Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman Campaign Launched on World Toilet Day

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Campaign
   • Overview of “Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman”
   • Alignment with World Toilet Day & Human Rights Day
2. Goals and Objectives
   • Sustaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) Status
   • Promoting Behavioral Change for Cleaner Communities
3. Focus Areas of the Campaign
   • Addressing Vulnerable Groups
   • Emphasizing Toilets as a Dignity Tool
4. Key Activities and Initiatives
   • Competitions and Rewards
   • Community Outreach Programs
   • Celebrating Sanitation Workers
   • Citizen Engagement on Social Media
5. Statements from Key Stakeholders
   • Secretary, DDWS, Ashok KK Meena’s Vision
   • Commitment to SDG 6 and Inclusive Sanitation
6. Role of Governance and Community Participation
   • Responsibilities Across Administrative Levels
   • Leadership by Chief Ministers and District Magistrates
7. Impact and Long-Term Vision
   • Enhancing Toilet Infrastructure
   • Building a Sustainable and Dignified Sanitation Culture

Introduction to the Campaign

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) launched the nationwide campaign “Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman” (HSHS) on November 19, 2024, coinciding with World Toilet Day. The campaign will culminate on Human Rights Day, December 10, 2024, underscoring the connection between sanitation, dignity & human rights.

Goals and Objectives

The campaign Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman aims to:

• Sustain India’s ODF status achieved in 2019 under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM).
• Focus on creating ODF Plus Model villages through continuous behavioral change & community engagement.
• Reinforce the critical importance of sanitation for public health & equality.

Focus Areas of the Campaign

The Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman initiative particularly highlights:

• The needs of vulnerable groups, such as women and girls.
• The role of toilets is more than infrastructure—symbolizing dignity, equality & public health.
  The campaign tagline, “शौचालय संवारें, जीवन निखारें” (Enhance Toilets, Enrich Lives), captures its essence.

Key Activities and Initiatives

1. Competitions and Rewards
   • Identifying and rewarding the best-maintained household toilets (IHHLs) and community sanitary complexes (CSCs) to encourage exemplary practices.
2. Community Outreach Programs
   • Ratri Chaupals and WASH clubs to foster collective responsibility for sanitation.
3. Honoring Sanitation Workers
   • Organizing dignity camps to celebrate their contributions and ensure their inclusion in welfare programs.
4. Citizen Engagement on Social Media
   • Encouraging citizens to share success stories using hashtags #ToiletsForDignity and #MyToiletMyPride on platforms like MyGov.

Statements from Key Stakeholders

Ashok KK Meena, Secretary, DDWS, emphasized the importance of a bottom-up approach, stating:
“Sanitation is a cornerstone of dignity and development. This campaign empowers communities by involving all stakeholders to sustain sanitation practices, build pride, and ensure long-term impact.”

Role of Governance and Community Participation

The campaign involves leaders at every level:

• Chief Ministers and State Ministers will oversee state-level events.
• District Magistrates and elected representatives will lead district programs.

This decentralized approach ensures inclusive participation and accountability.

Impact and Long-Term Vision

The Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman campaign is a step toward:

• Enhancing sanitation infrastructure.
• Promoting pride in clean, functional toilets.
• Building a healthier and more dignified India.

By sustaining ODF achievements, the campaign transforms sanitation into a continuous journey rather than a one-time milestone.

Conclusion: Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman

The DDWS calls on citizens to join the HSHS initiative, making sanitation a shared responsibility and a symbol of national pride. Let us collectively work toward a Clean India, Healthy India, upholding the legacy of the Swachh Bharat Mission.