Swachh Bharat: 87-year-old woman honoured for building toilet

In recognition of her relentless efforts to make her village open defecation-free, a 87-year-old woman who built her own toilet was honoured on Sunday.

Rakkhi, a resident of Badali village of Udhampur, who is an inspiration to many, was awarded a cheque of Rs 12000 by the Deputy Commissioner Udhampur for her endeavour towards 'Swachh Bharat'.

In appreciation of her work, the Deputy Commissioner promised to get a 'pucca' toilet made at her place.

After the district administration team of the village launched many awareness camps about the 'Swachh Bharat Mission' and educating villagers about the ill effects of defecating in open, Rakkhi took a lead and decided to construct her own toilet.

She was doing the masonry work herself as she did not have money to hire labours.

While speaking to ANI, Rakkhi disclosed that she had been defecating in the open for decades without knowing its ill effects.

"I want everyone to use the toilet as defecating in open gives birth to many kinds of diseases. I am poor and don't have money to build a toilet. Hence I decided to build the toilet with my own hands without any construction tool or help. My son made the mud for my toilet after which I levelled the bricks and did the masonry work myself. Within seven days my toilet will be completed," she added.

Deputy Commissioner Udhampur praised her work saying, "It is time for people to change their traditional mindset. I was surprised to know that an 87-year-old woman built the toilet herself without any help. I salute the spirit of the woman and everyone should learn a lesson from her.