Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Sep. 25: The department of Public Health Engineering, Urban and Rural division, Dimapur has launched “Swachhagrahis-Cleanliness Agent” in Nagaland’s commercial hub, Dimapur. The programme was launched under the directive of ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, and also in continuation with the Swachhata Hi Seva movement. The launching programme was conducted on Sep. 24 at Town hall in Dimapur.
Swachhagrahis are called as ‘foot soldiers’ whose duties are to implement Community Approaches to Sanitation (CAS) at the village levels. They are the ambassadors for cleanliness and motivators to bring about safe sanitation practices. Swachhagrahis are identified as the catalysts to making India an open defecation-free (ODF) nation.
The extra assistant commissioner of Dimapur, Tsidi Hairang who attended the programme as the special guest exhorted the Swachhagrahis to propagate the message of cleanliness in their villages. He further mentioned that people living in the villages should be taught to make use of toilets for hygienic living.
L Tongpang Longkumer, the executive engineer, PHED Rural division spoke about Swachhata Hi Seva movement which was launched on Sep. 15. He highlighted the status of toilet constructions in Dimapur district, while lauding the remarkable achievements made through the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Sub divisional officer of PHED, Ichirang Zeliang told Eastern Mirror that Swachhagrahis will act as facilitators between the villages and the PHED. Zeliang informed that the Swachhagrahis would be appointed by the department.
“The number of Swachhagrahis will range from one to two depending on its population. However, it could be more if the population is very large,” Zeliang said.
The SDO underlined the role of Swachhagrahis as crucial in achieving an ODF status across the country. He mentioned that Swachhagrahis had to play major role in the nation’s goal to achieve ODF villages and districts by 2019.
