Ushma Goswami, 23-year-old, did her graduation in Political Science (Hons) from Lady Shri Ram College and Masters in Political Science from Faculty of Social Sciences, Delhi University. She had always wanted to use her knowledge to help society. She had been studying the various social differences between the urban and the rural, castes, and the privileged and underprivileged sections. This is why she helped in building 70 toilets in remote villages.
1.What gave you the idea to start this noble project?
The idea came after regular interactions with panchayat members and community. I saw that a large number of people didn’t have toilets here and women used to go out to defecate. So, I talked to Panchayat about taking up the project and they supported me. So I started surveys and awareness campaigns along with it and slowly people started responding.
2.What were the initial difficulties that you faced?
Initially, it was not easy. As I have lived in North India throughout my life and this was a completely different environment for me. I didn’t know the local language – Kannada and villagers didn’t know Hindi or English. So it was quite difficult to interact and getting accepted by the community. Also initially the first panchayat I worked in, didn’t support my project so I had to change both my project and Panchayat after three months. Though I was disappointed I didn’t let it deter me and slowly people started accepting me and supported my project. I have come a long way since then.
3. How are your preparations going on for the UPSC exam?
Honestly, I have not started proper preparation as yet. I have tried to keep myself updated with the current affairs but that’s it. Here my priority has been my project and community. I will start proper preparation after I am done with fellowship.
4. When was the first toilet you helped in building and what is the story behind it?
My first toilet was built around February. Actually many toilets were started simultaneously. In January, I did the door-to-door surveys and collected documents from villagers. I had to convince the villagers to construct toilets. For people who were too poor and didn’t have the initial sum required for construction, I started a ‘Sanitation loan‘ along with my NGO, DHAN Foundation. So many toilets were started and completed together.
5. What is the sanitary conditions of India according to you?
In India, Sanitation has not been given the priority it should have been provided since independence. The health scenario in India, especially in rural parts, is greatly impacted by the Sanitation conditions. Though the current government has shown keenness in bringing the issue to center stage, still the implementation aspect has not been as swift. Not just toilets, water availability, solid-liquid waste management and drainage facility are major parts of Sanitation and our country has lagged behind in providing these to people. I have seen the condition here in South India which is supposedly better in infrastructure than the northern part so a lot needs to be done in this area. Not just government, people themselves have to take the initiative to keep their surroundings clean and question the responsible authorities.
6. How much more effort should be put in this account of building toilets by the government?
I think the government has focused not only on the quantitative aspect but also on the qualitative one. Like recently I visited Odisha and saw the toilets constructed by the government, they were so abysmal that no villager can use them. But on paper, it shows that toilets are constructed so nobody bothers. The government has to ensure that people themselves should be willing to construct and use the toilets. Rather than just showing figures the focus should be on real impact then only the implementation aspect can be strengthened.
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