Swami Avdeshanand Giri delivers first Dr Bindeshwar Pathak memorial lecture

The inaugural memorial lecture in honour of Dr Bindeshwar Pathak was delivered in the national Capital on Thursday by spiritual leader and scholar Swami Avdeshanand Giri, who paid tributes to the late reformer’s enduring legacy. Remembering Dr Pathak as a “true saint and visionary”, Swami Giri highlighted his lifelong commitment to restoring dignity to millions through sanitation reform, eradication of untouchability and upliftment of marginalised communities. He underscored that Dr Pathak’s work transcended cleanliness, evolving into a broader movement for social justice and human dignity.

Kumar Dilip, President of Sulabh International, described the event as more than just a tribute and called it a “collective resolve” to carry forward the reformer’s unfinished mission. He also announced the institution of the Dr Bindeshwar Pathak Memorial Award from 2027, which will include a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh, a gold medal and a citation to honour outstanding contributions in social reform and sanitation.

Convenor Nitya Pathak also expressed gratitude to Swami Avdeshanand Giri for delivering the inaugural address, stating that his thoughts and blessings would guide future efforts. Meanwhile, Vice President Dr Sutirtha Sariah reflected on Dr Pathak’s transformative impact, noting that he “did not merely build toilets, but restored dignity”, redefining sanitation as a matter of human freedom and social justice.

The lecture followed a day-long conference on the Sociology of Sanitation, chaired by noted scholar Professor Neel Ratan, where academics from across the country presented research on sanitation as a driver of public health, gender equality and social transformation. The memorial lecture and academic conference together marked a significant step in sustaining Dr Pathak’s intellectual and humanitarian legacy, reaffirming Sulabh International’s commitment to inclusive development.