The statistics are alarming. In India, more than 620 million people do not use toilets. Although nearly 20 million people are starting to use toilets every year, the rate of adoption does not meet the demand essential to break the inter-generational habit that was taught to them as toddlers.

In order to amplify the discussion about open defecation in India, a conference on sanitation was organised by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and Unicef, bringing together representatives from Government, multilateral agencies, grassroots organisations, technology institutions and citizens’ groups.

Through an innovative campaign, more than 110,000 people, especially the young and digitally connected, have pledged their support to the cause by signing a petition addressed to the President of India.

“Success in achieving the goals in sanitation coverage requires not only continued Government priority, but also the active involvement of all stakeholders,” noted IIT Delhi Professor Vijayaraghavan M Chariar.

Students were represented by Varsha Gupta from Pune who highlighted the role of young people in monitoring issues related to water and sanitation and in holding different stakeholders accountable for what they have committed to accomplish.

As part of this campaign, IIT Delhi conducted several outreach activities among students to depict success stories and challenges.

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