US Social activist praise PM Modi’s “Clean India campaign.”

Janjivan Bureau
NEW DELHI : A team of US based Eminent Social activists have appreciated Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi for ongoing “Clean India campaign. ”
The Chairman of US-based New York Global Leaders Dialogue Mr. Phil Scanlan last night lauded the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi for his Clean India Initiative. Mr. Phil who was here said he was very impressed with the action of the Prime Minister who has not only succeed in motivating people toward cleanliness but also translated his commitment.
Mr. Phil is the chairman of NEW YORK GLOBAL LEADERS DIALOGUE, the thought leadership platform which brings leaders from all continents to address global challenges, foster international dialogue and nurture cohorts of younger leaders.
Mr. Phil and his delegation including Mrs. Pam Kawatra and , Mr. Ketan Patel from USA also met Dalit women who were formerly manual scavengers, and liberated by low-cost sanitation NGO Sulabh International.Founded by eminent sociologist and social activist Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Sulabh is a Social and Behavior Change Coalition formed to promote the adoption of improved hygiene practices across the country.
Sulabh has constructed nearly 1.3 million household toilets and 54 million government toilets based on an innovative toilet design. Nearly 15 million people use these toilets daily. Apart from construction of toilets, the organization is also leading a movement to discourage manual scavenging.
“I have been moved by the way Dr. Pathak and Sulabh International is changing the lives of millions of Indians. It’s highly commendable that his work is not only stopping open defecation in India but is also restoring the dignity of the marginalized and mainstreaming them in society,” Mr. Scanlan said.
He shared Dr. Pathak’s belief that providing toilets can be a tool for social change and that innovation is integral to improving the lives of those on the margins of society.
Sulabh works across the country to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Swachh Bharat’ mission and other urban development initiatives.
Another delegation member Mrs. Pam Kwatra said Pathak had been shortlisted for this year’s International award by the group and the results are likely to be announced by month-end.”Pathak’s belief that providing toilets can be a tool for social change and that innovation is integral to improving the lives of those on the margins of society has impressed us a lot” she said.Mr. Scanlan appreciated the efforts of Sulabh for communications and advocacy practices to promote use of toilets and improved hygiene behaviors across the country.