Pressed for time to achieve the objective of Swachcch Bharat Mission, the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department is likely to rope in people from other background and inclinations to execute the mission in the State. The department organised a workshop on Swachchh Bharat Mission to orient, engage media and other stakeholders for propagating the messages of Swachchh Bharat Mission door-to-door.
The orientation programme solicited support of media on one hand and decided to bring teachers, students, PDS dealers and Aanganwadi workers to create awareness about the goals of Swacch Bharat Mission and its benefits for the society.
“We want to take help of teachers, students, Aaganwadi workers and PDS dealers for this purpose as they can create some effect in the society regarding behavioural change. Matasya Mitra and Resham Doot group are also stronger in the state and we are considering taking their help to propagate the messages of sanitation up to down level,” said Secretary of DWSD, AP Singh.
Singh added that information, education and communication are important to ensure success of the cleanliness programme. Public participation and opinion is also important for this Mission, Singh told. The Secretary emphasised on the role of media as an effective means of communication to aware people.
Director of Swachh Bharat Mission, Rajesh Kumar Sharma stressed on the need to set a goal to make Jharkhand open defecation free in 2018 and launching more efforts in the direction. “This is not a small goal as we will have to construct 3,20,000 toilets in 3 years. Only department cannot achieve this target unless public participation is not ensured,” said Sharma.
Chief of Unicef Jharkhand, Madhulika Jonathan said Swachh Bharat Mission requires community participation and strong behaviour change component to achieve results. She added that the SBM should not be visualized as a standalone programme because it impacts both health and nutrition indicators for under 5 children.