India Launches Nationwide Campaign “Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman” on World Toilet Day

New Delhi: The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) launched the nationwide campaign “Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman” (HSHS) today, coinciding with World Toilet Day. The campaign, running until Human Rights Day on December 10, 2024, emphasizes the critical connection between sanitation, human rights, and dignity.

The initiative reaffirms India’s commitment to maintaining its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status achieved in 2019 and aims to sustain this milestone through behavioral change and community-driven efforts. Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II, the focus has shifted to creating ODF Plus Model Villages, where the first criterion is sustaining ODF achievements.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashok KK Meena, Secretary of DDWS, highlighted the significance of grassroots participation in ensuring sustained sanitation practices. “Sanitation is a cornerstone of dignity and development. The ‘Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman’ campaign empowers communities to take pride in their sanitation achievements and ensures that everyone contributes to building a cleaner, healthier nation,” he said.

The campaign focuses on vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls, underscoring that toilets are not just infrastructure but symbols of dignity and public health. Its tagline, “शौचालय संवारें, जीवन निखारें” (Enhance toilets, enrich lives), aligns with the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 of equitable access to sanitation.

The campaign includes diverse activities designed to reinforce sanitation practices, sustain behavioral change, and celebrate community efforts:

• Competitions: Best-maintained household toilets (IHHLs) and community sanitary complexes (CSCs) will be identified and rewarded at every administrative level, encouraging pride and emulation.
• Community Outreach: Initiatives like “Ratri Chaupals” and WASH clubs aim to bring people together for discussions and inspire change.
• Recognition of Sanitation Workers: Special dignity camps will celebrate sanitation workers’ contributions, ensuring their inclusion in welfare programs.
• Citizen Engagement: Individuals are encouraged to share sanitation success stories via social media with hashtags #ToiletsForDignity and #MyToiletMyPride.
• Leadership at All Levels: Chief Ministers, State Ministers, and local leaders will oversee state and district-level events to ensure widespread participation.

The DDWS has appealed to all citizens to join the campaign, emphasizing that sanitation is a continuous journey requiring collective effort. The campaign aims to enhance the functionality and aesthetics of toilets nationwide, fostering pride and sustainable sanitation practices.

By promoting the legacy of the Swachh Bharat Mission, the HSHS campaign is a call to action for a healthier, more dignified, and equitable India. “Together, let us sustain this progress and ensure no one is left behind,” Meena urged.