Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana Leads Powerful Discussion On Sanitation Workers’ Dignity

New Delhi: The NDTV Dettol Banega Swasth India initiative has been working towards improving public health and hygiene awareness across India since 2014. Over the years, the campaign has focused on driving conversations around health, hygiene, sanitation and social well-being through its four key pillars – Green Dot: Do Haath, Ek Habit, Red Dot: Darr Se Dignity Tak, Blue Dot: Guardians of Dignity and Purple Dot: Inclusion is Hygiene.

Recently, the spotlight turned to the Blue Dot pillar through a special panel discussion centred on the lives and challenges of sanitation workers. The initiative highlights the contributions of those who work tirelessly to keep schools, streets and public spaces clean, yet are often left out of larger conversations around healthcare, safety and dignity.

Watch: Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana On Safety Of Sanitation Workers 

Hosted by NDTV’s Ambika Singh Kahma and campaign ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana, the discussion focused on the urgent need to recognise sanitation workers not just as workers, but as frontline contributors to public health and community well-being.

The panel featured Sahil Talwar, Director Impact Initiatives and Partnerships, Jagran Pehel, Thupstan Chogyal, founder and president of Ladakh Heart Foundation, along with sanitation workers Jaswinder Kaur from Patiala and Ratan Uttam Gaikwad from Maharashtra, who shared deeply personal experiences from the field.

Talking about the Harpic World Toilet College initiative that began in 2018, Sahil Talwar explained how the programme goes beyond skill training. “The training part of the World Toilet College is just one aspect of it,” he said.

We are also providing health camps, placement services and linking workers to government schemes. When sanitation workers get access to these basic rights, they realise it is not a privilege but their right. That’s what really moves the needle towards dignity for them.

The discussion also explored the challenges of sanitation work in extreme conditions like Ladakh. Speaking about why Leh became an important location for the initiative in 2022, Thupstan Chogyal explained,

It’s challenging in Leh because it is a very high altitude region. Temperatures go down to minus 26 degrees, so hygiene becomes difficult to maintain.

He added that the programme worked closely with villages, women’s groups and local communities to spread awareness and sanitation training.

One of the most emotional moments of the discussion came from Jaswinder Kaur, a cancer survivor who joined the World Toilet College programme. She shared how the initiative helped her regain confidence during one of the toughest phases of her life. “When I joined this programme, my self-confidence increased a lot,” she said.

Today I am able to take care of my children and fulfil their needs. The negativity inside me has ended, and I feel very positive now.

Jaswinder also spoke about the emotional connection she feels while working in schools.

“When I see the smiles of children, I feel more confident. I just want to keep children healthy and happy,” she shared.

Watch: Puducherry’s World Toilet College Turning Women Sanitation Workers Into Professionals

Ratan Uttam Gaikwad also spoke about how the programme transformed his outlook and confidence. Having joined the training programme in 2018, he now helps train other sanitation workers himself.

“Earlier society did not look at sanitation workers positively,” he said. “But now things are changing, and I feel proud that I am getting the opportunity to teach other workers.”

Responding to the question about safety equipment and training, Ratan explained how awareness around protective gear has improved through the programme.

“After training, workers understand the importance of safety more,” he shared, adding that many workers now actively come forward to attend these sessions because they feel respected and supported.

The discussion also highlighted findings around poor sanitation in schools, with Sahil Talwar noting that nearly 30 per cent of school toilets surveyed were dysfunctional and lacked basic hygiene supplies like soap. According to him, maintaining clean and functional sanitation infrastructure is critical to reducing infections and ensuring healthier learning environments for children.