Dimapur, October 3: Altogether 12 villages under Dhansiripar Block, Dimapur Rural Division, were declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) during a programme to mark the second anniversary of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) on October 2 in the conference hall of the SDO (C), Dhansiripar.
Twelve villages namely Bade, Disagaphu, Hazadisa, Murise, Razaphe, Sangtamtila, Shikavi, Shoxuvi, Singrijan, Urra, Vidima and Zutovi under Dhansiripar Block, were declared Open Defecation Free by Mhalo Humtsoe, SDO (C) Dhansiripar and chief guest of the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Mhalo Humtsoe stressed on the importance and need of toilet in every household. She exhorted the gathering to bring about changes toward cleanliness in the society.
She also congratulated the 12 villages and urged them to continue to work in tandem with the government in its effort to achieve a Swachh (Clean) India.Special invitee and Director of Water and Sanitation Support Organization (WSSO), Er. KG Sumi, administered the sanitation pledge and gave a short presentation on the progress of the SBM (G) in Nagaland. He encouraged the gathering and the PHED officers to continue the noble mission to achieve total ODF and Swachh Dimapur by 2017.
He also laid stress on the need of toilet, its health implications and other issues related to toilet, practice of hand washing with soap and inculcating the habit of safe sanitary practice.
Executive Engineer PHED, Dimapur (Rural), Er. L Tongpang Longkumer, in his keynote address, highlighted on SBM activities in the district and encouraged the villages declared ODF under Dhansiripar to continue the good work initiated by them in achieving the ODF status. He also emphasised on safe sanitary practices in keeping the village and environment clean for healthy and conducive living.
The programme was chaired by Er. Hebo Zhimomi, SDO PHED Dhansiripar and began with an invocation said by Pastor of Ao Baptist Church Dhansiripar. The welcome address was delivered by Er. Narisen Jami, SDO (PHED) Niuland and the vote of thanks was delivered by Er. Imtisowa, SDO, PHED Kuhuboto.