Another incident of a boy dying because people refused to help the untouchable scavenger boy hit Dr. Pathak deeply. He decided to liberate scavengers through low cost sanitation by inventing the twin pit pour flush model.
In 1973, he was given Rs 500 to build two Sulabh Shauchalayas for demonstration in the compound of the Arrah municipality, a small town in Bihar. Though impressive, there was no ready acceptance. At this stage, a secretary of the urban development came to Dr.Pathak's rescue."We will allow this man to put up 200 toilets in Bihar, and if it works, it will change the history of India," he said. Sulabh replaced bucket toilets in Bihar. The pilot project that started in 1973 gave way to one of the biggest waves in sanitation across the world.
The Sulabh International has grown to a Rs 275-crore project. The blue sareed women of Alwar are visiting Geneva, New York and London as role models. They even have taken part in a fashion event in New York. They are being given education and can converse in Hindi and English. They are now able to apply for jobs worth Rs10,000-15,000.
A staunch believer of Gandhian views and of Ambedkar as well, Dr. Pathak says, "I have not changed the caste; it's the same caste now, status has changed. Now they're not called untouchables. They go with Brahmins and upper caste to dine and to sit together. This great change has happened in the country. This is very important. We have brought together both the concept of Gandhi and Ambedkar. We have brought a change in the society's social structure."
Dr. Pathak presently is a brand ambassador of Swachh Rail Mission.
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