In a bid to check the practice of open defecation, a social experiment will soon be started in villages of Indore division where children will blow a loud whistle to embarrass those who defecate in public.
The State government is planning to set up groups of schoolchildren to take part in the campaign.
“Under this drive, we would first raise awareness among students of class V, VI in rural areas about cleanliness and tell them about the disadvantages of defecating in the open,” Indore divisional commissioner (revenue) Sanjay Dubey said.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Following this, children would be provided whistles.”
Mr. Dubey said children would be encouraged to blow the whistle loudly if they found anyone relieving themselves in the open. This would embarrass the person and would help to check the practice, he said.
“It is not just enough to build ‘pucca’ toilets to stop the practice of open defecation in rural areas. There is also a need to launch an effective social drive to check it.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The commissioner has also directed officials to paint a green mark on houses with ‘pucca’ toilets. The mark of recognition will inspire other families to construct proper toilets, he said.
Additionally, a few residents in the division would be chosen as “cleanliness ambassadors” and with their help, all efforts would be made to stop open defecation, he said.
A drive would also be launched to facilitate construction of ‘pucca’ toilets in schools and government-run child care centres, Mr. Dubey added.