Tura, November 19, 2024: Aiming to raise awareness about the need for all human beings to have access to proper sanitation and hygiene facilities, the World Toilet Day Campaign was launched at DRDA Conference Hall, West Garo Hills District on 19th November, 2024. The theme for this year is “ Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman” or “Our Toilet is our dignity”. The programme initiated by the Government of India, under the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti is being organized by District Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (DSBMG), West Garo Hills, Tura.
It may be mentioned that World Toilet Day is an annual United Nations observance promoted through a worldwide public campaign that encourages action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.
Superintending Engineer (PHE) and Member Secretary, DSBMG, West Garo Hills Ambrose D Sangma informed that awareness on the importance of proper sanitation facilities are necessary including the use of toilets and that disease could also be averted and keep everyone safe and healthy. Mentioning that the district had achieved ODF status, however, he said that a lot more has to be done since in rural areas some of the pits are not concrete and hence poses a risk for spreading diseases if not covered properly. He also mentioned that the department has plans to address these issues and urged the citizens to cooperate and maintain the ODF status in the district and also make an effort to reach the ODF plus status in the coming days.
Stating that the campaign is scheduled from 19th November to 10th December, 2024, he said that the campaign aims to foster community engagement, promote collective responsibility for sanitation facilities and improve access to functional latrines in individual households and community sanitary complexes in the district.
Further, he insisted on various line departments such as Social Welfare, Education, etc to collaborate and make the toilets in their Anganwadi Centres, Schools, etc functional as well as improve the sanitation scenario in the district.
District Social Welfare Officer, West Garo Hills Madonna T Sangma, District Planning Officer incharge T A Sangma, District Coordinators, DSBMG of different blocks of the district were among others present during the programme.
