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India’s newly elected Prime Minister, who won in a landslide earlier this year, made a momentous announcement. On July 10th Prime Minster Narendra Modi announced to the world his administration was planning on installing a toilet in every Indian home by 2019. He made the declaration on Gandhi’s 150th birthday - and the world went wild.

Immediately, the reception to the announcements was overwhelmingly positive for several reasons: what it called for, when it was announced and what it means for the global community.

Let’s start with what Prime Minister Modi actually wants to accomplish. As the newly elected PM, Modi made it clear sanitation is going to be one of his leading initiatives. That’s a big deal considering most Indian administrators often avoid dealing with the “poo taboo”. The enormity of his task is also significant. Of the 1 billion people in the world who have no toilet, India accounts for nearly 600 million. 

Secondly, the timing of the announcement was hugely significant. In the West, Gandhi is the figure we most often associate with India. However, that's only part of the reason why Modi chose his birthday. Gandhi was a major advocate for sanitation in India, even saying that sanitation was more important than independence from the Brits. The date links Modi’s plan with Gandhi’s powerful image and philosophy, making toilet security a distinctly Indian issue.

Lastly, the effects of Modi’s plan will be felt not just in India but also across the globe. 600 million Indians might not have a toilet, but 400 million people in other countries don’t either. If every person is going to have access to a toilet, other countries are going to have to step up their game. Indian leadership will be needed in these countries that might not be as keen as Mr. Modi on building “toilets before temples”.

The deadline for the Millennium Development Goals is a year away and the global community is scrambling to establish the Sustainable Development Goals set to succeed the MDGs.

Actually, India’s leadership on this issue will be hugely important as 2015 draws nearer.

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Ryan Bacci

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