Dimapur, Nov. 19 (EMN): Commemorating World Toilet Day, the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) organised a ‘Swachhta Run’ in Wokha, Phek and Kiphire districts on November 19 on the theme “Sanitation and groundwater-Making the invisible visible.”
In Wokha, ‘Swachhta Run’ was organised at Zero Point in Sanis town with the participation of WATSAN members, Swachhagrahis, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, volunteers, youth, and school children among others, stated a DIPR report.
Before the run, each participant took the Swachhta pledge. They also displayed banners, posters, and other IEC materials along the route.
Speaking at the flagging off programme, Cheni, SDO of Sanis, stated that the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) has been acknowledged as the greatest behaviour change initiative in the world and that it reflected the influencing force of peoples' behaviour--‘Jal Andolan’-- that transformed the lives of rural India's populace in terms of social benefits, economic gains, environmental safety, and most importantly dignity and security to women. According to him, the second phase of SBM (G) was concentrated on enhancing the solid base of healthy habits and inspiring action toward ODF plus.
Chuba Longchar, PHED district coordinator, stated that the ‘Swachhta Run’ was organised with its goal to raise awareness among people about importance of usage of toilet, safe sanitation and visual cleanliness aligned to SBM (G) phase II components.
It mentioned that t-shirts, caps and certificates were also distributed to the participants.
In a related programme, PHED Phek division celebrated World Toilet Day in Khomi village under Phek sub-division by organising ‘Swachhta Run.’
The theme focused on the impact of poor sanitation on groundwater and how inadequate sanitation systems spread human waste into rivers, lakes and soil, polluting underground water resources.
Participants from three villages namely Upper Khomi, Middle Khomi and Lower Khomi participated in Swachhata run. Swachhata pledge was administered to all the participants at the end of the run.
As a part of the campaign, the department distributed toilet cleaner (Harpic) and brushes to all the participants.
‘Swachhata Run’ was also organised Kiphire and Pungro blocks.
Speaking at a function, Delimla, JE of PHED Kiphire, stated that World Toilet Day is observed to encourage people to contribute towards sanitation for healthier and hygienic lifestyles.
“People know less about the effects of open defecation where many waterborne diseases affect the population because of improper maintenance of toilets and open defecation,” she stated.
Asserting that maintaining proper toilet is the first steps towards sanitation, she stated that this year's 'Swachhata Run' was organised to convey the message to the people to practice the system of twin-pit toilet in every households because it prevents ground water pollution, decrease the spread of diseases, produces useful biomass, boost soil fertility, improve soil structure and it is easy to use.
Winners of ‘Swachhata Run’ were awarded with certificates and cash.
The Swachhata pledge was administered by Longtili C Sangtam, chairman of Akedha Amülong, Kiphire.
World Toilet Day was also organised in Pungro village, where Lenruhtsu, president of Pungro Village Students’ Union, urged the participants to be brand ambassador in spreading message of retrofit to twin-pit toilet.
During the ‘Swachhata Run,’ a pledge was administered to the participants and the run was flag-off by the secretary of village development board and former footballer player, Azikha Augustine.
The village head GB, Rusumeu, gave away certificates and cash to the winners of Swachhata Run.