As we enter 2025, here are some insightful responses from Mr. C K Gopalakrishna, Chairman, Trust of People. A graduate in Fisheries Science (UAS, Bangalore), he holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Agriculture) from IIM-Ahmedabad. He joined the Reserve Bank of India in 1981 and switched over to NABARD when it was formed in 1982. He has worked in the areas of watershed development, rural and agricultural innovations, micro credit and rural infrastructure financing in various capacities. He also worked as Faculty Member in Bankers Institute of Rural Development, Lucknow (1994-1999). He superannuated from NABARD in 2013 and since then freelances as a Development Consultant. His expertise in the financial and rural sector has been immensely helpful for strategic decisions. Following are his candid responses on TOP Trust initiatives, in an Exclusive Interview with Media Advisor Chander Mahadev.
Q- Congratulations sir, on being appointed Chairman of T.O.P Trust. With your longstanding tenure in micro-finance and development institutions like FINISH Society and earlier NABARD, how do you see your present role in steering the ship when it comes to programs like FINISH Mondial and the plastic waste management and recycling initiative under FINILOOP?
A- We are doing quite well in implementing Finish Mondial (FM) program in India. We are also helping other countries which are implementing FM program. In the coming years we want to further expand our role in capacity building of other countries involved in FM especially in result-based financing. As you are aware Government of Netherlands is tapering its support to FM hence we have to explore other sources for financing. We are also looking at strengthening MSME sector for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene ) particularly in their capacity building and funding. In FINILOOP project we are looking at further strengthening our work in all the three cities, Viz; Udaipur , Amritsar and Jaipur where this program is being implemented. We are also preparing to implement the next phase of the project.
Q- Now that the year is drawing to a close, what are your plans for the coming year?
A- In the coming year we are launching several new projects like STREE on Menstrual Hygiene Management and women empowerment using digital tools. We are also preparing to launch a project for building awareness among children to mitigate climate change. Further as an NGO we are constantly on the look-out for funds from CSR and other sources.
Q- Since FINISH Mondial India has a mandate to facilitate safe sanitation for communities. how do you see FM delivering this mandate ?
A- I envisage that by end of 2024 nearly 1 Million families, i.e. about 4 – 5 million people, will be helped with access to ‘safe sanitation facilities.
Q- I believe residents in rural areas of our toilet construction/retrofitting program sites are opting to settle for English Commodes instead of Indian squat latrines. How do you think such a decision will impact safe sanitation since squat latrines are the toilets of choice in rural India primarily because there is no chance of touch or contamination?
A- It is a choice made by people and they are paying for it. Hence we have to respect their choice. I understand families with elderly persons and those who have relatives abroad prefer commodes.
Q- Now that FM has announced its partnership with NABSAMRUDDHI Finance Limited (NFSL) to champion climate resilient water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) lending, how will we together make a real difference in the lives of those at the base of the economic pyramid?
A- We are happy to work with NABSAMRUDDHI Finance Limited. The NFSL provides finance to smaller MFIs and through these MFIs we are able to reach families at the bottom of the pyramid. We are covering unserved as well as those who want to upgrade the system. With the help of the NFSL we are able to get finance for climate adopted WASH solutions. Our partnership with the NFSL is win -win for both of us as well as to the rural people.
Nabsamruddhi supports smaller MFIs and through them enable us reach the bottom of pyramid and the underserved communities.
Also with the help of Nabsamruddhi we are able to get finance for ‘climate adapted WASH solutions.’
Q- Can you throw light on ESG and climate resilient goals that are at the center of our interventions?
A- We are enabling Climate adopted WASH solutions. We are finding solutions for providing potable water to those who are deprived of it. We are promoting climate resilient toilet with a pilot in Supaul in Bihar (a flood prone area). We are also helping build capacities in other countries based on more than a decade of experience in promoting climate adapted solutions for WASH, As pointed out earlier we are enabling climate adapted WASH solutions, Developing water solutions for communities which are deprived of potable drinking water, Promoting ‘climate resilient toilets’ with a pilot in Supaul Bihar and helping build capacities in other countries
Q- Which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) besides SDG 6 are important for the success of our project interventions and why?
A- Besides SGD 6 our work also impacts SDG 3- Good health and well-being, SDG 5- Gender equality, SDG 8- Decent work and economic growth and SDG17- Partnership for the Goals
Q- How are we promoting circular economy and its principles in our FM projects?
A- Our work on converting Organic Solid Waste and treating Fecal Sludge into compost and applying it to soil is part of our ‘circular economy’ initiative and also helps us impact climate positively. We are also sharing this experience with other countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda etc. which are part of FM.
Q- Can you explain how FM’s Diamond model brings about the desired results in our actions?
A- By bringing together different stakeholders we are able to get a multiplier effect which in turn enables us get better result as can be seen from the performance of FM India. We are also sharing our experiences with other countries in Africa which are part of global FM.
Q- Can you give us a broad understanding of how FINILOOP Initiatives in Udaipur and Amritsar will ensure plastic waste-free cities and kindly outline the steps for a comprehensive waste management model?
A- FINILOOP (Financial Inclusion & Improved Livelihoods Out of Plastics) is a city-level solid waste management model to work towards plastic waste free cities. It is being implemented in Udaipur and Amritsar and it has been recently extended to Jaipur. FINILOOP has been designed to create a more robust and sustainable plastic waste management system. This will be achieved by bringing together stakeholders along the entire waste value chain – from the entity generating waste to plastic waste enterprises creating a new recycled product.
The project has been designed to attract funds into the plastic waste value chain. It aims to connect start-ups and existing units with informal waste ( Plastic) collectors thereby improving their livelihoods.
The progress made in the cities of Udaipur and Amritsar will be taken forward in Jaipur.
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