“Sanitation for Girls in Schools (SGS) Abhiyan’ November 29th, 2010

Dear Friend,

Greetings from FLO, The Women’s wing of FICCI!

I am really delighted to inform you that finally FLO Bombay announced its project “Sanitation for Girls in Schools (SGS) Abhiyan” on 29th November, 2010 at Rampart Row banquets, Mumbai amongst a large gathering comprising of people from Sulabh International, Media & FLO members.

How it all started;

Justice Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Chief Guest at the FLO felicitation event held in April this year, mentioned that there is a large number of drop out of girls in the secondary schools because of lack of sanitation facilities.

Moved by the fact Ms Lillette Dubey, actress & theatre personality volunteered her unstinted support immediately and is passionately helping us to build awareness and raise funds for the project and she readily agreed to be our brand ambassador for this project.

After several meetings and discussion with various organizations / government officials FLO Bombay got in touch with Sulabh International and now we are happy to announce that Sulabh International Service Organisation-a pioneer in the sanitation sector, both nationally and internationally, has agreed to be our technology partner for this project.

Sulabh has been working towards this problem for many years, gaining the attention of the Government as well as the private sector through Sulabh School Sanitation Club which now covers over 300 schools in 12 states of India including 12 schools in Nepal and Bhutan.

Padma Bhushan awardee Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder Sulabh Sanitation & reform movement and an inspiration for all of us was our chief guest at the function. Dr. Pathak travelled all the way from Delhi along with his team to guide and motivate us through his personal experience. Dr. Pathak also mentioned that this small initiative started by ladies of FLO Bombay, will go a long way and reach out to many underprivileged girls from different cities.

FLO announced the launch of its pilot project SGS Abhiyan with these 3 schools viz Adarsh Vidyalaya and Zilla Parishad School in Bhiwandi and Balanandwan School in Dahanu which we have identified on the outskirts of Mumbai. The SGS Abhiyan falls in line with FLO’s national vision of educating the Girl child, as we believe that this initiative will help arrest the ratio of girls drop out from schools.

Retd. Justice Radhakrishnan also graced the occasion by his presence.

Please find attached with this email the scanned copy of the event coverage which appeared in Hindustan times today. We will soon upload the pictures of the event and other media coverage on FLO Bombay website which is going to be up soon.

Regards,

Bela Rajan
Chairperson
FLO Bombay