Making India open defecation free - one district at a time | P B Salim | TEDxWalledCity

In this TEDx Talk Mr. P. B. Salim shares the story of how Nadia District, West Bengal, India, became among the first districts to be declared open defecation free in the country. His story of not just that of zeal and hard work, but more importantly how innovation and ownership can have exponential impact on a society.

He reflects upon the little understood impact of open defecation on children, how it can be curtailed and reversed within a few years. All that is required is willingness, innovation and open participation of community. Nadia went on to win the United Nations Social Services Award in 2015 and now is remains open defecation free.

Mr. P.B. Salim joined the Indian Administrative Services at the age of 25 years, after giving up his profession as a biotechnology scientist with Glaxo-Smith Kline Pharma in Bangalore. Driven by a mission to serve the society Mr. Salim has served in several administrative cadre across the country as a District Collector and District Magistrate.

Born in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district, P.B. Salim, in his own words has "found himself by losing himself in the service of the society."

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx