INFOSYS FOUNDATION SPONSORED TOILET SUMMIT HELD AT GULBARGA

INFOSYS FOUNDATION SPONSORED TOILET SUMMIT HELD AT GULBARGA

Vasudevrao M Deshpande
Program Manager of the initiative

Basavaraj Patil Sedam
KBBS Samiti Sedam

Gulbarga 22nd December 2011

INFOSYS FOUNDATION SPONSORED TOILET SUMMIT HELD AT GULBARGA

“Toilet Summit – A Firm step towards open defecation free villages”, a first of its kind in the region was held at Engineers Institute Gulbarga jointly by Infosys Foundation and Sri Kottala Basaveshwara Bharateeya Shikshana Samithi Sedam under its Parishudh Initiative. It was attended by heads of over 54 villages of Gulbarga and Yadgir district. Dr. Basavaraj Patil Sedam and M G Vijaykumar, CEO of Zilla Panchayat Gulbarga inaugurated the event.

Mr. Vasudevrao M Deshpande Program Manager of the Parishudh Initiative from Infosys Foundation explained about Infosys Foundation initiatives and how this program “Parishudh” aimed at reaching 100% sanitation in 40 villages was begun. He explained that the number of toilets to be built in India exceeds 15 Crores and the total budgetary outlay is over Rs. 3,00,000 Crores calling a great attention, investment and innovation in this regard.

Mr. Bheemrao Biradar, a retired Civil Engineer working with KBBS explained about different technology options related to achieving sanitation. Mr. Vijaykumar lauded the efforts of Infosys Foundation and Sri Kottala Basaveshwara Bharateeya Shikshana Samithi Sedam and assured all the available help from the government for the success of the program. He explained about government initiatives and support for the individual households to achieve adequate sanitation. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Basavaraj Patil Sedam said, “It is hoped that more and more villages and families will come forward to have a toilet of their own and ensure health and dignity of rural women”.

Highlight of the event was the interactive session conducted by Mr. Sheshadri Kulkarni. He explained at length the issues related to open defecation and why it must be urgently addressed. An interactive group discussion among villagers was held on what they would do to achieve 100% sanitation. Over 12 villages made a firm commitment to reach 100% sanitation within next 12 months. In addition, over 40 villages made a commitment to convince at least 2,200 families to have a toilet of their own and begin construction within next 30 days.

An exhibition related to sanitation was arranged. Photographs and material related to why people should focus on eradicating open defecation, various designs of toilets, sample designs from the Toilet Content held at China, photos of Shilkewadi a 100% sanitation village in India were all displayed. Representatives from Total Sanitation Campaign Government of Karnataka, Zilla Panchayat Gulbarga, Myrada, Sanghamitra Financial Corportaion, Krishna Grameena Bank, Self Help Training Group, National Cooperative Union of India were also present to support this movement. Those villages wishing to avail benefits of this program may reach Mr. Srinivas Deshmukh at 94835-00810. For every village aspiring to reach 100% sanitation, Infosys Foundation would part finance the construction.