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unFAzed by hArdships

Despite seemingly insurmountable difficulties, Sandeep Dungdung
forged a formidable partnership with the women of Latehar to
accelerate toilet coverage

A mong the most backward districts in in rural management from Xavier Institute of
Jharkhand state, Latehar is located
Social Service, Ranchi, and work in Jharkhand’s
in India’s infamous ‘Red Corridor’ remote villages with an NGO for six years and
due to high Naxal militancy. Rich in mineral as a consultant for a government development
resources, it is home to primitive tribal programme. It was during a study break to
communities who live amid thick forests and prepare for the civil services examinations
hills. Human settlements are scattered, the that Sandeep came to know of the ZSBP
terrain is harsh and most places do not have programme. “I was excited about the fact that I
internet or phone connectivity. Latehar’s tribal could contribute to nation-building by working
communities have been traditions bound since with district-level IAS officers,” he says.
time immemorial, and have not been touched
by modernity. Time, it seems, halted in this GRounD REALIty
part of the world years ago. Soon after joining, Sandeep observed that the
It was here that Sandeep Dungdung, toilet coverage in Latehar was around 48% even
32, was deployed in June 2017 as a prerak as the official MIS data over-reported coverage
under the Zila Swachh Bharat Prerak (ZSBP) at 76%. But that was the least of the problem.
programme to tackle open defecation. Despite Most of the villages in the district are located
initial apprehensions, Sandeep took up the in hilly areas, and there is acute water scarcity
challenge head on. in the region.
Working for rural development was a Success for the programme in Latehar
passion that had led him to study for his MBA depended on the initiative and efficiency of

Zila Swachh Bharat Prerak has strengthened Sandeep Dungdung’s ambitions to be a part of the
government machinery to initiate social change by becoming an IAS officer

6 TATA WATER MISSION - A Tata Trusts Initiative