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l Largest district of Tripura —area:
far-flung villages with poor road connectivity. 2,312.29 sq km
The underlying political tension due to the l Population: 3.78 lakh, 70% tribals
separatist movement added an element of
danger as well. l Toilets constructed and geo-tagged
in June 2017: 5,172 (47.35%)
On the organisational front, Upasana
found a lack of cohesion across departments. l Toilets constructed and geo-tagged
Each unit was focused on achieving the Swachh in May 2018: 11,867 (80.44%)
Bharat Mission’s (SBM) objective of open
defecation free status for Dhalai, but at their
pace and terms. Upasana’s initial achievement hurdle was circumvented by setting up health
translated to bringing together the various camps at Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
departments onto a common platform and Employment Guarantee Act construction
injecting synergy and urgency into their efforts. sites, where beneficiaries were informed and
convinced about the perks of building toilets.
BUILDING COMMUNITy CONNECT “I used my knowledge of psychology to change
The next roadblock was Dhalai residents’ their mindset,” says Upasana.
— comprising 70% tribals — reluctance to The predominance of tribal population
building permanent toilets. Their toilets were (70%) also meant that the information,
makeshift structures with effluents draining education and communication campaigns had
into open water bodies. The residents, to be tailored to suit local tastes. Videos and
unaware of the health hazards of their toilets, animation films were dubbed into the tribal
were not amenable to building new ones. The language Kokborak and Bengali. They were
local SBM team, under Upasana’s guidance, then screened in the evenings when the
utilised the tribal community’s blind faith in whole village was present, creating a festive
“white-coated doctors” to their advantage. air and keeping interest and attendance
The medical fraternity was roped in to spread high.A van plastered with SBM posters and
awareness about the dangers of makeshift screenings at schools served to further drive
toilets and the need for SBM’s permanent home the message.
structures. Needless to say, the campaign met The message has been well received and
with significant success. the hard work of Upasana and her team has
The pastor at the local Baptist Church yielded rich results. From 5,172 (47.35%) toilets
proved to be another ally. The tribal community constructed and geo-tagged in June 2017,
comprised of a significant number of staunch which is when Upasana joined as a prerak, the
Christians who never missed their mass. numbers have gone up to 11,867 (80.44%) in
Each week, after the mass, the pastor read out May 2018.
the SBM objective and the pledge, boosting Personally and professionally, it has been
awareness and commitment to build toilets. an enriching journey for Upasana, who says,
“Working through difficult work situations
DRIvING THE MESSAGE HOME has been a learning which will benefit me in
Another unexpected obstacle was shifting all stages and situations of life — learning how
cultivation practices of tribals in Dhalai district. to handle the bureaucracy and get work done,
It meant that the decision-makers in the family how to make contacts with locals and win their
were never home when the team came. The trust, and much more.” ˜

TATA WATER MISSION - A Tata Trusts Initiative 11