Jayanti S Ravi - Sanity in Sanitation: Jajaroo ni Jhumbesh

I am pleased to know that Dr. Jayanti Ravi, lAS, Principal Secretary and Commissioner Health, Government of Gujarat has written a book titled Sanity in Sanitation-jajaroo ni jhumbesh which is being published in mid-February, 2019 by the Penguin Random House India.

This book is about Indias fight with Open Defecation as seen through her eyes, as an administrator working at the grass root levels in Gujarat State. It is heartening to note that this book provides insights on behavioural change, infrastructural and social challenges, which were addressed on the path to resolve the major hygiene issue. It also gives an account of how various stakeholdersthe Government, officials and functionaries, local change makers and the citizens came together to make an impact.

Gujarat becoming ODF in a span of two short years is a matter of pride at many levels. This book highlights ample reflections on the concentrated efforts of the Gujarat Government and the people of the State in making the States villages clean and best sanitary versions that can be replicated at many places.

I convey my best wishes for the publication of this book.

Sh. O P Kohli, Governor of Gujarat

Cleanliness is not just a good habit but its the most cultural and cultivated way of living. Cleanliness is indeed a treat for eyes as well as boon to the overall development of any society.

Mahatma Gandhi Swachchh Bharat Mission is a collective tribute to our Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. This initiative is being led by our visionary Prime Minister Shree Narendra Modi. Mahatma Gandhi never missed a single opportunity to take responsibility of his action and wherever he got any opportunity to clean his surroundings, he did so. India is marching ahead in its Cleanathon and is on the right tract to be an Open Defecation Free (ODF) country.

I welcome the publication of the book titled as Sanity in Sanitation-jajaroo ni jhumbesh written by Dr. Jayanti Ravi based on her experience as an administrator at grassroots level in Gujarat. The Clean India initiative is truly transforming India. I convey my best wishes for the success of the book.

Sh. Vijay Rupani, Chief Minister, Gujarat

It is a matter of satisfaction that Gujarat under the Chief Ministership of Shri Vijaybhai R. Rupani, has succeeded in achieving the milestone of 100%+ ODF coverage and usage in 2017 itself. The book penned by Dr Jayanti S. Ravi, IAS, Principal Secretary, government of Gujarat, lucidly narrates the onerous task of achieving 100%+ ODF status in a short span of 2 years, overcoming numerous challenges and obstacles. It also brings out her personal efforts in the overall success of the campaign. It is a success story worth emulation and replication by other states.

Sh. Jagat Prakash Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, India

Health is an irreplaceable asset and healthy sanitation practices are the first step towards ensuring a healthy life. The government of Gujarat has performed a primary duty in nation building through ensuring every household in each village in our state has a toilet, ensuring dignity and opportunity to healthy life for every man, women and child. Dr. Jayanti Ravis book on Gujarat Gramins 100% ODF accomplishment reflects the competence and confidence of a healthy state and her dedication and outstanding commitment.

I appreciate her efforts for presenting this transparent and candid account of Gujarats accomplishments in the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Sh. Nitinbhai Patel, Deputy Chief Minister, Gujarat

Sanitation is the sine qua non of any progressive and developing country. ODF forms the basis of any attempt to ameliorate the hygienic conditions of any society and this is aptly seen in the categorical statement of our Prime minister on the ramparts of the Red Fort when he announced an ODF India by 2019. Gujarat state has always been a forerunner in understanding and carrying out all the welfare measures that would uplift the life of every citizen. Mission ODF was undertaken with the same zeal and enthusiasm and needless to say it was accomplished with the active participation and enthusiasm of Rural Development Department. Now it is seen that the whole success story has been penned in the form of a book sanity in sanitation which gives a greater insight into all the hurdles, difficulties and constraints before achieving the desired goal. To me, this book is very special as it is a first hand account of an officer who implemented it successfully despite various challenges encountered. I am sure that this publication would serve the bureaucracy for posterity as a guide for any of their mission/task undertaken by them. It is indeed a great pleasure for me to congratulate Jayanti Ravi for bringing out such an excellent book and wish her great success in her future endeavors.

Sh. J N Singh, Chief Secretary, Gujarat.

Swachh Bharat Mission is a responsibility of every Indian for building an open defecation-free India... Documenting and sharing the experience of working in this mission published as a book gives an impetus to everyone committed to achieving this... The book, Sanity in Sanitationjajaroo ni jhumbesh on Swachh Bharat is written by Jayanti S. Ravi, a senior IAS officer of Gujarat Government. It narrates the authentic experiences of overcoming challenges based on experiences. I wish her all the best...

Sh. Amitabh Bachchan, Actor and Ambassador, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

This book stands alone as an engaging, detailed and transparently honest account by a Principal Secretary in Gujarat, of her perceptions and efforts in the campaign she led to achieve an open defecation-free district in Gujarat. This was part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), the largest major behaviour change program ever undertaken in a democracy. Jayanti S. Ravi has given us unique insights into the intractable challenges faced, and the creativity and the multiplicity of approaches, methods and stakeholders she mustered to overcome them. This book is a uniquely rich source of ideas of initiatives that can be taken in such a campaign and will be a wonderful treasury of insights for future historians. Insightful and inspiring, it shows how enthusiasm, commitment and determined leadership can be seen to achieve far more than would have been expected. Best wishes!

Professor Robert Chambers, Institute of Development Studies, Sussex, UK

On behalf of the Tata Trusts, I congratulate Jayanti S. Ravi for putting together this highly informative and insightful account of implementing the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) in Gujarat. Dr Ravis decisive and strong leadership was a critical factor in Gujarat becoming one of the first Open Defecation Free (ODF) states and setting an example for other states to emulate. The Tata Trusts is proud to be associated with this revolutionary mission and to have been partners to the government of Gujarat. The Trusts team noticed with deep appreciation the desire for change and the big role that citizens of Gujarat played in the Missions success in the state. We worked in close coordination with Dr Ravis team in the government in promoting innovative models such as credit financing for sanitation, development of rural social entrepreneurs, building capacity of various stakeholders at all levels, including community members and using technology for behavioural change. We continue to be associated with the state in these areas for ODF sustainability and water supply. Dr Ravis book shows how with passion, perseverance and an inspired leadership, anything is possible.