Sulabh International founder Bindeshwar Pathak passed away

Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, aged 80, founder of Sulabh International and Padma Bhushan recipient, passed away on August 15, 2023, due to a heart attack at AIIMS, Delhi.

He introduced the Sulabh Complex Public Toilet System, reducing open defecation and manual scavenging in India.

• Born on April 2, 1943, in Bihar's Vaishali district, he's survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.

• Dr. Pathak received the Padma Bhushan in 1991 and later became a Swachh Bharat Mission ambassador.

• His toilet museum made Time magazine's list of 10 most unique museums globally.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, praising Pathak's efforts for social progress and cleanliness.

Sulabh International :

• Sulabh International, founded in 1970, promotes human rights, sanitation, energy sources, waste management, with 8500 toilets in India.

• They charge nominal fees for usage or keep them free for community use.

• He invented the disposal compost toilet in 1968, recognized globally and led to the Sulabh toilet chain establishment.

Invention of Disposal Compost Toilet:

• Dr. Pathak first invented the disposal compost toilet in 1968, which can be made from materials found around the house at low cost.

• It was further recognized as one of the best global technologies. With the help of his Sulabh International established a chain of Sulabh toilets across the country.

• Over time, Sulabh International also contributed to the welfare of people engaged in manual scavenging and helped them to come out of this business.

Gandhi Peace Prize:

• The organisation was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2016 jointly with Akshaya Patra Foundation.

• Sulabh International aided manual scavengers' welfare and received the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2016.

Beginning of celebrating World Toilet Day:

• Dr. Pathak had been celebrating World Toilet Day every year since 2001 in India. Due to the efforts of Dr. Pathak, on 19 November 2013, the United Nations recognized World Toilet Day.