ThinkHer

 Shit. I must say it feels weird to talk about it—but I’d rather talk about shit than talk shit, right? The truth is, sanitation has long been one of India’s most pressing challenges. More than an eyesore, it has always been a matter of health, dignity, and survival. Open defecation exposed millions to deadly diseases, polluted water sources, and stripped women and children of basic safety. Namita Banka is one of those people who chose to act instead of looking away. Namita Banka, Founder of Banka Bio ⓒThinkHer To appreciate Namita’s contribution, we need a quick look at India’s long and uneven history of toilets. It began with highly sophisticated sanitation in the Indus Valley Civilisation (c. 2500 BCE), where people had private toilets and covered drainage systems. Over time, this advanced engineering declined, and open defecation became widespread. In the colonial period, the British introduced a Western public health model, bringing basic sanitation laws and communal toilets i...