13-Yr-Old Girl Fasts For 2 Days, Gets Toilet Built At Home

Young girls across the country are devising their own ways to solve problems. A case in point is that of H Mahankali, a class VII girl, who refused to eat or drink until a toilet got constructed at her house.

The girl, residing in Talur village in Ballari district of Karnataka, heard of the importance of having a toilet at home at an awareness programme organised by the gram panchayat

Village icon

The villagers are appreciating Mahankali for her initiative and are calling her the "icon of her village".

The 13-year-old girl studies at the village government school. Her parents tried to dissuade her from fasting saying that her exams were approaching and she would fall sick. She was, however, firm on her stand. The girl chose not to eat for two whole days.

By this time, the news of her fasting had reached the gram panchayat office and local officials. They urged her to call off her fast. She refused.

Mahankali's stand compelled the authorities to begin work on constructing a toilet outside their house. Work was completed in the second week of February.

Also: Pink Toilets On Cards For Women, Kids In Karnataka

Father proud of daughter

"We don't have a proper house. When my daughter refused to have food and drink water, I felt ashamed," said her father, H Mallesh. "I tried to convince her. The gram panchayat president, secretary and other members came to my house, talked to her and started work on the toilet. Now, people are talking of her determination. I feel very proud. Overnight, she has become the 'icon' of our village."

An endeavour to avoid open defecation

Mahankali said, "I was inspired after attending the toilet awareness programme at school. I started the agitation almost blindly, but was very grateful it was fulfilled. Villagers should come forward to avoid open defection."

Hats off to Mahankali for getting a toilet constructed at her house and for propagating the message of cleanliness in her vicinity. We hope her step inspires many children of her age to do the same.

Read Also: Bengal Beggar Uses Savings To Build Toilet At Home