In the small village of Goradanda in Hardoi district, Ramakant and Dilip never imagined that one day they would become symbols of sanitation and sustainability across the region. Their story is not just about two individuals but about perseverance, dedication, and a wave of behavior change. It highlights how the Khushali Swachhata Initiative brought about a new beginning in Wards 21, 5, and 22 and the relentless fight to sustain this initiative.

In 2022, when the FINISH Society and DCM Shriram Foundation launched an initiative for sanitation awareness and waste management, the situation was dire. Streets were littered with heaps of garbage, wet and dry waste was dumped together, and residents were indifferent towards cleanliness. Under the project, decentralized solid waste management units were set up in Wards 21 and 5 to process organic waste. Ramakant and Dilip were appointed to manage these units.

However, for them, this was not just a job—it became a mission. From dawn to dusk, they worked tirelessly—sorting waste, producing compost, and educating people about waste segregation. Gradually, change became visible. Wet waste started getting processed in the units, and residents began segregating their waste. But the real challenge lay ahead.

Initially, Ramakant and Dilip were paid by the DCM Shriram Foundation. However, for long-term sustainability, they needed to be brought under the municipal payroll. The FINISH team took up this challenge in January 2024, initiating dialogues with municipal officials. Each time, a new procedural or budget-related hurdle emerged. But the team persisted—writing letters, holding meetings, and negotiating at multiple levels.

They didn’t just request; they pleaded with officials, explaining how these workers had been dedicatedly serving the community and deserved job security. The team continuously reminded the authorities that the waste management units had already been handed over to the municipality and that it was now their responsibility to operate them. For ten months, they relentlessly followed up—conducting weekly meetings, making calls, and pushing for a resolution.

Finally, in October 2024, the breakthrough came. The municipal corporation officially issued an order appointing Ramakant and Dilip as municipal employees. No longer temporary workers, they had now secured stable government jobs. This wasn’t just a victory for two individuals but a triumph for the entire project and the community.

Today, this initiative has become a Lighthouse Model, serving as an example for other wards to replicate. The journey of Ramakant and Dilip is a testament to the fact that with perseverance and determination, no goal is impossible.

“With unwavering faith and relentless effort, even the toughest doors can be unlocked.”