With an aim to ensure accessible toilets for the persons with disabilities (PwDs) under the Swachchh Bharat Mission (SBM) in the rural areas, the Government is looking towards innovative and smart solutions that can meet the need of the sector.

“An important aspect of complete Swachhata is inclusion. Our department envisages equitable and inclusive access to sanitation facilities for PwDs, as an integral aspect of their empowerment to lead a life with dignity,” Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that his ministry is working day in and out towards providing better toilet facilities to divyangjans.

In this connection, the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) in association with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog recently organised San-Sadhan Hackathon aiming towards thought-provoking ideas for accessible toilets for Divyangjans.

The event, which is the latest initiative under the SBM, aiming to set up accessible toilets for Divyangjan (PwDs) is an indication that the Government is working towards a Divyangjan-friendly nation, said Shekhawat.

Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Secretary, Shakuntala D. Gamlin ehoed similar sentiments, stating that “Rural toilets must be accessible for Divyangjan. A prototype of such a model that would be affordable, accessible and scalable is the need of the hour.”

Mission Director - Atal Innovation Mission, Niti Aayog, Ramanan Ramanathan was of the view that leveraging emerging technology for the benefit of the society is the way forward.  He said that India, through its young innovators can create an unparalleled ecosystem of solutions to world problems.

The participants competed in four categories which included Rural Individual Use Toilet, Rural Community Use Toilet, Urban Individual Use Toilet and Urban Community Use Toilet. The winners were given cash awards and piloting opportunities in the field across the country under SBM.

Award under Rural individual use toilet was bagged by Divyang Innovation; Urban individual use toilet by  Arcatron Mobility while Dr Sandeep Sakat and his team took away the Runner-up  cup.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 91springboard were the organizing partners for the hackathon.

According to 2011 census, India has a population of 2.68 crore persons with disabilities, making up 2.21 per cent of the total population.