Solutions for Water platform – World Water Forum 6th – Marseille 2012

Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak is a great humanist and social reformer of contemporary India. He has the vision of a philosopher and the undying zeal of a missionary. He is an icon of sanitation and social reform who has made a difference in the lives of millions of people. Dr. Pathak founded Sulabh International Social Service Organisation in 1970. He invented, innovated and developed two technologies of excreta disposal by which over a million ‘human scavengers’ have been liberated from their sub-human occupation and rehabilitated in different vocations. Their human rights and dignity have been restored. By providing toilet related sanitation facilities, Dr. Pathak has used it as a tool to combine technology with a social purpose and human face. He has brought about a transformation of mind-set towards improved sanitation practices. Dr. Pathak is the recipient of many national and international awards, including 2009 Stockholm Water Prize.