In the first episode of this limited series, we try to delve into what are the rampant issues in the waste-picking community, how we got here, and what the future really looks like. This will set the stage for the work that WaterAid does in the space of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, the three critical pillars for leading a dignified life. "From the Margins to the Mainstream” is a podcast series about the journey of the informal waste pickers’ community in India; A community that has been sidelined for far too long, and forced to live in the dark. This is an initiative by WaterAid, an international not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. Only by tackling these three essentials in lasting ways can people change their lives for good.

In this final episode of the series, we are in conversation with community members who have understood this key aspect of the Saamuhika Shakti project and are going to be sharing with us their experiences, steps taken, and changes that they’ve observed over the period of the last two years of the WaterAid interventions.

"From the Margins to the Mainstream” is a podcast series about the journey of the informal waste pickers’ community in India; A community that has been sidelined for far too long, and forced to live in the dark.

This is an initiative by WaterAid, an international not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. Only by tackling these three essentials in lasting ways can people change their lives for good.

As part of Episode 9, we are in conversation with Ms. Chandra Ganapathy who has extensive experience in the WASH sector, talking to us about the importance of ensuring the sustainability of all interventions. These aim to address social, environmental, or economic challenges and often have a limited timeframe. However, their impact shouldn’t be confined to a temporary solution. Sustainable interventions are crucial for achieving lasting change and maximizing the return on investment of resources, effort, and time.

"From the Margins to the Mainstream” is a podcast series about the journey of the informal waste pickers’ community in India; A community that has been sidelined for far too long, and forced to live in the dark.

This is an initiative by WaterAid, an international not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. Only by tackling these three essentials in lasting ways can people change their lives for good.

In this episode, we are going to be in conversation with Ms. Arundati Muralidharan, an expert on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management, a topic that to this day is considered a taboo subject; this natural bodily function which half our population, comprising of women, go through.

"From the Margins to the Mainstream” is a podcast series about the journey of the informal waste pickers’ community in India; A community that has been sidelined for far too long, and forced to live in the dark.

This is an initiative by WaterAid, an international not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. Only by tackling these three essentials in lasting ways can people change their lives for good.

In this episode, you will be hearing from one of the members of WaterAid, who sent the community into a state of shock, when he spoke openly about a topic, that’s always otherwise discussed in hushed voices, in the privacy of homes, and never with the male members - Menstruation.

"From the Margins to the Mainstream” is a podcast series about the journey of the informal waste pickers’ community in India; A community that has been sidelined for far too long, and forced to live in the dark.

This is an initiative by WaterAid, an international not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. Only by tackling these three essentials in lasting ways can people change their lives for good.

Up until now, we have briefly understood the situation in the urban waste pickers’ settlements. But what about their workplace? In this episode, we will have two of our heroes talk about their work, and the obstacles they face, which have become a part of their daily lives.

"From the Margins to the Mainstream” is a podcast series about the journey of the informal waste pickers’ community in India; A community that has been sidelined for far too long, and forced to live in the dark.

This is an initiative by WaterAid, an international not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. Only by tackling these three essentials in lasting ways can people change their lives for good.

Episode 5 throws some well-needed light on one of the most critical aspects in our lives, which everyone uses, but feels grossed out talking about – Sanitation by talking to people who have worked in these communities trying their best to better their lives and circumstances.

"From the Margins to the Mainstream” is a podcast series about the journey of the informal waste pickers’ community in India; A community that has been sidelined for far too long, and forced to live in the dark.

This is an initiative by WaterAid, an international not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. Only by tackling these three essentials in lasting ways can people change their lives for good.

In Episode 4, experts walk us through the current scenario of water supply and quality in the city of Bengaluru. This episode will help with context on the current circumstances to better understand the waste-picking community in general.

"From the Margins to the Mainstream” is a podcast series about the journey of the informal waste pickers’ community in India; A community that has been sidelined for far too long, and forced to live in the dark.

This is an initiative by WaterAid, an international not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. Only by tackling these three essentials in lasting ways can people change their lives for good.