Awareness programmes to mark 2nd anniv of Swachh Bharat

The government will organise a series of awareness programmes to mark two years of completion of the Swachh Bharat campaign from September 25, the birthday of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, to October 2, which is Gandhi Jayanati.
Drinking Water and Sanitation Secretary Parmeswaran Iyer said various government departments would plan different initiatives to generate greater awareness.
At the interaction, Secretary (School Education and Literacy) in the HRD ministry, S C Khuntia, said an exercise to select institutions for 'Swachh' school awards is underway.
The Centre is writing to state governments to ensure that drinking water and sanitation facilities are adequately available to students in schools, he said.

There should be a urinal facility for every 40 students and a drinking water facility for every 80 students as per the norms, he suggested.
Secretary (Higher Education) V S Oberoi, along with Khuntia also gave details as per which a 'Swachhta Pakhwada' (fortnight) was celebrated in educational institutions across the country from September 1 to 15.

Scores of activities were undertaken during this period. Citing an instance, they said that over 15 lakh students have written to their parents to build toilets in their houses in Rajasthan, the officials said.
IIT Delhi Director Dr V Ramgopal Rao mentioned that the institute had undertaken scores of activities during this period.

The institute is coming up with innovations in the field of sanitation and cleanliness including a "waterless toilet" as well, he added.