Programme on World Toilet Day conducted at Khonmoh

Srinagar, Dec 10: To address the urgent need for accessible and hygienic toilets and to highlight sanitation as an essential right for dignity, the Rural Sanitation Department orgainsed a culmination programme “Humara Shauchalay: Hamara Saman” to observe World Toilet Day at Panchayat Halqa Khonmoh-B today.

The Department conducted a three week long campaign to show commitment to an Open Defecation Free (ODF) J&K and to strengthen community-driven sanitation practices by focusing on enhancing, maintaining, and celebrating toilets as a symbol of respect and dignity for all.

Speaking on the occasion, Director General Rural Sanitation Anoo Malhotra said good hygiene is the right of every citizen and called every responsible citizen to understand the responsibility of maintaining their environment clean from waste and open defecation.

She highlighted the role of the community for proper disposal of waste and trash which accumulates due to daily consumption and activities. While stating that waste is wealth, she said entrepreneurs can generate employment through segregation, treatment and processing of the waste.

She underscored the need for collaboration between various departments to materialise the dream of waste free and open defecation free J&K.

Further, DG said that camps are being organised in villages for swift sanctioning and construction of IHHLs besides orgainising competitions and recognition programmes to recognise the cleanest toilets, best-maintained CSCs, and sanitation heroes, fostering community driven sanitation.

On the occasion, DG inaugurated the medical camp and also visited the stalls established during the event.

Director Rural Development on the occasion spoke about the initiatives taken by the department regarding fostering the sanitation and collection of waste emerging from rural households. He highlighted the role of PRIs in maintaining the hygiene, sanitation and waste free surroundings.

Earlier, Deputy Director Rural Sanitation Kashmir, Mantasha binti Rasheed while welcoming the participants gave the summary of rural sanitation and an overview of the campaign launched for hygiene and sanitation and the milestone achieved to pursue the final objective by the department.

During the programme, an awareness play was enacted by the theatre artists emphasising the importance of hygiene.

Success stories of SBG-M were also narrated to motivate participants to pursue the path of sanitation. Meanwhile, best sanitation workers were felicitated by DG, Rural Sanitation and others.

Among others, the programme was attended by BDO, officers of Health, Education, RD & Panchayat Raj, PRIs, besides local community members and youth.

Famous TV presenter and broadcaster Azhar Hajini who conducted proceedings of the programme was later on presented with a certificate by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj for being nominated as Swachta Ambassador of district Srinagar.

Pertinently, the department had devised a ground level strategy to identify toilet accessibility gaps, prioritised IHHL sanctioning, and register eligible households, public institutions like AWCs, PHCs, and schools, addressing gaps.

The campaign had begun on 19th November and culminated today on 10th December.