Programmes in sanitation and hygiene promotion are particularly important in AKDN’s efforts to improve the quality of life in poor, remote communities. In the Indian state of Gujarat, for example, a government programme to bring sanitation to all the state’s 18,000 villages features an annual “Nirmal Gram”, or Clean Village, award.  In the village of Karan, in Gujarat’s “taluka” (block unit) of Siddhpur, AKDN helped the village reach the goal of 100 percent sanitation. Each home has access to safe water, a toilet facility and underground sewerage. Along with the construction of sanitation facilities has been information about hygiene practices, from washing hands before meals to the use of long-armed ladles for drinking water pots. Not surprisingly, Karan received a Clean Village award. Since 2001, the Government of India has bestowed Nirmal Gram to 30 additional villages that have benefited from the Aga Khan Planning and Building Services (AKPBS), the Network’s specialist agency in improving the built environment.