Who Was Bindeshwar Pathak, Changemaker Known For Transforming India’s Sanitation Sector With Sulabh Movement

Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder of Sulabh International and a pioneer in building public toilets, passed away on Tuesday in Delhi due to a cardiac arrest. His life is an inspiration for those who want to make this world a better place to live. Let’s look into the life of the visionary who changed millions of lives.    

Dr Pathak was born in Rampur Baghel village of Bihar’s Vaishali district. He grew up in the village where he finished his schooling. He then moved to Patna, the state capital, and studied sociology at B.N. College. He became a teacher for some time after his graduation.

He had planned to pursue a master’s degree in criminology at Sagar University in Madhya Pradesh, but he changed his mind on the way. Two men suggested him to join the Gandhi Centenary Committee in Patna, promising him a good salary. Pathak agreed as he needed money. But when he reached the committee, he found out that there was no vacancy. He missed the admission deadline at Sagar, so he decided to stay and work as a volunteer.

Pathak earned his advanced degrees, including a doctorate, while working for the committee. He also got married and had children. Meanwhile, Sulabh International, the organisation he founded, was starting to take off. His organisation has built over 1.5 million household toilets and 8,500 public toilets across India and abroad.

He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and his work contributed to the human rights and dignity of millions of poor people. He devoted his life and values to the goals and ideals of the United Nations. For half a century, he fought for the rights of the manual scavengers, who mostly belong to the most oppressed group in India’s caste system. He worked to rehabilitate them, restoring their dignity by providing alternative employment through skill development which presents an inspiring example of promoting peace, tolerance and empowerment by non-violent means.

Pathak received several national and international awards for his work, including the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 1991. He was also honoured by New York City, which declared April 14 as ‘Bindeshwar Pathak Day’ in recognition of the contributions made by him and his organisation for improving the lives of people engaged in the “most dehumanising situation”.

Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, who changed the lives of millions of underprivileged individuals, met his final destiny at the age of 80 years after his health suddenly deteriorated after hoisting the national flag at Sulabh International’s central office on Independence Day. He was rushed to AIIMS, where he breathed his last. Several prominent personalities bid adieu to the national icon including Prime Minister Narendra Modi who expressed his condolences and said Pathak’s passing away “is a profound loss for our nation”.