For an effective implementation of “Bal Swachchhata Mission” in Chandigarh, the UT Administration has prepared a detailed plan of action, in line with the themes suggested by Government of India.
The UT Department of Social Welfare is undertaking the implementation of the program in all its units, in convergence with other departments like Department of School Education, Department of Public Health and Municipal Corporation to undertake cleanliness drives, ensuring clean surroundings and sensitisation on issues of personal hygiene and child health.
The program will be launched on November 2014 and the activities will continue for the whole week i.e. November 14-19.A spokesperson of the UT Administration said, “On November 14, on the occasion of Children’s Day, the Department of Social Welfare in convergence with Health department will organise a camp for comprehensive health checkup at Snehalaya-Children home, followed by many other recreational activities and programs for children formally marking the beginning of the celebrations.
The department will also be celebrating the ICDS week 2014 with the theme “Bal Swachchhta” with focus on ensuring clean anganwadis, clean surroundings, issues of personal hygiene and child health, clean food, clean drinking water and clean toilets.”
“On each day from November 14 to 19, one of the above themes will be covered at all its Anganwadi centers, Creches, children homes and all welfare units. The ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) program will also undertake a Pulse Polio awareness campaign on November 16 and 17 in which they will educate the mothers regarding importance of personal hygiene and cleanliness and ensure cleanliness drive in their respective kitchens providing food to Anganwadi,” added the spokesperson.
Apart from this, the department will also organise awareness and sensitisation lectures on issues of personal and environment hygiene in Anganwadi, crèches, schools and its welfare units. The week will culminate with the World Toilet Day on November 19 and the focus will be on spreading the message of ending open defecation.
Notably, the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) program running under the aegis of Department runs 500 Anganwaris in Chandigarh and caters to approximately 40,000 children providing them nutrition, primary education and health care facilities means for overall development and growth.