Swachh Shakti 2018 celebrated in Lucknow under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation in association with Uttar Pradesh Government had organized Swachh Shakti 2018, a Women’s Convention on occasion of International Women’s Day in Lucknow. This year, Uttar Pradesh had hosted Swachh Shakti 2018, being largest state in country (in terms of population) with massive rural populace.
Key Facts
In Swachh Shakti 2018, 8000 women sarpanches, 3000 women Swachhagrahis and women champions from across country were recognised for their outstanding contribution towards making Swachh Bharat. The event also included special exhibition, launch of film celebrating Swachh Shakti and flagging off of 30 Swachhata Raths that will travel across State, spreading the message of sanitation at the grassroots.
Background
The Swachh Shakti initiative was launched by Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation in 2017 to recognise and felicitate women sarpanches, women Swachhagrahis and women champions from across country for their outstanding contribution towards making Swachh Bharat. In 2017 Swachh Shakti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed and honoured over 6000 women sarpanches from across country in Gujarat on occasion of International Women’s Day.
Swachh Bharat Mission
SBM was launched in October 2014 with an aim to achieve universal sanitation coverage and to put focus on sanitation. It aims to achieve Swachh Bharat or make India clean and Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2019, as fitting tribute to the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The SBM consists of two sub-missions Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), implemented in rural areas, and Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), implemented in urban areas. It seeks to generate awareness to motivate communities to adopt sustainable sanitation practices, and encourage the use of appropriate technologies for sanitation.
So far, 314 districts and 3.23 lakh villages and 9 States and 2 UTs have been declared ODF. The mission has led to doubling of sanitation coverage from 38.70% to 78.98% since its launch.
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Month: Current Affairs - March, 2018