Sulabh founder Bindeshwar Pathak passes away at 80

NEW DELHI: Social activist and founder of Sulabh International Bindeshwar Pathak, who campaigned extensively to alleviate the plight of manual scavengers, died at a Delhi hospital due to cardiac arrest, said a close aide. He was 80.

Bindeshwar Pathak was closely associated with Blitz India. He was present during the launch of the UK edition of Blitz India in London on June 24.

Sulabh International has constructed nearly 1.3 million household toilets and 54 million government toilets using cheap, two-pit technology. Apart from construction of toilets, the organisation has led a movement to discourage manual cleaning of human waste.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the death of Bindeshwar Pathak. Talking to Twitter, PM Narendra Modi said, “The passing away of Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak Ji is a profound loss for our nation. He was a visionary who worked extensively for societal progress and empowering the downtrodden.”