With Messages Of Hopes And Progress Towards Sanitation, World Toilet Day 2020 Found Ample Support Among Citizens

New Delhi: World Toilet Day, celebrated every year on November 19, is an official United Nations International Observance day. Established in 2001 by the World Toilet Organisation- a global non-profit committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide, the day aims to inspire actions to tackle the global crisis of sanitation and raise awareness on the crucial role that sanitation and hygiene play in reducing disease outbreaks and creating healthier communities. The theme for World Toilet Day 2020 is Sustainable Sanitation and Climate Change. The theme this year is in reference to how climate change is causing more instances of flood, drought and rising sea levels which is threatening sanitation systems – from toilets to septic tanks to treatment plants. As the world observes the day, several netizens including ministers, celebrities took to social media to lend their support and shared the messages on the importance of using toilets and developing good sanitation habits.

Also Read: World Toilet Day 2020: Jack Sim, Founder Of World Toilet Organisation And Mark Balla, Author, Talk About The Importance Of Hygiene During COVID Pandemic

Highlighting the lack of access to toilets among billions of people, the official Twitter handle of the United Nations posted,

Toilets, along with clean water & good hygiene, are essential for fighting #COVID19 and other diseases. Yet, billions of people around the world live without safe sanitation services.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) shared a video with an aim to raise awareness among people about the problems faced people living without access to sanitation. It said,

Stop for a second & imagine what life would be like without a toilet. That is the daily reality of over half a billion people.

Secretary-General of the UN also expressed concerns over the lack of basic sanitation among a large proportion of world population. He said,

More than one quarter of the global population still lack basic sanitation. This is unacceptable – from a moral, economic & health standpoint. We must ensure everyone, everywhere has access to safe & hygienic sanitation services that provide privacy and dignity. #WorldToiletDay

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

Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to Twitter to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who launched the nationwide flagship sanitation programme, Swachh Bharat Mission, for his commitment towards making India open defecation free (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.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu also urged Indians to ‘reaffirm our commitment to keep India open defecation free’. He said via a tweet,

On this #WorldToiletDay, let us reaffirm our commitment to keep India open defecation free. Poor sanitation leads to malnutrition and increases the risk of transmission of diseases. Therefore, hygiene & sanitation should be our priority for healthy communities and healthy nation.

Union Minister of Railways, Piyush Goyal marked the World Toilet Day and said that Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is the biggest sanitation and cleanliness campaign India has ever seen. He tweeted,

The Swachh Bharat Mission launched by PM Modi ji is the biggest sanitation & cleanliness campaign India has ever seen. This mission has resulted in improved health & nutrition, as well as ensured dignity and self-respect for women.

Anusuiya Uikey, Governor Chhattisgarh urged the citizens to reaffirm their commitment to keep the country clean and open defecation free. She said,

On this #WorldToiletDay, let us reaffirm our commitment to keep India Clean and Open Defecation Free.
Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation will go a long way in building a better future for all of us.

Also Read: World Toilet Day 2020: Next Biggest Challenge For India Is To Sustain The ODF Tag, Says Experts

“Sanitation must come before medication,” said Pujya Swamiji, Founder/Chair, President of Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA) and lauded the efforts of Swachh Bharat Mission towards making the country open defecation free.

Celebrity sand artist and Padma Shri Awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sculpture of a toilet to mark the World Toilet Day and shared via his Twitter account,

On #WorldToiletDay we must thank our Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji for leading the efforts towards sustainable sanitation in India. #Toilet4All. One of My SandArt at Puri beach.

Actor and climate warrior Bhumi Pednekar emphasised on the adverse impact of lack of toilets on education of girls. Sharing a video on Twitter, she said,

Every year millions of girls drop out of school due to a lack of clean toilets. This World Toilet Day, please join me in supporting the ‘Build A Toilet, Build Her Future’ initiative by Hindware.

Actor Dia Mirza also took to Twitter to lend her support to the day.

A user with the handle name ‘Clio’s Chronicles’ shared about the history of toilets in the country. The user wrote,

The history of toilets in India is as old as the Saraswati-Sindhu Civilization. The archaeological remains of the Indus Valley Civilization bear evidence to the use of water-borne toilets by the Harappan people living at Lothal, which is only 62km from Ahmedabad.

Centre for Advocacy And Research (CFAR), a Delhi based organisation conducted a signature campaign in Jaipur to encourage people to strengthen their commitment in building, maintaining and using toilets.

Also Read: World Toilet Day 2020: The Need For Sustainable Sanitation And Impact Of Climate Change

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.