Dharwad: The NSS volunteers of Karnataka College have pooled in Rs 8 lakh from villagers to construct 200 toilets for the poor over the past eight years. This contrasts with the nation’s debate on why successive governments have failed to ensure total sanitation in rural and urban India.
The student initiative kicked off in an NSS camp of 2007 with the construction of five toilets in Salakinakoppa village. As villagers responded positively and sought more toilets, the college started organizing exclusive NSS camps to build toilets.
Principal SS Kattimani said that the college has two NSS units with 100 students each. “We select 50 students from each for the toilet camp that is held annually in a village. Since the NSS stands for fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of a clean India, our students are keen to be part of this camp,” he added.
NSS programme officer BH Bhajantri said his predecessors MB Dalapati, NH Kallur and SR Gani, who co-ordinated NSS camps from 2007 to 2012, played a key role in shaping the college’s initiative. “They were a big inspiration for the students to take the movement forward,” he said.
The students start the preliminary work a month before the camp by visiting the chosen village. They discuss toilet requirements with gram panchayat members and villagers. A list of beneficiaries is made to avail the possible government grants. When the camp opens, beneficiaries will be ready with space earmarked and construction material. And students get down to constructing the toilet.
ZA Gulagundi, an NSS programme officer, said many villagers were disinterested to have toilets as they had to spend Rs 4,000 on labour. “But the students’ initiative helped villagers save money. Now, many are coming forward with requests for a toilet,” he said.
Jagadish Poti and Nirmala Bali, student-secretaries of the NSS unit, said most student-members belong to poor, rural background. Some work as construction workers during holidays to meet their financial needs. “A team of six students managed by a senior is formed to maintain the quality of work. Nearly 20 such teams are formed and each team constructs 1-2 toilets in the seven-day camp,” he explained.
The villagers are grateful to the students. Paravva Meti, from Salakinakoppa, said the students have protected the dignity of poor women and their families by building toilets.
