Overview

A grassroots sanitation drive in Pathankot, Punjab, titled “Shahar Zinda Karo” (Bring the City to Life), has installed 25 portable public toilets across the district’s market streets. The rollout is coordinated with the local Vyapar Mandal (traders’ association), and each unit is handed over to market traders for ongoing maintenance, exemplifying a shared‑ownership model rather than one‑off charity.

Latest Installation

The most recent toilet was delivered to Gurjeet Market on the day of the press release. The keys were transferred to the Vyapar Mandal, and shopkeeper Pritam Singh volunteered to oversee its cleanliness and operation. Gupta describes this arrangement as “shared ownership,” emphasizing community responsibility for public amenities.

Campaign Philosophy and Additional Initiatives

Campaign leader Srijal Gupta, an educator and self‑described public‑interest worker, frames the effort with the slogan “Pehle Zinda Karo, Phir Sundar Karo” (first bring the city to life, then make it beautiful). He argues that a dignified city must provide basic sanitation in its markets, a responsibility he says belongs to citizens as much as to the government.

Alongside toilet installation, the campaign runs the Shree Jal Abhiyan, distributing oral rehydration salts, cooling drinks, and protective caps to outdoor workers such as rickshaw pullers, street vendors, and daily‑wage labourers during the summer heat.

Upcoming Cleanliness March

On 9 August 2026, ahead of Independence Day, the organizers will conduct a cleanliness march named “Zinda Kooch” (Living March). The event will mobilise more than 100 volunteers to distribute 200 dustbins to shopkeepers, under the tagline “Iss 15 August, Kuda Toh Azaadi” (This 15 August, Freedom From Garbage), echoing the historic Dandi March.

Broader Civic and Educational Activities

Gupta also curates TEDxCaledonian, now in its fourth edition (2026), themed “Confluence”, scheduled for 10‑11 October 2026 with confirmed speaker Sir Grant Shapps, former UK cabinet minister. Past speakers have included former European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, former Maltese Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat, and former Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio.

In 2017, Gupta founded the Caledonian International School, a UNESCO ASPnet‑affiliated institution, and serves as its ASPnet Coordinator. He authored “Pratisthana’s Promise”, outlining his civic philosophy.

International Engagements

In February 2026, Gupta met European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and was interviewed by an MEP at the European Parliament. The same month he addressed the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels on sustainable cities, presenting a Pathankot Global Gateway Vision 2030 concept note aimed at EU‑India cooperation, later turned into a white paper for MEP outreach.

His affiliations include the Aspen Institute (Vanguard Member), Chatham House (Geopolitics of Technology Leadership Fellow, 2026 cohort), Obama Foundation (Founding Member), the World Economic Forum, the Indo‑French Chamber of Commerce, and the Generation Global programme.

Technology and Talent Development

Gupta is developing JunctionX Pathankot, a local edition of the Finland‑based Junction hackathon network, to give Pathankot’s young engineers and designers exposure to global innovation platforms.

Political Context

Although Gupta describes himself as a public‑interest worker rather than a politician, his name has surfaced in local discussions ahead of the Punjab 2027 Assembly elections, where his community forms one of the larger voting blocs in Pathankot.

Contact

Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/srijal14

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