Author: Kamal Kumar

Launch of Campaign by Dy Mayor: 14 Nov

The banner “Salute the Champions in the Community and WASH system that shaped Inclusive and Climate- Resilient Sanitation, Bhubaneswar” – captured the significance of the event held on Nov 14 at Cluster 6, Ward no 22, Bhubaneswar.

Launching the campaign for the World Toilet Day that falls on Nov 19, Manjulata Kanhara, Deputy Mayor, urged those who do not have access to household toilets to “get in touch with the Sanitary Inspector and apply for the same.” She appreciated the community outreach by Transgender SHGs that are engaged in sanitation work.

The event became a forum for diverse stakeholders in the WASH system to share their experiences and views. Noting that the event coincided with Children’s Day, Khulana Sethi, AWW Supervisor urged families to make children conscious of the use of toilets. Gagan, SDA member, stated that there is a growing involvement of women who promote toilets within their home and community. Rahas Bihari Saha, Sanitary Inspector reinforced the message “Stop Open Defecation”. He also spoke of the importance of waste segregation. Meghna Sahoo, Third Gender Welfare Trust (TWT) talked about the long-standing need for Transgender Toilet, stating that she has raised this issue with the Deputy Mayor.

“Be the Change you want to see in the World”, the inspirational words of Mahatma Gandhi were prominent at the rally that was then carried out to spread the message of inclusive and climate-resilient WASH.

“Those who do not have access to household toilets can get in touch with the Sanitary Inspector to apply for the same. SHG members are proactively reaching out to the community to empty the pits on time. This message should be shared with all others who are not present here in the meeting”, encouraging words by Manjulata Kanhara, Deputy Mayor, Bhubaneshwar in Cluster 6, Ward no 22 as she launched the campaign ahead of the World Toilet Day that falls on 19 November.

The launch saw wide participation – Partners, Ward Officials, Slum Development Association, Swaccha Sathi, Jal Sathi, representatives of sanitary workers and frontline workers. A number of voices raised important issues that intersect with safe toilets. Sudarshan Chottoray Climate Change Expert urged people to use toilets designed for climate related risks. Meghna Sahoo, TWT raised the need for community toilets for transgenders. Periodic de-sludging of pits and tanks with all safety provisions – was stressed upon. And a simple appeal by Rahas Bihari Saha, Sanitary Inspector to stop polluting the environment – Stop Open Defecation.

Visitors at Hall No 4, Pragati Maidan at the opening of the India International Trade Fair, Delhi watched with interest a performance based on disease-spreading mosquitoes and the ways of prevention and treatment. “Machar se Bachein, Rogon se Bachein’ performed under the aegis of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. had actors enacting scenes that showed patients struggling with different diseases — filariasis, malaria, dengue, chikangunia, Japanese fever and kala-azar. Each segment ended with an effective message by the medical doctor in the show on protection from mosquitoes. ‘Bittu Mosquito’- the charming Mascot flitted around – spreading the same message. Speaking randomly to people in the audience showed that the message had gone down well.