The 11th of November is recognised globally as World Toilet Day. Initially the day was established by the World Toilet Organization in 2001. Then in 2013, the United Nations passed a resolution to work towards improving sanitation in the world.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to reiterate the Government’s commitment towards better sanitation facilities in India. Modi tweeted, “On World Toilet Day, we reaffirm our commitment towards improving sanitation facilities across our nation.”
He further added, “I compliment all those individuals and organisations working towards building more toilets in various parts of India. Their invaluable contribution adds solid momentum to Swachh Bharat Mission.”
But although the Government seems to be progressing they have a long way to go. A survey by WaterAid in 2017 shows more than 732 million people in India do not have access to toilets.
Chief Executive for WaterAid India, V.K. Madhavan said, “While India is making rapid progress in improving sanitation under the ongoing Swachh Bharat Mission, we need to ensure inclusion, recognising the importance of safe and accessible toilets specific to the needs of the differently abled, the elderly, the poorest, as well as women and adolescent girls.”
India announced its plans to successfully make the country 100% Open Defecation Free (ODF) by the 2nd of October 2019. But to hit this target, around 12 crore toilets need to be built between October 2017 and 2019.
The Swachh Bharat Mission which began in 2014 has managed to build only 5.38 crores toilets in the past three years. TERI University released a report showing Gujarat as the only State to meet its toilet building target.
