Manual Scavenging in India First Edition  (English, Hardcover, Srivastava B. N)

India is the only country in the world where a particular section of the society is traditionally responsible for keeping the habitation clean by removing the waste products of the society including the human excreta. This is a disgrace to the country, Instances are not rare even today when one can see people carrying night-soil in buckets on their heads or removing human excreta by physical touch. Who are these people Why they are compelled to do such type of inhuman and dirty work and how long these neglected sections of society will remain under such bondage Is there any solution to liberate them before we enter the 21st century These are some of the complex questions which are agitating the minds of the well-meaning people in the country. The country which won freedom from the slavery of the British people 49 years ago is not able to liberate from human bondage more than one million people who are called Bhangis, Mehtars, Balmikis, etc., and are still engaged in their traditional occupation of sweeping and scavenging. Is it not a shame on us when we force a person to clean excreta of others The author based on his 35 years of experience about the various regions of the country and its people, has tried to answer these questions in this book. An attempt has been made to trace out the origin of scavengers in India, their social and economic status, caste organisations, cultural heritage and territorial distribution. An evaluative study of then initiatives taken by the Central and State Governments, prominent non government organisations like Harijan Sewak Sangh, Sulabh International Social Service Organisation etc., and the progress made so far for the liberation and rehabilitation of scavengers, have been made. The book is a holistic approach to the problem of manual scavenging in India.

About the Author
B.N. Srivastava, M.A. (Economics) is an eminent social activist, administrator and planner. He served the Government of India and held several prestigious positions including in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Welfare, etc. As a planner, he formulated strategies for rapid development of weaker sections. He made valuable contributions in the implementations of several developmental programmes meant for weaker sections. At present, Shri Srivastava is Hony. Chairman (Administration), and Member-Secretary, Non-official Commission on Scavenging Sulabh International Social Service Organisation.

All along, Shri Srivastava has had a concern for the downtrodden, particularly scavengers. While in Government he conceived and chalked out several new schemes for their training and rehabilitation. He has successfully implemented several projects. Side by side he, participated in many symposia, conferences and workshops within and outside the country. He is a member in the roster of international experts in low cost sanitation by the UNCHS (Habitat). He is a resource person to several governmental and non-governmental organisations.

A prolific writer, Shri Srivastava has to his credit books and research articles published in journals from India and abroad. His current interests are Human Rights and Social change and development.