The Importance Of Hygiene And Sanitation
It is no secret that proper hygiene and sanitation is essential for the prosperity of human beings. But what exactly is hygiene? Hygiene refers to a set of practices which promote good health and cleanliness. On the other hand, sanitation is a set of public health conditions such as clean drinking water, clean air, disease-free environment, etc. Proper hygiene and sanitation is very important for our physical, psychological, social and spiritual health. There are a myriad of ways in which we can keep our surroundings in check and keep them neat and clean.
In India, proper hygiene and sanitation has always been an issue. That is why the Indian government started the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in 2014. The purpose of this program was to make India a clean space free of diseases and other issues related to hygiene and sanitation. Multiple steps were taken in order to transform India into a clean space. Perhaps the most effective and important step taken by the government was to install public toilets in urban and rural spaces. In rural India, people are used to defecate in the open which can lead to a lot of problems including the contraction of multiple diseases. Apart from installing public toilets, the government launched a campaign to promote the construction and usage of toilets in homes. Renowned actors and actresses such as Vidya Balan took part in this campaign to spread awareness about the importance of using toilets instead of defecating in the open.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has been a success as it has already improved the condition of the country a lot. However, the movement can only succeed if the public partakes in this program on an individual level. In the end, it is up to the individual how clean they keep their environment. This responsibility includes not only adopting practices which promote sanitation and hygienic practices but also holding other people accountable for the same.
There are many ways in which you can contribute to the program. Here are a few ways in which you can help India transform into a cleaner and healthier space.
Keep your surroundings clean: Before worrying about the condition of the nation, you have to work with what you have and what you can access. This includes keeping your home and locality neat and clean.
Raise awareness: If you want to further contribute into this program, it is essential that you educate your fellow human beings. Many people are not aware about the importance of sanitation and hygiene. They are also oblivious to the fact that many diseases can be avoided if one keeps their environment clean. You can hold discussions and conversations with other people regarding the same. In the end, you might be able to sensitize other people about this issue.
Join an organization: There are many organizations working for a cleaner India. Working with an organization is much more effective than working solo. India Sanitation Coalition is one such organization which aims to make India a cleaner and better space.
