Twenty-five kms from the bustling city of Gorakhpur lies Dumri Khas situated in the largest block of Sardarnagar, consisting of 13 tolas (clusters) and comprising 10,000 residents. The sprawling village is about to witness history in the making even as Snehlata, (50) will officially inaugurate the 2 millionth toilet, on April 8, 2024, marking another landmark for the FINISH (Financial Inclusion Improves Sanitation & Health) program. When Snehlata agreed to take a sanitation loan of Rs 30,000 from Sonata Microfinance Ltd back in June 2022, little did she know that her decision to construct a twin leach pit household toilet would usher in a silent revolution in the outbacks of Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Snehlata’s decision to take a sanitation loan was considered a revolutionary step since she was among the earliest to take such a  progressive decision. Now that the toilet is being used regularly,  she recalls those dreadful days when her 4 daughters would brave inclement weather and head out at the crack of dawn to attend to nature’s call. Snehlata would accompany her children gingerly, considering she did not know what crisis lurked around the corner for her growing girls. Her 5^th child,  a son too began to accompany his sisters and mother for the morning oblations. 

The chance to construct an individual household toilet proved to be a boon for Snehlata. Once the toilet was built life transformed and open defecation became a thing of the past. Snehlata says that three of her daughters are now married and settled while she and her two children, a daughter Kanchan who has completed her graduation and a son Abhishek who is in the second year of college, are more confident now that they don’t have to face the vicissitudes of ‘going out in the open’ anymore. Snehlata proudly says that her family doesn’t have to face health hazards like diarrhea and vomiting, what to speak of the fear of getting bitten by insects and snakes during the monsoon season.  She goes on to reveal that one of her married daughters is now training to becoming a medical doctor reflecting the aspirations of her family and that of the people of her village. Belonging to the Paswan community, a scheduled caste which dominates the block, she is today a beacon of hope for her community.

Going down the past, one needs to recall that on May 27, 2019, when Nirmala Devi (50), from Dahiya village of Imayatpur block of Chakiya  district of Uttar Pradesh, decided to  declare open her individual  toilet,  she became a part of FINISH history by becoming the one millionth beneficiary. Nirmala Devi, wife of Shyam Dhar,  managed to construct the toilet with funds from Swachh Bharat Mission and a loan from Cashpor Micro Credit, which is active in the area. 

This milestone marked a great accomplishment for the FINISH team, but they did not slow down. Successes in the Indian context gave way for the next phase of FINISH  as the program achieved the scale and synergy in a six-nation initiative. The six countries include Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, India  and Tanzania.  FINISH was focused on the sustainability of building on the first 1 Million toilets built. Based on the diamond model, five year later, marked a  huge opportunity for innovation and support for businesses engaged in the complete life cycle of  sanitation—the circular economy of waste—to make sure the 2 million  beneficiaries are not left behind in achieving the objectives of the FINISH Program and meet the  targets and core concepts of the  Swachh Bharat Mission. (SBM)

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