The year was 2016. In a remote block of Mirzapur district in Uttar Pradesh—Shikhar—a new journey was beginning. At the time, the block had approximately 18,000 households. While around 70% of these had access to toilets, actual usage varied significantly, ranging from just 50% to 90%. Open defecation remained a common practice, deeply rooted in daily life. Recognizing the urgency of this public health and social challenge, the district administration of Mirzapur decided to act. Under the banner of the Swachh Bharat Mission, the administration entrusted UNICEF with the responsibility of making the entire block open defecation free (ODF). To execute this challenging mission effectively, UNICEF partnered with FINISH Society. It was from this point that FINISH Society began guiding Shikhar on its path to the summit—towards dignity, health, and transformation.

FINISH Society initiated intensive capacity-building sessions for government officials, panchayat representatives, community volunteers, and local masons. These trainings were grounded in Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and Participatory Approaches to Total Sanitation. They provided not only technical knowledge but also helped instill intrinsic motivation and a deep understanding of behaviour change.

Triggering activities, pre-triggering mobilization, and regular morning and evening follow-up visits became a consistent part of the team’s engagement strategy. These efforts were designed not just to spread awareness, but to awaken communities to the importance of self-respect, health, and safety.

Women played a pivotal role in advancing this movement. Through their stories and leadership, they influenced families and communities, resulting in toilet construction across many homes. Men, youth, and children also stepped forward, embracing the movement as their own.

The result of these collective and determined efforts was remarkable. Within just a few months, 35 Gram Panchayats in Shikhar block were officially declared Open Defecation Free. This milestone was formally achieved and recorded on June 5, 2016—a historic moment that marked Shikhar as the first officially ODF-declared block in Uttar Pradesh.

Today, as FINISH Society celebrates 15 years of dedicated work, the story of Shikhar stands as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when administrative will, technical expertise, and community participation come together. It reminds us that transformation is not just a dream—it is a reality waiting to be realized through collective effort.

Shikhar remains a symbol of inspiration—proof that coordinated, purposeful action can truly elevate a society towards sanitation, dignity, and lasting change.