There Should Be Toilets At Every 500 Metres: Akshay Kumar’s Swachh Request To Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

To fulfill the dream of Clean India by 2019, actor Akshay Kumar suggested some ‘Swachh Ideas’ to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in order to give Mumbai a Swachh makeover. During the Transform Maharashtra finale event held at an indoor stadium at upscale Worli Mumbai, the actor propagated the idea of a toilet app that would tell people where the nearest toilet is. Akshay also requested the Chief Minister to ensure that there are male and female toilets at every 500 metres or a kilometre.

Also Read: #MyCleanIndia: These Celebrities Are Spreading The Swachh Message

The Chief Minister acknowledged his proposal and said ‘the ideas will be implemented soon.’

The actor also spoke about his upcoming film – Toilet – Ek Prem Katha which is directed by Neeraj Pandey, and co-stars Bhumi Pednekar and a toilet. He said that there is a need in India to talk about open defecation and the mindsets that prevail with regard to the reluctance to use toilets. Stressing on the need for proper toilets for women in India, he shared a dialogue from the film that says, “Agar biwi pass chahiye to ghar main sandaas (toilet) chahiye.”

If we go by statistics, currently more than half the population in India does not have toilets and still defecate in the open and according to the latest data provided by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation around 1 crore households in urban areas of the country don’t have toilets. In order to fulfill government’s aim to make country open defecation free by October 2, 2019 the film will spread the Swachh India message through its tongue in cheek humour.

Also Read: ’50 Swachh Cities By October 2,’ Promises Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis

Based on the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the film is set to release in August, close to India’s Independence Day.