This document discusses the importance of village sanitation according to Mahatma Gandhi and its priority in Gandhian thought for rural development. It notes that proper sanitation and safe water supply could prevent 80% of diseases in developing countries. The Appa Patwardhan Safai W Paryawaran Tantraniketan institution was established in 1991 to provide training, research, consultancy and project implementation related to sanitation, non-conventional energy sources and the environment, especially in rural areas of India where needs are great. The institution conducts various training courses on these topics for different groups and has trained over 1500 people since inception.

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Appa Patwardhan Safai W Paryawaran Tantraniketan
Dehugaon, Tal. Haveli, Dist. Pune, Maharashtra 412 109 (INDIA)
(Founder: Late Dr S. V. Mapuskar)
Introduction – Ideology and work
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VILLAGE SANITATION
“Provision of health care facilities is undoubtedly a first step in village upliftment. Our villages
will remain like garbage dumps unless village sanitation is included in rural upliftment programme.
Clean village is an important component of village life. It is a very important activity. However, it is
very difficult to undertake it. Massive efforts are necessary to remove this deep rooted uncleanliness.
One who does not know village sanitation is not suitable for “Gram Seva”.” – Mahatma Gandhi
(Retranslated from Marathi)
GANDHIAN THOUGHTS
Mahatma Gandhi, in his concept of village upliftment and “Gram Swarajya”, had given priority
for work as regards, “Gram Safai”(Village Sanitation) and ‘Antyodaya’. It is widely recognized that
“Gram Safai” (village Sanitation) has very significant place in rural development, rural environment
and rural health.
SANITATION AND HEALTH
Health care is a very important need for welfare of mankind. World Health Organization has
defined Health as a ‘Total state of physical, mental, social and spiritual well being and not merely a
relative freedom from illness’. The definition itself envisages that, the efforts for health need to be
necessarily multifaceted and multidisciplinary. Unfortunately, at present, the tendency is to equate
health care with disease treatment and at the most disease prevention via various immunizations.
It has been observed that in developing countries, about 80% ailments occur because of improper
sanitation and unsafe water supply. Obviously, with proper sanitation and safe water supply, 80%
ailments could possibly be prevented at causative end, rather than at an attempt to treat these
ailments.
These preventive efforts will necessarily mean promotion of sanitation and provision of safe
water supply. Unfortunately efforts at such prevention are limited mainly to epidemic control
measures.
Under these circumstances, there is a need for positive sanitation promotion efforts if health
promotion in developing countries is to be achieved. Therefore, it is necessary to promote these ideas
and to suggest appropriate low cost technologies for sanitation promotion.

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NON CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES, ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH
In the context of environment in the country, non conventional energy sources have a very
important role to play in the programme for environmental improvements. The technologies involved
in utilization of non conventional energy sources are equally important for sanitation promotion.
Hence the programme for non conventional energy sources will have a significant complementary
role to play as regards health, sanitation and environment.
The technologies for non conventional energy sources can play a very significant role in the
management of wastes like human night soil, cattle dung, sewage, sullage, solid non excretal waste,
pollution control etc.
ENVIRONMENT – BALANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY
Environment is changing very fast due to human activities and changing life style over the last
few centuries. Human being is gradually trying to modify the environment and to degrade it for
satisfying his own greed. This is resulting in environmental degradation, affecting biodiversity and
changing climate. Human being will have to relearn how to live in harmony with nature. Obviously
waste management technologies also will have to be environment friendly.
NEED FOR TRAINING IN SANITATION, NON CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES AND
ENVIRONMENT
For the implementation of the programme of “Gram Safai”, especially in rural areas, it is
necessary to develop manpower which is adequately trained in the subject. It is necessary to have
trained, devoted, sincere workers at various levels of the implementation strategy. At present, such
trained manpower is not available in adequate numbers.
The work of “Gram Safai” and environmental protection will be more effective and technically
appropriate if an orientation and technical trainings, as regards various aspects of “Gram Safai”, non
conventional energy sources and environment could be arranged for the personnel likely to be active
in the field, in various capacities such as village level leadership, issue leaders, village level
government and non government employees, government officials and employees at various levels
of administration, officials and workers of voluntary agencies, the technicians having technical
knowledge and skills in the subject etc.. Obviously it is very essential to establish such training
facilities for developing trained manpower. At present, such training facilities are very scattered and
inadequate.
APPA PATWARDHAN SAFAI W PARYAWARAN TANTRANIKETAN
In light of these considerations, Appa Patwardhan Safai W Paryawaran Tantraniketan was
established in 1991. The institution has bee named as “Appa Patwardhan Safai W Pryawaran
Tantraniketan” in memory of late Shri Appasaheb Patwardhan, Gandhiji’s trusted lieutenant who had
dedicated his life for propagation and implementation of “Gram Safai” programme. He was the
pioneer in developing appropriate sanitation technologies for rural India. From the point of view of
work experience and practice, it was felt that it would be appropriate to locate this kind of institution
in rural environment. Hence it is located at Dehu Village (Sant Tukaram Maharaj’s birth place, hence
a pilgrimage Centre) in Pune district of Maharashtra.

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ACTIVITIES OF TANTRANIKETAN
The activities of the institution have been divided into four interdependent fields.
A. Training :
Technological and practical trainings imparted at this institution are useful for creating awareness
and developing manpower for sanitation , non conventional energy sources and environment
programme. Trainings for development of communication and behaviour change communication
skills are also organized.
B. Research and Development :
Sanitation is a discipline which has so far been neglected for multiple reasons. Therefore, there
is a need to undertake research and development work as regards various aspects of sanitation. This
institution is trying to do its own bit in the field in its own laboratory. Research as regards
biomethanation is also undertaken. Sociological studies are also envisaged.
C. Project Consultancies :
With available knowledge resource base, the institution offers consultancy services so as to
come up with field level solutions for sanitation problems and bio energy projects.
D Project implementation :
Wherever necessary, the institution also undertakes project implementation work especially if the
work is of pioneering or pilot nature.
TRAINING ACTIVITIES
Trained manpower availability is basic for sanitation promotion activities. The institution has
planned need based courses. Modules for various categories of personnel are prepared Villages
leaders, issue leaders, NGO workers, government official and employees, Z.P. officials and
employees, health personnel etc. are some of the groups, which would need training and orientation.
A Courses and Course Contents :
There is likely to be a large variation in the subject matter requirements for different groups.
Hence, several training modules, suitable for such divergent groups, have been evolved. Depending
on the requirements of these divergent groups of workers, officials and technician in the field,
various short term and long term training modules, with suitable course contents have been planned.
In these training modules, all the aspects of sanitation, non conventional energy sources and
environments are covered. Some important topics, being covered are as follows :-
1. introduction to environmental science
2. introduction to health sanitation
3. importance of sanitation in rural and urban life
4. social significance of sanitation
5. rural sanitation management
6. urban sanitation problems
7. clean and adequate drinking water supply
8. proper management of human night soil

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9. sanitary management of solid and liquid waste
10. management of cattle dung
11. fertilizer from wastes
12. construction and managements of biogas plants
13. construction and managements of latrine and other sanitary conveniences
14. planning and sanitary management of village environment
15. non conventional energy sources
16. demonstration of various sanitary and recycling conveniences
17. work experience as regards construction, maintenance and operation of biogas plants and
sanitary conveniences.
Depending on the requirements in given circumstances, new modules of required duration
and curriculum are formulated.
B. Courses conducted :
In the last twenty years, this institution has conducted various training courses of various
contents and periods for personnel from various agencies.
So far, about 60 different courses have been conducted, the course duration varying from 3
months to 2 days. The number of trained personnel are approximately- Engineers-150, Z.P.
officials 30, NGO representative-80, technicians-150, Masons-200,. One day orientations
have not been included. Besides, several hundred visitors have been provided with technical
information etc.
R & D WORK
R & D activities are being undertaken at lab scale and field level as well. Laboratory has been
established at Dehu. In this laboratory, lab scale research work is undertaken. Laboratory is being
upgraded gradually as per requirements and the availability of funds. Field level experimentation and
sociological aspects are also being investigated into.
PROJECT CONSULTANCIES
The institution has so far provided consultancy services for various projects involving
industrial canteen waste, human nightsoil waste, vegetables market waste, municipal solid waste etc.
IMPLEMENTATION
The institution has undertaken implementation of projects involving bio-gas plants
functioning on alternatives substrates, toilet complexes, integrated waste managements system etc.
SANITATION WORK IN DEHU
Dr. S. V. Mapuskar, founder member of institution has been working in the field of sanitation
since 1960. through the work of institutions established by him, Dehu village has shown very major
improvements in the sanitary conditions of the village. At present, Government of Maharashtra is
utilizing Dehu village as a sanitation demonstration village for their officials and subordinate
employees.
Thus Appa Patwardhan Safai W Tantraniketan is undertaking intensive work in health and
sanitation promotion, environment and non conventional energy sources. The institution is trying to
help in its own way for the fulfillment of Gandhiji’s dream of “Gram Swarajya” and World Health
Organization’s call for- “Health for all “
For any further information, please write to “Appa Patwardhan Safai W Prayawaran Tantraniketan”
on apsptnindia@gmail.com or Dehu Village, Taluka Haveli, District Pune 412 109.
Dr. Shilpa Narayanan ( Mapuskar) Ulhas Mapuskar
Director & Secretary Director Finance