Convention on Swachh Bharat Mission: Need for changing people’s mindset underscored

From a Correspondent

Dibrugarh, September 28:  The convention on Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) to strengthen College Health and Sanitation Club was organized by Dibrugarh University and in collaboration with the State Water and Sanitation Mission, Assam. An initiative by UNICEF, the convention was held in the University premises on Wednesday.

The one-day convention was attended amongst others by Deputy Commissioner, Laya Madduri; Vice Chancellor of Dibrugarh University, Prof. Alak Kumar Buragohain ; Registrar of Diburgarh University, Prof MN Dutta, Chief Field Officer, Deputy Representative  Programme, UNICEF, India, Henriette Ahrens UNICEF, Assam, and Tushar Rane ; who graced the occasion as distinguished guests.

 Addressing the convention, Deputy Commissioner Laya Madduri suggested the organizing teams and other stakeholders to focus on sustaible development. She said there should be awareness and promotion among the communities about the construction of toilets by the residents. Availability of resources and manpower makes it more accessible for the students and the organizing teams to reform mindsets where the residents should willingly construct toilets and practice proper sanitation practices for their individual self.

The Deputy Representative Programme, UNICEF, India, Henriette Ahrens, in her deliberation laid focus on the mind shift which was necessary and a long-term process. It is in fact a science to make individuals change their existing mindsets and it takes time. Ahrens further stated that for this the students or youth played a vital role as they accept and embrace changes and education was definitely the pathway to achieve these goals.  This initiative of SBM for being embedded in the university helps for a long term investment for bringing change, stated Henrietta Ahrens.

Prof. Alak Kr. Buragohain, in his speech said that Swachh Bharat Mission was not a government scheme or mission but it was a massive social enterprise and movement for bringing social change. Proper hygiene and sanitation practices not just helped the mind and body of an individual but it contributed to the holistic development of an economy. Prof. Buragohain also stressed the integration of Education, Sensitization and Awareness as the synergy of these three components would help to accomplish the goals of the mission.

Two technical sessions were also conducted where an interactive discussion was held on the roles of College Health and Sanitation Club (CHSC). In the discussion the work that has been done by Dibrugarh University and colleges affiliated to the University was also highlighted. The session was about how to monitor and carry out strategic planning of programmes during field work.