India Strengthens Its Resolve Of ‘Toilet For All’ On World Toilet Day, Says Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi: “India has seen an unparalleled achievement of providing hygienic toilets to crores of people in the last few years,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on the occasion of World Toilet Day. November 19 is observed as World Toilet Day across the globe to raise awareness about making safe sanitation accessible to all. Each year the day is celebrated with a unique theme; this year, the theme is Sustainable Sanitation and Climate Change. PM Modi, on October 2, 2014, launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, with the aim of making India Open Defecation Free.

Building toilets as part of his government’s ‘Swachh Bharat’ programme has brought tremendous health benefits along with dignity, especially to women, PM Modi said in his tweet,

On World Toilet Day, India strengthens its resolve of #Toilet4All. The last few years have seen an unparalleled achievement of providing hygienic toilets to crores of Indians. It has brought tremendous health benefits along with dignity, especially to our Nari Shakti.

Also Read: World Toilet Day 2020: Building Toilets Doesn’t Mean Total Sanitation, There Are Many Goals India Needs To Meet, Says Expert From Centre For Science and Environment

As per a joint 2016 report by WHO and UNICEF, India was the country with the highest number of people (around 530 million people) practicing open defecation.

As per the government data, over 9 crore toilets have been constructed in the rural India, at the cost of Rs 1.96 lakh crore in the five years of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, until 2019.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to Twitter to thank PM Modi for his commitment towards making India ODF. He tweeted,

India had waited for decades to get a toilet in every household. On World Toilet Day, the nation thanks PM Modi for his relentless efforts towards #Toilet4All. This mammoth achievement reflects a sensitive govt committed towards the welfare of those neglected for years.

Also Read: Before And After Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Has India Finally Managed To Provide Sanitation For All In This Decade

About World Toilet Day 2020

The theme for World Toilet Day 2020 is Sustainable Sanitation and Climate Change.

This year’s theme is in reference to how climate change leading to more instances of flood, drought and rising sea levels is threatening sanitation systems – from toilets to septic tanks to treatment plants. The day aims to raise awareness on sustainable sanitation that can withstand climate change and keep communities healthy and functioning.

Sustainable sanitation refers to reusing waste to safely boost agriculture and reduce and capture emissions for greener energy.

Watch: On World Toilet Day Meet The International Toilet Warriors, Jack Sim And Mark Balla

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.