A workshop on village sanitation was held at Zilla Panchayat Hall, DC Office, Manipal on 3rd August 2019 under the auspicious of Government of Karnataka, Azim Premji University, Bangalore and Poornaprajna Institute of Management, Udupi
Sanitation is one of the most pressing global development issues in the contemporary world. Posing grave health challenges, exacerbating socio-economic and gender differences and thwarting the process of inclusive growth and development, lack of proper sanitation facilities has serious repercussions for any country. Given the strong direct and indirect linkages of sanitation with socio-economic and health aspects, it has been appropriately included in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Out of eight MDGs, three are directly linked to sanitation: Reduce child mortality, combat disease and ensure environmental sustainability. Even the first goal, eradicate extreme poverty, is linked to sanitation as high health and coping costs associated with illnesses caused by inadequate sanitation drain productivity and incomes, contributing to poverty.
Initially, the Coordinator of workshop, Dr. Krishna Kothai, Coordinator of Poornaprajna Centre for Research, welcomed the participants.
Dr. Narayana Gatti, Faculty and Principal Investigator of the Sanitation Project explained the reason to include Udupi under this project. Dr. Vishal, the former DC of Udupi motivated to have this project, he identified the gap between what appeared in the newspaper and what implemented. He also thought of entrusting the responsibility of study to both Government and Private agency. Accordingly, the study was entrusted to Government-owned Institute of Social and Economic Change, Bangalore and Azim Premji University, Bangalore. There was an initial objection to include Udupi, as Udupi is better compared to other areas. Later, Dr. Vishal felt to include Udupi, so that the development of Udupi can be discussed with others. Dr. Narayana made a brief overview of the report.
Sri Srinivasa Rao, Chief Nodal Officer, Zilla Panchayat Udupi made a detailed remark about the imperatives, achievements and objectives of the study. Later, Shyam N Kashya, Research Fellow, Ajim Premji University, presented the detailed report.
Sri Janardhana Maravanthe, State Resource Person made an overview of the discussion and instructed the participants to contribute to their best keeping in view of objectives. Before his presentation, Dr. Kothai introduced Sri Janardhana Maravanthe. Dr Kothai also contributed to the discussion. Dr. Narayana appreciated the contribution of Poornaprajna Institute of Management in general and contribution of Dr.Kothai in particular. Participants, like Sri Shivananda Shetty, Vinayak, Sri Harikrishna Shivathaya, James, Shanbhag, Joseph Rebello and others suggested their level best to improve the findings.
Dr. Sureshramana Mayya, Dean of Poornaprajna Institute of Management thanked the Zilla Panchayath CEO, Sri Srinivas Rao, Ajim Premji University, rare contribution of PDOs and others for making the discussion an effective one.
