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Ravi S.Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 29
President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday inaugurated the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention organised by the Drinking Water and Sanitation Ministry to mark the beginning of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi.
Addressing ministers and delegates from 68 participating countries, he lauded the Swachh Bharat campaign, describing it as a revolution paying out in real time. As an instrument of mass mobilisation, as a people’s movement, and as national goal towards which there is near-total commitment, Swachh Bharat represents the spirit of our Independence movement, the President said.
Improving access to sanitation and eradication of open defecation have enormous implications, he said, adding they are critical social and economic investments. The absence of a suitable toilet and appropriate hygiene and sanitation practices can lead to malnutrition and life-long disadvantages, he said.
Underlining the positive contribution of cleanliness towards upgrading human capital and the accruing demographic dividends, he emphasised that no young girl should have to give up school only because a girl’s toilet is not available.
The President said achieving universal access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene by 2030 is a major challenge in many parts of the world.
“India is striving to eliminate open defecation in its entirety by October 2, 2019. This is the best 150th birthday gift we can give to Gandhiji,” Kovind said.
He suggested five important themes that countries may choose to adopt while meeting the problem of insufficient sanitation. They include ensuring that people lead the planning, implementation and management of sanitation programmes.