DU, UNICEF and the State Public Health Department join hands for Elimination of Open Defecation
A conclave on Social Behaviour Change Communication, second in a series of such events aimed at elimination for open defecation was organized in Dibrugarh University in collaboration with Government of Assam (District Health and Sanitary Committee of the Public Health Department) and the UNICEF on 19th August, 2016. 236 participants from 56 colleges affiliated to Dibrugarh University took part in the conclave.
In the inaugural session at Rangghar, the University auditorium, Dr Rupam Saikia, Director, College Development Council, Dibrugarh University extended a warm welcome to all the participants. Dr Tushar Rane, Chief Field Officer, North East Region, UNICEF addressed the audience in a thoughtful speech. He emphasized on the fact that youth are the ‘Ray of Hope’ and represent the ‘Yuva Shakti’ that will be instrumental in restoration of a new India. He appreciated Dibrugarh University's constant endeavor in making the state and the country clean and aware about safe drinking water and open defecation free.
He emphasized more on the concept of ‘healthy body and healthy mind’. He made special mention about the first ever synergy among Dibrugarh University with all its affiliated colleges, Government of Assam and the UNICEF towards social behaviour change for making the state ODF. He expressed strong conviction that if the youth of the nation is motivated, change in our country is inevitable.
In the Technical Session Er. P.Choudhury, State Coordinator, Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), Assam talked on the genesis of Swacch Bharat Mission in India. He spoke about the Down to Top Approach of the Government in this regard and reiterated that it is the people aware and sensitized who can ensure the success of the important mission of Swachh Bharat (Gramin). He also made the concept of sanitary toilet clear to the gathering. He talked about SBM as
- Less Engineering
- More of Felt Needs
- Collective Effort
Bhaskar Sharma, Nodal Officer, SBM(G), PHED, shared with the participants certain notable success stories of the PHED after collaborating with Dibrugarh University. He also projected two videos showing how the District Commissioner of Dibrugarh spent a night with the tea community members so as to gain their acceptance and to understand their problems. He spoke about the Pride Walk - Gourav Yatra
by the ODF declared blocks on the occasion of Independence Day.
Monalisha Phukan Roy, Assistant Professor, Centre for Social Work Studies, Dibrugarh University made a presentation on the initiatives of Dibrugarh University towards implementation of SBM(G).
Borah, Assistant Professor, Centre for Social Work Studies, Dibrugarh University offered the Vote of Thanks.