Mahatma Gandhi made a practice never to accept personal gifts. He could not be bribed or unduly influenced by anyone. The one personal gift he did accept was a toilet which someone presented to him. He accepted it and strongly recommended that the technology be developed across India. He knew that would have an immense benefit to the Indian people.

We are very excited about the human night-soil methane plant at Kaliyampoondi. For a long time we have been interested in methane production from cow manure. It is literally "something for nothing," once the capital investment is made. The cow manure goes into the pit and comes out the other end more valuable as fertilizer than the original manure, but the methane by-product is "free."

We had heard that human night-soil can be utilized only if it is mixed with cow manure. But our new process at Kaliyampoondi uses only human night soil. It was developed by Dr Mapuskar of Pune. It is now providing three / sevenths of our cooking fuel. Previously we used seven canisters of propane per month. We now use only four.

Another advantage is that it is far more sanitary. Our Hyderabad Home has had an on-going problem with its septic system. We are hoping to install a methane system there also, and indeed at all our larger homes. The positive impact of this technology for India is astounding. Thank you, Dr Mapuskar!

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