TERI University, in partnership with the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Coca-Cola India Pvt. Ltd., and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), released today the report State of Urban Water and Sanitation in India, a key milestone of the USAID-funded project “Strengthening Water and Sanitation in Urban Settings”.
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Launch of the Release of the State of Urban Water and Sanitation in India Report by TERI University by Dr. Leena Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor, TERI University, New Delhi, Ms. Shubha Sekhar, Director, CSR & Sustainability, India & South West Asia, Coca-Cola, Mr. Paul Seong, Deputy Director, Office of Social Sector Initiatives (OSSI), USAID, Dr. S K Sarkar, Distinguished Fellow, TERI, Sh. Anil Kumar Jain, Additional Secretary, MoEFCC, GoI, Sh. Manoj Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Sh. Anand Rudra USAID
The report examines three years (2014-2017) of policies and programs to improve access to clean water and sanitary facilities. It presents policy makers with a snapshot of efforts made since the beginning of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). The report highlights best practices from the past three years and gives recommendations to help policy makers achieve SBM goals faster. The projects ought to create lasting education programs designed by experts for students and city officialsthat would help change policies and community behaviours.The report can be read at: http://www.teriuniversity.ac.in/.
The report on the State of Urban Water and Sanitation in India iscalls for more detailed data to help city managers make their cities cleaner. The report asks specifically for information about waste collection, the cost of city services, and how waste istreated in each city. This could help city managers better understand the needs of their citiesand reach the goals set out by the national government under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM).
In his inaugural address,Sh. Manoj Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, said: “Today, India is fighting a decisive battle for cleanliness and hygiene through theSwachh Bharat Mission. It is time for each one of us to commit ourselves towards ensuringpublic hygiene, personal hygiene and environmental hygiene. It is remarkable to note that the government, politicians, celebrities, NGOs, private enterprises are all working together toachieve a common goal.”
Following the release of the report, experts from TERI University spoke about their experiencesin improving access to water and sanitation. Dr. S. K. Sarkar, Distinguished Fellow from TERI University, agreed saying, “The State of Urban Water and Sanitation in India report encapsulates India’s journey towards achieving total sanitation in urban India. The reportassesses the lessons learnt from successes and failures in the urban water and sanitation sector.”
Addressing the guests, Dr. Leena Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor, TERI University, New Delhi, said, “It has been a great experience for TERI University to be associated with USAID and Coca-ColaIndia in this project. Multiple activities in this project have been synchronized to have a long-lasting impact on the urban water and sanitation sector in India through education,engagement, and human resources development.”
Ms. Shubha Sekhar, Director, CSR & Sustainability India and South West Asia Coca-Cola said: “Enlightenment, aswe know, begins from sanitation, as it provides the fundamental bedrock for human well-being.At Coca-Cola India we are committed towards building a holistic, happy, and healthy society and are proud to be associated with TERI University and further engaging with students,teachers, and communities across 18 States of India on grass-roots-level WASH issues. Our water stewardship approach is aligned to the global goals and seeks to contribute towards sustainable solutions for moving closer to achieving the SDGs.”
Mr. Paul Seong, Deputy Director, Office of Social Sector Initiatives, USAID, said: “This new report,the policy briefs, discussion papers, strategy paper, and model curriculum will help current andfuture policy makers choose the best ways to help their communities become cleaner, faster.We are proud to have been a part of this effort with TERI University and Coca-Cola. This program contributes directly to the U.S. Government’s commitment to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to support access to improved sanitation.”
Through summer schools, an online seminar series [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ro9ukrRqs0], policy briefs and building a new curriculum for university students, information about how to improve water and sanitation access is now readily available.
TERI University
Ms. Garima Chhibber (garimachhibber@gmail.com; +91-99999-15040)Prof. Arun Kansal (akansal@teriuniversity.ac.in; +91-9213373000)
Activities under the project
Comprehensive understanding of community dynamics and behaviour
Awareness generation campaigns and training materials for teachers (trainers) in community schools at project locations for creating awareness of good WASH practices at home and workplace
Increased institutional contacts between universities, government agencies, NGOs, and industry for excellence in research and practices in India in the WASH sector (water, sanitation, and hygiene), including expertise, services, knowledge, and innovation in sanitation
Long-term knowledge transfer gained from research led by students and faculty in the water and sanitation sector contributing to solving the pressing and highly relevant global problem
Key achievements
Developed a strategy paper and a model curriculum for WASH in higher education; integrated it into the curricula of relevant programmes of TERI University; and disseminated it for adoption by other universities for both immediate and long-term impacts.
Engaged about 350 students across 70 cities to work at the grass-roots level on WASH issues and planned appropriate solutions with stakeholder engagement at the local level. The students were trained by TERI University and international experts. Seed grants awarded to many innovative concepts developed by the students.
Sensitized about 200 mid-career professionals engaged in the sector to recent approaches and management practices, including training on related aspects ranging from regulatory, economic, and policy matters to technological choices.
Engaged with municipal commissioners and mayors of Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Tiruchirappalli, Gangtok, Karnal, and Kurukshetra and with directors of the Swachh Bharat Mission in various states and union territories to document grass-roots issues and solutions for cross learning.
Capacity building of about 400 schoolteachers to influence the sanitation behaviour of about 5000 schoolchildren.
Five innovations in the WASH sector accomplished, involving postgraduate students and faculty.
Access to sanitation provided to about 1000 people in urban slums of Kolkata and Chennai. About 50 000 people will derive health benefits from the facilities thus created.
45 expert lectures on WASH created and uploaded on YouTube and disseminated to about 200 colleges and are available free of cost for developing e-learning materials.
Two policy briefs published for policymakers describing potential solutions and alternative business models for sanitation services. Several articles published in local languages.
