A viral video circulating on social media platforms highlighting young girls exposing themselves to danger in fetching water amid soaring temperatures in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, has reignited discussions about the issue of rural water scarcity in India. Although great strides have been made through the Jal Jeevan Mission, much still needs to be done. Access…
Imagine visiting a medical facility for a common urinary tract infection, an infection treatable for years, only to be informed that the antibiotic which are usually prescribed no longer work effectively. No dramatisation, no alarmist escalation, just a quiet clinical statement that the drug cannot help. This is not the stuff of futuristic dystopias, but…
Delhi’s waste crisis in Ward 42 highlights how decades of unequal urban planning and poor sanitation continue to impact low-income colonies like Mangolpuri and Sultanpuri. Overflowing dhalaos, weak waste segregation, and failing civic infrastructure have turned a sanitation issue into a major public health and social development concern. When Delhi’s MCD staff visited Ward 42 in Rohini Zone on…
Tropical glaciers are vanishing at unprecedented rates, threatening water systems and livelihoods across vulnerable regions. The crisis highlights a deep imbalance between responsibility and impact in climate change. The Quelccaya ice cap in Peru, the world’s largest tropical glacier is melting at a pace that glaciologists say has no precedent in at least the last…
India’s water crisis is no longer about access but accountability. Despite massive CSR and government investments, unsafe water and weak governance continue to threaten public health. Introduction In October 2025, Sunita Verma’s 9-year-old son was admitted to a government hospital in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, with acute diarrhoea and vomiting. Within two days, she knew of…
Toilet: Ek Prem Katha uses a simple love story to expose how lack of sanitation affects dignity, especially for women, turning a personal issue into a social conversation. It highlights that true love and progress begin when basic respect and dignity are no longer negotiable within the home. Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, released in 2017…
Jal Jeevan Mission has significantly improved rural India by providing tap water connections to millions of households, reducing the burden on women and improving health outcomes. It also promotes sustainability and community participation to ensure long-term water access and quality. The Walk That Defined a Morning For women in rural India, the day began before…
India has extended the Jal Jeevan Mission till 2028 with a ₹8.69 lakh crore budget to ensure reliable tap water access in rural areas through a new digital water grid. The focus now shifts from just building infrastructure to delivering consistent, real-time water supply to every household. The Union Cabinet has approved one of the…
India’s urban sanitation has shifted from building infrastructure to performance-based governance under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0, using assessments and certifications to ensure accountability. While this improves monitoring and outcomes, challenges like inequality, sustainability, and long-term service delivery still persist. Over the past ten years, India’s urban sanitation system has experienced a dramatic shift from…
India’s WASH transformation through the Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission has significantly expanded sanitation and safe drinking water access, improving public health, gender equality, and rural livelihoods. The next phase focuses on sustaining these gains through resilient systems, community ownership, and climate-sensitive water management. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is not only a…
