With the coordination other GK members, she initiated a movement towards making her village 100 percent sanitary and hygienic. Villagers joined their hands in this movement and contributed to become a completely clean village. As a result of her hard work, the village was awarded the Nirmal Gram Puraskar Award.

A "Nirmal Gram" is an "Open Defecation Free" village where all houses, schools and Anganwadis (courtyard shelters) have sanitary toilets and the community has full awareness about the importance of maintaining personal and community hygiene and clean environments.

Pictured: Mrs. Lalitha Patil receiving the award from the President of India, Mrs. Prathiba Patil with Union Minister, Mr. Vilas Rao Deshmukh