Sunil of Bithaldah is running a grocery shop in the community toilet premises.

Mungeli. The Swachh Bharat Mission is not just a campaign for cleanliness, but is also becoming a powerful tool for self-reliance and dignified livelihoods in rural life. A living example of this is Sunil Yadav of Bithaldah village in the Lormi development block of Mungeli district. He has transformed the shop attached to the community toilet complex into not only a source of livelihood but also a center for the village’s needs. Sunil Yadav successfully operates a grocery and general store in a room within the shop-equipped community toilet complex in Bithaldah village. This innovative initiative generates a regular income of over 12,000 rupees per month.

This income has significantly improved his financial situation, enabling him to support his family with dignity. He is also fulfilling his responsibilities for the education and needs of his younger siblings with full responsibility.

Sunil Yadav explained that he has found a means of livelihood and his financial problems are being addressed. With this, villagers no longer have to travel far for their daily needs. The availability of grocery items within the village is saving time and money. He explained that the well-organized operation of the toilets has maintained cleanliness in the village and increased awareness about cleanliness among the people. This has effectively curbed the practice of open defecation.