Road to freedom : a sociological study on the abolition of scavenging in India

Scavenging has existed in India since the beginning of Indian civilization. The name "scavenger" (Bhangi) denotes a sub-caste of people who, through heredity, are required to clean latrines with their hands, and carry the waste on their heads to a disposal point. Dr. Pathak, a Ghandian follower and founder of Sulabh International, bases his book on a 20 year socio-economic study of the means to eliminate scavenging and the impact of this elimination in society. The book begins with a short history, followed by an in-depth discussion of 16 types of private latrines and three low-cost urban sanitation systems, complete with technical drawings, as plausible, affordable substitutes for scavengers. National and international organizations' efforts are reviewed to determine their effectiveness. The main emphasis of the book is on the effects of the conversion of bucket latrines into Sulabh Shauchalayas or twin-pit pour-flush latrines in three towns in the state of Bihar. The social ramifications of the "liberation" of an entire sub-caste of people are discussed, including interviews with scavenger families as well as the higher caste citizens, for a comprehensive view of the societal difficulties. The Appendices contain the detailed social survey data.