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Meeting No: 2519 540 6250
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Abstract

The Swachh Bharat Mission is one of India’s most significant public initiatives aimed at improving sanitation, hygiene, and cleanliness across the country. Launched in 2014, the mission has focused on eliminating open defecation, promoting toilet access, strengthening solid and liquid waste management, and encouraging behavioural change. Its achievements demonstrate the importance of community participation, public awareness, and effective governance in addressing sanitation challenges. This webinar will examine the mission’s progress, socioeconomic and environmental impacts, emerging challenges, and the role of technology and citizen participation in achieving sustainable cleanliness. It will also discuss strategies for building a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable India.

Short Bio

Dr. Rattan Chand

Dr Rattan Chand is one of the founding Directors, EGROW Foundation. He is a former officer of the Indian Statistical Service and has served the Government of India in various positions for more than 35 years. While in the service, he worked closely with many Development Partners including USAID, World Bank, United Nations, World Health Organization etc. He has represented the Government at many national and International Meetings, Conferences and Seminars in the Health Sector. As Chief Director, in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, he was responsible for Monitoring and evaluation and during his tenure many activities like establishing Health Management Information System (HMIS), Annual Health Surveys, District Level Household Surveys and National Family Health Survey were initiated and completed.

He obtained Ph.D. in Population Studies from IIPS, Mumbai, PG Diploma in Population and Development from JNU and Master of Statistics from Punjabi University.

Shyam Dave

Shyam Dave serves as an advisor to NGOs and consulting organizations, supporting initiatives in WASH strategy, climate resilience, carbon credits, and sustainable development partnerships. He is a senior development professional with over 42 years of experience in the WASH sector, climate resilience, and water resource management. He has worked extensively with UNICEF and multiple state governments across India, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Gujarat, delivering large-scale programmes in water, sanitation, and environmental sustainability.

He played a pivotal role in advancing community-led sanitation, notably contributing to Nadia (West Bengal) becoming India’s first district-scale Open Defecation Free (ODF) district in 2015. He also led the district-scale Guinea Worm Eradication Programme, contributing to the successful elimination of the disease from India through integrated WASH interventions, community mobilization, and public health strategies. He has co-authored publications in international journals and presented at global forums on WASH and climate change. He is a life member of the Indian Water Works Association and the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers, and an Associate Member of the Institution of Engineers (India).

He holds qualifications in engineering and management, with advanced training from Emory University (WASH in Schools) and Harvard Business Publishing (Leadership).

Dr. Pritam Ghosh

Dr. Pritam Ghosh is an Assistant Professor & Head at the Department of Geography, Hijli College, Kharagpur, under Vidyasagar University, India, and a Visiting Faculty member at the Department of Population and Development Studies, Vidyasagar University. His area of interest covers Medical and Health Geography, Epidemiology, Public Health. As a dedicated researcher specializing in Health Geography and Social Sciences, his work is centred around investigating the geospatial, sociocultural, and environmental dimensions of public health. His research critically examines issues like childhood malnutrition, infant feeding practices, access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and the role of allied public policies in India. With over 30 research articles and book chapters published in renowned international journals and edited volumes, Dr. Ghosh has significantly contributed to the academic discourse.

He holds a PhD in Health and Medical Geography from the University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India.