The World Toilet Day was celebrated on November 19 in Kusmal village of Nuapada District. Youths and children of five villages of Birighat and Lanji panchayats of Khariar Block participated in various events organised jointly by the District Press Club, Nuapada in cooperation with the Water Initiative, Odisha, the PATANG, Sambalpur and the Unicef.
In addition, one State level drawing competition was also held with active support of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Nuapada led by the district youth coordinator of NYK, Asis Thakur. Above 50 youths and 60 children from Kusmal, Jharsaram and Dumerjor villages of Birighat GP and Kendupati and Bhimapadar of Lanji GP participated in various events held on the occasion.
In addition five panchayat representatives of Birighat GP also participated. A state level art compitition for youths in the age group of 18 to 25 was organised where 50 youths took part.
The theme was "Sustainable Sanitation and Climate Change." In a discussion held amongst youths on the theme of "Sustainable Sanitation and Climate Change" various issues emerged like irregular rainfall causing recurrent drought and flood, destruction of natural forests, river water pollution due to open defecation and release of untreated sewerage water especially of the urban areas in to the river etc.
It was found that a majority of households in Kusmal and Dumerjor villages have constructed toilets but in other three villages the number of households having toilets is comparatively less.
The youths further revealed that the younger generation including children have developed the habit of using toilets. However, all of them said that nonavailability of sufficient water was still a major problem in every village. The youths interacted with the children on the issues and engaged them to make drawings to express their ideas on water, forest and sanitation. 42 children participated in this event.