Indian Toilet Cleaners Get New Profession

ANCHOR:
And in India, several women in New Delhi are getting a remarkable chance to turn their lives around. They belong to India's lower caste, the 'untouchables,' who often get the worst jobs and face discrimination--even though the caste system is illegal. But now, a corporate initiative from Sulabh International, which runs India's modern public toilets, is giving these women the chance to be stars. Here's more:

STORY:
The former-toilet cleaners sashay down the ramp along with top Indian models in a New Delhi fashion show. The women, who used to work cleaning outdoor pits used as toilets, are now proud members of India's In-crowd.

Sulabh International's educational programs have taught hundreds of former-toilet cleaners new skills: including embroidery, handicrafts, and making pickles and noodles. Many have also found success in the business world, running beauty salons and parlors.

[Brindeshwar Pathak, Founder, Sulabh International]:
"This is for the first time that these people are being brought to the forefront. They will take part in a similar program organised by the United Nations elsewhere also. This is spread a message to the entire world that they are not untouchables, they too have a life."

These women will also participate in a series of events organized by the United Nations in New York to mark the International Year of Sanitation. The women are overjoyed by the turn of the events in their lives.

[Sushila Chauhan, Former Toilet Cleaner]:
"People treat us well now, We are not treated like untouchables any more, they even serve us tea. We are happy to be part of the rehabilitation program".

During their stay in New York, the women will also present a short film on their lives and take part in another fashion show.

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• toilet

[hobgoblin1216]

There r toilet cleaners all over the world n they r called janitors. Even I guess u have janitors in China? Else who cleans the public toilets n urinals?

[obbytoo]

I think it doesn't matter what you do as long as you are contributing to society. I have never looked down upon "toilet cleaners". Without sanitary workers this world will be uninhabitable.

[smittenbykittens]

i hope none of this was just for show. for few moments i bet they got to feel a million dollars. i hope they keep getting help. the caste system is horrible, each person has a God given right to achieve and be what they want to be.

[HinduBangladesh]

I FEEL GOOD TO SEE THAT VIDEO. GOD BLESS TO MY ALL HINDUS AREOUND THE WORLD!!!!

[vkj321]

In India laws have been passed in favour backwards and women. There is hardly any discrimination in cities. Maybe, there are remnant complexes in minds of both classes. They should get over with it. A contributing factor is reverse discrimination, because of laws passed have limited oppotunities of affected parties, viz. so called upper castes and men.

[lambchopxoxo]

People dont seem to understand that these people clean these "outdoor toilets" with their bare hands, meaning that they literally pick up human feces with their bare hands. They are still doing it. Not all of the Dalit have been liberated from the caste system, although its supposed to be illegal

[SuperMEKAAL]

indian toilet cleaners

[youming93]

UNTOUCHABALLLLZZZZ

[jjungleee]

Internaional Year of Sanitation????? WTF LOL. All good though as they are forced to do the job which is fucked up. Imagine the day your born, if you survive you will be a toilet cleaner etc with no choice and they do suffer.

[jjungleee]

United Nation Day of Sanitation?????

[mbstylo]

@hobgoblin1216 you don't get it. They are forced to be cleaners etc. , it doesn't matter how smart you are. The janitors in the rest of the world made their own choice and people don't discriminate them.

[diliprai]

watch this video ==> "Sakela~the greatest festival of Kirat people"

and you discover more about the native of ancient India who opposed the vedic culture and system in the early time.