Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Srinagar, Dec 10: The Directorate of Rural Sanitation, Jammu & Kashmir, today organized a mega event at Block Khonmoh of Srinagar District to observe the culmination of the ‘World Toilet Day-2024’ campaign, celebrated under the theme ‘Toilets: A Basic Right for Every Citizen. ‘
The event, presided over by Anoo Malhotra, Director General Rural Sanitation, J&K, was also attended by Shabir Hussain Bhat, Director Rural Development, Kashmir; Dr Mantasha Binti Rasheed, Deputy Director Rural Sanitation Kashmir; Famous TV presenter Azhar Hajini; senior department officials; stakeholders; and locals.
Director General Rural Sanitation, Anoo Malhotra, highlighted the importance of hygiene as a basic right and called on citizens to take responsibility for maintaining clean surroundings. She emphasized waste segregation and processing as potential employment generators and stressed inter-departmental collaboration to achieve a waste-free and ODF Jammu and Kashmir.
The event featured a medical camp, stalls, and an awareness play by theatre artists on hygiene. The best sanitation workers were felicitated for their contributions, and Swachh Bharat Gramin’s success stories (SBG-M) were shared to inspire the community.
Deputy Director Rural Sanitation, Dr. Mantasha Binti Rasheed, provided a summary of the campaign’s milestones, while Director Rural Development underscored the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in maintaining clean rural spaces.
Famous TV presenter Azhar Hajini conducted the event proceedings and was later honored as the Swachhta Ambassador for Srinagar district.
The campaign, which began on November 19 and ended today, focused on identifying gaps in toilet access, prioritizing Individual Household latrines (IHHL) sanctioning, and ensuring sanitation in public institutions like schools, PHCs, and Anganwadi centers.
The campaign witnessed active participation from local communities, social workers, school children, and civil society organizations. Special focus was laid on behavioral change through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) initiatives.
Key highlights of the event included health camp for sanitation workers, felicitation of Swachhta Workers who made exemplary contributions to promoting sanitation practices, nomination of Swachhata Ambassadors, unveiling of Booklet on the World Toilet Day 2024 Campaign- highlighting initiatives taken across all the 20 districts of J&K during the 21-day long campaign, distribution of sanitation kits among the workers and skit play by a theatre group.
The exhibition of products produced from biodegradable waste was among the products displayed for the visitors at the Community Center, Khonmoh.
The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the commitment to the sustenance of ODF Plus Model under SBM-G, ensuring sustainable sanitation and zero landfill practices across Jammu & Kashmir.
