Swati Premkumar

Middle School Finalist, Grade 8
Bothell, Washington

Bringing Light to India's Sanitation Problem

Sanitation is a priceless gift, but many are forced to live without it. On my frequent visits to Chennai, India, I can’t help but notice the improperly disposed trash and waste polluting roads and even waterways, creating widespread unsanitary conditions. This occurs all over India; the nation’s rapidly growing population and increasing sanitation demand are the main causes of this problem, aggravating it as time passes.

Despite being fortunate enough to have adequate sanitation resources, I cannot ignore the millions living and struggling in these unhealthy conditions, significantly harming their welfare and even impeding the development of the country. Because of its extensiveness and negative effects, India’s sanitation problem must be addressed immediately, which is why I am dedicated to raising awareness and promoting action about this issue.

Half of India’s population lacks toilets and defecates in the open, creating unsafe conditions and leading to numerous significant impacts on health, safety, and India’s economy. For instance, water contamination and improper sanitation are the main causes of India’s high neonatal mortality rate—24 deaths per 1,000 live births. This means that unsanitary conditions can be extremely detrimental to the health of those living in them and can even take multiple lives each year. Additionally, women, especially Dalit women, have reported facing sexual violence from landowners while defecating in open fields. This affects both the people and the social progress of India, as it poses a safety risk, harms women’s welfare, and creates additional gender and caste inequalities.

Furthermore, a 2011 World Bank study says that the effects of improper sanitation on tourism, health, and other factors totaled to losses of INR 2.4 trillion ($53.8 billion) in 2006, amounting to 6.4% of India’s gross domestic product and a per capita loss of INR 2,180 ($48). The extensiveness of improper sanitation can potentially contribute to large financial losses, greatly restricting families’ income and India’s economic advancement.

The solution lies with US! Despite the prevalence of improper sanitation, there are multiple ways we, as Americans, can help. Our support is crucial to solving this issue, so are some ways to get involved:

  1. Awareness. I once talked about the polluted Yamuna River in India for a school project, and that helped me educate my classmates on the problem of inadequate sanitation. Discussing this issue with loved ones and participating in programs and social media movements are simple yet effective ways to spread awareness. One such program is UNICEF’s Voices of Youth, which I am part of and have used to talk about my ideas on global issues. It’s also a great way for American and Indian youth to express their ideas on India’s sanitation problem! Our awareness can also urge citizens and governments of both nations to take further action on this issue.

  2. Funds for resources. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and water.org are dedicated to providing sanitation resources to Indian facilities. Donating to such nonprofits and holding fundraisers are simple ways we can raise money for sanitation resources in India and improve the lives of those lacking them.

  3. Education. Americans can travel to India to educate communities on simple ways they can build a cleaner future, such as through waste segregation. This can be facilitated by volunteering at organizations like UNICEF, which aims to promote social change in nations across the world.

We are changemakers. The pressing issue of poor sanitation in India comes with numerous concerns, hindering the country’s progress and restricting its people from living life to the fullest. However, with our invaluable tools of awareness, support, and education, we can inspire a positive change in the reality of India’s sanitation problem.