The Pioneering Efforts of Shri S. Damodaran in Promoting Sanitation and Hygiene in India
Shri S. Damodaran has made remarkable strides in the implementation and advancement of sanitation programs, particularly in India. Born on March 12, 1962, Shri Damodaran dedicated his entire career to improving the living conditions of the rural and urban poor in coastal, tribal, and town-panchayat regions. His work has heavily influenced the Swachh Bharat Mission and has been instrumental in pioneering sustainable sanitation models that have had a profound impact on public health and community empowerment.
Early Innovations and Contributions
Starting from the 1980s, Shri Damodaran has been deeply involved in government-led sanitation programs. By 1985, he founded Gramalaya, an organization dedicated to improving water and sanitation conditions in rural and urban areas. Through his work, he has promoted more than six lakh household toilets across various government schemes such as CRSP, TSC, NBA, LCS, Low-cost Sanitation cum Scavengers Rehabilitation Program, and SBM Gramin. These initiatives have not only ensured widespread household toilet coverage but have also contributed to the sustainable and long-lasting success of these programs.
Notably, under his leadership, the concept of Open Defecation Free (ODF) villages was first introduced in Thandavampatti village, Tiruchirappalli District, India. A resolution was passed at the Grama Sabha meeting in early 2003, marking the first ODF village in the country. This initiative has been instrumental in 300 villages in rural areas and 187 sums in Tiruchirappalli City Corporation achieving ODF status as well, including the first slum in Kalmandhai. Gramalaya's innovative approach has been benchmarked nationwide, and some of these initiatives have been recognized in the Government of India's Five-Year Plan from 2012-2017, highlighting the impact of Shri Damodaran's work.
Sustainable Sanitation Initiatives
One of Shri Damodaran's key strategies includes a three-pronged approach: health empowerment through toilets, safe drinking water, and hygiene education, and economic empowerment. His initiatives have led to a dignified lifestyle for women and adolescent girls, with an emphasis on privacy, safety, and security. In 2006, the Centre for Toilet Technology and Training at the Gramalaya Training Centre was established, further solidifying his commitment to technological and educational advancements in the sanitation sector.
In 2000, Shri Damodaran introduced the concept of Self-Help Group (SHG) - managed community pay and use toilets, which is still effective in the Tiruchirappalli City Corporation. This project was acknowledged in the Government of India's Five-Year Plan 2012-2017 as an inclusive and sustainable growth model. He has also designed and developed SMART Toilet models with bathing facilities, leading to the construction of over 60,000 SMART Toilets in South India.
Advancements in Sanitation Technologies
The National Key Resource Centre for Gramalaya, approved by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, has organized numerous training and orientation programs on water and sanitation technologies. Shri Damodaran has played a pivotal role in these efforts, including hosting national-level workshops such as the Menstrual Hygiene Management India Summit at New Delhi. His research and development led to the design and implementation of reusable menstrual cloth pads, which have benefited over 591,000 adolescent girls and women in rural areas, significantly reducing environmental and health hazards.
Shri S. Damodaran's groundbreaking work in sanitation not only improved public health but also empowered many women and adolescent girls in the communities he served. His contributions have been recognized at the national and international levels, further solidifying his legacy as a pioneer in the sanitation and hygiene sector.
By consistently working with the Central, State governments, international donor organizations, and CSR initiatives, Shri S. Damodaran has not only improved the lives of countless individuals but has also set new standards for sustainable sanitation initiatives. His pioneering efforts continue to inspire and guide future generations in the important task of achieving and maintaining total sanitation.