment (SET) Technology

                                                          • Sulabh developed a new and convenient technology to make biogas plant effluents free from colour, odour and pathogen-free. The technology known as SET (Sulabh Effluent Treatment) lowers BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) of effluent to less than 10 mg/l, making it suitable for agriculture, aquaculture or safe discharge into a river or any water body or cleaning of floors of public toilets.
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                                                        2003

                                                        Transforming the lives of manual scavengers

                                                          • The low cost toilet then had to popularised and made easily available and hence Sulabh International was born as a non-governmental organisation with the sole objective of converting dry household latrines into two pit pour flush toilets he designed.
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                                                          2003

                                                          UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award bestowed

                                                            • Hon’ble Mrs. Anna K. Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-Habitat presenting the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour 2003 Award to Dr. Pathak.
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                                                            2003

                                                            UNDP recognizes Sulabh technologies in its Human Development Report

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                                                              2003

                                                              Sulabh receives the UNEP Global 500 Scroll of Honour Award

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                                                                2004

                                                                UN team visits Sulabh

                                                                  • Members of The U.N. Millennium Project Task Force on Water and Sanitation Visit Sulabh Campus.
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                                                                  2005

                                                                  Sulabh biogas linked toilets inaugurated in Kabul, Afghanistan

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                                                                    2005

                                                                    HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand visits Sulabh Campus in 2005 and again in 2015

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                                                                      2006

                                                                      UNDP recognises Sulabh for the second time

                                                                        • The low cost toilet then had to popularised and made easily available and hence Sulabh International was born as a non-governmental organisation with the sole objective of converting dry household latrines into two pit pour flush toilets he designed.
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                                                                        2007

                                                                        Sulabh hosts World Toilet Summit

                                                                          • Sulabh organized the World Toilet Summit 2007 in collaboration with the World Toilet Organization (WTO) in which representatives of 44 countries participated. And after the three-day conference, a Delhi Declaration was issued for a cleaner world.
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                                                                          2008

                                                                          The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations honours liberated manual scavengers

                                                                            • The low cost toilet then had to popularised and made easily available and hence Sulabh International was born as a non-governmental organisation with the sole objective of converting dry household latrines into two pit pour flush toilets he designed.
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                                                                            2009

                                                                            Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak wins the Stockholm Water Prize

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                                                                              2009

                                                                              Sweden’s Prime Minister becomes the first head of state to visit Sulabh Campus

                                                                                • The low cost toilet then had to popularised and made easily available and hence Sulabh International was born as a non-governmental organisation with the sole objective of converting dry household latrines into two pit pour flush toilets he designed.
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                                                                                2010

                                                                                Timothy J. Roemer becomes the second US Ambassador to visit Sulabh campus

                                                                                  • US Ambassador His Excellency Timothy J. Roemer and his wife Sally visited the Sulabh campus. He was so inspired by Sulabh’s work that he spoke about it in his commencement speech at the University of Notre Dame.
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                                                                                  2010

                                                                                  Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium, visits the Sulabh Campus

                                                                                    • Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium, wife of His Royal Highness Prince Philippe, first in line of succession to the throne of Belgium, visited the Sulabh Campus on March 23, 2010.
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                                                                                    2012

                                                                                    Sulabh steps in to provide care for the widows of Vrindavan

                                                                                      • At the behest of India’s Supreme Court, Sulabh steps in to provide care for the widows living in the government shelters in Vrindavan. Since then Sulabh has been providing humanitarian services to thousands of widows in Vrindavan and Varanasi.
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                                                                                      2013

                                                                                      National Conference on the Sociology of Sanitation

                                                                                        • In a National Conference on the Sociology of Sanitation, organized by Sulabh International Centre for Action Sociology Dr. Pathak said “Sociology of sanitation is a scientific study to solve the problems of society in relation to sanitation, social deprivation, water, public health, hygiene, ecology, environment, poverty, gender equality, welfare of children and empowering people for sustainable development and attainment of philosophical and spiritual knowledge to lead a happy life and to make a difference in the lives of others.”
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                                                                                        2015

                                                                                        Sulabh launches Purified Drinking Water

                                                                                          • Sulabh International Academy of Environmental Sanitation & Public Health in collaboration with 1001 Fontaines , France undertook project on water supply to the rural community affected by arsenic groundwater contamination in four blocks of West Bengal. The initiatives in West Bengal have been designed with a view to build drinking water production sites in order to guarantee water quality at the point of use instead of focusing only on water source.
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                                                                                          2015

                                                                                          World’s largest public toilet opens

                                                                                            • Sulabh inaugurated the world’s largest toilet complex in Pandharpur Maharashtra is with 2858 toilet seats. It has bathing and locker facilities are used by four thousand people every day. Additionally, 36 public toilets have been constructed. These toilets are monitored round the clock and are disabled friendly.
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                                                                                            2015

                                                                                            Sulabh Founder named in the Economist Global Diversity List

                                                                                              • Sulabh founder, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak was named amongst the top 50 icons recognised in ‘The Global Diversity List’ by The Economist. The list included names like the US President Barack Obama, Angelina Jolie and Bill Gates.
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                                                                                              2015

                                                                                              Richard Rahul Verma becomes the third US Ambassador to visit Sulabh Campus

                                                                                                • Sulabh founder, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak was named amongst the top 50 icons recognised in ‘The Global Diversity List’ by The Economist. The list included names like the US President Barack Obama, Angelina Jolie and Bill Gates.
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                                                                                                2016

                                                                                                Dr. Pathak received the WHO Public Health Champion Award in New Delhi

                                                                                                  • Dr. Pathak received the WHO Public Health Champion Award in New Delhi
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                                                                                                  2016

                                                                                                  Mayor of New York dedicates April 14 , 2016 as "Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak Day"

                                                                                                    • Mayor of New York City, Hon’ble Mr. Bill de Blasio honoured Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak with the Proclamation and declared April 14, 2016 as “Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak Day”.
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                                                                                                    2018

                                                                                                    Dr Pathak honoured with the Nikkei Asia Peace Prize in Tokyo

                                                                                                      • Mayor of New York City, Hon’ble Mr. Bill de Blasio honoured Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak with the Proclamation and declared April 14, 2016 as “Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak Day”.
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                                                                                                      2019

                                                                                                      Sulabh receives the Gandhi Peace Prize (2016)

                                                                                                        • Sulabh was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize (2016) for its contribution to the Prime Minster of India, Narendra Modi’s flagship programme Swaach Bharat Abhiyan.
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                                                                                                        2019

                                                                                                        Sulabh launches "Say No to Single Use Plastic" campaign

                                                                                                          • Sulabh was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize (2016) for its contribution to the Prime Minster of India, Narendra Modi’s flagship programme Swaach Bharat Abhiyan.
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                                                                                                          2019

                                                                                                          On Mahatma Gandhi’s 150 birth anniversary Sulabh eco-friendly with on-site disposal system inaugurated in Phoenix Ashram, Durban, South Africa

                                                                                                            • Sulabh was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize (2016) for its contribution to the Prime Minster of India, Narendra Modi’s flagship programme Swaach Bharat Abhiyan.
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                                                                                                            2024

                                                                                                            Dr Bindeshwar Pathak honored posthumously with the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India.

                                                                                                              • Sulabh was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize (2016) for its contribution to the Prime Minster of India, Narendra Modi’s flagship programme Swaach Bharat Abhiyan.
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                                                                                                              2024

                                                                                                              His Excellency Mr Demeke A Ambulo, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to India inaugurates the Menstrual Hygiene Management Knowledge Hub at the Sulabh campus

                                                                                                                • Sulabh was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize (2016) for its contribution to the Prime Minster of India, Narendra Modi’s flagship programme Swaach Bharat Abhiyan.
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                                                                                                              • An innovation designed to alleviate human suffering

                                                                                                                1968

                                                                                                                Bindeshwar Pathak joined the Bihar Gandhi Centenary Celebration Committee. He experienced first-hand the discrimination and stigma faced by the community of people known as untouchables. To redeem them of their inhuman occupation of cleaning dry latrines, toilet technology was required. Dr Pathak goes on to invent low cost sanitation technology.

                                                                                                                World largest public toilet

                                                                                                                Sulabh inaugurated the world’s largest toilet complex in Pandharpur Maharashtra is with 2858 toilet seats. It has bathing and locker facilities are used by four thousand people every day. Additionally, 36 public toilets have been constructed. These toilets are monitored round the clock and are disabled friendly.

                                                                                                                Dr. Pathak received the WHO Public Health Champion Award in New Delhi

                                                                                                                Dr. Pathak received the WHO Public Health Champion Award in New Delhi

                                                                                                                Mayor of New York dedicates April 14 , 2016 as "Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak Day"

                                                                                                                Mayor of New York City, Hon’ble Mr. Bill de Blasio honoured Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak with the Proclamation and declared April 14, 2016 as “Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak Day”.

                                                                                                                Dr Pathak honoured with the Nikkei Asia Peace Prize in Tokyo

                                                                                                                Nikkei Inc., Japan, conferred the "23rd Nikkei Asia Prize 2018" in the category of "Culture and Community" to Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak for his outstanding achievements that contribute to the region's sustainable development and to the creation of a better future for Asia.

                                                                                                                Promoting the catalyst role for NGOs

                                                                                                                Sulabh receives the Gandhi Peace Prize (2016)

                                                                                                                Sulabh was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize (2016) for its contribution to the Prime Minster of India, Narendra Modi’s flagship programme Swaach Bharat Abhiyan.

                                                                                                                Sulabh launches "Say No to Single Use Plastic" campaign

                                                                                                                In line with the prime minister's Narendra Modi appeal discouraging the use of single- use plastic, Sulabh launched a nationwide campaign which was strategically planned in regional languages to reach a wider target audience across communities.

                                                                                                                On April 22, 2024, the Hon'ble President of India, Droupadi Murmu conferred Padma Vibhushan in the field of Social Work upon Dr Bindeshwar Pathak posthumously. In her message on Twitter, the honorable President wrote, "Dr Pathak advocated for behavior change by encouraging millions to adopt hygienic and safe sanitation practices."

                                                                                                                Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder of Sulabh International Social Service Organisation, led the nationwide social sanitation and reform movement. He used his toilet model to advocate behavior change and introduced the concept of pay and use public toilets. He promoted the vision of making India open defecation free and raised awareness about swachtta and related programs.

                                                                                                                On May 28, 2024, Menstrual Hygiene Day, Sulabh International proudly inaugurated the Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Knowledge Hub at the Sulabh campus. This dedicated space is designed to foster education, research, and advocacy on menstrual hygiene management.

                                                                                                                The inauguration was part of a broader celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day, underscoring the importance of breaking the silence around menstruation. The MHM Knowledge Hub aims to provide sustainable solutions and empower women and girls across India by creating platforms for education and awareness.

                                                                                                                On Mahatma Gandhi’s 150 birth anniversary Sulabh eco-friendly with on-site disposal system inaugurated in Phoenix Ashram, Durban, South Africa

                                                                                                                Sulabh eco-friendly with on site disposal system was used to upgrade two toilet blocks in Phoenix Ashram on 02 October 2019. It was inaugurated in the presence Ela Gandhi (Granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi and Trustee of the Gandhi Development Trust), Ravi Pillay (Member of the Executive Council – KZN Treasury Department), Anish Ranjan (Consul General of India), and Mrs Barbra Ikin, Trustee, SICAS-SA & Sudhakar S Kini, Chief Architect, Sulabh International.

                                                                                                                The Washington Post calls Sulabh movement a 'mini revolution'

                                                                                                                Temples for all

                                                                                                                Soon after, Dr. Pathak launched a campaign to help the Scheduled Castes offer prayers in temples and perform puja at their homes by Vedic Brahmins.

                                                                                                                Recognised with India’s third highest civilian award

                                                                                                                In 1991, Dr Pathak was awarded Padama Bhushan by the President of India, Mr R.Venkataraman, for his “distinguished social service.”

                                                                                                                Blessed by the Pope

                                                                                                                His Holiness Pope John Paul-II gave audience to Dr Bindeshwar Pathak before awarding him with International Saint Francis Prize.

                                                                                                                J.R.D Tata calls Sulabh public toilet “as an icon of Mumbai's civic infrastructure”

                                                                                                                Bharat Ratna Late Hon'ble Shri J.R.D. Tata, who inaugurated the Sulabh Public Convenience, sponsored by Tata Group of Companies near Metro Cinema, Dhobi Talao, Mumbai, on May 15, 1991, had said, "This Sulabh Public Convenience is an icon in our Mumbai's Civic Infrastructures." Hon'ble Smt. Bakul Patel (Sheriff) and Hon'ble Shri Nana Chudasama were also present on the occasion.

                                                                                                                A personal message from UN Secretary General, Boutros Boutros Ghali

                                                                                                                UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros - Ghali writes to Dr Bindeshwar Pathak congratulating him for his work for improving the situation of manual scavengers.

                                                                                                                Sulabh International was granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations

                                                                                                                In the same year, Sulabh technology is recognised as the Global Urban Best Practice by the United Nation Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS) at Istanbul

                                                                                                                Dr. Manmohan Singh, the architect of India’s historic economic reforms awarded the "Honest Man of the Year" Award by Sulabh International

                                                                                                                UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award bestowed

                                                                                                                Hon’ble Mrs Anna K. Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-Habitat presented the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour 2003 Award to Dr Pathak.

                                                                                                                UNDP recognizes Sulabh technologies in its Human Development Report

                                                                                                                First visit by a US Ambassador to Sulabh Campus in Patna

                                                                                                                Mr. Harry G. Barnes, U.S. Ambassador to India becomes visits Project in Patna (Bihar). He describes Sulabh’s work “as an inspiration to people in many parts of the country”

                                                                                                                Sulabh receives the UNEP Global 500 Scroll of Honour Award

                                                                                                                Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak receiving the UNEP Global 500 Scroll of Honour Award from Hon'ble Mr. Fares Bouez, Lebanese Minister of Environment. Hon'ble Mr. Kluas Topfer, Executive Director of UNEP is on the right.

                                                                                                                Duckweed Project

                                                                                                                Sulabh developed demonstration projects on duckweed-based cost effective and eco-friendly technology for wastewater treatment. The technology, besides having low operational and maintenance costs, gives economic return in area of pisciculture.

                                                                                                                Historic Seminar

                                                                                                                1978

                                                                                                                Government of India conveyed a national seminar in collaboration with UNICEF and WHO in Patna on conversion of bucket latrines into sanitary water seal latrine. It was in this seminar Sulabh technology was hailed. It was further decided that the issues of sanitation, manual cleaning of toilets and personal hygiene must be given priority in the national development plans.

                                                                                                                UN team visits Sulabh

                                                                                                                Members of The U.N. Millennium Project Task Force on Water and Sanitation Visit Sulabh Campus

                                                                                                                UNDP recognises Sulabh for the second time

                                                                                                                UNDP once again recognizes Sulabh technologies in its Human Development Report.

                                                                                                                Innovation of Bio gas linked public toilets

                                                                                                                1984

                                                                                                                Richard Rahul Verma becomes the third US Ambassador to visit Sulabh Campus

                                                                                                                “We look forward to working with you, on these really worthwhile efforts and what I learnt today here that is it doesn’t take a lot of money, that is necessary. It doesn’t take most advanced technology; it takes commitment from people to change the way they do things; it takes change by governments, and by leaders; it takes some finding and again to impact health, safety to education and particularly to impact girls and how people can transform their lives; really we are committed to these efforts thoroughly with you.”

                                                                                                                - US Ambassador to India, Richard Rahul Verma

                                                                                                                Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak wins the Stockholm Water Prize

                                                                                                                Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak wins the Stockholm Water Prize conferred by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

                                                                                                                Sweden’s Prime Minister becomes the first head of state to visit Sulabh Campus

                                                                                                                Mr. John Fredrik Reinfeldt, Prime Minister of Sweden, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Filippa Reinfeldt, visited its campus on November 6, 2009. The prime minister described Sulabh’s work as, “a great sign of development- important for the world!”

                                                                                                                Timothy J. Roemer becomes the second US Ambassador to visit Sulabh campus

                                                                                                                US Ambassador His Excellency Timothy J. Roemer and his wife Sally visited the Sulabh campus. He was so inspired by Sulabh’s work that he spoke about it in his commencement speech at the University of Notre Dame.

                                                                                                                Sulabh Founder named in the Economist Global Diversity List

                                                                                                                Sulabh founder, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak was named amongst the top 50 icons recognised in ‘The Global Diversity List’ by The Economist. The list included names like the US President Barack Obama, Angelina Jolie and Bill Gates.

                                                                                                                Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium

                                                                                                                Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium, wife of His Royal Highness Prince Philippe, first in line of succession to the throne of Belgium, visited the Sulabh Campus on March 23, 2010.

                                                                                                                Sulabh steps in to provide care for the widows of Vrindavan

                                                                                                                At the behest of India’s Supreme Court, Sulabh steps in to provide care for the widows living in the government shelters in Vrindavan. Since then Sulabh has been providing humanitarian services to thousands of widows in Vrindavan and Varanasi.

                                                                                                                National Conference on the Sociology of Sanitation

                                                                                                                In a National Conference on the Sociology of Sanitation, organized by Sulabh International Centre for Action Sociology Dr. Pathak said “Sociology of sanitation is a scientific study to solve the problems of society in relation to sanitation, social deprivation, water, public health, hygiene, ecology, environment, poverty, gender equality, welfare of children and empowering people for sustainable development and attainment of philosophical and spiritual knowledge to lead a happy life and to make a difference in the lives of others.”

                                                                                                                Sulabh launches Purified Drinking Water

                                                                                                                Sulabh International Academy of Environmental Sanitation & Public Health in collaboration with 1001 Fontaines , France undertook project on water supply to the rural community affected by arsenic groundwater contamination in four blocks of West Bengal. The initiatives in West Bengal have been designed with a view to build drinking water production sites in order to guarantee water quality at the point of use instead of focusing only on water source.

                                                                                                                Demo toilets

                                                                                                                1973

                                                                                                                The journey of Sulabh toilet started from Arrah municipality, Bihar in 1973, where two toilet models were set up for public demonstration. The local authorities then supported and endorsed the idea.

                                                                                                                Birth of Sulabh Sanitation Movement

                                                                                                                1970

                                                                                                                The low cost toilet then had to popularised and made easily available and hence Sulabh International was born as a non-governmental organisation with the sole objective of converting dry household latrines into two pit pour flush toilets he designed.

                                                                                                                Sulabh biogas linked toilets inaugurated in Kabul, Afghanistan

                                                                                                                Five public toilets with biogas plants were set up in Kabul, Afghanistan, with the financial support of the Government of India. In the same year, Sulabh activities were mentioned in President APJ Abdul Kalam’s book ‘Mission India – A Vision for Indian Youth’.

                                                                                                                HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand visits Sulabh Campus in 2005 and again in 2015

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                                                                                                                The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations invited women who worked as manual scavengers

                                                                                                                The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations invited women who worked as manual scavengers but were liberated by Sulabh to attend the Proceedings of the House at the United Nations. They also walked the ramp with famous models.

                                                                                                                The Hon’ble President of India, Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, met Mrs. Usha Chaumar and other liberated scavengers at Rashtrapati Bhawan on July 25, 2008 on their return from New York.

                                                                                                                In the same year, The liberated women scavengers visited Jagannath temple in Alwar along with their families and the families of those in whose houses they had earlier cleaned bucket toilets and they all jointly performed Puja in the temple. This was followed by a community lunch in which all of them participated jointly.

                                                                                                                First Sulabh Public Toilet

                                                                                                                1974

                                                                                                                The first public toilet was inaugurated in Patna, Bihar. It had 48 seats, 20 bathrooms, urinals and wash basins. It was operated round the clock. The idea was an instant success. Over 500 people used the facility on day one. Over 9000 such toilets were built since then across India and abroad.

                                                                                                                Transforming the lives of manual scavengers

                                                                                                                Sulabh International took affirmative actions to transform the lives of manual scavengers in two towns: Alwar and Tonk. Its intervention involved setting up a skill and personality development centre called Nai Disha meaning new direction.

                                                                                                                World Toilet Summit 2007

                                                                                                                Sulabh organized the World Toilet Summit 2007 in collaboration with the World Toilet Organization (WTO) in which representatives of 44 countries participated. And after the three-day conference, a Delhi Declaration was issued for a cleaner world.

                                                                                                                The New York Times

                                                                                                                1980

                                                                                                                The New York Times writes a special article hailing Sulabh’s work and its crusade to alleviate the sufferings of manual scavengers.

                                                                                                                Sulabh honours India’s prime minister Atal B. Vajpayee with the "Honest Man of the Year" award

                                                                                                                A people’s commission on the abolition of manual scavenging constituted by Sulabh is inaugurated by the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Sulabh honoured the Prime Minister with the "Honest Man of the Year Award".

                                                                                                                A gendered approach to WASH

                                                                                                                Sulabh started a country-wide programme for involvement of women in sanitation, health and hygiene.

                                                                                                                Sulabh Effluent Treatment (SET) Technology

                                                                                                                Sulabh developed a new and convenient technology to make biogas plant effluents free from colour, odour and pathogen-free. The technology known as SET (Sulabh Effluent Treatment) lowers BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) of effluent to less than 10 mg/l, making it suitable for agriculture, aquaculture or safe discharge into a river or any water body or cleaning of floors of public toilets.

                                                                                                                Sulabh is awarded

                                                                                                                1984

                                                                                                                Sulabh is awarded with the K.P. Goenka Memorial Award for outstanding work for the benefit of environment and ecology – it is the first public award to bring the organisation into prominence

                                                                                                                Training and Rehabilitation

                                                                                                                1985

                                                                                                                Sulabh started rehabilitation programme for children of manual scavengers in by training them to develop skills like shorthand, typing, motor driving, mechanics etc. It was done with the support of the Government. The programme was a huge success and was extended across the country. The programme was later expanded to include regular education and technical training.

                                                                                                                Breaking social barriers

                                                                                                                1988

                                                                                                                Dr Pathak challenged the formulaic tradition that barred manual scavengers from entering temples. He led 200 such people (untouchables) into the Nathdwara Temple in Udaipur, Rajasthan, for prayers in a peaceful manner. This unprecedented step was widely hailed. Dr Pathak and the group was given audience by the then President Venkataraman, Vice-President, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma and Prime Minister, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi.

                                                                                                                Mainstreaming of Manual Scavengers

                                                                                                                1990

                                                                                                                For the mainstreaming of manual scavengers and to do away with the practice of untouchability, Sulabh urged people of reputation to help - and even - adopt a family that worked as manual scavengers. Consequently, almost 5,000 scavenger families were adopted by high-status people, including judges, advocates, journalists, ministers.

                                                                                                                Awareness Campaign

                                                                                                                1992

                                                                                                                TIn February 1992, Sulabh organised a ‘National Seminar on Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers’ in New Delhi in which Vice-Chancellors, professors, planners, and administrators passed a resolution to make it a people’s movement. The seminar was inaugurated by the former President of India, late Giani Zail Singh.

                                                                                                                Education for All

                                                                                                                1992

                                                                                                                Sulabh Public School - an English medium school was established in Delhi. Primarily for the children of the scavengers, 60% of the children are from the weaker sections and the rest are from general families ensuring no discrimination. The Sulabh Vocational Training Centre was set up to provide vocational training to the children of weaker sections thereby enabling them to earn their own livelihood.

                                                                                                                Sulabh International Museum of Toilets

                                                                                                                1992

                                                                                                                The first of its kind in the world, the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets was set up in New Delhi. The curation of this unique museum is such that it narrates the story of toilet evolution through artefacts, pictures, posters and other available materials. The museum is hugely popular and has been profiled by the likes The Time Magazine and the Discovery Channel. Thousands visit the museum every year.

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