Biocon Foundation - Irish Aid Sanitation Programme launched in Huskur Gram Panchayat

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Biocon Foundation in collaboration with the Embassy of Ireland has announced the launch of the Biocon Foundation – Irish Aid Sanitation Programme on Saturday. HE Mr. Kieran Dowling, Ambassador, Republic of Ireland inaugurated the first phase of the sanitation project. Phase I of the sanitation project will cover 800 toilets in Huskur Gram Panchayat, Anekal Taluk, Karnataka. 220 toilets have already been built, and the project is to be completed by August 2008.

Dismaying statistics reveal that almost 80% of India’s one billion plus population do not have access to basic sanitation. Lack of proper sanitation and poor hygiene practices are the leading causes of infectious diarrhoea. 17% of under-five deaths are attributable to diarrhoeal diseases, making it the largest killer of children after pneumonia. Diarrhoea is also a major contributor to malnutrition and stunting.

In 2007, Biocon Foundation and the Embassy of Ireland decided to tackle this human crisis together. As a first step, over 800 toilets are being built in Huskur Gram Panchayat, in Anekal, Karnataka. Of the total cost of Rs. 7300 per toilet, each family is paying Rs. 1000 and members of the family are helping with the labour. The rest of the cost is being borne by the Embassy of Ireland (Irish Aid) and Biocon Foundation. The Karnataka Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Agency of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Government of Karnataka, has provided invaluable technical and educational help for this project. In addition, under the Total Sanitation Campaign, the Government of Karnataka will reimburse to Rs. 1200 to each BPL family that builds a toilet.

Speaking at the inauguration, HE Mr. Kieran Dowling, Ambassador, Republic of Ireland said, “We are very proud to support this excellent initiative of the Biocon Foundation and the local community. Having access to proper toilet facilities can literally be the difference between life and death. Hygienic toilets can greatly reduce the incidence of serious illnesses such as diarrhoea, dysentery, malaria and many other scourges. It also impacts in many different and profound ways on the quality of life and dignity of members of the community, and most especially women and girls.”