Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, August 15
Bindeshwar Pathak, Chairman of Sulabh International, a pioneering movement in cleanliness and sanitation died of heart attack after hoisting the National Flag at his institution in Palam Vihar, New Delhi.
He was 80. His wife and other family members were present when he complained of chest pain, according to his family members.
He was taken to AIIMS, where doctors declared him dead. He had visited Patna, his work place during the initial phase of Sulabh movement on Sunday and offered prayers at Takht Harmandir Saheb, birth place of Guru Govind Singh ji.
Bindeshwar Pathak had launched the Sulabh movement by constructing first public toilets at southern end of Gandhi Maidan near Reserve Bank of India during the Mahatama Gandhi centenary celebrations funded by the union government. The first Sulabh toilets were meant for the rickshaw pullers and beggars who were charged two paise for use of toilets.
Later, the scheme expanded to individual houses through Patna Municipal Corporation to make the state capital free of manual scavenging. Incentives were paid to the house owners by the corporation for switching over to sulabh toilets, which were the first disposable compost toilets. He was a student of sociology in Patna University while while promoting Sulabh scheme.
He had a two wheeler in 70s when he started the campaign from an outhouse of a Socialist MLA, Bhagdev Singh Yogi at R Block in Patna and after five decades he turned international with offices all over the country and even recognised as NGO member in UNO.
He had engaged half a dozen retired chief secretaries in Sulabh International team who negotiated with state governments and international organisations. Delegations from other countries visited his office at Palam Vihar to learn new techniques in sanitation.
He was awarded the Padam Bhushan by the then Chandrashekhar government
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condoled the death of Pathak and said he was the true ambassador of Swachh Bharat campaign. Credit for providing clean and hygienic toilets in every home goes to him. Pathak ji provided employment to thousands, Modi said in his tweet.
