Delhi, 20 November (H.S.): On the occasion of World Toilet Day, the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti launched a nationwide campaign titled Hamara Shauchalaya, Hamara Bhavishya (Our Toilet, Our Future) on Thursday. The campaign, running until December 10, will focus on reinforcing the sustainability of sanitation systems created under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).

The core objective of the campaign is to assess, repair, and enhance the functionality and aesthetics of community and household toilets across rural India. It will also involve strengthening operational management and conducting extensive public awareness programs to promote positive sanitation behaviors.

Campaign Focus and Implementation

The Ministry has outlined a clear structure for the campaign, with responsibilities assigned from the village panchayat to the district level to ensure active participation from all relevant departments.

Key activities during the campaign will include:

Awareness Activities: Programs will be held in schools and rural communities to educate citizens about hygiene, fecal sludge management, and climate-resilient sanitation systems.

Community Engagement: States have been requested to involve local eminent personalities, Padma awardees, military veterans, youth groups, and schoolchildren to generate awareness and support the mission.

Official Recognition: The campaign will also feature events to honor sanitation workers and distribute toilet sanction letters to eligible families.

Swachh Bharat Mission ContextThe Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), launched in 2014, led to the construction of over 11 crore toilets nationwide by 2019, making remarkable progress in declaring villages Open Defecation Free (ODF).

The second phase of the mission, initiated in 2020, concentrates on sustaining the ODF status and transforming villages into ODF Plus models, which includes comprehensive waste management.

This new campaign is designed to further strengthen these systems and ensure long-term sanitation security for all.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar