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A life without safe sanitation is a life full of risks—children fall sick, women face
daily struggles, and the communities remain vulnerable to diseases and poverty.
“Gramalaya envisions a society where everyone has access to clean water,
safe toilets, and menstrual hygiene management facilities. Through our work in homes, schools,
and communities, we empower people to lead healthier and more dignified lives.”
Gramalaya, established in 1987 by Padma Shri Awardee Mr.S.Damodaran, is dedicated to ensuring good health, safety, security, and privacy for women and children through sanitation initiatives. Our vision is to create a society where everyone has access to safe sanitation, adequate water, and MHM facilities, empowering individuals and communities. As a recognized National Key Resource Centre under the Jal Jeevan Mission, approved by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, Gramalaya has demonstrated successful water and sanitation models over the past 36 years. We are committed to expanding our impact to various parts of India, offering capacity-building and support services to organizations interested in the sector.
Gramalaya has established a Toilet Technology cum Training Center at its rural headquarters at Kolakudipatti village in Thottiam block in Trichy district. The Toilet technology Center was established with funding support from Water Partners International, USA as a part of its WATSAN project. The center has on display various models of toilets that could be used in the Total Sanitation campaign in rural areas including eco-san models. The center will, if necessary provide training for representatives and field staff of Non Governmental Organizations and government officials including block co-ordinators involved in the TSC programme.
6,02,500 +
Individual Toilets
350 +
Community Toilets
1,100 +
School Toilets
60,00,000 +
Lives Impacted
S. DAMODARAN,
Shri S. Damodaran, totally devoted his lifetime since 1987 only to promote household toilet facilities, safe drinking water and Menstrual Hygiene Promotion to the rural, urban poor, people living in the coastal regions, tribal areas and in town panchayats by closely working with Central Government, State Government and international donor organisations including with CSR funds. He has been involved in all the Government total sanitation programs from 1980s to Swachh Bharat Mission Program – 2014 till date.
In classrooms across seven southern states of India, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Under Reckitt’s flagship campaign Dettol Banega Swasth India, the DBSI – School Hygiene Education Program, in partnership with Gramalaya, is empowering over 5 lakh children to make hygiene a daily habit. From personal cleanliness to hygiene at school, home, and even during illness—students, teachers, and parents are all part of the movement. Through engaging IEC activities and community outreach, children are becoming hygiene ambassadors through Child-to-Child approach, inspiring lasting change in their school, home and community at Large .
In a remote village of Pudukottai, a young girl walked nearly 2 kilometers every day to fetch a pot of water. Her school had a blackboard, books, and dreams— but lacked access to safe drinking water. The community relied on a dried-up pond and defunct water tanks, and over time, hope faded. Recognizing this need, Gramalaya, with the support of Bank of America, intervened. Through the restoration of traditional water sources, installation of rainwater harvesting systems at homes, and Drinking water stations at Schools, clean water was brought back—impacting 8 traditional ponds, 30 schools and 250 families. A vital step towards health, hygiene, and opportunity for all.
In Gadwal District, Telangana, menstruation remains a topic shrouded in silence, affecting both adolescent girls and married women. Menstrual Hygiene Management and Women Empowerment program by Gramalaya in collaboration with VST Industries is breaking this barrier by providing menstrual health education, training sessions, and access to reusable cloth pads. Through awareness campaigns and community engagement, we empower women to manage their menstrual health, challenge outdated taboos, and speak openly about menstrual hygiene.
Gramalaya has been at the forefront of championing Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in India. With a strong commitment to breaking taboos and creating inclusive dialogue, we have successfully organized four National Level MHM Summits, each serving as a catalyst for change. These summits brought together a diverse coalition of voices—corporates, NGOs, healthcare professionals, educators, students, activists, and volunteers—to spotlight menstrual health as a national priority. Through curated panel discussions and collaborative sessions, the summits became a powerful space for innovation, policy dialogue, and community action.
The most recent milestone was the Fourth MHM India Summit, held on November 19, 2024, at the prestigious Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. It stood as a vibrant reflection of our vision and dedication to the MHM Sector.
