World Hand Wash Day held across State
Source: The Sangai Express

Tbl/Imp/Ukl, October 16 2014: District Water & Sanitation Committee, Chandel District in association with All Private Schools Welfare Association, Chandel District observed a World Hand Wash Day as apart of National Sanitation Campaign under Swachh Bharat Mission at different schools located in the district.

During the observation, students were given awareness about the importance of hand washing and also demonstrated the 8 steps of proper hand wash to the 9942 students of 21 schools of the district.

Moreover, essay writing competition on the topic "Safe water and improve sanitation in school" was conducted besides holding a painting competition at St Joseph's Higher Secondary School, Kuraopokpi and Oriental Academy, Japhou in connection with the observance programme.

Later, a street play was also staged at Japhou Market shed, Chandel district headquarters by Nokfade Theatre Artistes to create awareness about safe drinking water and Sanitation.

Speaking at the sideline of the observance, Jameson Bungdon, District Coordinator who was also a Section Officer, Chandel PHE Division said that Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Nation wanted our country to be a developed as well as a neat and clean country.

And he also once said that sanitation is equally important as independence.

Students of Ukhrul being presented a soap during the Hand Wash Day observance

As such, the Government of India took up National Sanitation Campaign under Swachh Bharat Mission in accordance with the vision of Mahatma Gandhi's "Developed, Neat and a Clean Country.

World Hand Wash Day is being observed as part of the National Sanitation Campaign for creating mass awareness on cleanliness amongst the people, said Jameson.

The District Coordinator further maintained that the easiest and most important steps of maintaining cleanliness is to wash the hands properly as they are used for different activities everyday.

So, it becomes the most effective carrier of germs which cause different ailments to our health, he added.

More than 3, 000 people die every day due to drinking unsafe water and eating without proper hand washing.

Therefore, it is very important to know that washing hands in proper ways can prevent different diseases, said Jameson.

Meanwhile, a hand washing demonstration programme was held today at Top Chingtha Primary School, Andro.

The programme was organised under Swachh Bharat Mission by the District Water and Sanitation Committee, PHED, Imphal East.

Up Pradhan of Top Chingtha, Md Iboyai; member of Top Chingtha GP, M Denendro; member secretary of DWSC, PHED (IE), EE Ksh Lalitbabu and Headmaster of Top Chingtha Primary School, S Abhiram attended the programme as the chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

Similar programme was also jointly organised by District Water and Sanitation Committee, Bishnupur and Social Educational Health and Cultural Development Organisation at Bishnupur Public School.

The programme was attended by member secretary of DWSC O Meino, AE L Gokulchandra, Retd CMO Dr Kh Modhumangol, AE K Bishorjit, AE Alexander and SO Deben as the chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

A similar program was also held at Phubala High School.

At the same time, over 300 students of Ukhrul Higher Secondary School, Wino Bazar were sensitized on Swacch Bharat as part of the Global Hand Washing Day today.

Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul, Hrishekeesh Modak speaking as the chief guest said a simple and important step to prevent various infectious diseases is strict observance of basic rule of hand washing.

Health expert Dr Manik Shaiza dwelt on the topic Clean Hand & Save Life.

He said habitual hand washing would at least save children from diarrhoea and other infectious diseases.

He also demonstrated the method of clean hand washing to the students.

The Global Hand Washing Day was organized by Ukhrul District Working Journalist Association (UDWJA) under the sponsorship of Ukhrul PHE Division.

EE, PHED, Ukhrul A Nikunja spoke on sanitation and personal hygiene.

Teachers, PHED staff, local leaders, intellectuals and the students took part in the global hand washing day held all over the State.