Over 790 million people in India that is almost two-thirds of the population, does not have access to adequate sanitation. Every 20 seconds, a child in India dies as a result of poor sanitation.
NDTV and Dettol have decided to take the lead to act. The 'Banega Swachh India' campaign aims to make sanitation an inclusive, fundamental reality for all. The campaign is supported by the legendary Amitabh Bachchan.
More than 600 million people in India defecate in the open.
Every year in India over 3 lakh children, under the age of five, die due to Diarrhoea and water borne diseases.
Percentage of households with access to television and telephones in rural India exceed the percentage of households with access to toilet facilities.
Source: Census Data, 2011
Lack of toilets compel girls to drop out of schools, once they hit puberty, thus hampering their education.
Just washing hands can prevent, as many as 40% cases of diarrhoea and 30% of respiratory infections.
Last year, the economic ramification of inadequate sanitation was evaluated at more than a whopping Rs. 4,75,000 crores.
