Activist Bindeshwar Pathak, known for Sulabh sanitation movement, passes away

According to AIIMS official spokesperson, Pathak had developed pain in his chest and was being brought to AIIMS emergency in Delhi when he suffered a cardiac arrest at around 1.30 pm. He was 80.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | Updated: August 15, 2023 06:17 PM IST

2 min read

In a rare honour in 2016, New York City declared April 14 as ‘Bindeshwar Pathak Day’ in recognition of the contributions made by the Indian social activist and ‘Sulabh International’ founder for improving the lives of people engaged in the “most dehumanising situation”. (Express archives)

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Sulabh International founder and social activist Bindeshwar Pathak passed away on Tuesday following a cardiac arrest. He was 80.

According to AIIMS official spokesperson, Pathak had developed pain in his chest and was being brought to AIIMS emergency in Delhi when he suffered a cardiac arrest at around 1.30 pm. His body has been kept in AIIMS mortuary.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences and termed passing away of Pathak as “a profound loss for the nation.”

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Modi said, “Bindeshwar Ji made it his mission to build a cleaner India. He provided monumental support to the Swachh Bharat Mission. During our various conversations, his passion towards Swachhata was always visible.”

In a rare honour in 2016, New York City declared April 14 as ‘Bindeshwar Pathak Day’ in recognition of the contributions made by the Indian social activist for improving the lives of people engaged in the “most dehumanising situation”.

Sulabh International is an India-based social service organisation which works to promote human rights, environmental sanitation, waste management and reforms through education. It has constructed over 1.3 million household toilets and over 50 million government toilets based on an innovative design. Apart from construction of toilets, the organisation has been leading a movement to discourage manual cleaning of human waste.

The Indian Railways, had in November 2016, joined hands with Sulabh International and appointed Bindeshwar Pathak as the brand ambassador of Swachh Rail Mission, stepping up its efforts to keep railway premises clean.

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