Ahmedabad, Dec 1 (IANS): Gujarat marked World Toilet Day with a widespread sanitation initiative under the ‘Hamara Shauchalay, Hamara Bhavishya’ campaign of the Swachh Bharat Mission–Gramin, focusing on repairing and beautifying both household and community toilets while strengthening awareness on proper sanitation practices.
Across villages, gram panchayats, sanitation committees and volunteers undertook activities such as deep cleaning, repairing broken tiles and damaged doors, fixing taps and drainage lines, and improving waste disposal systems. Many toilets were freshly painted, and colourful wall art was used to promote messages on hygiene, responsible toilet use and handwashing.
Districts including Morbi, Valsad, Ahmedabad and Surendranagar reported extensive refurbishment of toilet facilities, creating safer and cleaner environments for rural residents. Villages also held awareness programmes, cleanliness pledges and competitions to encourage community participation.
Officials noted that World Toilet Day serves as an important reminder that building toilets is only the first step, and maintaining them is essential for sustained public health. Over the past decade, India has made significant progress in expanding sanitation infrastructure through the Swachh Bharat Mission, supported by behaviour change efforts and village-level sanitation upgrades.
Campaigns like ‘Hamara Shauchalay, Hamara Bhavishya’ continue to reinforce hygiene habits, promote sustainable toilet use, and strengthen sanitation systems across rural Gujarat.
