Swachh Bharat
Major Initiatives of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
On 2nd October 2014, Swachh Bharat Mission was launched throughout length and breadth of the country as a national movement. The campaign aims to achieve the vision of a ‘Clean India’ by 2nd October 2019. Shri Narendra Modi said “A clean India would be the best tribute India could pay to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150 birth anniversary in 2019”.
By inviting people to participate in the drive, the Swachhta Abhiyan has turned into a National Movement. A sense of responsibility has been evoked among the people through the Clean India Movement. With citizens now becoming active participants in cleanliness activities across the nation, the dream of a ‘Clean India’ once seen by Mahatma Gandhi has begun to get a shape.
Swachh Bharat Summer Internship (SBSI) 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is urging students across the country to join the government’s “Swachh Bharat Summer” internship programme. The internshiphas been organized by three ministries – Sports, Human Resources Development (HRD) and Water Resources.
About Internship
The objective of this internship programme is to engage the youth across the country and develop their skill and orientation for sanitation related work, amplify mass awareness on cleanliness and cement the people’s movement (Jan andolan) aspect of Swachh Bharat Mission. This is in line with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call on October 2, 2014 for each individual to devote 100 hours to Swachhata through the year.
The programme is expected to not only provide a great learning experience to students but hopes to also further the existing measures undertaken by the government in ensuring a clean and healthy India.
“This is an opportunity for those young people who wish to contribute to the country, bring about a change in society and learn something in the process,” PM Modi said during his Mann Ki Batt.(monthly radio programme).
Aim of Internship Program:-
- Develop their skill and orientation for sanitation related work.
- Bring youth across the country an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the swachhata revolution.
- Integrate youth in the community service in rural areas in the sun up to the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
SRM's Participation In Swachh Bharat Mission:-
Students from various departments of SRM Institute of Science & Technology have been actively involving in Swachata activities through this Swachh Bharat Summer Internship Programme.
SBSI Activities at Nattarasanpattu
About Nattarasanpattu
Nattarasanpattu panchayat comes under Kundrathur block, Kancheepuram District.
Door – to door household survey
The SRM interns surveyed 80 households. We found that
- 33 houses (41%) had toilets and 44 houses (55%) did not have toilets.
- Use of existing toilets is very low only 23 out of 33 houses (70%) used existing toilets. Majority of the people are practicing open defecation, even those who have toilets in their houses. The reasons are lack of water connection or non-construction of septic tanks to collect the waste.
- Almost all the houses had bathrooms built outside the house. Some with no roof and others are partially built structures.
- There are some houses which have toilets partially built and used as store rooms.
Street Cleaning:-
The SRM interns engaged in street cleaning and segregating the collected waste into degradable and non-degradable waste. They sensitized the local residents about proper waste disposal.
Planting Sapling in Govt. Elementary and High School:
Altogether the SRM interns planted 35 saplings in the school premise. They educated the kids about the importance of trees for reducing water pollution, purifying air, preventing soil erosion, provides shade, beautifies the surroundings and houses, small animals, birds and insects.
Community (public) awareness at Community Hall:
The students used effective educational videos to educate and create awareness about sanitation facilities open defecation, usage of toilets and waste disposal to the gathered audience. They performed a drama (naataks), showcasing the reality of the problems of open defecation, importance of toilets, methods of waste segregation and the useful by products of household waste (compost pit).
The programme was honored by the presence of BDO officer at Nattarasanpattu, Panchayat Secretary and Nodal Officer of Swachh Bharat Summer Internship, SRMIST.
Take home messages for the day was:
- The main message reinforced was “Usea Toilet, do not defecate in the open”.
- Since majority of audience were homemakers, solid waste management was explained. “The household waste can be recycled or reused. Segregate kitchen waste. Try to use some of it as compost. Try to send recyclable waste to recycling waste collection”.
- Overall cleanliness (visual clutter) – “Your village is where you live, it is your home. Just like how you keep your house clean, keep your streets clean. If each of you contribute to keeping your streets clean, the whole Nattarasanpattu will be clean”.
Wall writings, wall paintings
Thematic drawings were drawn on school walls and the children were sensitized about the messages drawn.
Engaging students from Govt. Elementary and High School:-
The school students were first sensitized about the meaning and need of Swachh Bharat. They performed dramas, taught them the 7 steps of hand washing, screening educational videos, conducted drawing, elocution, speech and skit competition.
Compost pit:-
The Interns identified a household that required a compost pit. They dug a compost pit and taught the members of the household how to use the pit.
Conducting Dental Camp:-
The Interns co-ordinate with SRM Dental team to conduct dental camp for school children and teach them the importance of staff drinking water and personal hygiene.
Van rally:
The Interns will be conducting a van rally at Nattarasanpattu to spread awareness about Swachh Bharat
Key Activity of the Internship:
At least 100 hour of Swachata related activities in rural areas.
Duration
100 hours (between 1st May to 31st July 2018).
