Jammu: A One-day orientation of Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin-interns (under Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin-Internship) 2023 was organized by the Directorate of Rural Sanitation J&K, here on Friday.
The Directorate of Rural Sanitation, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj have enrolled youth for promoting Swachhata in the villages.
Under this Voluntary internship, interested youth, including Research Scholars enrolled in the Colleges/universities and were invited to work in the villages to carry out specific activities, especially to generate awareness for improving the sanitation and hygiene in the villages. The enrolled youth are expected to devote at least 100 hours to Swachhata over a period of 02 months.
A number of swachhata interns from Districts of Jammu, Samba and Reasi attended the programme in person, while interns from other districts of JK joined the Orientation Programme online.
Director Rural Sanitation J&K Charandeep Singh briefed the participants about different aspects of Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin. He explained in detail the work that was being done by the department for attaining the goal of a Swachh JK, where all villages have attained the parameters for being declared ODF Plus Model Villages. He further informed the students how they could contribute in spreading awareness among the masses to trigger a change in sanitation related behavior. He also explained how the interns can actively involve themselves in IEC activities and target behavior around open defecation, hygiene practices, Solid Waste Management among other behaviors. It was suggested that these young interns could conduct door to door campaigns and organize Waste collection drives, Mobilize Community and Panchayats to build Compost pits and organize cleanliness drives of Street/ drains etc.
Through various Audio Visual aids participants were acquainted with the different aspects of SBMG and the infrastructure/assets being put in place such as Soak Pits/ leach Pits/ Magic Pits/ Plastic Waste Management Units by the department. They were also informed that the department has already declared over 6000 Villages as ODF Plus in the Aspiring category and to achieve the goal of 100% ODF Plus Model saturation, the cooperation of these youngsters is required. An interaction was also held with the students who shared their experiences of the work that they have already done and their plans ahead to make SBMG Mission a JAN ANDOLAN.
The programme was also attended by Assistant Commissioner Development Jammu, Deputy Director Rural Sanitation Jammu, District Panchayat Officer Jammu, District Panchayat Officer Samba, Block Development Officer, Directorate of Rural Sanitation JK & Field Officer Rural Sanitation Jammu.
