14-Year-Old Girl Protest Against Open Defecation, Inspires 35 Others

Neatness and cleanliness reflect an individual’s mentality and principles. It is nowhere related to a function of being rich or poor. Even Mahatma Gandhi always valued cleanliness and hygiene above other things. Now, a class 10 student, Nisha Kumari, of Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir is following the path shown by the Father of the Nation.

Nisha went on a hunger strike to get a toilet built at her home in Kud Basti Village.

She took this step after she learned about the health risks associated with open defecation in her swachhta class. On 14^th March after returning from school she sat on hunger strike. However, what is astonishing is that even her parents did not comply with her demands. Instead, they urged her to continue defecating in the open just like her family has for years.

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But the 14-year old Nisha went on a strike and did not eat anything for 48 hours.

After two days the family got approval for construction of an individual household latrine at Nisha’s house under Swachh Bharat Mission.

Nisha told the PTI, "On March 13, I had watched a programme in my school on the topic of Swachh Bharat Mission. I was thrilled to hear about it but at the same time I was sad for not having a toilet in my house".

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Nisha shares that after watching the programme she decided to go on the strike. Also, her aim was to make the family and government realize the responsibilities. She wanted that her house to have an individual latrine. Her two day-long hunger strike resulted in a positive change. Now, the construction of toilet has already begun at their house.

Nisha’s appreciable step has inspired many, the small initiative by Nisha has turned into a mass movement.

Around 35 more students from Higher secondary school also protested in their houses demanding the construction of toilets for their residents. They protested in the very same week.

A total number of 558 individual household latrines’ construction is in progress in Kud. It also includes constructions in the households of the 35 children who protested following Nisha.

By the end of the year, administrators have decided to give each of 7,989 households a toilet. The authorities are aiming to make Kud an open defecation free village by the end of this year. In regards to Nisha’s efforts towards swachhta, Union Minister has felicitated her.

She has been given the title of ‘child icon’ of Swacch Bharat Abhiyan

#ConstituencyUpdate: Felicitated young girl Nisha Rani from a remote village in district #Udhampur, who went on a fast to get a toilet set up in her household. Finally, a toilet has been set up and work started on construction of 500 more such toilets. #Jammu #Kashmir pic.twitter.com/PsUXZpurZy

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) March 24, 2018

She has set a unique example for other children. The principal of the school, Mukesh Kumar is really proud of her. Furthermore, considering her initiative, the school has decided to start guiding their students. Now the school is providing information about the Swachh Bharat Mission and importance of toilets to the students at morning prayers to generate more awareness.

Picture Credit: livemint

Also: Teen Who Teaches Slum Kids Now ‘Swachha Mission’ Ambassador

Dipali is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.