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To mark World Toilet Day 2025, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti rolled out a nationwide initiative titled ‘Hamara Shauchalaya, Hamara Bhavishya’ (Our Toilet, Our Future). The campaign, commenced on 19th November and ran until Human Rights Day on December 10 2025.
The primary objective of the campaign was to reinforce sanitation infrastructure across rural India. Moving beyond construction, the initiative aligned with Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) [SBM-G] Phase-II by focusing on:
- Functionality & Repair: Assessing and refurbishing Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs) and Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs)
- Aesthetic Upliftment: Encouraging communities to take pride in their sanitation facilities through beautification and cleanliness drives
- Operational Strengthening: Reviewing and improving Operations and Maintenance (O&M) systems for community-managed toilets.
The campaign emphasized collective responsibility through extensive Jan Bhagidari (People’s Participation). States and Union Territories were urged to engage local influencers, including Padma Awardees, retired armed forces personnel, youth groups (NCC, NSS, NYKS) and school children to champion the cause of hygiene.
Key components of the Drive included:
- Awareness Generation: Educating the public on safe faecal waste management, retrofitting and climate-resilient sanitation protocols
- Worker Recognition: Felicitation of sanitation workers to acknowledge their critical role in public health
- Saturation Efforts: Distribution of IHHL sanction letters to eligible beneficiaries to ensure no household is left behind.
Since the inception of SBM-G in 2014, India has constructed over 11 crore toilets.
