The document discusses the importance of public sanitation facilities in India and the government's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission). It notes that the goal of the campaign is to make India open defecation free by 2019 by constructing toilets, eliminating open defecation, and establishing monitoring and behavioral change programs. It emphasizes empowering urban local bodies with real-time monitoring of public sanitation through apps to help achieve the goals of Swachh Bharat.

1. DAILY NEWS UPDATE
June 2, 2015
DAILY NEWS UPDATE
June 2, 2015
DAILY NEWS UPDATE
June 2, 2015

2. 2
HIGHER ABDICATION
Source- The Indian Express
Link- http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/higher-abdication/
Date-02-06-2015
Author- Pratap Bhanu Mehta
Compiled by- Ritesh Upadhyay
____________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction: The relationship between government and academic institutions has been debased for a
long time. While there can be debates about whether political parties have too much say on campuses, if a
university cannot be the crucible of free speech and its dean does not see itself as the guardian of that very
basic right, then why blame ministers who want to curb it in all kinds of other forums.
The IIT-Madras banned a Dalit students association following an anonymous complaint that it had
criticized the Central government’s policies and spread “hatred” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi
and Hindus.
 HRD ministry seems to have interfered in the functioning of an academic institution, forwarding
an anonymous complaint, ostensibly ideologically motivated. The forwarding of anonymous
complaints, sometimes even to the CBI, so that the ministry acquired control over vice
chancellors, was an art perfected by many a previous minister.
 If higher education is to be rescued, it will need interlocutors with greater credibility. The sector
will have to move beyond charges of hypocrisy. But for that it will have to find interlocutors less
hypocritical.
 The real ire should be directed at the academic establishment itself. Even if the ministry forwards
a letter, there is no reason that the university leadership has to act on it. At least, it need not act on
it without giving the students a fair hearing. The IIT’s claim that the Ambedkar-Periyar group
violated rules seems contrived since it comes after the fact. The leadership crisis in higher
education is acute.
 Another issue is the place of caste in higher education. Caste, as India’s original sin, still casts a
shadow on almost every debate. It is still a poison that vitiates most intellectual life. The upper
castes are, with justification, an object of suspicion. Their credibility on creating an inclusive
education system is roughly zero.
 But post OBC reservations, dalits have an overwhelming claim to reservations. Reservation could
no longer be articulated as an ethical requirement; rather, it was seen as a manifestation of
organized power. And as the nature of that electoral and organized power shifts, different groups
will assert themselves, and use state power whenever they have access.
 Professors like to think of universities as protected spaces that preserve the possibility of dissent.
They should be such spaces, where every thought can be debated. In Western universities, it is
2
HIGHER ABDICATION
Source- The Indian Express
Link- http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/higher-abdication/
Date-02-06-2015
Author- Pratap Bhanu Mehta
Compiled by- Ritesh Upadhyay
____________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction: The relationship between government and academic institutions has been debased for a
long time. While there can be debates about whether political parties have too much say on campuses, if a
university cannot be the crucible of free speech and its dean does not see itself as the guardian of that very
basic right, then why blame ministers who want to curb it in all kinds of other forums.
The IIT-Madras banned a Dalit students association following an anonymous complaint that it had
criticized the Central government’s policies and spread “hatred” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi
and Hindus.
 HRD ministry seems to have interfered in the functioning of an academic institution, forwarding
an anonymous complaint, ostensibly ideologically motivated. The forwarding of anonymous
complaints, sometimes even to the CBI, so that the ministry acquired control over vice
chancellors, was an art perfected by many a previous minister.
 If higher education is to be rescued, it will need interlocutors with greater credibility. The sector
will have to move beyond charges of hypocrisy. But for that it will have to find interlocutors less
hypocritical.
 The real ire should be directed at the academic establishment itself. Even if the ministry forwards
a letter, there is no reason that the university leadership has to act on it. At least, it need not act on
it without giving the students a fair hearing. The IIT’s claim that the Ambedkar-Periyar group
violated rules seems contrived since it comes after the fact. The leadership crisis in higher
education is acute.
 Another issue is the place of caste in higher education. Caste, as India’s original sin, still casts a
shadow on almost every debate. It is still a poison that vitiates most intellectual life. The upper
castes are, with justification, an object of suspicion. Their credibility on creating an inclusive
education system is roughly zero.
 But post OBC reservations, dalits have an overwhelming claim to reservations. Reservation could
no longer be articulated as an ethical requirement; rather, it was seen as a manifestation of
organized power. And as the nature of that electoral and organized power shifts, different groups
will assert themselves, and use state power whenever they have access.
 Professors like to think of universities as protected spaces that preserve the possibility of dissent.
They should be such spaces, where every thought can be debated. In Western universities, it is
2
HIGHER ABDICATION
Source- The Indian Express
Link- http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/higher-abdication/
Date-02-06-2015
Author- Pratap Bhanu Mehta
Compiled by- Ritesh Upadhyay
____________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction: The relationship between government and academic institutions has been debased for a
long time. While there can be debates about whether political parties have too much say on campuses, if a
university cannot be the crucible of free speech and its dean does not see itself as the guardian of that very
basic right, then why blame ministers who want to curb it in all kinds of other forums.
The IIT-Madras banned a Dalit students association following an anonymous complaint that it had
criticized the Central government’s policies and spread “hatred” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi
and Hindus.
 HRD ministry seems to have interfered in the functioning of an academic institution, forwarding
an anonymous complaint, ostensibly ideologically motivated. The forwarding of anonymous
complaints, sometimes even to the CBI, so that the ministry acquired control over vice
chancellors, was an art perfected by many a previous minister.
 If higher education is to be rescued, it will need interlocutors with greater credibility. The sector
will have to move beyond charges of hypocrisy. But for that it will have to find interlocutors less
hypocritical.
 The real ire should be directed at the academic establishment itself. Even if the ministry forwards
a letter, there is no reason that the university leadership has to act on it. At least, it need not act on
it without giving the students a fair hearing. The IIT’s claim that the Ambedkar-Periyar group
violated rules seems contrived since it comes after the fact. The leadership crisis in higher
education is acute.
 Another issue is the place of caste in higher education. Caste, as India’s original sin, still casts a
shadow on almost every debate. It is still a poison that vitiates most intellectual life. The upper
castes are, with justification, an object of suspicion. Their credibility on creating an inclusive
education system is roughly zero.
 But post OBC reservations, dalits have an overwhelming claim to reservations. Reservation could
no longer be articulated as an ethical requirement; rather, it was seen as a manifestation of
organized power. And as the nature of that electoral and organized power shifts, different groups
will assert themselves, and use state power whenever they have access.
 Professors like to think of universities as protected spaces that preserve the possibility of dissent.
They should be such spaces, where every thought can be debated. In Western universities, it is

3. 3
seemingly easy to discuss anything, partly because there are no political stakes. In India, we have
the opposite challenge: almost everything, any figure, any icon, is politically charged, with
immediate material consequences for society. No social science or humanities discussion here is
merely academic. So people find it harder to draw the line between protest and dissent, argument
and threat, dialogue and disorder, critique and hatred.
 Ironically, of all the IITs, IIT Madras had taken impressive strides in fostering the social sciences.
But the way it has handled this controversy does not bring it credit. It has done a deep injustice to
its students, particularly those in the Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle. It has sent out a grim
reminder that the academic establishment is unlikely to stand up for liberal values, administrative
independence and plain common sense.
Question- There must be some concrete line in terms of subject division and power sharing
between Government and Higher educational institutions in order to maintain the required
level of autonomy of higher education. Comment.
Suggested pints-
1. Universities are supposed to be protected spaces that preserve the possibility of dissent.
They should be such spaces, where every thought can be debate.
2. Off course the boundary with respect to interference from government is much needed
but the problem is who draws this boundary?
3. The second issue is a paradox. Oddly enough, there is often more freedom to debate
when the consequences of the debate are relatively trivial.
4. In Western universities, it is seemingly easy to discuss anything, partly because there are
no political stakes. In India, we have the opposite challenge: almost everything, any
figure, any icon, is politically charged, with immediate material consequences for society.
5. An academic establishment should stand up for liberal values, administrative
independence and plain common sense.
3
seemingly easy to discuss anything, partly because there are no political stakes. In India, we have
the opposite challenge: almost everything, any figure, any icon, is politically charged, with
immediate material consequences for society. No social science or humanities discussion here is
merely academic. So people find it harder to draw the line between protest and dissent, argument
and threat, dialogue and disorder, critique and hatred.
 Ironically, of all the IITs, IIT Madras had taken impressive strides in fostering the social sciences.
But the way it has handled this controversy does not bring it credit. It has done a deep injustice to
its students, particularly those in the Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle. It has sent out a grim
reminder that the academic establishment is unlikely to stand up for liberal values, administrative
independence and plain common sense.
Question- There must be some concrete line in terms of subject division and power sharing
between Government and Higher educational institutions in order to maintain the required
level of autonomy of higher education. Comment.
Suggested pints-
1. Universities are supposed to be protected spaces that preserve the possibility of dissent.
They should be such spaces, where every thought can be debate.
2. Off course the boundary with respect to interference from government is much needed
but the problem is who draws this boundary?
3. The second issue is a paradox. Oddly enough, there is often more freedom to debate
when the consequences of the debate are relatively trivial.
4. In Western universities, it is seemingly easy to discuss anything, partly because there are
no political stakes. In India, we have the opposite challenge: almost everything, any
figure, any icon, is politically charged, with immediate material consequences for society.
5. An academic establishment should stand up for liberal values, administrative
independence and plain common sense.
3
seemingly easy to discuss anything, partly because there are no political stakes. In India, we have
the opposite challenge: almost everything, any figure, any icon, is politically charged, with
immediate material consequences for society. No social science or humanities discussion here is
merely academic. So people find it harder to draw the line between protest and dissent, argument
and threat, dialogue and disorder, critique and hatred.
 Ironically, of all the IITs, IIT Madras had taken impressive strides in fostering the social sciences.
But the way it has handled this controversy does not bring it credit. It has done a deep injustice to
its students, particularly those in the Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle. It has sent out a grim
reminder that the academic establishment is unlikely to stand up for liberal values, administrative
independence and plain common sense.
Question- There must be some concrete line in terms of subject division and power sharing
between Government and Higher educational institutions in order to maintain the required
level of autonomy of higher education. Comment.
Suggested pints-
1. Universities are supposed to be protected spaces that preserve the possibility of dissent.
They should be such spaces, where every thought can be debate.
2. Off course the boundary with respect to interference from government is much needed
but the problem is who draws this boundary?
3. The second issue is a paradox. Oddly enough, there is often more freedom to debate
when the consequences of the debate are relatively trivial.
4. In Western universities, it is seemingly easy to discuss anything, partly because there are
no political stakes. In India, we have the opposite challenge: almost everything, any
figure, any icon, is politically charged, with immediate material consequences for society.
5. An academic establishment should stand up for liberal values, administrative
independence and plain common sense.

4. 4
MAPPING PUBLIC SANITATION FACILITIES
Source- The Financial Express
Link-http://www.financialexpress.com/article/fe-columnist/mapping-public-sanitation-facilities/78879/
Date- 2nd
June-2015
Author-L.Somasundaram
Compiled By- Dipti Nair (SuperProfs Team)
Introduction- Honorable PM’s Independence Day address had placed the spotlight on the public toilet
system in the country, creating a keen interest among the civil society, corporate social responsibility
missions and the media. Government has also indicated a time-bound approach with clear target. In this
article the author elaborate the importance of Public sanitation facilities. While discussing the issue,
author emphasizes on empowering urban local bodies with real-time monitoring of public
sanitation through apps to help realize the goals of Swachh Bharat.
Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan
 ‘Sanitation is more important than independence’, Mahatma Gandhi
famously pronounced. India’s battle with total sanitation is an ongoing
saga.
 Following the Gandhian ideal of ‘sanitation for all’, in its biggest and most
recent cleanliness drive, the Government of India launched the ‘Clean India
Campaign’, popularly known as the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ to make India
open defecation filth free by 2019.
 The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) is the successor of the erstwhile
Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA). The aim of the NBA, earlier known as the
Total Sanitation Campaign, was to make India open defecation free by
2017.
Objectives of Swachh
Bharat Abhiyan
 Construction of individual, cluster and community toilets.
 To eliminate open defecation.
 To establish an accountable mechanism of monitoring latrine use.
 Proper, dedicated ground staff will be recruited to bring about behavioral
change and promotion of latrine use.
 Villages to be kept clean with solid and liquid waste management through
Gram panchayat.
 To lay water pipelines in all villages, ensuring water supply to all
households by 2019.
 To provide toilets, separately for boys and girls in all schools.
 To provide toilets to all Anganwadis.
4
MAPPING PUBLIC SANITATION FACILITIES
Source- The Financial Express
Link-http://www.financialexpress.com/article/fe-columnist/mapping-public-sanitation-facilities/78879/
Date- 2nd
June-2015
Author-L.Somasundaram
Compiled By- Dipti Nair (SuperProfs Team)
Introduction- Honorable PM’s Independence Day address had placed the spotlight on the public toilet
system in the country, creating a keen interest among the civil society, corporate social responsibility
missions and the media. Government has also indicated a time-bound approach with clear target. In this
article the author elaborate the importance of Public sanitation facilities. While discussing the issue,
author emphasizes on empowering urban local bodies with real-time monitoring of public
sanitation through apps to help realize the goals of Swachh Bharat.
Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan
 ‘Sanitation is more important than independence’, Mahatma Gandhi
famously pronounced. India’s battle with total sanitation is an ongoing
saga.
 Following the Gandhian ideal of ‘sanitation for all’, in its biggest and most
recent cleanliness drive, the Government of India launched the ‘Clean India
Campaign’, popularly known as the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ to make India
open defecation filth free by 2019.
 The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) is the successor of the erstwhile
Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA). The aim of the NBA, earlier known as the
Total Sanitation Campaign, was to make India open defecation free by
2017.
Objectives of Swachh
Bharat Abhiyan
 Construction of individual, cluster and community toilets.
 To eliminate open defecation.
 To establish an accountable mechanism of monitoring latrine use.
 Proper, dedicated ground staff will be recruited to bring about behavioral
change and promotion of latrine use.
 Villages to be kept clean with solid and liquid waste management through
Gram panchayat.
 To lay water pipelines in all villages, ensuring water supply to all
households by 2019.
 To provide toilets, separately for boys and girls in all schools.
 To provide toilets to all Anganwadis.
4
MAPPING PUBLIC SANITATION FACILITIES
Source- The Financial Express
Link-http://www.financialexpress.com/article/fe-columnist/mapping-public-sanitation-facilities/78879/
Date- 2nd
June-2015
Author-L.Somasundaram
Compiled By- Dipti Nair (SuperProfs Team)
Introduction- Honorable PM’s Independence Day address had placed the spotlight on the public toilet
system in the country, creating a keen interest among the civil society, corporate social responsibility
missions and the media. Government has also indicated a time-bound approach with clear target. In this
article the author elaborate the importance of Public sanitation facilities. While discussing the issue,
author emphasizes on empowering urban local bodies with real-time monitoring of public
sanitation through apps to help realize the goals of Swachh Bharat.
Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan
 ‘Sanitation is more important than independence’, Mahatma Gandhi
famously pronounced. India’s battle with total sanitation is an ongoing
saga.
 Following the Gandhian ideal of ‘sanitation for all’, in its biggest and most
recent cleanliness drive, the Government of India launched the ‘Clean India
Campaign’, popularly known as the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ to make India
open defecation filth free by 2019.
 The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) is the successor of the erstwhile
Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA). The aim of the NBA, earlier known as the
Total Sanitation Campaign, was to make India open defecation free by
2017.
Objectives of Swachh
Bharat Abhiyan
 Construction of individual, cluster and community toilets.
 To eliminate open defecation.
 To establish an accountable mechanism of monitoring latrine use.
 Proper, dedicated ground staff will be recruited to bring about behavioral
change and promotion of latrine use.
 Villages to be kept clean with solid and liquid waste management through
Gram panchayat.
 To lay water pipelines in all villages, ensuring water supply to all
households by 2019.
 To provide toilets, separately for boys and girls in all schools.
 To provide toilets to all Anganwadis.

5. 5
Importance of proper sanitation and cleanliness-
Issues/challenges
Lack of demand driven system- One of the key issues in managing Public
sanitation facilities is the lack of demand driven system for developing and
managing public toilet facilities.
Setting of difficult goal- In terms of sheer numbers, the task of achieving
“open-defecation free” India is staggering.
Lack of adequate facilities- Public toilets lack adequate maintenance. At
many locations, existing sanitation facilities are unused and either defunct or
used for other purposes such as godowns.
For women- There are no adequate facilities of separate toilets for women.
Provide access- The main challenge is to provide accesses to safe and
acceptable sanitation in urban areas with a dense and generally poor
population are lack of availability of space.
Government already indicated a time-bound approach with clear targets. These developments suggest that
considerable public and private investments in monetary terms along with the time and energy of a varied
set of stakeholders are to be spent in this effort across the nation over the next few years. The author
indicates some suggestions -
5
Importance of proper sanitation and cleanliness-
Issues/challenges
Lack of demand driven system- One of the key issues in managing Public
sanitation facilities is the lack of demand driven system for developing and
managing public toilet facilities.
Setting of difficult goal- In terms of sheer numbers, the task of achieving
“open-defecation free” India is staggering.
Lack of adequate facilities- Public toilets lack adequate maintenance. At
many locations, existing sanitation facilities are unused and either defunct or
used for other purposes such as godowns.
For women- There are no adequate facilities of separate toilets for women.
Provide access- The main challenge is to provide accesses to safe and
acceptable sanitation in urban areas with a dense and generally poor
population are lack of availability of space.
Government already indicated a time-bound approach with clear targets. These developments suggest that
considerable public and private investments in monetary terms along with the time and energy of a varied
set of stakeholders are to be spent in this effort across the nation over the next few years. The author
indicates some suggestions -
5
Importance of proper sanitation and cleanliness-
Issues/challenges
Lack of demand driven system- One of the key issues in managing Public
sanitation facilities is the lack of demand driven system for developing and
managing public toilet facilities.
Setting of difficult goal- In terms of sheer numbers, the task of achieving
“open-defecation free” India is staggering.
Lack of adequate facilities- Public toilets lack adequate maintenance. At
many locations, existing sanitation facilities are unused and either defunct or
used for other purposes such as godowns.
For women- There are no adequate facilities of separate toilets for women.
Provide access- The main challenge is to provide accesses to safe and
acceptable sanitation in urban areas with a dense and generally poor
population are lack of availability of space.
Government already indicated a time-bound approach with clear targets. These developments suggest that
considerable public and private investments in monetary terms along with the time and energy of a varied
set of stakeholders are to be spent in this effort across the nation over the next few years. The author
indicates some suggestions -

6. 6
Suggestions
Systems-based approach- given the imperative of public toilets, an
important aspect that needs focus is a systems-based approach that can
enable the entire process of sanitation management.
Areas to focus- Government needs to pay attention on some areas to achieve
goals of Swachh Bharat, starting from locations where demand is felt,
preparation of existing toilet facilities, extent of reach of water, sewerage and
the associated networks, inventory of facilities in each public toilet,
availability of male and female caretakers, contractual obligation of the
caretakers and special needs of women.
Proper administration- In fact, more importantly, the system has to be built
with facilities for citizens to interact with the administration either as
complaints or suggestions.
The system should be able to empower the administration at different levels
of governance, including the mayor, municipal commissioner as well as the
safai karmachari, to take informed decisions.
Technology-It should support real-time monitoring and evaluation of both
the individual toilets as well as the overall public toilet system in the urban
local body. The system, apart from helping the safai karmachari to report
data on a real time through an Android App, should empower authorities to
act immediately on issues raised by the safai karmachari.
The system has to be built to enable the administration to improve the
geographical knowledge in a real-time digital platform for both decision-
making as well as monitoring.
Question- Government of India tries to eliminate poverty. In this process cleanliness is essential as
well. Explain in brief, the importance of public sanitation system and challenges to implement the
program of “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”. (250 words)
Suggested points-
1. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and its significance.
2. Objectives of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
3. Current scenario of public sanitation system in India.
4. Conclusion.
6
Suggestions
Systems-based approach- given the imperative of public toilets, an
important aspect that needs focus is a systems-based approach that can
enable the entire process of sanitation management.
Areas to focus- Government needs to pay attention on some areas to achieve
goals of Swachh Bharat, starting from locations where demand is felt,
preparation of existing toilet facilities, extent of reach of water, sewerage and
the associated networks, inventory of facilities in each public toilet,
availability of male and female caretakers, contractual obligation of the
caretakers and special needs of women.
Proper administration- In fact, more importantly, the system has to be built
with facilities for citizens to interact with the administration either as
complaints or suggestions.
The system should be able to empower the administration at different levels
of governance, including the mayor, municipal commissioner as well as the
safai karmachari, to take informed decisions.
Technology-It should support real-time monitoring and evaluation of both
the individual toilets as well as the overall public toilet system in the urban
local body. The system, apart from helping the safai karmachari to report
data on a real time through an Android App, should empower authorities to
act immediately on issues raised by the safai karmachari.
The system has to be built to enable the administration to improve the
geographical knowledge in a real-time digital platform for both decision-
making as well as monitoring.
Question- Government of India tries to eliminate poverty. In this process cleanliness is essential as
well. Explain in brief, the importance of public sanitation system and challenges to implement the
program of “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”. (250 words)
Suggested points-
1. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and its significance.
2. Objectives of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
3. Current scenario of public sanitation system in India.
4. Conclusion.
6
Suggestions
Systems-based approach- given the imperative of public toilets, an
important aspect that needs focus is a systems-based approach that can
enable the entire process of sanitation management.
Areas to focus- Government needs to pay attention on some areas to achieve
goals of Swachh Bharat, starting from locations where demand is felt,
preparation of existing toilet facilities, extent of reach of water, sewerage and
the associated networks, inventory of facilities in each public toilet,
availability of male and female caretakers, contractual obligation of the
caretakers and special needs of women.
Proper administration- In fact, more importantly, the system has to be built
with facilities for citizens to interact with the administration either as
complaints or suggestions.
The system should be able to empower the administration at different levels
of governance, including the mayor, municipal commissioner as well as the
safai karmachari, to take informed decisions.
Technology-It should support real-time monitoring and evaluation of both
the individual toilets as well as the overall public toilet system in the urban
local body. The system, apart from helping the safai karmachari to report
data on a real time through an Android App, should empower authorities to
act immediately on issues raised by the safai karmachari.
The system has to be built to enable the administration to improve the
geographical knowledge in a real-time digital platform for both decision-
making as well as monitoring.
Question- Government of India tries to eliminate poverty. In this process cleanliness is essential as
well. Explain in brief, the importance of public sanitation system and challenges to implement the
program of “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”. (250 words)
Suggested points-
1. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and its significance.
2. Objectives of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
3. Current scenario of public sanitation system in India.
4. Conclusion.